Наушники — Koss SB40

The SB40 is a full-size wired communication headset from Koss that combines a stereo headphone with a boom microphone on one assembly. The Milwaukee company, which introduced the first SP/3 stereophone in 1958, pitches this model at gamers who want a microphone for voice chat, and its specification sheet also lists professional audio, home audio and computer use. Koss prices it at USD 44.99, and the SB40 carries the brand's Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Key specs that matter

A dynamic element drives each earpiece. Koss specifies a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, an impedance of 120 ohm, a sensitivity of 96 dB SPL per mW and distortion below 0.2 percent. The boom microphone is an electret condenser type working in mono, and Koss describes it as noise cancelling, intended to suppress excess background noise around the speaker. The straight cord uses dual entry and splits into two 3.5 mm plugs - a TS plug for the microphone and a TRS plug for the stereo headphone signal. The cable is 2.7 m long with gold-plated connectors, and the weight is roughly 300 g.

Engineering and use context

Large closed ear cups covered in leatherette enclose each ear instead of sitting on top of it. Koss states that this circumaural design gives maximum isolation and more comfort over long sessions, and links the closed cups to high noise sensitivity and reduced distortion. The over-the-head binaural layout places a driver on both sides, so game or call audio arrives in stereo while the microphone captures the voice in mono. Because the microphone and headphone signals leave on separate plugs, the SB40 connects directly to equipment that offers individual microphone and headphone sockets. A device with a single four-pole combo jack needs a splitter adapter that merges the TS and TRS plugs, and some radio or communication equipment may require a different lead altogether. Koss says the headset is built to withstand the rigours of daily wear and keeps its fit after years of use.

Pairing

A desktop computer sound card, a USB audio interface with separate microphone and headphone jacks, or a mixer with a mic input suit the two-plug layout. Its comparatively high impedance comes paired with moderate sensitivity, so dedicated computer audio hardware or a headphone amplifier will reach comfortable levels more readily than a weak phone output.

Alternatives

The Koss SB45 is a related closed over-ear communication headset with a noise-reduction microphone, a 100 ohm impedance and a single-entry 2.4 m cord.