webandnet's Full Review: Koss QZ-2000 Consumer Headphones
Initially written 11/00. Make sure to read the updates below.
This is an open-air, light-weight, headphone that folds up nicely into an easily portable pouch. The open-air gives a much better "feel" than closed headphones, which I find, after some time, make my ears and mind feel strange. The low-frequency sound suppression is excellent, much better than my Recton unit. It's a comfortable unit.
Hearing consists of both the sounds and how the mind manipulates the sounds. It is the low-frequencies that are so voluminous which our mind's hearing automatically tune out and yet harm our hearing. By Koss suppressing the low frequencies, it is easy to hear everything else, better in the long-run because your mind's hearing isn't overworked. Koss does an excellent job here.
Also, Koss offers a lifetime guarantee which makes me feel great because my refurbished Recton broke down quickly.
Minuses: 1. The box's advertisement says it also suppresses high frequencies, but I don't understand how or whether it does this. 2. The headband is a bit small for large-headed me. I think this unit should be designed so that it can extend 3/4 inch longer 3. The suppression electronics box is a little bigger than I had hoped. 4. the connector to the headphone should be tighter because when it's even slightly loose, it makes a loud cracking sound.
Despite the minuses, I am very happy with this unit.
2/17/01 Update I've sent my unit back twice for replacement, and now will return it a third time for a refund. The first two produced a loud "popping" sound sporadically. The third produced a loud squeal. Buy.com is very kind to take these back. I would love the unit, but each one has been defective in some way. Below is written in December 2000.
3/22/01. I just purchased a NoiseBuster, and its sound suppression isn't nearly as good as the Koss, but it does work so far. But the NoiseBuster is only $39, comes with a one year warranty, and I figured I'd use this Noisebuster until Koss improves their unit.
3/29/01. My Noisebuster just broke completely. Noise-cancellation headphones are really flimsy! Since my Recton, Noisebuster both broke completely, and my Sennheiser HDC451 (which was used only a week) sounded poor and didn't do the job well, I've concluded that Koss is the best choice. It cancels low frequenices the best, sounds the best, has a lifetime warranty, so I guess I'll have to put up with the minor defects in this unit.
6/1/01 I've had my latest one for three months now. The popping sound referred to previously occurs only when there's a lot of wind. Other than this, I am very happy with this unit.
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