KOSS SB-40s suck?

A

adultswim810

n00b
Joined
Jul 22, 2007
Messages
39
I was looking for some new headphones recently in a fairly low budget range and all signs seemed to point to the KOSS SB-40s, so i went ahead and got em for like 30 bucks off amazon. I just got em today and decided to test out some TF2. The sound is horrendous! Worse than my x-540s, in fact, the x 540 sound ridiculously better. Im running them on integrated realtek hd audio, could that be the problem? Or are they just always this bad? Everything sounds really dirty and messy like a crunch instead of a pop(thats the only way I can put it). Please help!

EDIT: It seems to be getting slightly better, Is it possible that i need to wear them in?
 
um, huh. yeah they sound better than the x-540s so if they do not improve return them for another pair. can you take a pic of the box? Might be a fake. Happened recently with some AT portable headphones on amazon.

Also, make sure that your game sound is on stereo not surround.
 
I'm not sure I understand your description, but it sounds like you're describing the sort of distortion that can happen with a circuit continuity issue (loose connection, damaged cable, defective soldering). Especially since you say it is "everything"...many other issues would be frequency dependent.
 
sorry for crap quality, had to use my phone. I lost camera -_-.

And my games and realtek settings are on headphone.
 
definitely make sure that your realtek settings are on stereo instead of surround and if that fails, try an rma.

i dont think the sb40 needs much breaking in
 
You might try stereo, sure. The difference may be slightly noticeable (but possibly not noticeable at all).

They may sound a little "thin" as you're first using them, but the drivers should loosen up a bit over time and become less edgy. If what you're hearing is distortion, you need to do some diagnosing. Try plugging them into some other unit like an A/V receiver or an iPod and see if there's any difference.
 
Stereo can mean 2.0 or 2.1, headphones are always 2.0 (barring "surround" headphones which are crap anyway). Although TMK the signal output for headphone or stereo is identical and the additional option is just to keep from confusing users.

If it's what I think it is, it's RMA time...it's repairable given tools and materials, but more than most people want to get into, and it's much less trouble to exchange it anyway. Amazon should let you print a prepaid return label.
 
Yup. RMA. It happens. You got a dud.

Cool thing is, even if you had no receipt, you could send it to koss for another one.
 
uhhh i gave em another try and now they are silky smooth. No idea what happened there. Anyways, now I am very impressed. =D thanks for the help anyways guys.
 
adultswim810 said:
uhhh i gave em another try and now they are silky smooth. No idea what happened there.
Click to expand...

It's possible there was some dust from manufacturing on the drivers. It happens. So, RMA if it comes back (some of this stuff is intermittent), otherwise - glad you're enjoying them!

Be careful, though, audio upgrades are one hell of a slippery slope. You start training your ear not to have over-loud high-noise crap pumped into it. :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top