Koss KPH40 Utility On-Ear Headphones, Detachable Interchangeable Cord System, Retro Style, Ultra Lightweight Design (Stealth Black)

I love the sound of the Koss KPH30. An unexpected treat given their low price, they're airy and have great treble balance and clarity. They're not very comfortable for my big head for more than an hour or so, though, due to pressure on my ears. I figured these would have a similar sound but be more comfortable. For the most part, I was right. They are more comfortable in that they rest lighter on my ears (you can almost forget that you're wearing them). I also like that they barely use any plastic.. I could see the '30s plastic getting brittle and cracking over the years (time will tell, though). These look more elegant, and weigh almost nothing. Not using as much plastic also heightens the impression of quality/luxury (not that these are going to be mistaken for $400 Mezes..). The interchangeable cable is appreciated, as my new phone unfortunately doesn't have a 3.5mm. I haven't purchased the C-cord yet, but it's a nice option to have. Sound-wise, the treble is slightly softer and more rolled-off than the '30s. Still plenty of detail, and they're less fatiguing (not that I'd call the '30s fatiguing.. just that these are even less so). Perhaps a smidge less bassy/punchy, but still good for the class. I'd say these are even more spacious-sounding, though. These are the kind of headphones that you close your eyes and throw your head back to be enveloped in sound. That's a marvel at this price point, and something that Koss probably does the best, which is why despite having significantly more expensive headphones from multiple boutique brands in my collection, I still consider Koss one of my favorite brands and keep coming back to them. You get so much quality sound for the money, they embarrass most brands costing 2-4x as much; and when you do find headphones that are truly better, you look at how the Koss are a mere fraction of the price, and you kind of laugh to yourself about the law of diminishing returns.. So ultimately, while I do miss the extra bite of the treble of the Koss KPH30s, the added comfort and even more spacious sound mean these are still the ones I use most. Even for those of you that have much more expensive sets, I still recommend buying these, even if just to use when you travel. I originally bought these/the KPH30s as a cheap travel set, but I like them so much they're pretty much all I use anymore. It's kinda funny--15+ years ago it was the Koss PortaPro that first captivated me and made me obsessed with sound. I wouldn't have guessed that I'd be back to midrange Koss sets all these years later, but here I am. These feel and sound like a contemporary analog to the PortaPros. In a way, it feels like home to me.

I wanted a lightweight & comfortable, affordable, yet great-sounding pair of on-hear headphones to sit at my desk (not travel) with. Fortunately, Koss came up in one of my many searches and I suddenly remembered my very first pair of headphones for my very first stereo back in the late 70's. They surprisingly blew away all the competition back then, even Pioneer, Panasonic and Sony headphones. Sounded like you were right in the concert hall! So I looked at all the latest offerings by Koss, and really appreciated the long review for this pair by the top reviewer 'Ender'—comparing different models of Koss & other headphones. (I don't have time to be an audiophile, I just want to enjoy my music collection in iTunes while sitting at the computer). I immediately ordered these headphones. I knew I would also want to extend the cable, but waited until after they arrived to see the size and types of plugs they were fitted with. (The Q&A for this product in regard to that was too technical & confusing to follow.) These headphone did not disappoint! They have that great Koss sound, with a comfortable lightweight band on my head, which gratefully doesn't get snagged in my thick curly hair. Don't let the appearance of the thin foam earpads fool you— they are comfy, secured well and transmit the audio clearly. (UPDATE: I had initially tried adding a pair of Yaxi pads as suggested by another helpful reviewer, but those would not stay on, and were so thick the sound was being muffled. Stick with the OEM earpads!) Next up was to find a longer extension cable that fit. Curious that Koss doesn't offer anything—even on their website. I first noted that the tip that plugs into the cable that is permanently attached to the headphones is 2.5mm (male) and the other plug that goes into your computer, music device, etc. is 3.5mm (thicker plug), also male. Then I had to learn the difference between TRRS (3 black rings on the tip of the plug) and TRS (2 black rings). So the search was on for a quality extension cable with a 2.5mm male TRRS plug and a 3.5mm male TRS plug—which is exactly what these headphones require. I found only one such cable on Amazon—ASIN: B08MX53T1T and took a chance despite the ridiculous product name. Turns out it is of solid build and does not diminish the sound quality of these Koss headphones. Total length of combined straight & coiled cord is 51 inches, not stretched. Minimal upgrade costs and these headphones are customized for my comfort & listening pleasure! I recommend all of these parts, but probably not as a mobile on-the-go setup—I'm not sure the headphones would hold up to that, they seem too fragile for traveling with. (The extension cable would certainly hold up, though.) Enjoy, and I hope this helped!

The Koss KPH40 headphones are really good for what they are — a lightweight, budget headphone. If you ended up here after watching a glowing review by a tech influencer stating that these compete with $200 cans, you will probably be disappointed. They just don't, especially if you appreciate strong bass. Detail in the mids and highs are outstanding; no notes. Crisp, sparkly, but not fatiguing. The low end lacks any 'oomph.' I suppose that is mostly to do with how open they are. There is none of the sound pressure you feel from over-the-ear sets. If you try to force them with EQ, you get a ton of distortion. Their comfort is amazing. That is what you get in the trade for the bass, and I think the compromise is a fair one in the right usage case. I forget that I'm wearing these. They're a dream. Getting them adjusted properly is a bit fidgety, but it can be done. They're so light, the clamp force is just right, and the ear pads are soft & breathable. No noise cancellation to speak of; you will be very aware of your surroundings. Whether that is a positive or negative is up to you. Avoid using at high volumes in quiet public places, sound bleeding is significant; don't be *that* person. These are great for casual listening. Teleconferencing. I think they would be amazing for gaming. I have headphones that sound better for not a lot more money, but they're big, hot, and uncomfortable. I reach for the Koss KPH40 far more often. They are not "the best headphones under $200!!!!," but they may be the best for you during most points of the day.

I had a pair my late grandad and Mum got me Koss headphones similar to these when I was very little for my portable cassette player. But over the years they went missing. But buying this has been the best decision I've made, they sound fantastic and even better than I remember, the bass is punchy and mids and highs are clear but not overpowering, simply better than any other headphones I've used in a long time. Comparing to my very expensive Sony's I very much improve the sound quality on these. You won't regret your purchase and if you want them wireless, get something similar to the FIIP BTR5's.

I had insanely high expectations for these and they surpassed them 10 fold. At such a low cost you literally have nothing to lose

So good are these, and for travelling they are just perfect

Soy muy aficionado a koss desde hace muchos, años. Mis primeros auriculares fueron Koss. Me gusta su sonido y que son ligeros, aunque son demasiado caros. Bajando el precio venderan mas.

Doskonałe słuchawki dla ludzi, którzy słuchawek a uszach specjalnie nie lubią.Nie przeszkadzają, nie uwierają, a grają doskonale. Lepsze od Porta Pro. I ładniejsze. Jedne z najlepszych słuchawek jakich słuchałem i w stosunku do tej jakości rewelacyjnie tanie. Choć widzę, że już powoli drożeją, a dodatkowe wymienne kable (np. usb-c) są koszmarnie drogie.