QZ-2000 Noise Reduction Stereophone features revolutionary Active Noise Reduction (ANR) stereophone system that reduces harmful and annoying low frequency sounds in noisy environments. QZ-2000 includes compact control case and collapsible stereophone for convenient travel and portability. Adjustable headband design provides maximum comfort. The package includes input jack for audio play-through and 2-prong adapter for in-flight use.
Let's face it: listening to music on an airplane is almost impossible. Even if you crank the music up louder than the engines, chances are you'll still miss most of the music and subject yourself to shrill, high frequencies that induce fatigue. The Koss Quiet Zone QZ/2000 headphones, or stereophones, as Koss calls them, are tailor-made for use in planes or other environments plagued by loud or intrusive background noise.
Using a sophisticated system of noise cancellation, the QZ/2000 headset significantly reduces the perceived noise level of static low-frequency sounds. In doing so, the headphones also cancel a portion of the music at those frequencies, but the net effect is unquestionably improved clarity in your music. The QZ/2000 works well for general noise dimming, even if you don't intend to listen to anything. Just put them on, switch the noise cancellation on, and enjoy your quieter environment.
Sometimes the absence of one noise reveals another, previously unnoticed noise (usually a high-frequency tone), which can be distracting. But by and large, we found the QZ/2000 effective at reducing noise from air conditioners, freeway traffic, and even general office din. Most pleasing is the Quiet Zone effect on listening to music at low levels: with less environmental noise, music can be heard more cleanly and more fully at lower volumes, so it sounds better and is also safer.
As headphones, the Quiet Zone 2000s are decent, though not great--clearly, you're paying for the noise reduction here. The 'phones are mellow and full-bodied, if slightly muddy, with little in the way of high-frequency detail. This last factor also keeps any sense of harshness out of the program--not such a bad thing, given the strident nature of many headphones.
While the QZ/2000 claims to reduce high-frequency noise as well as low, we detected very little noise reduction in the bass range. But for general noise reduction and relaxing in-flight listening, the Quiet Zone QZ/2000 is just the ticket.
Pros:
- Cancels noise well
- Enhances clarity
- Lightweight
- Works with or without music playing
Cons:
- Mediocre sound quality
- Slightly awkward fit
Koss's Active Noise Reduction "stereophone" system (better known by most of us as "headphones") reduces harmful and annoying low-frequency sounds such as airplane, automobile, and other transportation noises. Besides freeing your mind to focus on your music, this system has the extra advantage of improving sound quality by removing sounds that would otherwise mask or obscure portions of your listening material. The QZ-200 is collapsible and comes with a compact control case.
1 These are NOT active noise cancelling headphones!
If you are looking to block the noise of people talking or other midrange sounds, active noise cancelling headphones WILL NOT WORK. They are designed to block noise like the drone of engines on a plane.
Passive headphones like this pair will block all sound at a wide range of sounds. This specific pair works very well. I was suprised how light they were, but as they have padding, they are still fairly heavy and I don't think they can be worn for hours on end.
Overall, I'm very happy with them.
2 Excellent for plane flights.
I have read some of the reviews and am a bit puzzled. I am
getting a 2nd set for my gf, and have had none of the sound
issues complained. Quite the opposite. I have tried several
sets of lower priced units, and found the noise (hiss) from
the electronics to be quite unacceptable. The 2000's have
no audible hiss or artifact noise whatsoever. While they don't
cancel all frequencies, I can now hear my laptop with about 1/4
the voulme level on a plane flight, which is why I bought them.
Overall, and excellent noise canceling system. And I don't
really think that perfect sound is available on a plane.
For what it's worth. :)
3 Blocks Most Noise, Are Comfortable
I bought these headphones to help me study in loud enivronments. They block the majority of noises, including traffic, people yelling, stereo/television noise from next door. They won't block out loud noises in the same room (e.g. loud TV or person yelling), but I think that's good because you want to be aware of dangers nearby!
