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Topic: Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55 (Read 6241 times) previous topic - next topic
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Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

hi there,

I did some research on this forum and it was mentioned several times that the Koss ksc50 / ksc55 are pretty good headphones. However, I'm not sure which one I should get. Some people say that the ksc-50 are very comfortable others say quite the opposite. Headroom says that the ksc-50 ( http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicI...ctID=0020130050 ) are more comfortable than the ksc-55 ( http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicI...ctID=0020130055 ).

At the moment I own a pair of Sony Streetstyle (MDR-G52) http://www2.shopping.com/xPF-Sony_Behind_the_Neck_Headphones

also, I read in this forum a post by someone saying that the koss ksc-50 aren't loud enough on mp3's that were Mp3Gained to 89dB. My Sony headphones have an impedance of 24 ohms...however the koss headphones have an impedance of 60 ohms! Does anyone know the specs of the iPod mini? Because I wanted to use it along with it...

The headphones that come with the iPod mini have an impedance of 32 ohms by the way.

thanks for your help
--alt-presets are there for a reason! These other switches DO NOT work better than it, trust me on this.
LAME + Joint Stereo doesn't destroy 'Stereo'

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #1 –
may I *bump* this thread
--alt-presets are there for a reason! These other switches DO NOT work better than it, trust me on this.
LAME + Joint Stereo doesn't destroy 'Stereo'

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #2 –
Are you aware of these forums?

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #3 –
Buy 1 of each.

Take back the ones you like least.

Also try the Senn ps-x100's.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #4 –
I have the 55s.  They are hella uncomfortable, if you are a bigger than average person.  They do sound decent, but quite midbass-heavy.  Also they distort on high volumes of bass very easily.  Still for $30 or so not too bad for workout headphones (what I use em for).

As for replaygaining mp3s to 89db, these are sensitive phones - you should have no trouble.  But your mp3 player itself might not drive them very loud.  My nomad II flash mem player is somewhat quiet with 89db mp3s, regardless of the headphones used.  I now use 92db and its a good compromise.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #5 –
I have KSC-50s and they hang awkwardly on my ears, if I tightened the clip they'd hurt after a little while. They sound OK, but I can't stand their design. I replaced them with KSC-35s which I really like, they actually clip snug onto the ear, which after a while does feel uncomfortable to me, but despite that I think they're great. I'd probably spend $40 on the PortaPro 2s or even the KTX Pro 2 ($20) instead of the KSC50/55.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #6 –
I've owned both the KSC-35s and the 50s, and I find that there is a sound/comfort trade-off between the two: The 35s were tighter sounding, but have all-plastic ear-clips, while the 50s sounded distant and boomy (comparatively speaking), while having softer, looser rubber(-ish) earclips. Unfortunately, the 50s also weigh a lot more, and so aren't in the "sports" category anymore, but the "street" category , as I can't imagine running with my 50s on.

If you're tending to side towards the 55s however, I also suggest taking a look at the Senny PX-100s (or whatever the designation is). I own 250s however, and have to say that sometimes I wish I got the 200s and sometimes am thankful that I have the 250s. It depends on whether I'm on a plane or not, but I travel often, so closed headphones are my preference more often than not.

edit: I got confused with the model numbers

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #7 –
I bought on last monday the Senheiser PX-100, I they cost some more money, but the quality is really good. Also they are very comfortable, not a sport or earclip headphones, but you won't notice you have them on your head while listening music.
I recommend you those.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #8 –
I recomend you but the grados sr-60. They sound much better than the px 100s and the koss 50/55. Since you'll probably end up buying then down the road anyway, you should just skip the economy line headphones.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #9 –
I have the 50 for about a year now and it is also
Quote
They are hella uncomfortable
. It hurts after 3 hours listening  but I didn't mind much because my ears are lazy for the last 18 years so it shoud not complaint because a little work out  . But apart from that they sound OK, bass is pretty good (imho) but I just found out last week that when I biking and there is REALLY windy, the headphone made some strange noise  (no idea).
still LAME 3.96.1 --preset extreme -q 0 -V 0 -m s at least until 2005.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #10 –
Heh, Tau, it sounds if you have something against those Senny headphones, although I agree the Grados are wonderful portable headphones, although I haven't tested them myself.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #11 –
It is obvious the grados sound better, but for the size of the px100 they also sound really good. I just bought them for hours and hours of street walking, and the grados are bigger.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #12 –
Thank you guys! I appreciate your feedback. I think I'll get a pair of Sennheiser PX-100 instead. They cost twice as much but I read only positive things about them...they are also good for portable players I guess. So does anyone know where I can get them for cheap?

thanks
--alt-presets are there for a reason! These other switches DO NOT work better than it, trust me on this.
LAME + Joint Stereo doesn't destroy 'Stereo'

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #13 –
Amazon.com sells the Sennheiser PX100's for $33.94

You must  add them to your cart to see the price.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #14 –
Interrelated, Circuit City is selling Koss PortaPro 2's for $19.99.

