Koss KPH40 - Not thrilled about these OR did I get a bad set?

Submitted by lcerura t3_121zz1b in headphones

I used to get the Porta Pros years back. One's wiring would screw up and I'd replace it with another set. Always loved them. Until Bluetooth came along and I was happy to be rid of all the twisted wiring.

Here I am with my wired Audio-Technica and my bluetooth Marshall in need of something easier on my ears.

Read so many praises over the KPH40 and ordered a set. Got it today and dang. For me? Horrible.

No matter what I hooked them to, the sound felt muted. Been listening lately to orchestral music, classical, ambient as well as trance. For trance, I've gotta be able to blast them.

On these? Blasting them left me hugely wanting. I felt like, "is that it! ??? "

Or did I get a bad pair? Returning them nonetheless.

I remember being able to blast music on the Porta Pros and being hugely satisfied.

What is all this hype about?

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No-Context5479 t1_jdo8nd5 wrote

You most likely didn't get a bad pair... You just don't like the tonality... Same thing for those who may not like the Audio-Technicas and the Marshall you have if they demoed it... Different HRTF makes for differing opinions on headphones. Also the frequency response of both the KPH40 and the PortaPros are so close you might as well call them the same headphones but you getting enjoyment out of those and not the KPH40 is certainly eye brow raising.

Also yes return them

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Merkurio_92 t1_jdohhz9 wrote

EQ them.

I've mine with this preset and they're a delight to listen, especially for its comfort:

https://i.ibb.co/TKVQw9q/image-2023-03-25-17-10-46.png

Day and night difference vs stock sound.

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lcerura OP t1_jdoo5nq wrote

Yeah, I'd gone my own way.

On the phone, the PowerAmp Music player's always been a great way, for me, to get music sounding the way I want.

On the PC, I channeled the sound through FL Studio.

Neither produced anything remotely promising and raising the volume only left me with a distorted overblown mess.

BTW, thanks for the reminder. Used to use that EQ APO long ago. Had forgotten all about it.

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Merkurio_92 t1_jdortgl wrote

Try the preset (using EQ APO or whatever you want) and tell me what you think. ;)

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lcerura OP t1_jdp1o45 wrote

Okay, that made a big difference. Dang. I missed that.

But, on the phone still not good. If there were a solution on the phone then I might keep it. Tried other EQ android apps and nothing made an acceptable difference for me.

Thanks again though.

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Merkurio_92 t1_jdp23pp wrote

For phone, you could try UAPP with the Toneboosters plugin to get parametric EQ on Android.

Or the better solution IMO, just buy a Qudelix-5K, which is the swiss knife of the audio world. :)

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lcerura OP t1_jdp7ti6 wrote

Qudelix-5K, hmmmmm. Reading up on it now.

You've piqued my interest. Not that I'm rushing out to get one, but I am interested in anything that can improve my listening experience.

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lcerura OP t1_jdooj39 wrote

Also, do you listen to the sort of music I'm referring to?
I mean, club music that's meant to be blasted? Are you able to get that loud club sound on yours?

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Merkurio_92 t1_jdosbgg wrote

Everything sounds fantastic, including all sorts of classical and electronic music (my preferred genres).

I'm able to listen to bass-heavy content at sufficiently high volumes without any problem.

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KilgoretheTrout55 t1_jdp2hbx wrote

Koss kph30i, porta pro and ksc75 had such a great reputation that when the kph40 came out. I think they kind of were sold on reputation. There was also quite a few thirsty YouTube creators that were happy to collect the affiliate link sales on these (ahem zeos)

I never tried them but people I trust told me kph30i we're much better in terms of tuning.

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aj95_10 t1_jdwrzsl wrote

nah i feel the ksc75 is still the king of the koss, with an headband and yaxi pads even more but kinda defeats the cheap price bit.

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