Koss KSC-75 Modifications

Discussion in 'DIY' started by Deep Funk, Oct 2, 2015.

  1. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    On Changstar I discovered the gem called KSC-75. (Way too late to prevent stupid side-grades though.)

    In the coming time I will have some cash to spend on audio again and the bang-for-the-buck KSC-75 will be one project I am going to spend time on.

    How about putting all the modification methods in one single thread again?

    The quarter mod or "cutting out a quarter size hole in the ear pad material covering the driver" already made a difference.

    My personal goal is to create a semi-open KSC-75 with a fuller low-end, fuller midrange and mostly open sound.
     
  2. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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  3. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    Yeah, this thread is ancient. But the KSC-75 is my favorite cheapo headphone so I've got to chime in.

    I have a PE headband on my '75s and '35s. There's an old thread on Jude-fi where a guy drilled out the plastic disc behind the pads with more holes. I tried that on a pair and it made a small improvement. Then they died a year later and I bought a replacement but didn't mod those except the band. I think a quarter mod would probably do about the same.

    I'm just getting into woodworking but I always thought it would be cool to turn some wood into some Grado-like housings and drop the KSC drivers in. I think you could use these drivers as a base for some cool projects.
     
  4. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    I got a pair of KSC-75 and they sound fantastic being driven by my ZX2 and Sonett 2. Yes... it's COMPLETELY overkill, but they actually work pretty well in my office setting since I can still hear people calling me in person or on the phone. It doesn't leak much noise either as long as I don't play too loud, because the air conditioning helps mask low level sounds.

    I ordered the PE headband and plantronics pads as suggested by @shotgunshane. I should be getting them later today! These drivers really have some potential, especially at just $15. I noticed that when I push the drivers against my ears, I get a much better bass response. The headband's clamp should help in that regard.
     
  5. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    The PE headband doesn't really clamp much. That's sort of the appeal - at least for me. By lightly resting on your ears the mids and treble are nice and open. You lose a lot of that with more clamping force.

    This is why some people prefer the PortaPros. They have that little boost in the bass, but to me the high end sparkle is gone when compared to the KSC-75
     
  6. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    IK, these things are amazing. I just got these and measured them
    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...rements-vs-chinese-headphone.3186/#post-94526

    Im also about to do a build with a headband with these.
     
  7. Hiflight

    Hiflight New

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    My standard mod for the PortaPro (and KSC-35 is to resin-coat the inside of the driver covers after drilling the additional holes and to increase the impedance from 60 to 107 ohms. I also fit them with the Plantronics pads. They also respond well to re-cabling. You can view the photos at: HiflightAudio.com
     
  8. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    I updated your profile to indicate that you are a member of the trade (Koss modifications specifically). Let me know if this is an incorrect assumption.
     
  9. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    I am curious for the KSC35. Could you PM me the price for a modified KSC35 and a stock one?
     
  10. Flatfi$h

    Flatfi$h New

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    Just some pics of the Kramer and PE Headband mod:
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    These drivers have such an easy going, but dynamic sound to them, I liked these so much that bit the bullet and bought the headband for them despite cost+shipping to Canada being $25:confused:
    The Kramer mod is just as simple as carefully removing the front cover and drilling the holes as such, just take care to not crack the cover and sand off any burrs!
    I didnt quarter mod them yet, in case I didnt like the results and have to make a fool of myself again. The headband mod doesn't exactly make it rest flat against the ear, and IMO the KSC-75s perform their best with a good seal.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2016
  11. DigMe

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    I don't know if this is the normal price but it seems low to me - Amazon has the KSC75 for $10.71 shipped on Prime right now.

    What do these normally go for?
     
  12. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    I bought mine for $14 a few weeks ago on Amazon
     
  13. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    ha, in that case I'm starting to sound like the people on slickdeals.net - "OH EM GEE!!! YOU CAN SAVE $3.29 Y'ALL!!!" followed by 162 thumbs up on the thread.
     
  14. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Well 4$ off is like 30% off, so not too bad. But on a thing this low priced, not too much.
     
  15. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    Buy a couple of pairs, that's cheap. I think I paid around $12 something the last time I got a pair a year or more ago.

    Also, these have a lifetime warranty but it really isn't useful on their cheap models since I think Koss charges something like $10 for replacement shipping...I don't remember the exact details but you're better off buying new ones when they break. My first pair of KSC-75 lasted about 1.5 years before one channel went out.
     
  16. DigMe

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    Finally got around to picking up a set of these. Just out of the box it's pretty amazing that these cheapos can sound so good. Initial impressions straight out of the box are good but on a couple of songs they've gotten just a tad sibilant. Has anyone else felt that way? One song is Bjork's Quicksand off of the Vulnicura album. They do not do a good job with the trebly rhythmic sound throughout.
     
  17. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    @DigMe , are these stock KSC-75s or with a headband? The headband allows better positioning to minimize some of the flaws.

    I also think the pairs I've owned may have been a little hot sounding at first....Maybe they smoothed out after a very short time. Maybe it was my imagination.
     
  18. DigMe

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    Stock.. just got 'em. I may put on a headband but I kind of like the compact nature of no headband. We'll see how it works out.
     
  19. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Yeah, I actually found the ear clips incredibly comfortable.
     
  20. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    That's cool some of you guys like the clips. I didn't hate the clips, but they took a lot of adjusting before they didn't hurt or easily fall off.

    The KSC-35 is another story. The clips are horrendous and aren't adjustable. This doesn't make a lot of sense with the KSC-35 being much more expensive that the '75.
     

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