See the thread over at Head-Fi.

I slightly prefer the sound of the KSC35s, but these are close and fit at least my ears much better. Can't go wrong for the price.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #15 –
Quote
Interrelated, Circuit City is selling Koss PortaPro 2's for $19.99.

See the thread over at Head-Fi.

I slightly prefer the sound of the KSC35s, but these are close and fit at least my ears much better. Can't go wrong for the price.

That's a pretty good deal. A couple weeks ago they were $39 at my local Circuit City.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #16 –
Quote
Amazon.com sells the Sennheiser PX100's for $33.94

You must  add them to your cart to see the price.

wow! thanks a lot. they offer free shipping too *sweet*

Quote
Interrelated, Circuit City is selling Koss PortaPro 2's for $19.99.

that's a good price, but not surprising considering that they use the same drivers as the ksc-50/55 and that those go for 13 bucks. However, PortaPro 2's look just plain stupid so I don't think I could wear them in public though...according to headphone.com the Sennheiser PX 100
Quote
sound slightly better than the [...]Koss PortaPro, are better looking, more durable, and has the ability to fold up like a pair of glasses.
However, taken that price the Koss PortaPro 2's offer a much better price/value ratio. For those who don't care about the look those are the way to go IMHO. For portable use, I'd recommend spending 14 bucks more on the Sennheiser's...
--alt-presets are there for a reason! These other switches DO NOT work better than it, trust me on this.
LAME + Joint Stereo doesn't destroy 'Stereo'

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #17 –
Quote
Amazon.com sells the Sennheiser PX100's for $33.94

You must  add them to your cart to see the price.

I just bought them for $50  . I have nothing senns. So far, they're great cans. When I said he should just buy grados, I was assuming he wasn't going to use the head phones for portable use (he never stated otherwise).

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #18 –
there is one thing I always wondered about: is there an advantage of having the cord attached to each can? I mean, even the most expensive headphones have 2 cords...I think it's much more comfortable just having a cord on one can, don't you think? I think that's something that could be improved on the Sennheiser PX 100's...maybe in the next line? I heart they release a new model every year...that's probably why Amazon has them for cheap?!
--alt-presets are there for a reason! These other switches DO NOT work better than it, trust me on this.
LAME + Joint Stereo doesn't destroy 'Stereo'

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #19 –
Quote
there is one thing I always wondered about: is there an advantage of having the cord attached to each can? I mean, even the most expensive headphones have 2 cords...

There are some very expensive headphones (Beyer DT880- $265, Sony CD3000 $400+, etc.) with only one cord.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #20 –
I have used the KSC50s for over a year exclusively. Early on, they would occasionally become uncomfortable on the top of the ear, but at this point I can listen to them for many hours a day without really noticing them. I would highly reccomend them in that price range.
They have an impedance of 60 ohms, but can be easily driven by my iPod. They do sound better through my vintage Marantz amp (and I assume would through a headphone amp), but are infinitely better than those terrible Apple earbuds any day in all applications.
I have some more serious headphones arriving in the mail today (Sennheiser HD555s) but for what they are, The KSC50s are fabulous headphones in my opinion.

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #21 –
Quote
Quote
there is one thing I always wondered about: is there an advantage of having the cord attached to each can? I mean, even the most expensive headphones have 2 cords...

There are some very expensive headphones (Beyer DT880- $265, Sony CD3000 $400+, etc.) with only one cord.

yeah, but there are also $650 Sennheiser headphones with 2 cords...grados also have two cords. So I don't see an advantage of having 2 cords connected...and I don't get why using one cord would be a problem...
--alt-presets are there for a reason! These other switches DO NOT work better than it, trust me on this.
LAME + Joint Stereo doesn't destroy 'Stereo'
 

Koss KSC-50 vs KSC-55

Reply #22 –
I really wanted to stay away from ear-clip and "street" behind-the-neck models, so I chose to go with the Koss KTXPro1. I'm not sure, but I think they use the same drivers as the KSC series. I didn't notice any difference in sound between the two. I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I bought them at CompUSA for $19.95.

- Scott