I'm no audiophile, but the sound that comes through these headphones sounds just like the quality that comes out of my stereo.
They fit a little differently from most headphones, with the connecting bar fitting behind your head rather than sitting on the top of your head. I don't know if this would affect people who wanted to use these headphones while moving (e.g. commuting or exercising), but for those of us sitting down while wearing them, they are very comfortable.
4 what a TERRIBLE buy!
I purchased the Koss QZ-5 Headphones.
THESE ARE NOT ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES!!!
I was duped. I believed these were active noise cancelling headphones, but they reduce noise by adding a ton of padding. These headphones are HUGE. The picture displayed is very decieving, only showing you the profile of the headphones. If you wear it and look in a mirror, you will look like a geeky mickey mouse. They stick out of the sides of your head making you look like a weirdo.
In addition to that, the sound quality is extremely poor. At the moment I am listening to the Fellowship of the Ring soundtrack, and any bass makes the headphones crackle. Bass performance is absolutely poor. Do not get these headphones, they are a waste of money. Do not get these headphones!
5 A quality product with a very good price
I bought these headphones because I like to be isolated from the environment while I am studying. Without any music playing the Passive Noise Reduction of the headphones blocks most noises, you can still hear some loud noises (ex. from the construction side next to my building) but become very soft. When I use them with music nothing disturbs me, and I do not have to have the music too high. In addition, I am very satisfied with the quality of the headphones construction. However, the only drawback I found to these headphones is their weight, which is 15oz. Also, I found the sound of better quality and louder than the $20 Philips Headphones I used to use.
6 Very Disapointed
They do a good job of filtering outside noise, but these headphones are not for use if you are searching for serious volume. Quality is not bad, but I really expected a richer experience. Keep in mind I mostly listen to classical motion picture soundtracks, so if you listen to Rock/Rap, you may be happier than I was.
Clunky headband is not great for anything but home use also.
These are not real expensive headphones, and I suppose I was taken in a little by the brand name, and had higher expectations than I should have. Had I listened to them in a store, I would have kept searching.
7 AWESOME BUY!!!
I bought the Koss QZ-99 Noise Reduction Headphones. All I can say, is that they are rad! They work just as well as normal earmuffs, maybe just a little worse, but the noise reduction is SUPER!!! (F.Y.I - there are no headphones/earmuffs/ANYTHING out there on the market that blocks out EVERYTHING.) These are the best noise reduction headphones I've ever used. The sound quality is nice and they are comfortable to wear.
The reason I knocked it down to a 4 star is because they are fairly large (I don't know actually how durable they are, didn't want to test) and I'm an eight grade student. So with all the jumbling around and crazy kids on the bus and a school that like to hit backpacks and/or steal your headphones while your listening to a good tune...well what I'm trying to say is, they don't really fit in a SAFE place in my backpack (I can put them in, but they might get squashed --- my backpack's crowded)
GET THESE HEADPHONES!!!!!! GREAT NOISE REDUCTION!!!!!! GREAT SOUND!!!! GREAT PRICE!!!!
8 clunky
I'm not exactly sure how the manufacture expects you to use this product on an airplane, as the stabilizing bar behind your head prevents you from leaning back into your seat.
I bought this and the Aiwa noise cancelling headphones at the same time. The Koss headphones are going up on eBay.
9 Great for mowing the lawn: QZ-5
I was looking for a set of headphones to use with my iPod while mowing the lawn. I had used a set of headphones that hook over the ears, but I had to turn the volume up too high to hear over the noise of the mower.
I looked around at a lot of sites (including high-end audiophile sites) and Koss was often suggested as a good company with good products. Their no-questions guarantee was often cited as one of the reasons Koss is a good company.
I decided to try the QZ-5 headphones because they are relatively inexpensive.
As soon as I tried them on, I was impressed. They blocked out a lot of sound without even having them attached to a sound source. I couldn't hear the TV or the phone ring with the headphones on.
