Price Paid:  $39.00 from ebay

Summary:
When you are reading reviews of this headphone you are probably looking for an inexpensive but excellent sounding portable headphone, if this is the case then read on! I own and compared 4 portable headphones that I own. The Koss KSC-35 which is still available and not discontinued as is often mentioned (it’s 2005 as I write this review), the now discontinued Koss KSC-50 (which is succeeded by the KSC-75), Koss KTX-pro1 and Sennheiser PX-100). These are all relative cheap headphones (max $40.-) and absolutely the best value in headphones UNDER $100.- including the in-ear types such as ‘Koss The Plug’. The Sennheiser PX100 takes 4th place. This headphone has a lower sensitivity (99dB/1mW (@32 Ohms = 114dB/1Veff) than the Koss headphones but one must keep in mind that the impedance is of importance here because when a voltage is applied that dissipates 1 mW into a 60 Ohm headphone the PX100 will produce a sound level of 101.5 dB with this same voltage. In practice this output level will most likely be somewhat lower because each headphone amp has a certain output resistance varying with make and model over which a part of the available voltage will fall. This sensitivity is enough for portable players with only 1 or 2 batteries (this mostly determines the available output voltage together with the output resistance of the headphone amp) to be able to drive these headphones loud enough. Most headphones do NOT have such a high sensitivity (higher impedance), which is a must for portable equipment. The sound is pretty good and open but a tiny bit ‘muffled’ and not as ‘open’ when compared to the 3 Koss headphones. The PX 100 has low distortion and a ‘flat’ (meaning no excessive peaks or dips) frequency response with a gradual decline of the highs translating in less ‘clarity’ and ‘openness’. The fit is comfortable because the elements can tilt in any direction and will therefore perfectly adapt to the shape of your ears. The foldable PX100 comes with a rather big but sturdy carrying case. The PX100 feels a bit flimsy because of it’s foldable design but is sturdier than it feels and has a nice look to it. The cord, however, is very thin and feels as it may break easily. 3rd place goes to the Koss KTX-pro1, which has the highest sensitivity (103 dB/1mW @ 60Ohms) and an extra volume control in the cord. The sound quality is overall somewhat better then the PX100, more open and more probnounced lows (maybe a tad in the direction of being boomy) and ‘cleaner’ and ‘crisper’ highs and equally low distortion and falls of a little in the highs too like the PX100 making it sound a tad boomy. The looks of this headphone do not appeal to me as much as the Sennheiser does. The cord is thicker and the headphone feels more solid because it is not foldable but the fit is the worst of the 4 headphones because the elements can only tilt in one direction and therefore put more pressure on the back of the ears than on the front which may be uncomfortable after a certain time. 2nd place is for the Koss KSC50 (101 dB/1mW @ 60Ohms), which sounds better than the KTX-pro1 and PX100 especially in the highs where it is superior and more open and flat. The bass is less pronounced than the KTX-pro1’s. The earclip design takes some getting used to but is actually much more comfortable than headband headphones because these headphones do not press your ears against your head they also do not fall off your ears you can even jog with them. The Koss KSC35 (101 dB/1mW @ 60Ohms) is the winner because of it’s comfortable fit over the ears (probably the new KSC75 will fit equally well as the KSC35 not yet tested). The KSC35 is soundwise (almost ?) identical to the KSC50 (the same driver). Although the KSC50 feels sturdier than the flimsy feeling KSC35 I prefer the KSC35 over the other headphones in fit, tonal quality and openness and comes much closer to my Sennheiser HD650 which I regard as a reference headphone.

