Koss Headphones had a 2014 full of flagship products launched this year, with its sights aimed at an optimistic future. The NFC enabled BT540i simplified Bluetooth listening on mobile devices, then their ergonomic SP330 & SP540 delivered comfortable music enjoyment for all. Finally, Koss will end the year on a high note with its new Pro4S stereophones, geared toward studio and music monitoring.

But what are “studio” headphones, and what makes them different from other models? Most headphones may have a compensated or enhanced EQ to tailor towards certain listener preferences — i.e. more bass. Reference or studio monitoring needs to be free of any tuning, for those who need to listen to an accurate representation of their content, like audio engineers and music producers.

So, we put the Pro4S to the test all month — at home, at a Hollywood recording studio, and on a TV production. Here’s what we found:

The design

The Pro4S is a full-sized, circumaural studio headphone that is a fine blend of transparent sound, comfortable durability, and practical design. Weighing a hair under 7 oz (195 g), even as an over-ear model, it’s compact and light enough for use in any environment.

Its tough, aluminum internal frame is encased by both metal and plastic molding, and outfitted with soft, breathable materials for the best strength and comfort. The headband is supported with memory foam and mesh cloth that feels weightless, even after many hours of wear. The ear cup hinges are also metallic and soft-locking, for added durability without creating temporal pressure.

Comfort and weight are vital for studio applications, where engineers can log many more hours of use than home listeners. That’s why the Pro4S also features the same “D-profile” ear cups first featured on Koss’ classic Pro4AAA, and its recent SP series headphones. Because of this shape, you’ll get great passive isolation that’s evenly distributed more naturally around your ear.  These cast aluminum ear cups have a high quality feel, and are fashioned with a shaved silver trim that may scratch easily, which isn’t a deal breaker for us, but still worth mentioning.

The cups lay flat for storage inside an included soft clamshell case, and the hinges can fold the ear cups towards the headband for further portability. This especially helps for location audio work, where space is limited and mobility is key. The headband is adjustable at discreet steps, and even at full extension, there doesn’t seem to be any signs of stress when bending or tweaking the phones.

Another key feature on the Pro4S is its dual-entry detachable cord. The circuitry automatically routes a stereo signal to both drivers, regardless of which side you plug into. Plus, the remaining open end becomes a pass-through output, so you could daisy chain another Pro4S alongside it.

The included 4.5 ft. (1.4 m) cable is coiled in the middle, in between two long straight sections. This distributes the cable’s weight more evenly, and helps clear up obstructions when plugging into any source. This is also half the length and weight of Sony’s MDR-7506 coiled cable, which is almost 10 ft. long.

While a longer cable could be more accommodating, Koss hit the right mark in length versus obstructiveness, with the added convenience of simply unplugging oneself from the cord entirely. The only downside is if this cable is misplaced, users will have a hard time finding a replacement other than what’s provided by Koss, because of the recessed ports on the Pro4S.

Made with rugged materials, comfortable cushioning, and lined with a simple silver trim, the Koss Pro4S is dressed to impress and made with comfort in mind. Aesthetics and features are great, but does it have the sound signature to match?

The sound

Studio or reference headphones are usually advertised to have a flat frequency response, where, ideally, all signals are reproduced uniformly across all frequencies without bias (example above). The Pro4S is driven by Koss’ new SLX40 elements that are tuned for reference, delivering what they advertise as “incredibly accurate and unbiased sound”.

Its specs seem to be on-par with other studio models, with a few differences:

• Response: 10 Hz – 25 kHz
• Sensitivity: 99 dB SPL
• Impedance: 35 Ohms
• THD: <0.3% average (@400 Hz – 1 kHz, 95 dB SPL)
• Max Load: 500 mW

While response and sensitivity are where they need to be, its has a lower impedance and load rating than most models. This is probably to accommodate a wide range of home studio setups and listening, but may have less gain headroom for some professional board outputs.

