Koss Corporation, the leader of high fidelity stereophones is pleased to announce the introduction of PRO/4AA Stereophone. Few products receive the distinction of being equated with the industry they serve. The PRO/4AA Stereophone has been faithfully serving the broadcast and recording industries for decades. It is only fitting that Koss commemorates the anniversary of the world's first SP3 stereophone with a limited edition of this outstanding leader. The PRO/4AA Stereophone features a dynamic element and closed cushion design to deliver an outstanding frequency response and bass performance. Designed to withstand the stress and pressure of everyday studio use, the PRO/4AA incorporates an adaptable steel and plastic headband design. A boom microphone mount is included for broadcast flexibility.
The Koss Pro-4AA stereo headphones were built with studio and broadcast use in mind. Closed-ear cushions provide excellent isolation and bass, while high and low sounds come in clear due to its 10 to 25,000 Hz frequency response.
The Pro-4AA includes microphone mount hardware, 0.25-inch plug, and a coiled, single-entry 10-foot cord.
1 Jock's Cans of Choice!
When I started in radio 30 years ago...the first cans I used were Koss Pro 4AAs...
over the years I have used AKG's,Pioneers,and more recently Sennheiser HD500s
which I like...but call me sentimental...my wife got em for my birthday and they still
sound just like I remember them and still cost about the same...So there heavy...big deal..adjust. It is worth it...I missed the weight on my head and they sound great in the studio too! A+
2 Yes they are heavy, but.....
As many people say they are heavy. 21 ounces on the head as opposed to my old Sony 405's at 12 ounces. However after a couple of days use (and by letting the weight of the phones rest on my recliner) I now find I have adjusted. The sound is first rate, and only limited by the quality of the input. In reading other reviews I notice many complaints about the power requirements, but I seem to get better output at lower power levels than other phones with these. (at least on stereo recievers). I do have a big head, and yes they were tight, but the bands are made out of a good quality metal and will allow for slight and permanent tweaking for fit. Lastly, yes they are hot. All good closed cups are, but my solution while it may not be fashionable, is excellent and actually hygenic. I cut off the tops from an old pair of socks and slip them over the cups. Works fine, collects the sweat and dirt that would otherwise gross out the phones, and even allows multiple users to feel a little less intimate than they might want to be. For the price and quality there is no substitute. Thanx JPW
3 OUCH MY EAR
When I first got the Koss Pro-4AA's they would make my ears feel like they were being ripped off my head after wearing them for 10 minutes or so. After about 5 months they stopped hurting my ears and the only pain came from the them weighing down on the top of my head. So, now after owning them for a year I can wear them for about an hour before the pain becomes too much. They sound great but they are most uncomfortable peice of head gear ever invented. I'm switching to some Grado SR80's, those are supposed to be the best headphones for the price.
4 Koss Pro4aa
Superb! Sturdy construction, great sound, a great value. Much better quality than Bose, Sony or Sennheiser.
5 It was a blessing disguised as a curse.
Initially, I had accidently ordered the 4aa, but once it arrived I put it on and have never heard Bjork so clearly. If your on the fence about these, Get 'em!
6 A once in a lifetime deal
As other reviewers pointed out, these are real heavy and there's deffinately an adjustment period. Once you get past this, you realize that your getting better sound than your friend's Senns and Sony's that they had to pay HUNDREDS of dollars more for. As good as they sound out of the box, they continue to deliver even crisper trebble and deeper bass after about 100 hours of listening. The frequency range is enormous, not that anyone can hear down to 10 hz anyway. Despite being heavy, they're not uncomfortable, assuming that you're not doing anything else besides litening to music. Some sound does bleed through but its proabably a lot less than whatever headhones you're using now.
7 My two cents on the Koss Pro-4AA Stereophones
I originally chose the Koss Pro-4AA stereophones because of the great price and the large frequency range. Now that I use them every day in my home studio, I thought someone might be interested in why I only gave it 3 stars out of 5. First, the headphones need adjusting every time you put them on. As soon as you set them down, they revert to their maximum setting. Second, they are not as comfortable as they look. I can't wear these for more than 15-20 minutes before having to take them off. When you're working in the studio and recording vocals, often with multiple takes, these two together becomes rather tiresome. Also, I have never used the provided microphone mount. One good thing about these headphones is that the sound doesn't "bleed" through as long as the external speaker levels are not too high.