Strengths:
see review

Weaknesses:
see review

Similar Products Used:
Sennheiser: HD400 HD414 HD497 HD250-II HD580, HD590, HD600, HD650, PX100, Koss: KSC19 KSC35 KSC50 KTX-pro1, The Plug, Beyerdynamic: HD330, HD770, HD880, HD990. Stax electret headphone, Sony and Technics earbuds and various other cheap and more expensive headphones

Price Paid:  $29.00 from headphone.com

Summary:
I've been spoiled over the years with various models of Sennheiser headphones (starting with the 540's and working my way up to my current pair of 580's). When I purchased my first Minidisc player a few days ago I was in desperate need of new headphones as the pair that came with it absolutely sucked (as expected). I couldn't just take my Sennheisers everywhere, the entire reason of buying an md player was the size ($200 headphones don't go outside). After checking many reviews on the net the KSC35's sounded like the perfect choice. I ordered monday night and here it is Wednesday afternoon and I'm enjoying my new headphones. Very good bass response, maybe just a TAD bit boomy. Smooth highs without crackling at fairly high volumes. For anything under $60 I'd say go with the KSC35's or the PortaPro's (same drivers). They don't have the clarity as sennheisers but they cost just a fraction of the price.

Strengths:
Good volume, Clarity, Bass.

Weaknesses:
Clipon's are different than what I'm used to with circum-aural headphones, but they are still quite comfortable.

Price Paid:  $36.00 from Headroom (www.headph

Summary:
This is a legendary portable headphone (it was the first earclip-type headphone model ever marketed) that is, unfortunately, discontinued. I have a pair of its successor model, the KSC-50, which sounds alright, but fits too loosely on my ears. So, out of curiosity, I ordered a pair of KSC-35's from Headroom. Here is my analysis:

Initially, I had trouble putting it on properly - but that took a little getting used to. And it's among the most comfortable headphones that I've ever put on; no pain, unlike some of the other earclip and "Street Style" headphones that I tried. And for all its comfort, the KSC-35 stays put on my ears, unlike the newer KSC-50, which sometimes falls off my ears during a workout.

When I first heard the KSC-35, I was blown away by its sound quality. The bass is full and rich, though a bit bloated; the mids are a little recessed, but otherwise clear and detailed; the treble, a little harsh (but not bad). But this level of performance is a far cry from the miserable sound quality of most portable headphones in this price class (those deliver weak bass response, nonexistent mids and scratchy treble). I couldn't tolerate such crappy portable low-priced headphones, until I bought the KSC-35.

At 60 ohms impedance and 101dB/mW sensitivity, the KSC-35 is easily powered by typical portable audio equipment. Many headphones that sound as good as or better than these often require a dedicated headphone amplifier just to outperform the KSC-35.

A four-foot cord with a gold-plated plug allows for greater freedom than typical portable headphones offer. A vinyl carrying pouch is supplied as well (but I don't use it at all).

Over, the Koss KSC-35 is (or was) the best truly portable headphone that I've ever owned. Sadly, Koss had discontinued this model and replaced it with an inferior (but still quite good) KSC-50. If you have $30-plus to spend on earclip-type headphones, I'd strongly recommend ordering the KSC-35 from Headroom instead of going to Best Buy and buying the crappy Sony MDR-Q33LP/S (or /B) w.ear.

Strengths:
Good overall sound quality, great comfort, doesn't fall off the ears

Weaknesses:
Hard to find new

Similar Products Used:
Koss KSC-50 (OK)
Sony MDR-Q33LP/S (junk)

Price Paid:  $30.00 from Koss USA

Summary:
A legendary headphone that has been, sadly, discontinued.

Strengths:
Very light and extremely confortable providing hours of listening pleasure. Solid bass and crisp highs, and everything in-between is smooth. The clip-on design means that these things won't fall off, even during vigorous activity. Really haven't found any types of music that these can't do justice to, at least not in my CD collection. Quite efficient, meaning you get decent volume, even with MD recorders.

Weaknesses:
A bit of a trick to attach to your ear lobes, but, once mastered, far more comfortable than most anything you'll ever use. Plastic clips seem a bit cheap and fragile, but are made to last. Bass can be a bit excessive, but one of the few phones that actually extend and WORK below 50 Hz.

Similar Products Used:
Never used "clip-on" phones, before, but am familiar with earbuds, namely the Sony MDR-E888's. (which are superb, also)

Price Paid:  $15.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
This is a great headphone for the money...If you can still find one buy it now, because koss is discontinuing the KSC-35's and replacing them with the inferior, but still good KSC-50s

Strengths:
Great sound for the money...probabally best headphone for under 50 dollars.

Weaknesses:
hard to take on and off

Similar Products Used:
Grado SR-60, Etymotic ER-6