We lent these stereophones to several engineers in the music and film audio worlds, and their feedback was consistent. The Pro4S, in general, has the soundscape of a studio headphone, but seems to have a character of its own, with additional warmth in the mid range, and clarity in higher registers. However, no frequency bands seem exaggerated, and it retrieves enough detail in all ranges to gauge how tracks sit in a mix.

There are moments when this perceived slight emphasis can sit on the harsh side, when it comes to certain instrumentation. One of the music engineers who tested our Pro4S had difficulty assessing if the twang of an overdriven Telecaster was distorting. Upon switching back to his usual pair, this wasn’t the case.

Despite its accented soundscape, the Pro4S at least provides listeners with a pleasurable experience. For what it’s worth, casually listening to finished music with this pair is actually not as thin or lacking as other studio models. It may not perform like a true “reference” model, but it can at least produce a more neutral sound to a variety of subjective preferences.

The industry

This isn’t to discount the clarity of the Pro4S, which is especially beneficial for tracking vocals. We tested out this pair at a Hollywood dubbing stage, and could properly judge tonal differences between the originally recorded dialogue and the replacement voice-overs. These sessions can last for many hours a day, but there were no complaints of discomfort from the recording team. They especially enjoyed the detachable cord, so they could quickly leave the board for a coffee, without having to take off the headphones entirely.

We also lent the Pro4S to a couple production sound mixers, who primarily record on-set dialogue. Even on an upcoming reality TV series, where there are many mic sources and inputs involved, and characters unpredictably speaking to one other, the Pro4S could retrieve enough detail from all sources to properly EQ and mix. While on location, these headphones are great for long listening sessions, but its materials may heat up considerably on a warm day outside.

Let’s take a moment to compare the Pro4S to two current favorites in the biz — Sony’s workhorse MDR-7506, considered an industry standard, and Sennheiser’s more compact HD25-1, another widely compatible reference pair. All three of these headphones are geared towards professional markets, and the Pro4S seems to be the middle ground that addresses issues with current models.

The 7506’s are considered the standard and used in a variety of applications. It’s also circumaural, with minimal pressure around the ear, and a neutral soundscape that is uniform from production to post. The earcups fold inward towards the headband, but because it has a much longer cable, the 7506 can easily become a tangled mess during storage.

The on-ear HD25’s are more compact and also great for many situations, especially while on location. They have great isolation, and seem to distribute pressure evenly across the adjustable headband. However, the on-ear style can become fatiguing during long sessions, especially if the listener is wearing glasses.

Take the isolation and compactness of the HD25’s, with the sound and comfort of the 7506, add a detachable cable, and the Pro4S is a nice marriage between the two.

The verdict

Not only is the Pro4S quite possibly the most comfortable pair of headphones of its class, it has class too. It may have a sound signature that slightly deviates from a promise of “incredibly accurate and unbiased sound”, but as always, Koss’ functional design and build quality places the listening experience as a whole first and foremost. At $149 USD, the Pro4S is worth experiencing, no matter where your studio happens to be.

The post Koss Headphones Pro4S: Monitoring With Class appeared first on VR World.

Two new “stereophone” models are now available from Koss Headphones (KOSS), built from the ground up, for comfortably and portably enjoying music: the over-ear SP540, and the on-ear SP330. First seen at CES 2014, this duo features a smooth blend of comfort, design, and sound quality to enjoy at home or on-the-go.

The most prominent feature of this duo is its ear cup shape, which has roots in Koss’ Pro4AA and Pro4AAA models from the mid-1970’s. When the designers at Koss approached how to improve the music listening experience with the SP series, the “D” shape was a logical choice that was already successful throughout their history. Having a profile that more naturally forms with the human ear lends itself to better isolation, less pressure points, and an enhanced enclosure for delivering audio.

All materials used in the SP series design were chosen for specific functions. A majority of the body is made from a dense plastic blend, providing structure to areas that need to be rigid. The plastic has a soft coating for a smear-free surface and elegant feel. The hinges and internal frame, areas of constant wear and tear, are made of anodized aluminum to provide strength and improve lifespan. The headband and ear cups are lined with soft, breathable memory foam that properly contour a wide range of head shapes.