8 Good Stuff
They sound really good but like the others have said they are HEAVY. BUT they do work well with a 1/4in to 1/8in adapter to my IBM laptop. The only thing I was disappointed about was that they still put slight pressure on my ears but they are still very comfortable. And also they don't really block out sound that well compared to my Peltor ear muffs. Other wise there awesome.
9 2nd time around
I bought the original sets (2) of Pro4AA back in the '70s. In the 30 years or so the cushions became flat (originals had fluid filled cushions) and some of the connecting wires inside had become corroded. To refurb the phones I emailed Koss for replacement parts cost and was surprised to get a response to send both units to them with $5 for shipping and they'll replace them under warranty.
Now I have two new sets of Pro4AA ready to go another 30 years. They're heavy compared to the new generation of light weight plastic cans, isolation pads get sticky when it's hot, but it has the great tight bass, smooth highs, well balanced sound. Not really suited for portable use since it comes with 1/4" plug.
10 Great Sound - But a Real Endurance Test
I returned these headphones because even as good as the sound is, they are just too heavy and clumsy. If you turn your head you will feel them shift slightly due to thier bulk and weight. I was constantly fidgeting with the headband ajustment to try to get them tighter because they will work loose if you move. Also, if you don't have a full head of hair anymore this set will rest heavy where the headband contacts the top of the head. The sound is excellent, parlicularly if you have a powerful receiver to drive the Pro-4aa's. It's a shame Koss didn't pay more attention to comfort because what good is great sound if you can't keep the phones on your head?
11 Hands down bang for the buck winner!!!
I just got these headphones today and have been trying them out with various applications in my studio. I was impressed and actually surprized by the sonic quality of these things. The bass response was nice & tight and the mids & highs were pleasant. I think it is hilarious that some of the reviewers don't dig the retro appearance. These days, retro is cool and why mess with a good thing. Who are you trying to impress anyway.
As a teenager, these were the headphones to get, but I could not afford them and had to settle for a pair of Pioneer SE205's. What a thrill it is to finally purchase something that I always wanted as a youth!!
I have seen the complaints about the weight and yes they are heavy, but I think that is the trade off for having cans that will block out most of the external noise and sound this good. I'll just have to get used to them. (so will the other guys in the band since I purchased 4 sets)
If you are looking for a great set of studio headphones that won't break the bank, don't hesitate to buy the Pro4AA's.
12 These headphones are worth totally worth it
yeah i herd alot of reviews saying these headphones are so heavy. yes they are pretty heavy for headphones. but you kinda use to it. But if you lean your head forward with them you can tell these are pretty heavy.
these have some sweet base. i have to turn off my extra base on my cd-player or else its just way to heavy.
these are super good headphones only for home and studio use. dont go jogging with these things. you'll have alot of trouble.
im a little disapointed with these in a way because i thought the silver round thing on the side was a volume notch. but i found it is a cover for the microphone atachment.
these are one of my most favorite headphones ever
13 Good HEAVY sound
These are great headphones. The sound quality is excellent and very clear; they handle treble and bass without any fuss, and have the largest frequency response on a headphone under $100 I've seen. I've heard many good things about Koss headphones, and decided to get these after reading the positive reviews on the Internet. When I got them, I realized that I underestimated how heavy these headphones are. I've read all the warnings, but never imagined headphones could be so heavy - but they are! Imagine having a pair of speakers hanging from your head - you get speaker quality sound, but you also get speaker weight. These are pretty hard to drive - my Pioneer receiver did fine, but my computer's Sound Blaster Platinum had trouble pushing these headphones to the same level.
I finally returned them after a month of use, not because of poor sound (these headphones really rock when it comes to sound, even at very loud levels, I didn't hear distortion till 98db), but out of sheer discomfort - I couldn't listen to them for more than half an hour at a time, and my head and ears got very sweaty because of the cushions. I needed headphones that sounded good and that I could wear for prolonged periods of time. Koss Pro 4AA offered great sound at a great price, but I couldn't wear them while writing a paper or reading a book. Recommended for people who have strong necks and want to hear everything clearly and without distortion. Perfect for isolation from outside noise and studio monitoring when hearing every exact detail of the recording is essential.
