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This is what I have to say about this unit.:First of, the specification of this unit is 30hz - 20khz, but there is no tolerance indicated (+-db, THD, etc) so this number is pretty much garbage. I am not all that concerned with frequency below 40hz or so since all earphones by design cannot do an adequate job with bone conduction hearing anyway. I am not only familiar with what all different types of distortions sound like, but I also have a pretty good frequency spectrum recognition (trained by hours of playing with warble sine wave test tones and various parametric equalizers). I used to work in recording studios so my ears are trained. Just got this device today. However, I do not think this device is of any use for devices that already have build in EQ functions. Most pop music sound much punchier with a boost of bass EQ centered around 50hz or so. This is not all bad or unacceptable for a unit this cheap.However, I am not all that pleased with the choice of center frequency of the bass EQ.
It makes a recording sound like those cheap boom boxes. There is no information on the Q and bandwidth of the curves applied. I purchased it because my ZUNE does not have eq functions. Bass EQ centered at 150hz is way too high and makes modern pop recording sound bloated without the more satisfying lower notes. The center frequencies of the graphic EQ are 125hz for bass, 1Khz for mid, and 10Khz for treble, with all bands adjustable +- 10 db. The bass and treble bands are likely shelved, but I have yet to play any sine wave test tones through this unit so I cannot verify this.This unit emits a hiss noticeable at approximately 10khz - 16Khz, which is why I suspect the treble EQ is shelved. I suspect KOSS chose this bass band center frequency to cater this device to ALL cheap headphones on the market, as increase of the lower tones will greatly distort headphones that cannot handle that kind of boost.So if your expectation is very low, and your device does not provide any EQ at all (like the new ZUNE), then this unit will likely satisfy you. There are only 3 very coarse bands, the bass band center frequency is way off for any descent music listening, and there is small amount of noise (which is the least of the problems).
This is a minor complaint when compared to the amount of "noise" this unit generates. I purchased this product to use in conjunction with my iPod as I have always felt the iTunes EQ lacks control. The hiss on the output is tremendous, it over powers any advantage the EQ section provides. The Koss unit had a good range of boost and cut in the three provided bands, however it would have been nice if the bass band were centered at a lower frequency. As it is, the bass adjustment made the sound very "boomy" and did not enhance the low bass. I was very disappointing as Koss in an excellent name in headphones and has been for years. I returned the unit to Amazon.com
I did not buy this item from Amazon, I got it at Walmart with headphones and a Y adaptor. But I have a Sony portable DVD player which was very difficult to hear with the volume all the way turned up and was not loud enough even with different headsets and no background noise.I bought this and it 'enhances' the volume pumping it up, and has an equalizer as well. It adds alot of bass and really adds to the listening experiance.I am not an audiphile, but I am glad I bought this and will buy it again if I need to. Plus Koss has a 100% lifetime guarentee, which will replace this item if it stops working for any reason, for a lifetime (or so the box claims).So, in short, if you cannot hear your stuff, or it does not sound decent, give this a try.
I'm a transcriptionist, and the EQ50 has saved me many, many times. I use it mostly for a volume boost (I don't know what hiss a few others are talking about, but mine has none), and at times being able to adjust the bass, treble or mid-range has allowed me to transcribe something that I otherwise would not be able to, or lets me get the job done with more comfort to my ears. Love it, can't live without it :-)
While many MP3 players have built-in equalizers in the menu section that allow you to adjust your highs/mids/lows, the sound is still NOT as good as it could be. Think of it this way. Therefore, many songs do not sound as pure, clean and full in MP3 format versus the full non-compressed sound of a normal CD. The problem is, an MP3 file (meaning song) is compressed, or reduced in size. As a musician, my ears are very acute to detail in sound quality. These headphones, combined with the Koss EQ will be the ultimate sound accessories to ANY MP3 player. You then plug your headphones or earbuds into the "output" jack on the Koss. It uses two AAA batteries (not included) and DOES include one cable that attaches your MP3 player's headphone jack to the Koss EQ "input" jack.
The Koss has an On/Off switch that you MUST remember to turn OFF when you are not using it so that you do not wear out your batteries. Buy this Koss unit. I like to walk and listen to music, so I own a few MP3 players of various brand names. The sound comes out of your MP3 player and goes into your Koss EQ, then from your Koss, the music goes to yoru headphones so you can hear it. So how do you truly enhance the tones of your music. The 3-band EQ is surely enough to give you the tone adjustments you will need. Along with this, I recommend you purchase Sennheiser PX 200 folding headphones that give you a true powerful bass sound. Believe me.I do NOT waste time posting a review unless I truly believe in the product.The choice is yours, but if you want your music to sound premium, this is the dynamo recipe.
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