Headphones reviews

I had the KOSS TD-80s and I was really happy with them. I hoped these would perform similarly, but they do not. These headphones are all muddy bass, and the mid-range is very muffled. To the point where I have to question what KOSS was thinking when they made these, it's ridiculous.

If you care at all about hearing your music the way it is meant to sound, these are not for you. If you don't care and you're the type who turns the bass boost on your speakers all the way up, you might like these.

These headphones don't allow the earpieces to extend enough. They fit poorly. The headband ends with two large-ish, black plastic pieces (where the silver starts) which rest fully on my head, digging into it and causing discomfort. I have to constantly move them to get relief. Fully extended, the grip is bad and the headphones still move around a lot. If I tilt my head forward or back, the headphones shift, perilously close to falling off. The sound output is also more tinny than my simple iPod earphones.

Cable length is good though.

I bought these as a replacement for the TD 65 model that I have had for years. I really love my 65 model but the pads have lost their covering and fall off because the glue does not stick as well. I have since found out that I can order replacements from Koss and I have done so. These headphones do have very good sound but for me they are quite uncomfortable. The TD 65's had a much thicker pad so they really covered and hugged your ears well. They are more light weight and the plastic headband is flexible and comfotable. The TD 85 is more heavy duty but the top band is not as flexible and the hard plastic ends that hold the headphones adjustment bands give me a headache after a little while of pressing against my skull. I listen to music and audio books almost all day long when I am working so these don't work well for me. I also tried the UR40 and returned them since I prefer a closed model that keeps as much of the sound in my ear so as not to disturb my co-workers. Maybe the TD 80 would be a better choice.

I made the mistake of ordering these and taking the previous review lightly. I ordered these for my laptop, and they have the same kind of boxy sound (as if you are listening through a seashell) quality I was afraid of. I just dont understand all the decible range stuff. I have tried other [cheaper] KOSS models and was satisfied. These, on the other hand, must hold some other uses aside from personal leisure listening.

Good side:
However, they are very durable (the most durable Ive seen) and may suffice for professional studios.
These headphones also do a good job of concelling outside noise, and sound much much better when listening to rock or metal as opposed to orchestral music.

These are replacing the TD80's at the station, and they're good enough that I may decide to leave my Sennheiser HD-497's at home. The TD80's individual volume controls were a nuisance and the fit was somewhat tight. The TD85's, by contrast, have dropped the individual volume wheels and, if anything, tend to be too loose-fitting. Not recommended if you move your head vigorously while listening with phones. On the other hand, the improved definition in the bass frequencies along with the highly present and responsive mid- and high-range frequencies make the loose fit a comfort issue only: the listener is as "close" to the sound as he could hope to be. In fact, the mid-range is perhaps a little too pronounced and unforgiving, bringing out a certain amount of unwanted harshness in performers' voices. (Some of this effect is undoubtedly due to the extremely high efficiency of these phones. After the Sennheiser's, I'm not used to ratcheting down on the volume control.)

Definitely a quality pair of phones for the money. I doubt the wider frequency response of the Koss Pro Studio or Titanium headphones, even if detectable, would make them worth the added cost and weight.

[Since writing the above, I've had a chance to compare them to the Koss UR40's, which are not only lighter, better fitting and more comfortable than the TD85's but fuller sounding! The TD85's are more rugged and have a long cord, which may make them a better candidate for some home and studio applications. But if you take your music with you or work close to a microphone for 2-3 hour stretches, check out the UR40's.]