When I tried them while mowing I knew I had a winner. I could leave the volume level at the same level I would use if I wasn't mowing the lawn. The noise of the mower was not eliminated, but it was reduced significantly. It became a low hum in the background instead of a roar that overwhelmed the music.
Comfort wise, they are good. I wear glasses and these work well with them. They don't pinch like the over-ear model did. It takes me about two hours to mow my lawn and they don't become uncomfortable during that time.
The sound is good enough that I plan on using the headphones to watch TV without the sound disturbing my wife.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the performance of these headphones.
10 On the ground use-driiving a convertible
As a MIATA (sports car convertible)owner, I find the Koss 2000 unit quite effective in cutting down noise from wind, engine and highway sounds. While they do not eliminate 100% of the noise, the improvement is very noticible and worthwhile.Also, my car radio sounds better than ever. California State law prohibits the use by driver of "radio" headphones, but these are not radio.
11 Not what I expected
These headphones were a disappointment. First of all the headphone use "passive" noise reduction. I should have studied this more carefully but Koss is clearly trying to blur the line here between these headphones and true noise cancellation headphones.
Second, what is with the inflexible metal band?! This may be good is you are driving a race car but unless you have loads of room in your carry-on (who does?) then it makes it quite akward to travel with these on airplane flight.
12 Living with QZ-2000 Active Noise Reduction headphones
My hearing isn't quite as good as it used to be so anything that helps me distinguish sounds is very useful.
I own two pairs of QZ-2000 headphones and use them every day on the bus to listen to the radio or Cds. Sometimes I record spoken radio programs on a CD-RW to play back on the bus journey. Basically they reduce the low frequency sounds so that you can listen to spoken voice, very useful when studying languages. Classical music still doesn't work, but most Jazz does, again sitting as far away from the engine as possible helps as well.
When flying I used to use ear buds and heavy ear defenders. The Koss headphones are much better and not nearly as tiring to wear. They aren't much use at the high screaming kids frequencies but even so they do take the edge off it. Although they are useful at reducing noise the normal technique of getting a seat in the center block as far forward as possible should still be used since these tend to be the quietest seats. They are considerably cheaper than upgrading to business class on longer trips. I notice that I am fresher when I wear them than when I do not. I have noticed they don't make so much difference on trains though. I think trains are just quieter.
The reason I have two pairs, well they have a life time warranty and I find that the wires tend to break inside with use. Then I send them off to be repaired and use the other pair.
Normally I find that the headphones do vary. One pair will work perfectly whilst another pair is prone to feedback. By switching the noise reduction units and headphones around I can usually get a reasonable result. Also when sending back ones that need to be repaired I must confess I hang on to the best noise reduction unit. Currently the pair I am using needs the headphone cable pushed in firmly each morning or one ear doesn't have sound. If I slip them off my head to talk to someone I find that placing the headphones against my neck cuts out the feedback howl. Also they seem very sensitive to having the cable flat and not twisted between the headphones and noise reduction unit.
Could I image life without them? No. Could they be improved? I think so. They are a considerably higher priced unit than other noise reduction headphones which sort of balances out the life time warranty. At ...U.S. I think the factory really should match the headphones and noise reduction units better so that they do sell a mixture that is very sensitive to a feedback loop. Also I think they should do something about the cables between the headphones and noise reduction box.
All in all an excellent first generation product.
13 Disappointed
I've been disappointed with these:
* for the lack of comfort when using on long plane trips
* for the not as great sound reduction as expected
* because the headphones produce a loud hum when the battery is turned on - which means that it only does its job when the audio range being played is enough to cover the sound of the hum!
Don't waste your money... look elsewhere...
14 uncomfortable metal bands
This unit supposedly has a higher db of cancellation so I figured I'd give it a shot.
It seemed about the same as the Aiwa and Sony unit. However, what I really did not like about this unit is the metal band that goes over the head. What happens to me is that my hair gets caught in the metal band whenever I slide the headphones over my neck (say when I want to talk to the flight attendants).
