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Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System

Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System

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Product Description
A revival of the standard-setting ESP/950 released by Koss in 1990, these headphones bring electrostatic quality into a whole new price bracket. Initially designed for live recording, the ESP/950 came with a large carrying case and a battery pack to power the required energizer: a special amplifier for electrostatic drivers Read More

Discover the Electrostatic Difference

A revival of the standard-setting ESP/950 released by Koss in 1990, these headphones bring electrostatic quality into a whole new price bracket. Initially designed for live recording, the ESP/950 came with a large carrying case and a battery pack to power the required energizer: a special amplifier for electrostatic drivers. Made for the modern audiophile’s listening purposes, this version skips the case and battery pack to save on weight, space, and cost. The color has been updated to Massdrop’s exclusive midnight blue and the pleather ear pads swapped for thicker, more comfortable foam wrapped in velour. The rest stays true to the original: same clean bass and unmatched sound quality; same pivoting cups and adjustable, detachable headband; and same energizer, now with new graphics and colorway—all backed by the same lifetime warranty.

Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System

Comparison to Moving-Coil Drivers

Invented in the 1800s and still widely used today, conventional moving-coil drivers feature a coil of wire inside a magnet glued to a stiff cone. Current passes through the coil and electromagnetism creates force that vibrates the coil, along with the stiff cone to which it’s glued. Electrostatic drivers operate based on a completely different, more advanced principle. They work by placing a static (non-moving) electric charge on an ultralight film floating between two perforated metal plates. Static cling and repulsion cause the entire film to move by itself when audio voltages are applied across the plates. Because there is no physical contact or interference from coils or stiff cones—and because the film is so thin—electrostatic headphones produce a superior sound, characterized by a lack of coloration and distortion. But since they require a high-voltage power supply and are more expensive, they have historically been less accessible than their moving-coil counterparts.

Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System

About Koss

If we were to write a history of audio companies in the US, Koss would land on the first page. Not only did the Milwaukee, Wisconsin–based company make the world’s first stereo headphone, the SP/3, in 1958, it’s also responsible for the first self-energizing electrostatic headphone, the first dynamic headphone to deliver all 10 audible octaves, and a standard-setting infrared wireless headphone. Over the years, Koss headphones have made it onto Air Force One, into the Smithsonian, and onto the heads of such music icons as Neil Diamond, Tony Bennett, and Pete Fountain. Founder John C. Koss was inducted into the Audio Hall of Fame in 1979 and the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame in 2000. 

Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System

Diagrams

Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System

Graphs

Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System
Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System

Reviews of the Original ESP/950

Specs

ESP/95X Electrostatic Headphones

  • Acoustic principal: Circumaural open-air design with minimal acoustic damping
  • Diaphragm: Ultra-low-mass 1.5-micron C-grade polyester film coated with semiconductive material
  • Diaphragm radiating surface area: 7 sq in (45.6 sq cm)
  • Frequency response: 8 Hz–35 kHz
  • Headband: Stainless steel, extendable
  • Headband cover: Wide leatherette-style vinyl with 12mm-thick polyethylene foam padding
  • Yokes: Horizontal and vertical pivoting with integral headband lock-and-detach mechanism
  • Cushions: Velour-wrapped foam
  • Cup size, including cushions (H x W x D): 5.9 x 3.9 x 1.6 in (15 x 10 x 4 cm)
  • Cable: Straight, dual entry, 4 ft (1.2 m) with 6 ft (1.8 m) extension 
  • Weight: 12.45 oz (353 g)

E/90X Electrostatic Energizer

  • Frequency response: 1.6 Hz–50 kHz (-3 dB), 100 Vrms differential output
  • THD + N: 0.001% at 1 kHz, 100 Vrms differential output
  • Input impedance: 100 kohms
  • Input level: 1 Vpk (for full power output)
  • Voltage amplification: 60 dB
  • Audio output voltage: 790 Vrms differential; 2,200 Vpk-pk differential with soft limiting
  • Channel separation: -80 dB at 1 kHz, 100 Vrms differential output
  • Signal-to-noise ratio: -100 dB at 100 Vrms output
  • Bias voltage supply: 600 VDC
  • Signal polarity: Absolute phase (non-inverting)
  • Volume control: Dual concentric continuous audio taper high-quality potentiometer with split shaft for balance
  • Switch: Power on/off rocker
  • Input jacks: RCA type (left and right), 3.5mm stereo, AC/DC adapter
  • Power: AC adapter power supply for E/90X (included, select 120V or 220V)
  • Power consumption: 320 mA DC current at normal listening levels
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 2.6 x 4.3 x 6.1 in (6.5 x 11 x 15.5 cm)
  • Weight: 17 oz (482 g)

Included

  • ESP/95X electrostatic headphones
  • E/90X electrostatic energizer
  • 120V or 220V AC adapter (add plug adapter for your country’s outlet)
  • 3 ft (0.9 m) RCA-to-RCA cable
  • 2 ft (0.6 m) 3.5mm–to-3.5mm cable
  • 6 ft (1.8 m) extension cable 
  • Koss's limited lifetime warranty (see warranty card)

RETURNS—NO QUESTIONS ASKED

We get it. Sometimes what you ordered just doesn’t work out. If that’s the case for you, don’t fret! All customers (both US and international) may return this item in new, unused condition within 30 days of delivery.

Shipping

Estimated ship date is Mar 18, 2021 PT.

Payment will be collected at checkout. Cancellations are accepted up to 2 hours after checkout for in-stock items, or up until pre-order ships.

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Top Customer Questions14
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Question
When are you going to restock the 120V model?
Jan 28, 2021
Top Answer
Sope
22
I've been wondering the same.Read More
Mar 4, 2021
See 1 More
Question
How does an electrostatic system differ from other types of headphones?
Jan 21, 2021
Top Answer
magalahi
10
Here are some resources I used to learn about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYaLBPUZnkY https://youtu.be/z4vbnaeyiMw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUgGEQ4aDVcRead More
Feb 1, 2021
Question
Do you need to keep these covered to protect from dust?
Jan 21, 2021
Top Answer
Starfall119
49
They have two foam covers over either side of the stators and driver membrane. So they aren't as defenseless to dust as Stax or other Electrostats.Read More
Mar 16, 2021
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85% would recommend to a friend
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