Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X

[HunTer]

Does anyone have any thoughts on these?



I own a Monoprice 1060 (open back Planar) and I have borrowed a Sennhheiser 6xx (open back dynamic). I like both very much, specially when pairing whith Bass A-100 as headphone amp.

Now I am intriguing about this Electrostatic tecnology which I know have been around for some time but never at this affordable low price.

[HunTer]

www.koss.com/blog/massdrop-koss-esp95x/

[GreenKiwi]

I've heard that they don't have much bass, so if you're OK with that then they are supposed to be very enjoyable. I believe people really like them for lighter classical.

I'm holding out and saving up for the Mr Speaker Voce, though I think he'll be onto the Voce 2 by the time I'm ready to get them.

[jerrin]

Apr 26, 2019 15:45:03 GMT -5 HunTer said:

Does anyone have any thoughts on these?



I own a Monoprice 1060 (open back Planar) and I have borrowed a Sennhheiser 6xx (open back dynamic). I like both very much, specially when pairing whith Bass A-100 as headphone amp.

Now I am intriguing about this Electrostatic tecnology which I know have been around for some time but never at this affordable low price.

I've read that they are very similar to the older 950's and they basically just took the battery and case away. If that is true, then I can give you my impressions of the older 950's.

I had been using planars, but I had read that the 950's were much better and at Emofest I took the opportunity to talk to Keith and he agreed that they were really fantastic headphones for the $.

After owning they for awhile, I can say I like them much more than the planers or the senn 600s I had listened to. While I would not say that they are weak in the bass, I would say that if you are a bass head and are not planning on upgrading the energizer one day, then you probably won't be satisfied. I think the bass is sufficient and is detailed. But the truth is the energizer (power source) holds them back.

I wish Emotiva would build a nice electrostatic amp. Instead, I'm going to upgrade to a KGHVSS Carbon. I'm not planning on "upgrading" the headphones anytime soon. The sound is wonderful right now, but the 950's can be significantly better with a more powerful energizer/amp. Based on what I heard, I'd say you are probably getting around 55-60% of what the headset can do with the basic energizer it comes with.

For the money that massdrop is asking, I wouldn't have anything else (I'm listening to them as I type this). The Koss 950s are the real deal if you value a musical midrange, really nice highs, and good, but not overpowering bass.

[GreenKiwi]

I did find this set of graphs: www.head-fi.org/threads/anything-better-499-than-koss-esp-95x-for-high-fidelity.891988/#post-14567629

I imagine that it comes down to what sort of music to which you listen.

But maybe I'm just trying to convince myself that I don't need another pair of headphones.

Can the 950 be driven by the Stax standard amps?

[vcautokid]

Apr 26, 2019 15:45:03 GMT -5 HunTer said:

Does anyone have any thoughts on these?



I own a Monoprice 1060 (open back Planar) and I have borrowed a Sennhheiser 6xx (open back dynamic). I like both very much, specially when pairing whith Bass A-100 as headphone amp.

Now I am intriguing about this Electrostatic tecnology which I know have been around for some time but never at this affordable low price.

Pass on the 1060 open back and go right to the 1060C. The build is way better and sound is excellent too. Also consider the Hifiman HE4xx. I am sporting the 560 Monoprice and love them. Keep in mind that these are very easy to drive headphones and don't need a ton of "oomph" power to get them swinging unlike the Senn 6xx and Beyer Dynamic 600 ohm ones.

The A100 is a awesome headphone amp and great 2 channel speaker amp hands down. But with certain circumstances with the Headphone out load resistors bypassed, may be noisy for you in the noise floor department. No harm in trying it, also the power to your headphones is exponentially greater, and volume range granularity is narrower. Gets louder faster. Duh right??

I am looking at the THX AAA technology amps myself for my 560. I eventually want maybe the 1060C, but with the headphone world shifting so fast I am not being hasty.

Monoprice has these tasty THX AAA amp dac combo for 500 bucks or so, the portable for 280 bucks. Either is quite cool. On sale now for a bit less, but for how long?

Check out these reviews.

youtu.be/LKgA6qyOCWQ a100 review.

youtu.be/lz_jhk_ptW0 1060C review

youtu.be/hrr-GAlHzLQ 1060 review

youtu.be/UmXfV1HIcmM Hifiman HE-4XX

Notice all of these are Z reviews. He does a great job. Also no useless audiophile carping and snooty join the audiophile club etc. He calls 'em as he uses and hears 'em.

A couple more products.


youtu.be/zQWrHZ9a1FY THX AAA 789 Headphone Amplifier. Pain in the a$$ to get! But worth it!

youtu.be/BDtZ5WD8kWM The DAC amp combo by Monoprice. With THX AAA technology about 5 hundred.

youtu.be/El2L4WaBmQ8 THX AAA portable on the go but still capable headphone amp for 280 bucks.

Just my buck fitty! Inflation yeah! Enjoy!

[HunTer]

Thank you guys for all your inputs and for sharing your opinions

[bootman]

I bought them and I think they are a steal at the price.
Later on if you need an upgrade you can use a stax compatible amp with an adapter cable but at the levels I listen to the stock amp is fine for now.