Somehow, Koss was able to combine all of these elements and still keep things lightweight and portable, even for the longest listening sessions. Let’s take a closer look at both models:

Koss SP540: the not-so-big big brother

At first, the circumaural SP540 seems to be the larger of the two, but both models take up roughly the same footprint. The earcups and headband are just full-size enough to create a proper seal around your ears. Factor in a weight of only 6.6 oz (187 g), and you have a pair that is both snug and comfy for long hours of wear.

Made of premium memory foam and protein leather, the SP540’s cushions are molded to gradually increase in density towards the back and bottom of the cup, evenly distributing pressure around the ear. The headband also has a strip of breathable memory foam inside, relieving further pressure. This result is a sound stage with a pronounced response and isolation.

The SP540 features Koss’ same PLX40 driver elements as their new BT540i Bluetooth model, which debuted earlier this Fall. According to an interview with Koss, the driver type and tuning is identical between the two models. However, the SP540’s improved seal and profile, as well as closer proximity to the ear, accentuates its low and mid-low frequency ranges.

This is especially noticeable for Pop, Hip Hop, and Electronic genres, but may slightly muddy up Rock, Jazz, and Classical tunes. High frequencies are crisp enough without being fatiguing, although vocals could be warmer at times. Overall, the SP540’s sound signature is colored for mainstream music enjoyment.

Koss SP330: soft, snug, and small

For those who prefer on-ear headphones, the SP330 shares the same passion for comfortable listening. Made with the same materials as its big brother, the SP330 also provides a massaged sound that’s great for hours on end. At 3.8 oz (107 g), it’s about half the weight of the SP540, and easy to forget that you’re wearing it at all.

On the end of its lightweight and rigid frame sits two soft ear “pillows”, embedded with the same memory foam and acoustic fabric. The D-profile also improves on-ear listening, forming a similar seal to enhance isolation and reproduction. Because the acoustic grill is situated right over the ear canal, some of our testers have experienced discomfort when accidentally pushing against the ear cup, forcing air into the ear.

Despite its smaller size (and consequently smaller drivers), the SP330 still delivers a rich soundscape similar to its big brother. Because of its isolation, listeners can still get the most out Koss’ PLX30 elements, which provide firm lows and ripe highs. In fact, the SP330 seems to have a better grasp on lower frequencies than the SP540, allowing just enough without dulling the mid range.

Both the SP330 and SP540 include a detachable 4-foot, 3.5 mm TRS cable that plugs into a recessed port on the left ear cup. All of this folds flat into a soft clamshell case, ready to go for its next session.

Continuing the legacy

“We take a lot of pride in meeting people who’ve used the Pro4AA that they’ve had for many decades,” recalls Michael Koss Jr, Marketing Director of Koss Corporation, “One of the things we thought of when designing [the SP series] was trying to ensure the same type of legacy with them, so that thirty years from now, folks could come up to us and say the same exact thing.”

“I think that’s what sets us apart as a brand. If you think about it, especially in consumer electronics, there’s not many products out there from 30 years ago that are still functional and operate well. So I’m very proud that we come out with products that can stand the test of time.”

While it may be early to tell if the SP series can withstand such a lifespan, Koss is confident that their new headphones are built to last, backing them up with a lifetime warranty. Reading reviews on Amazon and other retailer sites, the initial feedback of the SP series has been very approving, all pointing towards a true bang-for-your-buck experience.

At $129 and $149 USD respectively, the SP330 and SP540 delivers premium listening and comfort at surprising value.

The post Koss SP330 & SP540 Reshapes Music Listening appeared first on VR World.

Remember when NFC was cool? It still is. With the NFC-enabled BT540i Bluetooth headphones from KOSS, you can easily pair to a compatible device and enjoy surprisingly sweet sound quality with just a tap.