This unit also seemed more prone to feedback than the other units. This was pretty annoying when you'd try to rest the side of your head against a pillow.
15 Only Cancels lower frequencies (bass)!
I bought these thinking that they would cancel all sound. I was wrong; they only cancel the lower frequencies, like the bass from a subwoofer. When I first tried them in my house, the dull humming of the air conditioner suddenly ceased to exist; I didn't even realize some of the background sounds in my house existed before trying this product.
FOR USE ON PLANES: Not satisfied at all. Cancels most of the low engine noise, but most noise you hear in the plane is from the wind, so you still hear most of the background sound even with this product. You should get a noise CANCELLING product, not a noise REDUCTION product if you want to enjoy true silence. I wish the amazon editors and Koss made that more clear.
16 Excellent for listening to narration
The Koss QZ-99 is a very nice product, for certain things. I would never recommend this type of product, without knowing the context. I use it for listening to books on tape, on the street or in a gym, on an old portable tape player. Since I am just listening to narration, I care much more about outside sound being blocked out than I care about sound quality. If you use Bose headphones in this context, you are going to get much better sound, but that is a drawback: you will hear the crackles and rattles and pops on the your 8 year old Walkman and the 5 year old library book-on-tape. Noise reducing headphones can be too good. If I were listening to classical music on a CD player, in an airplane, a higher quality, and/or active noise reducing product would be better. But for my situation the Koss is very nice. I did not realize, until recently, that I could swivel the ear pads as well a lengthen and shorten the band between the pads. It works very well.
17 They work(ed) great - PART II
I used them daily for two weeks before one ear started shorting out, that ear completely went blank after four weeks. They sure did work great those first 10 days or so.
They look tough but I doubt they could handle a weekend at NASCAR, for which I bought them for. I was using them for music and radio when they shorted out on me.
However, the warranty on them says "Lifetime, No Questions Asked!" ...So I will check that out, send them in, and see what happens. If Koss can get them back to me in a quick turnaround, I'll knock my rating back up to a 3.
BW
I sent them in to the company and got an extremely quick turn-around, back and working good. Next test - NASCAR.
B.
18 Good Noise reduction for smaller heads
Works well on airplane type noise. I can still hear my boss yelling, but her voice is high pitched. I have a big head and must fiddle with headphones to get them to fit right.
They make it easy to ignore what going on around you.
19 Slightly Sound Proof
Overall I enjoy these headphones. I love the way the look and feel, the weight of them and the comfort factor. I have only a few complaints; One, they are not as sound proof as I was hoping they would be. Random noises still manage to creep in and disturb the your listening. Two, Although they don't hurt at all to wear for long periods of time, if by chance, someone knocks on the ear piece your in for a world of hurt my friend. Three, I bought a [less expensive] pair of headphones for [a few] dollars and noticed the bass and treble are slightly better than in the KOSS pair. At times I wondered if too much bass would blow them out or if they were really designed for music at all.
I'm not saying KOSS isn't a great headphone maker, but if your looking for something soundproof avoid these headphones. If your looking to block out ambient noise and the majority of sounds then these are definitley yours all the way. Very comfortable and well made, KOSS is an amazing company I was looking for total soundproof protection though. In the end I kept them and still use them for my music. I very much enjoyed this product and highly recommend it to anyone out there.
20 Not Satisfied
The headphones came with only one side working.
The one side that works made a fairly loud
hissing sound when turned on.
21 Good job reducing background noises.
These dramatically reduce loud background noises from 80-90+ percent. I am now able to hear my music on my morning commutes at much lower volume levels. Using them at work (with my mp3 player) reduces the clatters of the air conditioner.
These are relatively light units that folds in for storage. Like other units, there is a small battery unit that can be a little annoying to carry around--but the unit is definately well worth the 10 second hassle.
I have not had the chance to compare these with other units, but these are effective enough for me not to care too much. Although, people may be curious on the maxel units (they seem to be at half the cost).
