Headphones
Koss UR 20
It remains hard to believe Koss can make a full-sized closed-back headphone this substantial at this low, low price... but here it is. Perfect for many low-cost commercial and computer lab applications, or just for great budget personal listening, the UR-20 will isolate you nicely from outside noise and,as a huge plus, the UR-20 carries Koss' lifetime warranty. A simple, tough-built and easy-to-wear headphone highly recommended for classrooms, audio labs, auditoriums, museums, doctors/dentists offices, etc.
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Product Features:
- A substantial headphone at this price.
- Low cost and durable, great for many applications.
- Closed headphone design isolates from outside noise.
Applications:
We really don't know exactly how Koss can manage to sell full-sized sealed-cup headphones at this truly bargain price, much less ones that actually manage to sound OK... Amazing! The UR-20 is a bit bass-heavy, which is why we think they're the perfect headphones for bass lovers. Of course, if you've got someone who is actively looking for really great sound performance in a full-sized, well-priced, sealed-earcup headphone, we suggest saving up for some of our more expensive recommendations like the Sennheiser HD205 or even the excellent Denon AH-D1001S. However, there's no question the Koss UR-20 remains a really incredible value-loaded bargain for folks on an extra tight budget or for commercial headphone applications like schools, computer labs, doctors offices, or museum enviroments. The UR-20's big sealed-back earcup design effectively attenuates a good deal of ambient/enviromental sounds while preventing headphone 'leakage' from disturbing others nearby. It's also comfortable to wear, which comes in handy for long listening at workplaces or computer stations.
The Koss UR-20 are all-composite plastic sealed / closed headphones with an adjustable headband and comfy pleather earpad cushions. Although a bit large and oversize, they remain quite lightweight and ergonomic on the head. The UR-20 have an 8-foot non-detachable cord with a single-sided cable exiting the left earcup (no "Y" cord tangles!) and terminates to a stereo 1/8" (3.5mm) 'mini-plug'. Consider the similar Koss UR-29 model if seeking a nearly identical-performing headphone but with a convenient 'built-in' volume control adjuster on the cord. A full-size 1/4" plug adaptor is handily included in the Koss UR-20 package. The sweet LIFETIME Koss manufacturer's product warranty remains in full effect, so just hang onto the receipt for free repair or replacement if they break. That's a way-cool warranty policy and only Koss does it!
Please call our HeadRoom Sales Dept for 'special-order' information on this headphone if placing a large 'bulk order' for commercial applications.
Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 97 dB/mW
- Cord Type: Straight Left-Side
- Coupler Size: Large
- Cord Length: 8 ft. (2.4 m)
- Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Microphone: No
- Detachable Cable: No
- Driver Type: Dynamic
- Isolation: 13
- Connector Type: 1/8"
- Ear Coupler Type: Full-Size
- Impedance @ 1kHz: 32
- Wireless: No
- Headphone Type: Full Size
- Noise Cancelling: No
- Warranty: LIFETIME
- Acoustic Seal: Closed
Additional Resources:
- Manufacturer's Website
- http://www.koss.com/
Average Rating
Posted by easyup81 from Chicago (Boystown), IL on 2010-03-20
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Damn good value, very comfy, twenty bucks for eighty-dollar sound.
Cons: A bit fiimsy feeling to *handle* (or adjust)
Honestly how much can you expect for$20 (plus shipping)? Well.....they're worth every penny. GIVE UP YOUR SPEAKERS. Your set of $400 5.1 speakers don't even compare. Plus you won't wake up your roomie. Got the full-ear for sound isolation. Honestly if your neighbor is loud as *@#! just move to a top-floor pad--full ear headphones won't really matter. But your roomates won't hear YOUR cheesy tunes with full closed ear phones like these. (Bonus)
These were my first new headphones in a while and, WOW! T-W-E-N-T-Y dollars. Still can't believe it. I had an OK 2.1 setup, but with the UR-20's I was able to pick our things I either couldn't hear or understand before. Probably the case with ANY headphone? Maybe. Read on (if you're not asleep).
Just get a pair. Hell, get two of them! SHARE THEM! (Before KOSS catches on and jacks up the price.) You won't regret it.Give as a gift--they say 'DJ' on the box. (ha!) They feel a little flimsy, but once you're wearing them who cares? The one-sided cable is to die for. They're big and soft.
No, they don't exude build quality--they *feel* like $20 headphones. Then you remember "that's what I paid for them!. Good range (for the price) and good volume. They won't squeeze your head off. Sound is a bit 'boomy' if you're picky about accuracy, but if you're going to be wearing them for hours on end and are on a budget they're a perfect fit They're almost a steal actually. Try them. Seriously.
If you don't go for it, don't return them--just try something else a bit better (and much more expensive) and keep the UR-20's as a good (bulky) backup. I prefer the slightly tighter sounding (and vice-grip fitting--ouch) Sennheiser HD 280's but gosh the UR-20's are comfy! Putting them on is like a relaxing trip to the spa.
Durable? Yes, actually. They're pretty tough--but they *feel* cheap. Break 'em? No biggie: TWENTY BUCKS, DEAR!
Portable? Not really--unless you like to look like a dork wearing giant headphones on the train. These are NOT DJ headphones (as the package boasts). Please!
Ugly? Yes. Ugly like you're dead uncle. These are probably the ugliest headphones ever made. Good news? You wear them AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AT THEM.
They work nicely with non-amplified sources like iPODs or PCs (ie, more volume & less distortion) than most higher-end headphones without amplifiers. (Although the UR-20's do benefit from an amp for cleaner and louder sound.) They're a good buy at twice the price if you're not too discriminating on build quality. They're not *really* flimsy, they just *feel* like they are. If you want tight fit, better build and cleaner less 'showy' sound with an over-the-ear go for the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro's--at four times the price. (ouch). The UR-20's,in two words? "ULTIMATE VALUE."
Never owned 'non-bundled' headphones? BIG, ugly, soft, heavenly, punchy. Try these first. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Posted by anton from baltimore, MD on 2010-02-14
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: cheap...decent sound...ok isolation
Cons: not very portable...cost as much to ship back to Koss as it is to buy a new pair
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Posted by kokeshi from Las Vegas, NV on 2010-02-10
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Price, Comfortable
Cons: none
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you?