Strengths:
Excellent detailed sound - perfect treble, almost perfect bass. Very good for critical listening - you'll hear stuff you've never heard before. Isolation from outside noise. Retro look (if you're into that).
Weaknesses:
Heavy! VERY heavy!
Similar Products Used:
Sony MDR V300, V600, V700DJ, Sennheiser 495 & 497, cheap Jensens & Aiwas
14 From an old-timer
I've had my Pro-4AA headsets for some thirty years now (amazing - I found out they are still sold!). In all thirty years - from mixing bands to listening to my classical at home I have never -EVER - had a better listen. I just found the original reciept from Home Entertainment (now Tweeter) here in Houston dated . . .
March 3, 1973. So, in thirty years, they've done me good (I guess I just wore 'em out). WOW! Now, I've got to find another "new" pair to keep the tradition in my home going.
15 Great value even after all these years
I think the Koss Pro-4AA headphones were the phones of choice for Noah on his ark - they've been around a LONG time. And contrary to some longstanding products that stick around in spite of newer, more technically advanced competitors simply because a bunch of eccentrics swear by them, these phones are a fabulous choice for anyone at any time.
And now the pros and cons...
Cons:
1) Heavy, heavy, heavy. Watch your neck.
2) If you have a large head, these phones can give you headaches as the headband design puts a lot of pressure on your temples and ears.
3) The coiled cord has a tendency to increasingly pull on one side of the phones as you get closer to its length limit. That this starts to happen around the halfway point is troubling.
4) Not a stylish set of phones. Almost retro in appearance. The ill green color could have been changed long ago.
5) The earpiece's circumaural seals are filled with air and will deflate if punctured. This is the Achilles heel of the phones.
6) The cord cannot be easily replaced. If you get a short, you're done for.
Pros:
1) Superior, extended frequency range. Clean and flat. Still the best sounding phones I have heard in their price range. Sounds as good as phones that go for twice the price.
2) Circumaural, closed design holds in the thunderous bass and stifles the outside world.
3) Still the choice of many professionals. It's amazing how many DJs continue to use this model.
4) The price is outstanding for the quality of sound delivered.
5) Built like a tank. My first pair lasted ten years of constant use. (They never did break down, I replaced them for another reason.)
For a home system, this is a fine set of cans. If you want something portable, look elsewhere. Consider buying a cord extension, too, if you plan to sit somewhere else besides right near your stereo. And let people know that with them on, you'll be in your own musical world for a while. Sit back and enjoy!
16 I'll never use my speakers again
I've had these headphones for a while, theyre pretty old and I just now rewired them, and OH MAN are they good. I plugged them into my computer (which really drives them. . i have to turn the volume way down) and I heard things in songs that I have never heard before because of my computer speakers. I'm a musician of sorts, experimental electronic, ambient, and abstract mostly. . I do remixing also and these are essential for picking out the right spots perfectly. I like how they look too, not black - different.
17 Good item for live mixing
I have been using an earlier version of these phones for several years while mixing live performances, the newer version has slightly better perfromance and has a much better padding arrangement on the underside of the headband. The main downside to the newer version is that the headband does not maintain the flanges at the ends of the headband which allowed for 1-handed adjustment of the earcup locations. Still, this is relatively minor and the newer phones are still a great performer.
While not technically the best item out there, I have found them to be an excellent, low cost tool for adjusting the equalizers on microphones and individual instruments using a 32-channel Allen and Heath Mixer.
The frequency response and overall distortion levels are adequate for these purposes, and they are comfortable enough for extended wear (even though I do not wear them continuously). I find that the attenuation of sound from the house system is sufficent that I can hear what what I am working on without it being "drowned out".
The last point I will make is that I have not had any mechanical problems with the units I have been using.
A good choice for those who do live audio mixing for small clubs, churches, and parties with live bands. A good deal for the money.