The BT540i is the latest in KOSS Corporation’s (KOSS) expansion of their “mobile” products line. Since 2012’s CES Show, KOSS has introduced many full-size, in-ear, and sport models that incorporate mobile device functionality, like many other consumer audio companies.

This circumaural Bluetooth model utilizes updated componentry and touts exceptional sound quality, while being very simple to use.

Here’s what you need to know:

That was quick

With our NFC-ready Google Nexus 5 (LG), unboxing literally look less than a minute.

Also included are a micro-USB charging cable, 4-foot 3.5mm cable for corded listening, warranty card, and instructions in both English & Russian (for some reason), all inside of a stylish soft-shell case.

After turning on the BT540i and tapping my phone to the right earcup’s edge, the Nexus 5 immediately enabled Bluetooth and synced up. No diving into menus, scanning and pairing – Done.

With products like our iPad Mini, which doesn’t support NFC, we had to traditionally enable the iPad’s radio, turn the headphones into “discovery” mode (sliding the power button for 4 seconds), and sync the BT540i once it shows up on iOS.

Function over form

With it’s high-density plastic supported by an aluminum frame, fully rotating/folding ear cups, soft foam leather cushioning, and clothed headband, the BT540i delivers the core elements most important to listeners. Weighing in at 8.2 oz, they’re not as light as a pair of Bose Soundlinks but definitely less straining than what’s offered from other consumer models.

The headband and cups are snug enough to offer good passive isolation, while soft enough for long hours of wear. The cups create a solid seal around our ears, and there is very little bleed that could disturb people nearby, even in quiet environments. Because the hinges and cups can rotate on multiple axis, the BT540i can accommodate for any head shape.

All of the controls are ergonomically placed on right ear cup, with the volume, transport, and power keys logically ordered around the rim. The buttons are easy to press, with audible feedback either from the headphones or from your mobile device’s OS. Flipping the power switch illuminates an LED indicator light that shows sync status and battery level.

Using the same framework as their PRODJ200, these headphones are covered in matte black with metallic, grooved barrel hinges and KOSS emblems as accents. The overall design is minimalist at best, and while enthusiasts will argue that what really matters is the componentry inside (it does), at a certain point there needs to be a sense of branding.

There are many, many black headphones on the market, and Koss’ entire over-ear headphone line pretty much stays within this box. Why not add a small trim of color? Bring back the subtle blue tones of the PortaPro, which till this day is the pair that most consumers associate with the brand.

Better components = better sound

To better illustrate the technology encased inside the BT540i, check out this quick video:

Koss introduced their new PLX40 driver elements inside, producing a slightly colored profile across it’s 100 dB SPL & 38-Ohm circuitry. Because of an overall improvement in power efficiency, there is little to no noticeable noise floor in both Bluetooth and hardwired modes.

The main reason why they chose to use the PRODJ200 frame is because it allowed enough space to fit the wireless and battery components inside, without having to compromise driver size. The diameter of a driver element is a crucial for natural signal reproduction, and anything smaller than 40mm usually results in a more colored profile to compensate.

Listening to an uncompressed source via the 3.5mm connector does reveal a slight boost in the lower frequency bands, however this bump is potentially beneficial for information loss during Bluetooth encoding/decoding. Regardless, what you hear is a smoothed out listening experience for enjoying music on the go, no matter how you connect.

Jazz. Classical. Alternative Rock. Metal. Electronic/Pop…

Every genre had a consistently pleasing listening experience across all of our devices, both over Bluetooth and corded listening. Because the BT540i seems to have a relatively flat frequency response, it has enough headroom for those who want to EQ their experience device-end.

Unplugged

For cord-free listening, these phones utilize an aptX codec over Bluetooth 3.0, which is a solid wireless delivery format. With most current devices moving onto Bluetooth’s 4.0, it’s surprising that headphones haven’t moved onto this SoC by now, which is not only more power-efficient, but has lower production costs too.

According to our recent interview with Koss, the advantages are too slim for audio products, so they stuck to the current high-quality standard.

