Customer Reviews

Koss SB-45 Communication Stereophones

5 star:		(74)
4 star:		(45)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I got my pair recently as an upgrade to the previous model by Koss(SB-40). This is a significant improvement for the microphone over the previous model, sound is roughly similar. I could not find a better headset for voice and sound. I tried blasting the headphones and recording via voice, it sounded as though there was no sound in the background. As for sound, sound quality is amazing for the price of the headset, their is almost a noise canceling effect on sound. Koss also has a lifetime warranty if anything happens to the set.

I play many online games and use voice programs like Skype and Ventrillo. I also have my entire music collection digitized on my computer and often use my headphones to listen to my music using Windows Media Player. I had been using flimsy Logitech headsets for years and had gotten used to duct taping them together when the cheap plastic broke and putting up with the discomfort that came from wearing them for extended periods of time. I finally got fed up and tried Koss on a friend's recommendation and have been extremely happy with this headset. This headset has great audio and is extremely comfortable even after wearing them for periods greater than an hour. The are well constructed and extremely easy to use. I highly recommend these for gamers, audiophiles or simply someone who wants a good prodcut at a fair price.

The Koss SB-45 Communication Stereophones are sold for a very modest price. The lightweight comfort matched by its "sturdy-enough-build" make these stereophones surprisingly delightful. Not to mention the sound is beyond clear for the price range, and the bass mysteriously clever.

Comfort: 5
Price: 5
Microphone sound 4.5
Speaker sound: 5

This is the headset I've been looking for. I work from home and frequently use VoIP clients such as Skype, Live Messenger, Tokbox, and ooVoo. I have bought and tried a ridiculous number of headsets over the last few years. I usually listen to music while I work, and all other headsets I have tried fall pitifully short in sound quality. So, I would end up using one headset for calls and then immediately switch to another pair of headphones for listening to music. I have a pair of Koss PortaPro headphones that sound great, so I decided to try the Koss SB-45. I am so glad I did. The headphones sound great, it's comfortable enough to wear all day, and the microphone picks up extremely well. I couldn't be happier.

*edit*
Looking back on it, I must change the rating.
The tightness around the head was never alleviated but not for lack of trying.
I tried to stretch these out over several nights but it did not work.
Just be aware, I did not really hear about the issue I had and I bought i t from Amazon, so keep in mind you might be in the same boat as me when you receive it. I have a regular sided head and I am completely surprised not more people are griping about this. I had pain from using it for a couple hours.
Due to this reason, I deem this purchase a failure on my part, I have given it away.
Currently using steelseries 4h.
I cannot recommend a headset I cannot use. Please be wary, I wasnt informed of this when I made the purchase.
*/edit*

What you need to know before buying:
1. Initially tight around head. Some users may be used to this.
2. Mic is difficult to adjust freely, the mic extension is a flexible rubber however if you apply enough force, it'll start to stay, suggesting there is some kind of metal underneath the rubber. Basically, the mic does not want to stay when you try to adjust it. Using force works.

Versus Cyber Acoustics AC-201:

Sound Quality: SB45 = deep clear bass frequencies and wins

Durability: SB45. I hope so at least. I had a cyber acoustics break on me. I will comment again if it breaks on me.I have owned these for less than a week however I can tell that the build quality on the SB45 is higher, the cyber acoustics headset has a problem with loosening adjustments and I had 1 mic break on me.

Microphone sound: SB45. From chatting with people (their opinion), the mic is clearer on the SB45 however the cyber acoustics mic was not bad, it was a little more muddy and softer in volume however.

Comfort: AC-201. For now. I said earlier that the sb45 comes tight out of the box. I am currently working on fixing that, it is the 1 major gripe I have. It has decent isolation but the pressure on the sides of my head gets old fast and the cyber acoustics has the pads rest directly on the ear whereas the sb45s pad cover around the ear. I am just not used to it and will try to loosen it up. My head is regular sized skinny person.

For under $30, SB45's probably the best bang for buck headset on the market considering there aren't that many good ones. Amazon sometimes fluctuates prices. I got em at $25.29. Good Luck.

I had hoped that the previous reviewers who had received non-functional headphones were reporting an uncommon problem or fluke. The ones I ordered arrived non-functioning as well. I'm not all too certain that these headphones are worth the effort of buying. If they work, maybe a different story. For me...no more of these headphones and probably no more Koss products in general.

This headset worked very well for a few months, but all of a sudden, the microphone stopped working when I needed it the most. If the microphone hadn't died, I would have given it at least 4 stars.

I got these to play Left 4 Dead but lets says the headset was already a Zombie. The mic sort of works but it only picks up your voice if you almost scream in it and even then it breaks up and fades in and out. The padding on the piece that sits on your head is so thin they get uncomfortable real quick.

These our one of the best headsets I have had. I've had about 5 different headsets, and this is the best quality one yet, from sound to the rugedness of it. It is also very comfortable too.

I bought this for my boyfriend for his birthday... a few comments from him and me:

1) The noise canceling is fantastic. I can pretty much yell at him and he won't hear me. (This is also kinda hilarious when he's playing Left 4 Dead...I can tap him on the shoulder and he jumps about 3 feet)

2) The sound is excellent. I listened to it myself. A lot better than the $40 logitech pair I bought myself.

3) He's been wearing them about 2-4 hours a day since getting them...he complained the first day they felt a bit tight, but no comfort complaints since.

4) The mic sticks out pretty far from the face. He was worried about that at first, but everyone seems to hear him so no more concerns there.

5) They're huge. They don't look it in the picture but they're very large. Like the size of headphones you'd find at a gun range or for use on private aircraft. Not terribly heavy though, considering.

6) There isn't a volume adjust on the cord. This didn't occur to me, but it was pretty much the first thing he noticed out of the box.

All in all he seems happy...so I'm glad I chose these