18 I defy you to do better for the price.
They are by far the best 'phones that I've ever owned. Contrary to some of the other reviews though, no decent sound card will have trouble driving them. Laptops and onboard AC97 devices need not apply, but these are not forgiving headphones, so you wouldn't want to hook them up to a bad output source anyway. My only complaint with these is that I've had to replace my Soundblaster Live! with a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, as the previously inaudible flaws in the Soundblaster became very annoying.
19 Studio Drummer: These are great !!
These are perfect for my application. I am a studio drummer who mixes 4 drum mics through a Macke 1202 VLZ Pro and the recording I am to play with. I use the output of this mix through these great headphones for perfect playing balance. The fact that they eliminate most of the actual ambient sound of the drum set and allow me to here the mixed output of the drums and recording (only) make them well worth the price. They have a great bass response as well as mid and highs and are perfect for me to establish a feel as if I am playing with the recording live.
The only negatives I can come up with are that they are heavy and adjustments of the position of the speakers on my ear are limited and cumbersome. Also, they will cause your ears to sweat after a long session and if your ears are sensitive to this you must let them breathe.
However, there must be tradeoffs, and the quality of these phones well outway the negatives. Don't buy them to jog with. They are not meant for that. However; if you want to emerse yourself into the music without outside sound interruptions these are the headphones for you. You can hear things you will never hear through your speaker system with these phones.
20 Great Headphones
I originally had a pair of Koss Pro4A. I was completely content with these until I stretched the cord a little too far and lost the left channel. I sent them in for repair but was told the parts were no longer available. This is understandable because they were at least 15 years old. These are actually more comfortable than the older models. Very good reception and clarity. I've tried Grado 80's and I prefer these. As a matter of fact I don't even think they compare. Koss blows them out of the water.
21 Good for Hi-fi systems, bad for normal use
These stereophones are spectacular when hooked up to Hi-fi systems. Very good sound. However, if you are planning to use these stereophones with a 1/4 inch to miniplug adapter so you can use it with a computer or portable stereo system then these stereophones will sound like they have lost their voice. I prefer my Koss TD/61 stereophones to these Koss Pro 4/AA stereophones when it comes to hooking them up to my computer or portable stereo. Even better than the TD/61 stereophones are the TD/80 stereophones for miniplug systems just in case you are curious.
22 Great set of phones, just one problem.
(...)I started with cheap phones, but finally put up the money for a pair of Koss R80s.
The R80s worked great, but wound up breaking, these are hard plastic phones and probably would be fine for most people. I got a new set and gave them to a friend and that is when I decided that with the way I seem to treat headphones I needed a durable pair. So I tried the set listed above.
These phones are great. The sound from my sound card comes through wonderfuly while not letting others hear it, and blocking out outside sounds. Sure they're heavy and are a relief to take off after hours of use, but I've had them for over a year and they are still in one piece.
Now to the problem. The cord connecting the phones to the computer is fixed. If there is ever a short in this cord I'll have to get the entire set replaced.
23 Endorsement From A Studio Pro
I am a professional drummer and these headphones are the best I have ever used. Superb sound quality and excellent ambient noise cancellation. I have used headphones that cost 3 times as much, but can't hold a candle to these classic cans. They are heavy and not for "portable" purposes, but are (in my opinion) the BEST headphones for studio or home use.
24 Last Forever
I don't own a pair. The reason is that my father bought the exact same headphones for himself... back in 1972. Nothing has changed in the last 20+ years. They are still great headphones, and they still weight too much. However, you cannot beat the sound, and if you are listening while hanging out in the house or at your desk, there is no significant issue with the weight. If you plan to go jogging, you may want to consider a lighter pair.
25 They Should Sell These With Aspirin
The sound from these circumaural headphones is superb; no surprise judging from its excellent impedence and sensitivy ratings. Unfortunately, these great features come at a hefty price: the weight. Wearing them feels like I have gallon of water strapped on top of my skull. Prolonged wearing gave me a headache-a shame because I really liked the sound.
26 They Blast
Great headphones. They block outside noise, they get loud and they didn't distort unill I set everything to max which was too loud for me anyways. A bit heavy and big but that doesn't matter if you're just lounging around the house. And even for their size they're still comfortable to have on.