The internal battery is advertised to last 8 hours, but we’ve consistently tested it to be closer to 6.5 hours of continuous listening time at moderate, comfortable volumes. That’s not bad, considering you may only need to charge 2-3 times a week to handle your daily commute.

Charging the BT540i isn’t quick, but isn’t slow either. From an empty tank, these stereophones are ready to go in about 90-120 minutes via a micro-USB connector. Trying AC adapters (not included) of different outputs makes little difference for charging speed and holding life, but for headphones you should stick to a plug of 1A or less for longevity.

On the move

Like many of its competitors, Koss is aiming its sights on mobile devices. So how does the BT540i perform on current mobile platforms?

Android 4.4 (KitKat) – On the Nexus 5, long pressing on the play/select button only activates a call-only voice dialer on stock Android. While this may differ on Samsung or HTC builds, it would be nice if this could engage a Google Now prompt for more robust hands-free control.

The noise-cancelling mics seem aggressively tuned, so we’ve found the need to speak at higher than normal volumes during calls so that our speech wasn’t garbled or phased out – this was the same on any OS.

Pressing the play button immediately starts your last track played track on Google Play Music. Apps like Spotify can override this, which is how I jumped from an NFC tap straight into my music in seconds. Transport and volume controls are free from quirks.

iOS 7/8 – On any current iOS device, long pressing the play button starts a Siri prompt, which listens for a multitude of actions that is always growing and adapting. Pressing the play button once starts iTunes, and all transport/volume controls are fine.

While the iPhone 6 does have a NFC chip, it’s currently designed only for the Apple Pay system, which is a shame since Apple has locked itself out of a world of simple device compatibility.

Windows 8 Mobile – For some reason, we had a difficult time pairing the BT540i with a Surface Pro. Both devices recognize each other, being a standard Bluetooth connection, yet they refused to pair every time. At the time of this review, we didn’t have another W8 device to try, so hopefully this is an isolated issue.

Koss moves forward

Last week, we interviewed Michael J Koss, CEO & President of Koss Corp, about these stereophones and how the company plans will stay fresh for music lovers for the years ahead.

Even though Koss adapted to current market trends for consumer audio, the BT540i would have made a better smash hit if it debuted a year before. As overseas production increased over the past couple years, the rise in availability of low-cost consumer headphones have skyrocketed too.

The BT540i is well built, acoustically pleasing, and very simple to use – especially at its price point of $199 MSRP. If there’s anything negative to say, it’s the fact that Koss should have released it sooner.

Overall, we’re very pleased with this pair, and will continue to be an everyday carry for some of our editors. The BT540i is a good indication of where Koss is heading, but they’ll need to continuously stay with or ahead of the curve, no matter how dedicated their loyal fans have been over the decades.

The post KOSS BT540i: Solid, Simple, Sound. appeared first on VR World.

Miluawakee, WI – KOSS recently unveiled its new BT540i NFC-ready Bluetooth headphones, indicating what lies ahead for this iconic American audio brand.

Bright Side of News* has an exclusive interview with Michael J. Koss, President and CEO of KOSS Corporation (NASDAQ: KOSS), about what went into the design of the BT540i, and how the company brand will stay fresh in the minds of music lovers in the years ahead.

Bright Side of News*: I’m really digging the BT540i, and noticed that the design is based on a similar framework as your PRODJ200 model. Was there reason behind this?

Michael J Koss: It’s already a robust design that gives us a really good working platform. These phones will experience more movement and flexing than a pair you would stay at home with. Ergonomically, the cups lend themselves to proper button placement. And we also have room within the body to lay out the Bluetooth, battery, amp and other circuitry, without having to sacrifice diaphragm size.

BSN*: Speaking of diaphragm, Koss is really pushing the PLX40 driver elements. Were these made here in the US?

MJK: We still design 100% of our transducers in-house, and manufacturer them here in Milwaukee or with other contracted manufacturers. We never source third-party hardware.

BSN*: Koss isn’t new to the Bluetooth world, what does this offer?