Although effective to reduce noise, I can still hear the remaining 5-15% "dampend" noise. Using these headsets and my mp3 player, on a low setting, I can completely keep my focus at my work than being distracted from surrounding noises.
I have also been using these as a sound enhancer with my music to filter out noise--it is amazing how much background noise is out there, and how much clearer music can be.
22 Good for short and long flights
Just returned from 2 week trip with 5 flights ranging from 1 to 15 hours. The Koss noise reduction quiet zone headphones made the trips alomost enjoyable! They really cut down on the noise/hum of the engines even sitting near the loudest part of the plane. Watching movies and listening to the audio was crystal clear and the volume could be played at the lowest level. The only drawback is that the attachment is somewhat fragile and if you move a lot, sometimes you have to readjust. The earphones were comfortable and the carry case is very convenient. Compared to some of the more expensive headphones, I think this is a true bargain. In fact, my entire family was begging to use them. Would highly recommend.
23 I love these headphones!
These totally isolate outside noise passively. Period. I'm not sure what the noise reduction rating is, but it's probably around 20 dB. So, they might be a bit heavy and big, but they are still fairly comfortable. The velcro strap is much more comfortable than a big headband too. You may look like an pilot with big headphones, but you won't hear anybody telling you that when the 'phones are on.
There is a volume control right on the left cup. You'll enjoy the sound quality, it is very clear and you'll be able to hear every note. Bass response isn't perfect, but good enough for the casual listener. You can find a mono/stereo control switch, very handy. These headphones are not just for race scanners, they can be used with anything with a standard headphone jack thanks to the mono/stereo switch. Coiled cord is nice too and has decent length. You really won't want to listen through another pair of headphones once you have tried these.
...Just get them - you will love them!
24 Good for short flights
The headphones do reduce the noise level on flights. When using the headphones quite an amount of engine noise can still be heard, but it is enough to reduce the "pressure" of the amount of sound. However, the headphones are not comfortable for longer periods of time, so I wouldn't recommend them for long flights. I tried using the headphones recently on a flight from LAX to Sydney (about 15 hours), and they were not comfortable enough for using all the time, especially when trying to snooze! On shorter flights they are perfect, reducing the volume of the engines, allowing clear listening to music.
25 A flight without the noise
I am a very frequent flyer mostly long international flights. I purchased the noise reduction earphones to try and reduce the constant roar of the engines during the flight and to perhaps feel more relaxed when I arrive at my destination. It works, they actually reduce the noise signifantly. I am quite happy with the results. The only negative comments why I did not rate it a 5 star is the method of attachment of the earphone to the head gear is quite fragile and can be broken off easily, but of course they are warranted. I also think the coverage of the earphone over the ear should be more similar to the other brands on the market..
26 Blanks out most airplane noise
I primarily bought this to blank out airplane noise because I fly a lot. It does a great job whiting out most of the noise yet I can still hear the announcements just fine. It is better at drowning the lower (engine) noise than higher noise (wind). On both commuter planes and full size jets it does a great job removing 95% of annoying noise.
Haven't even used yet to listen to music so I can't speak to that.
It folds nicely into a zippered case. But be careful. Some of the plastic parts seem flimsy so you don't want to jam the headphones into a bulging carryon bag even when folded.
27 Huge and heavy
If there was a picture of these headphones, you'd see what I mean. These headphones work by "passive" noise reduction - the pieces that fit over the ear are made of layers and layers of sound absorbing material. These monstrous pieces cover your ears and are pushed hard against your head by an imposing thick behind-the-neck piece which sports the word "KOSS" in large letters across it, so you feel like a billboard. An adjustable velcro two-piece headstrap holds the contraption in place so that its massive weight rests squarely on top of your head. I tried these at work and was mistaken for an air traffic controller. They reduce noise, but after wearing them about 1/2 hour I developed a splitting tension headache -> my neck could not hold up all the weight, and I felt like a vise had been applied to my temples. These are not made for personal use, but rather for industrial high-noise situations. Returned the same day.
