Наушники — Koss GMR-540-A-ISO

The GMR-540-A-ISO is a gaming headset with sealed over-ear cups from Koss, the Milwaukee company that introduced the SP/3 stereophone in 1958 and the Pro/4AA dynamic headphone in 1970. Koss designed it to create an isolated space for gaming, with custom tuned elements behind closed backs, and supplies a removable boom mic plus a choice of cords. The regular price is USD 59.99, recently reduced to USD 44.99, and the headset is covered by the Koss Limited Lifetime Warranty for wired models.

Key specs that matter

Koss rates the frequency response at 15 Hz to 22,000 Hz. Impedance is 35 ohms and sensitivity 103 dB SPL. Three cables come in the box - a 2.4 m extended cord with the boom microphone and separate audio and voice plugs, a 1.2 m headphone cord with the Koss one-touch in-line microphone and a single 3.5 mm plug, and an adapter that turns the dual plugs into one 3.5 mm TRRS connector. Driver diameter and weight are not published by Koss.

Engineering and use context

The ear cups follow the Koss D-Profile shape, which mimics the outline of the ear so that the cushion seals around it. Together with the closed backs, that seal is the basis of the isolation Koss claims for the model. An ultra lightweight frame hangs from a new custom fitting sling and Koss says it can be worn for hours of gaming and extended use. The cord detaches from the headset, so a damaged cable can be replaced without discarding the headphone, and the owner can swap between the long gaming lead and the short mobile lead in seconds. On the extended cord an in-line controller adjusts volume and carries a dedicated mute toggle. The boom itself is removable, so the headset can be worn on the move with only the in-line microphone. Koss also makes a GMR-540-ISO-USB version of the closed-back design with a USB connector in place of the analogue plugs.

Pairing

Being an easy load, this headset reaches full level from a console controller jack, a phone or a laptop with no external amplifier. Computers with separate headphone and microphone sockets take the dual-plug cord directly, while phones and other devices with a single headset jack use the adapter or the short TRRS cord. The long cord gives reach from a tower under a desk or from a television to a sofa.

Alternatives

The Koss GMR-545-AIR is the open-back counterpart in the same gaming series, with D-shaped circumaural cups and the same pair of long and short cords.