MJK: Right, things have changed considerably over the past years. With our earlier Cobalt model, introduced in the early 2000’s, the problem was there wasn’t a big enough installed base of transmitters. We sold it with both a USB-dongle transmitter for your computer, and headphone-jack version for plugging into mobile players – and that was back in the day of “plug & pray”.

Because you had those extra parts, overall it affected convenience. So while [Cobalt] had success, it was nowhere near where it should’ve been. Now with NFC, Bluetooth can be taken to a whole new level.

BSN*: Speaking of Bluetooth, the BT540i utilizes Bluetooth 3.0. Did your team look into Bluetooth 4.0 during the development process?

MJK: Yes, but we decided to go with 3.0 and aptX codec. The major benefits to 4.0, as it stands today, are for devices that need continuous monitoring capabilities, like heart monitors. We weren’t going to gain anything from that platform for audio performance.

It’s important everybody realizes that we could have the greatest wireless technology and best codec in the world, but if the source material (music) isn’t [high quality] as well … You can always have great point-to-point transmission, but if the source material has lousy compression or distortion, all the AMP/DAC’s in  the world aren’t going to help.

We’ve known this since our first IR-transmitter products in the mid-1970’s.

BSN*: Let’s move onto design. Other than the STRIVA, the BT540i seems to just follow the rest of your black & grey over-ear stereophone line. There are many black headphones on the market today, why is Koss sticking to this color scheme?

MJK: Well, “black is the new black!” (Laughs)

BSN*: “True, it’s like, how much more black can this be? None, none more black.”

MJK: We may do color at some point, but black has always looked very elegant, a style nobody is going to object to. Some of these brands out today have gotten away with brighter colors for very expensive models, which is interesting because we’ve been in this business for long enough to have gone through all the fashion fads.

Typically, color variants would gravitate towards lower price points, because people wouldn’t take them seriously. I think when you look at the design elements: the ear cushions and cups, headband covers, and accents, it doesn’t it look fake or phony because it feels like a nice pair of gloves or a quality handbag.

BSN*: Regarding Koss Corp. as a whole, its current challenges of loss reports & downgrades on Wall Street, and the consumer market being flooded with tons of brands both domestic and from overseas… With so much of the “company story” or mission statement that reminisces about the past, what steps is Koss taking to ensure it stays a recognizable name for the years ahead?

MJK: The fact that we have a history, that lends itself to authenticity of our product line – that’s very important to us. That’s the reason why we wound up featured on ‘Mad Men’ recently. It was a period piece, but when my son [Michael Koss Jr.] visited the film set, it was pretty evident that the producers were complimenting how Koss has always stuck to what it did, in a very authentic way.

So when we talk about being the “original American stereophone company”, we really mean that. Our products have been so successful over the years, and there aren’t many brands that can maintain that type of presence in your mind. Just like a Leica camera, you can see how that family has always stuck to its knitting.

With our products, sound is the most important thing we believe in, while making them as comfortable as possible, so you can enjoy it for long periods. But we look at sound character as being the most unique feature first, and we haven’t strayed too much from that.

Fads fade – so we’ve focused on what we do best, and we’ve developed a very solid following of those who love buying our products.

BSN*: What about the next generation of consumers?

MJK: Products like our BT540i are a good indication of what lies ahead. You may have seen our new portable Bluetooth speakers, the upcoming Studiophone, and two new D-style cup models that have a throwback ergonomic design, at the CES show this year.

These are really signals to where we are headed in the future. At some point we also look towards refreshing our popular PortaPros too, because there is no other model that can match its size, design, comfort, and features at its price point in the market today.

BSN*: Any final comments?

MJK: Everyone we’ve sent these phones to have commented with good experiences. There are many Bluetooth headphones out that just don’t cut it when it comes to audio quality, amplification, and power efficiency. We’re very happy about the performance and the people seem to be happy about it too.

BSN*: Thanks for your time.

~

BSN has been testing a pair of BT540i headphones this week. Stay tuned for an in-depth review of this product, and how it tips its hat to the company’s past, while aiming its sights for the future.

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