Koss PRO-4 AA vintage headpones

When I was writing for the mags, way back when, I had a pair of these to review. Whilst they sounded good, they were very, very uncomfortable. Not only were they sweaty round the ears but the weight meant that I could only listen to them lying on the floor with a cushion under my head. Even then, 30 minutes or so was all I could endure.

I did actually buy a pair of electrostatic phones from Micro Seiki (MX1 ?)which sounded livelier, cleaner and more open, they were also very light and comfortable for long sessions. A friend is still using them all these years later.

Ouch.. I had forgotten just how heavy and uncomfortable these things are....:lol:
Soundwise compared to my HD650.....Frequencies are all there, good lows and highs (as high as I can hear anyway) but everything sounds muddy, heavy, like wading through treacle. Little or no finesse, it sounds like the sound is being pushed down your ears by someone wielding a 10ldb sledge. Oh, how things have improved in 35 years. Again, bear in mind that this comparison is against HD650's. Anyways, they're back in the box unless someone makes me an offer.....

Hi Ray,

That's interesting. Thanks for that. The reason I asked is that of course I have no idea how they sound.

Now I have a reference to judge against to ascertain if or how they've been improved since the originals were first introduced. If they sound as you describe, then I'll know that Koss have done bugger all to improve them, and they'll make a nice retro ornament in my room.

However, if what I hear is rather different to what you describe, then I'll know they've genuinely been 're-voiced', and thus perhaps have a genuine bargain on my hands - here's hoping....

I'll be using them on the end of top-notch equipment, and a superb all-valve bespoke headphone amp, courtesy of Nick Gorham, so they'll have every chance to shine! :)

Marco.

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This is what i'm worried about, if i wouldnt expect the same quality

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That's what I intend to find out, Andre, so watch this space. As I said, if it doesn't work out, they'll make a nice ornament! :eyebrows:

Hi Barry,

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Are Koss still in business? Marco are yours original (NOS), or has someone out there started re-manufacture?

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Apparently so (see link below), although I've no idea what connection they have, if any, to the original company - or it might still be the original company, I don't know....

http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&bc

Have a look. What do you think? :)

Marco.

Koss are still in business. Its still the original company as started by John Koss in 1953. They still offer their Lifetime Warranty and will service anything you send back to them for a fee of $6.

Lol, that's not strictly true...

This thread, although prompted by your purchase of Ross vintage headphones, was started to discuss the Koss PRO4-AAs.

Fair enough if you don't like them (I don't even know yet if I will!), but there's been some interesting input so far :)

The weight thing has certainly been mentioned at length, so I look forward (or not) to seeing how I handle that side of things, but hopefully being a big bawheid will help! :eyebrows:

As an aside, Koss do an indentical version of the PRO4-AAs, with a more up-to-date appearance, called the PRO4-AAT, which are also lighter:

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/3324/pro4aat1.jpg

So if they do sound good, that will be an option for those who want to avoid the weight of the retro versions.

Marco.

Hi Andy,

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Koss are still in business. Its still the original company as started by John Koss in 1953. They still offer their Lifetime Warranty and will service anything you send back to them for a fee of $6.

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That's interesting to know, so thanks for that. It suggests some significant pedigree, which in my book is always a good thing - and let's face it, no company is going to offer a lifetime warranty on shite ;)

What I'm hoping for is that the latest incarnation of the PRO4-AAs retains the good points, sonically, of the original design, but through judicious use of modern components, their previous failings will have been addressed.

As Koss say in their blurb:

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As the first dynamic stereophone to deliver true full frequency, high-fidelity performance, the PRO4AA set the standard when it was introduced in its original form in 1970. In the late 1980s after long service, it was retired and replaced by a newer model. Customers clamored for its return, and by 1988 it was brought back by popular demand. Since then, though we've incorporated performance-enhancing technology and updated its style, the essence of the PRO4AA remains unchanged and it continues to set the standard for performance and reliability today.

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It would be interesting to know what this "performance-enhancing technology" is. Certainly, if the result is the same as I got with the similar process of 'modernising' my Tannoy Monitor Golds, then I'll be a very happy bunny.

If it works out well, I'll have discovered another excellent product to recommend on AoS, for the benefit of everyone who likes quality, affordable headphones :cool:

Marco.

I had a pair of Koss Pro 4AA for a while and they were much more comfortable than the electrostatic version as they were half (?) the weight. Still sweaty but I was able to sit up with them on.

If the new ones are any good, Dave, would you consider stocking them? :)

I'm not sure if you bother with headphones, or if you do, which ones you sell.

Marco.

Good Afternoon everybody,

Just a couple of points:

The "heavy, sweaty and uncomfortable" phones referred to are, I believe, the Koss ESP-6 electrostatic models, not necessarily the Pro 4AA, which from memory were reasonably comfortable.

I delighted to hear that Koss are still in business and offer a Lifetime Warantee, and will service any of their products for $6. I would like to have my ESP-6s serviced (for all their failings), however when I tried to contact the UK/European agent for Koss (based in the Channel Islands) I received no reply (after repeated attemps). Does anyone know of the address for Koss in the US, so that I can contact them directly?

Thanks