28 Tried 'em all - Koss is best
I fly 100k/per year, and happened to sit by a young lady from Japan about 3 years ago who let me try her Sony noise reduction headset. I was surprised how effective it was and how much noise and stress you are exposed to when you are flying. I immediately tried a Brookstone noise reduction headset I got in the next airport, which I used with my portable CD player - and was surprised how much it contributed to arriving more comfortable, relaxed and effective. However, it was bulky, heavy enough to hurt my ears after being worn for 30 minutes or so, and began to come apart. I tried the Bose NR headset - which is great - but still a little bulky and heavy. This year a got the Koss QZ-2000 - and it's the one to get. It works as well as any of the others, but takes less space in your luggage and is so comfortable you can wear it from London to San Francisco - no problem. The combination of the QZ-2000 and my Compressor Personal Jukebox (now I don't need to carry CD's) means I have relaxing noise reduction and my choice of music anywhere.
29 Noise Reduction, Way different than Cancelling
I ordered these headphones thinking it was noise cancelling, not noise reduction. The differece was that these are like ear protection devices like target practice shooters use. And the noise cancelling type use an electronic circuitry to "phase" out the noise, significantly. Also, the phones "clamp" on to your head, giving you aching pains after wearing for an extended period. The sound quality was alright, not much in the lower range, but didn't play loud enough. But the irritating thing was when you moved around and "bumped" something you could hear it, (the shell is hard plastic). They reminded me of my "dads" headphones from the 70's, in fact the design probably never changed!
30 mmmmm.... silence
I love these babys... With them plugged into my diskman, i can crank my home theater system to full volume and not hear it at all... A bit expensive, but if you need to listen to music over something, these are for you. Go for it, i couldnt be happier. Very comfortable too, and nice volume dial on the ear cup
31 If I Could I'd Wear Them 24 Hours A Day!!
I bought these from the manufacturer two weeks ago and I think these are the best things invented since the wheel! Therefore, when I found Amazon offered them I decided to get another pair for my office; and cheaper than than getting them from Koss direct! Anyway, they are the key to my survival because they TOTALLY screen out my next door neighbor's construction, another neighbor's dog (which is continually barking), and annoying leaf and lawn mowers. I now can concentrate on my studying while listening to all kinds (preferably classical) music. Anyone who wants the world to "go away" while trying to concentrate or sleep should get these. I found them to be extremely comfortable and the clarity of sound is excellent. They are superior and they will help to keep your sanity in this noisy world. :-)
32 Essential tool for the traveler
These headphones are wonderfully designed for the frequent traveler. They remove much of the low-frequency noise, which reduces the damage to the eardrum over time. They also allow an external sound source (airplane sound system, CD player, etc) to be heard with significantly less volume.
All of those features apply to all noise-canceling headphones. The Koss headphones excel in their wear-ability. Unlike many designs, the Koss headphones do not rest solely on the ears. Instead, they have foam shims that share the load between the ears and the head right above the ear. The result is a more comfortable design over a long period of time. On a short plane trip, it won't make a difference, nor will it on a commute to work. For those long-haul fights, however, it becomes crucial to its continued comfortable use.
The two AA batteries last for hours (the "low battery" indicator means only 30 hours remain) and are easy to replace. The two-prong adapter is ideal for most airline headsets, although through experience I've noticed some use a 1/4" phono jack, which I've now included in my kit.
33 Koss Quiet Zone QZ/2000 Noise- Reduction
This is an excellent stereophone. The quality of the sound is good. It really cuts down the background noise as it said in the description. I strongly recommend this particular unit.
34 Koss Quiet Zone QZ/2000 Noise- Reduction
This is an excellent stereophone. The quality of the sound is good. It really counts down the background noise as it said in the description. I strongly recommend this particular unit.
35 Noise-Reduction
In fact, it does what is says it does. Great for bus trips. I have not tried it on a plain, but a co-worker has, and says it's a must.
The case it comes with will accommodate a small player too (like a RIO).
