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Koss KSC-35 Measurements and Impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Mar 31, 2016.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Koss KSC-35 Measurements and Impressions

    I thought I should do a little bit of copypasta from Changstar regarding the Koss KSC-35 since it has been a topic of conversation lately. I don't remember the specific differences from the KSC-75, but the KSC-35 sounds like a refined version of the KSC-75. There is a little bit of brightness and a "detail" thing going on, but the 35s sound much smoother and less coarse and grainy compared to the 75s. These little hang on ear thingies sonically remind me of the Magnum (now Turbulent Labs X) drivers, but without the "shout". Good amount of mid-bass, which helps to balanced out some of the treble peaks.

    1438140429834.jpg

    Below are the V1 rig measurements, but they shouldn't differ much from the V2 rig since these headphones sit on the ears and don't really seal. There are two peaks. One around 5kHz, which adds a bit of edge (the 4-5kHz area is one area where a peak does not bother me personally). The lower treble is lifted slightly with another peak around 11kHz, which would make tape hiss more apparent and increase definition of sounds. Other than the two peaks, the frequency response is very smooth. Notice how smooth the mids are. Being dipole-like with small drivers, the bass distortion gets progressively higher as we go lower, but we've seen worse.

    Koss KSC-35 Frequency Response
    ksc35 fr.txt9ac8.jpg

    Koss KSC-35 CSDs
    ksc35l.txtf965.jpg
    ksc35r.txt1d8f.jpg

    Koss KSC-35 Distortions 90db SPL/A
    ksc35l95c3.gif
    ksc35r9ef7.gif

    If you've enjoyed this post, help me help you,
    I have a growing family and need a Porsche Macan
    consider buying a KSC-75 from Amazon.
     
    purr1n, Mar 31, 2016
    #1
  2. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    HAHA! So perfectly timed! I should dig out my pair that is re-terminated for balanced use :)
     
    shaizada, Mar 31, 2016
    #2
  3. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    Lol.
    Wait...are you for real?
     
    Eric_C, Mar 31, 2016
    #3
  4. logscool

    logscool Friend

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    An even better KSC-75! How have I not managed to buy a pair of these yet?
     
    logscool, Apr 1, 2016
    #4
  5. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    I agree.
     
    Deep Funk, Apr 1, 2016
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  6. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    YES! I have a pair that was reterminated for dual XLR :)
     
    shaizada, Apr 1, 2016
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  7. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    GOOD GRIEF (don't go playing April Fool's with my heart, now)
    Shame the KSC35 doesn't look available on Amazon now. I like the colour scheme better than my KSC75.
     
    Eric_C, Apr 1, 2016
    #7
  8. daytripper

    daytripper Friend

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    You can get them direct from Koss. $44.99, but 30% off code "JOKE30" today for April Fools Day.

    I still use them at work. I Snapped them on a $2 parts express head band. Wow, everything really takes a nose dive after 100hz.
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2016
    daytripper, Apr 1, 2016
    #8
  9. aufmerksam

    aufmerksam Friend

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    I don't doubt this for a moment.
     
    aufmerksam, Apr 1, 2016
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  10. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    KSC-35, PortaPro, SportaPro, and R10 all share the same drivers and are a bit more refined in the treble than the titanium coated KSC-75 and it's muffled KTX1 Pro cousin

    The SportaPro and the R10 are trashy, boomy mud. The KTX1 Pro sucks too.

    KSC-35 have less mud than the PortaPro but I like the PortaPro the best as a headphone due to it having a headband and blue adjustable tightness sliders which decrease bass/mud. You can also put the PortaPro on backwards and swap the channels for a brighter sound.
     
    Psalmanazar, Apr 1, 2016
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  11. Impulse

    Impulse Friend

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    Sweet, I'd never tried the KSC35 because the cheapskate in me would be like "you can buy and mod 3x KSC75s for what those run!"... For only 2x the price I can squelch that little voice. :p

    Been wanting to grab one anyway as I sewed my remaining KSC75 into a beanie hat (works pretty well)...
     
    Impulse, Apr 1, 2016
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  12. SanjiWatsuki

    SanjiWatsuki Friend

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    Just pull the drivers off a Sportapro. That's the cheapest way to get the KSC35 drivers.
     
    SanjiWatsuki, Apr 2, 2016
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  13. Bagged Milk

    Bagged Milk Friend

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    Currently waiting for my KSC-75 to get here. It's my second pair, after my idiot friend broke my first then threw them away. Absolutely loved them. Surprised there's no appreciation thread.
     
    Bagged Milk, May 2, 2016
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  14. JonCharles

    JonCharles Friend

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    Sansa clip + KSC-35 = exercising bliss. Been my dedicated workout phone for about 4 years now.
     
    JonCharles, May 2, 2016
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  15. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    Yes, finally someone else agrees at how bad the KTX1 pro sucks. Thank you !!!!
     
    crazychile, Oct 19, 2016
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  16. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Are the Sporta Pros equivalent to the KSC-35, as the KSC-35 has now been discontinued in favor of the bluetooth wireless version?

    Edit: Oh, I see Koss is still selling them directly.
     
    Merrick, Mar 21, 2022
    #16

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