Headphones reviews

Maybe I am exaggerating, but these are fine headphones except the treble seems muted. These are also lacking in imaging somewhat in the midrange on an absolute scale. I don't know if you've ever heard of the Marathon DJ Headphones, but they are just about as good without as much bass on my initial report on them. In fact these Koss headphones seem a bit boomy in the the bass or midbass to be exact. The Marathon's made by Audiovox are also easier on the wallet. This Marathon model 1100 that I am talking about. There is also a 1200 model that I know nothing of.

Koss Pro-4AA Studio Quality Headphones

Comfort issues being what they are (and they are real, but not insurmountable, at least for me), the performance of these babies is ONLY limited by the equipment used to drive them, and the quality of the recording. Period.

Ipods need not apply.

I've got mine running from software (Foobar2000 with digital eq, four-channel converter, and Dolby surround headphone listening room wrapper plug-ins) to a high quality pc soundcard, then through a OP2132 OpAmp, and I'm still not convinced getting everything I can out of them. Heart's "Dreamboat Annie" disc never sounded better.

I can't stress enough that whether you call it a virtue or a weakness, these phones WILL NOT lend a faux-audiophile sound to run-of-the-mill gear, like some modern phones will. If you haven't spent a lot of time/research and/or money on your equipment purchases, good luck with these.

They are built to last, if that helps.

Enjoy at a safe decibel level ;-]

Needing a new pair of headphones, I came to Amazon.Com to take a look around. Amazon always seems to have just what I need and at a price that can't be beat.
I had been needing a pair of headphones for quite some time, but could never find anything that came anywhere near to sounding as good as my old headphones. Then I discovered the Koss Pro-4AA headphones. My old headphones? Koss Pro-4AA. Purchased them almost 30 years ago! I quickly jumped on a new pair. I was amazed that they were still making them.
These headphones have to be the most comfortable I've ever worn. The sound is amazingingly clear. Thank you Koss! Thank you Amazon.Com!

Holy balls! Best headphones ever. Finally decided to upgrade from my more consumer-grade TD-65's. Did some research, and decided on the 4AA's.

Amazing sound reproduction with the widest range of frequency response! Deep bass, crisp highs. Every CD, Record, MP3/WMA I've run through these have sounded better than ever. I heard things in the music that I had never heard before. Like going from 20-30 vision to 20-15 (If that makes sense)

Durable! Built like a tank! These cans last a lifetime, and if for some reason, they do break, or if a dog chews the cable, KOSS covers these with the industry-leading "No-questions asked lifetime warrantee" Just mail them to KOSS with $6 and you get back a new set!

Amazing noise-cancelling. These industry-leading cans have the best sound-deadening design. The gas-filled cushions block-out ALL NOISE. when worn properly, you hear nothing. It makes plugging your ears seem loud.

Best cans ever, I am tempted to buy another set to show KOSS my appreciation. BOSE and Sennheiser have NOTHING on these phones. Buy them now!

When I was 15 (35 years ago), I was hired by my next door neighbour to stain her garage. With my profits, I went headphone shopping. For around 60 to 70 bucks Canadian, I splurged on a pair of Koss Pro-4AA headphones. Wow! Great bass, terrific highs, fine midrange. I was in love with the sounds enveloping my head. At that time, there was no better headphone in its price range. I still remember when I was 17 and in my first semester of university and was listening to the first album by Deep Purple with the phones on while reading Jane Austin's Emma sprawled out on the chesterfield. Them was the days.

A lot has happened since then. I not only finished reading Jane Austin's Emma, but I actually finished college a few times, got a job, and along the way purchased some other cans: Sennheiser 595, Grado SR-60, and a pair of AKG 271S. I have an Ipod clone and a Total Bithead headphone amp. I use my cans on my regular stereo kit with an Adcom 565 preamp headphone outlet. Each headphone has its virtues and warts. I enjoy them all, but usually listen to the AKG 271S (I listen to a lot of jazz, folk, world music, but also other genres as I teach courses like the sociology of music and popular culture for a living).

Re-evaluating my Koss Pro-4AAs, I'm surprised at how good they sound for a pair of 35 year old headphones! They are still involving, good overall sound, with excellent sound isolation and a snug, vise-like fit. If the darn things weren't so robust (read: a pain in the neck after a while as they are rather heavy) and so tight, I'd probably use them more often. I've been spoiled by the competition (and with the exception of the Grado SR-60s, paid substantially more for the other cans).

The sound of the Pro-4AA's is pretty well balanced--some over emphasis of bass, but that isn't displeasing and is oftentimes welcome (it isn't super accurate like the AKG 271S phones which excell in monitoring music, studio use, and mixing). The bass does get a bit muddy and the overall sound presentation isn't as smooth as the AKG 271S and the Sennheiser 595. The midrange of the AKG 271S is hard to beat. The midrange on the Pro-4AA's holds its own, but is not as smooth and detailed at the AKG. In some ways, the Pro-4AAs are more "musical" than the AKG 271S. The Pro-4AAs are fun to listen to and are very good. The AKG 271S is much more accuate and for me, a better phone for critical listening when I really want to dissect a song. In a sense, the Pro-4AA's are like good home stereo speakers; the AKG 271 sounds like studio monitor speakers. Both have their place in the world, but if it's a party, go with the Koss Pro-4AAs. If you are into analysis or studio work, go with the AKG 271S.

I still like the Pro-4AAs and listen to them every now and then. If you want sealed cans and are on a budget, you'd get an excellent bang for your buck with these headphones. If you don't mind leaking sound, the on the ear, Grado SR-60s are a delight. If you have the lolly and really want an accurate pair of sealed headphones, the AKG 271S is well worth it (don't bother with the MkII version as it really isn't all that different than the original version and is much more expensive). If you just want a pair of musical and involving headphones and want comfort, go with the Sennheiser 595s. Still, for a lot less, you can get the Pro-4AAs and if you are a casual listener the weight and the vise-like grip shouldn't be a detriment.

35 years later, the Koss Pro-4AAs are still viable and a very good pair of cans that can still kick the jams.