Customer Reviews

Koss QZ-2000 Active Noise Reduction Stereophone

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Active noise reduction systems (e.g. QZ-2000) have microphones to measure ambient noise waves. They then add a signal to the headphone output that is equal and opposite in phase which cancels noise, and this is especially effective for low frequency noise. The QZ-2000 active cancellation (based upon my experience on airplanes and in noisy HVAC environments) is terrific. The relatively open design supplies little passive absorption of noise, but allows you to hear conversation. When my QZ-2000s broke (after rattling around my computer bag for several years and many trips), Koss fixed them free, good as new. QZs are cheaper by half than one popular (ryhmes with "hose") unit, but the latter offers both active and passive NR. If you are trying to kill higher frequency noises and don't need to hear anything ambient, you may wish to consider the "Hose" or other units with passive (muffling) NR.

I hook the QZ-2000s up to my PDA, which I use as a jukebox, on cross-country flights. Noise reduction terrific, sound quality very good (but not quite Pro 4AA), battery life outstanding, reasonable price. Physical durability has not been horrible, but could be better. Outstanding mfr service after sale.

Man, I wish that they would create a similar unit with a mike on a mini-boom for telephone and computer VOIP use.

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.

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. :)

I mainly use this item for my job as a medical transcriptionist, which means that I wear these on my head for eight hours a day, five days a week. I've tried many other brands of headphones and these are by far the most comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They do not press hard into the ears or cause them to get "hot". Soundwise, they are excellent at cancelling constant background noises and hums. Even so, I can still clearly hear the conversations of people around me. I mainly use these headphones to listen to the dications of physicians, however, music sounds great on them as well.

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..