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Author Topic: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots  (Read 21846 times)

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AstralStorm

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Re: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #30 on: December 08, 2012, 09:41:05 PM »

Quick question, how do you find the SE5 for resolution and detail?  I know they don't use acoustic filters so the bores are wide open.  Do you perceive a benefit?
SE-5 are thick bass and low mids, smooth, slightly lighter higher mids and reduced (slow rolled) treble of moderate thickness.
Timbre is warmish, but very quick except of bass, which is deliberately slower, giving it a slightly layered feel. Detailing is superb.
The many tiny resonances (4 to be exact: 1750, 2500, tiny 5500, 8000) are only (slightly) audible because the background is so black.
Once they're equalized, I know nothing with this kind of body to it, but out of the box, they're too dark and bass boosted.

Orthos (specifically, HE-5L I've heard) have similar kind of bass presence.
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Hammy

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Re: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #31 on: December 09, 2012, 05:11:57 AM »

Koss has 25% off sales frequently which they may only advertise in their newsletter if you buy something previously.

Why is the hd600 + asgard more practical than 950 + esp950?

Once you get an amp like the Asgard you can plug lots of different headphones in it and explore different headphones.  With the 950 you can only use the amp with the ESP950.  Can't explore other headphones with that amp.
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sheya

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Re: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #32 on: December 18, 2012, 08:20:27 AM »

That is one way of looking at it.  Another is that if you get an amp and then climb up and down the ladder of different dynamic headphones, you might not ever be as satisfied as you could have been with an electrostatic headphone to start.  I recently got the 950, and it is an amazing headphone period, and a sick deal for the $680 I paid on amazon.  I'm going to build a KGSSHV for it (DIY, will cost around $500 for the total build) and see if that makes it even better (as has been reported by many).  With the KGSSHV I will also be able to use Stax, so if I wanted I could pick up some Stax and see if I like them better or differently than the Koss.

I think that electrostatics have a technical advantage that makes it difficult for dynamics to compete.
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Solderdude

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Re: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #33 on: December 23, 2012, 08:18:53 AM »

My other favourite measurements site also has measured and listened to the ESP950.
http://en.goldenears.net/15022


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Donald North

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Re: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #34 on: January 10, 2013, 05:23:20 AM »

I heard the ESP-950 at the Koss booth at CES driven from my wristwatch iPod Nano. They sure sounded good and are a hell of a deal even at full retail. I'm normally not a 'stat guy but these are hard to resist adding to the collection.
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n3rdling

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Re: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #35 on: January 10, 2013, 05:44:15 AM »

If you ever decide to design your own electrostatic amp (either for personal use or to sell commercially), the ESP950 is a no-brainer given the warranty policy.
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CEE TEE

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Re: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #36 on: January 10, 2013, 07:57:16 PM »

ESP-950 set-up with a Modi?   $600 + $100 = ~$770   Wow.
 
I grabbed the Koss three weeks ago and this system would make many people happy.
 
If there are EC and DNA amps in the future for the Koss to aspire to, this becomes a serious path.
 
(Even beats the price of the  Modi> Trends Class T 10 watt amp SE> HE6.  $100 +$240 + $?)
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MuppetFace

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Re: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #37 on: January 10, 2013, 08:36:18 PM »

We need a blue stat amp, Donald! Pretty please?
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CEE TEE

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Re: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #38 on: January 11, 2013, 01:05:44 AM »

Actually, Donald...I LOVE the internal pics of the Point-to-Point I have seen of your Stratus.   :-DD
 
I would LOVE to consider a DNA Electrostat amp that was a neutral color.  I'll be checking out the Stratus at the meet, will ask you about color options (if there can possibly be any).
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Marvey

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Re: Koss ESP950 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #39 on: January 11, 2013, 02:20:52 AM »

Pink is neutral color.
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