Наушники — Koss SB45

The SB45 is a wired communication headset from Koss, the American company that built its first SP3 Stereophone in 1958 and today also makes computer and telecommunications headsets, built around large, closed over-ear cups and a Clear Voice Technology noise-reduction microphone. Koss aims it at extended use such as calls, video conferences and multimedia work, where the closed cups isolate the listener from ambient noise and the microphone limits background noise picked up from the room. The headset is sold in a standard 3.5 mm version and a USB version.

Key specs that matter

Published ratings are an 18 to 20,000 Hz response, the headset impedance at 100 ohms and the sensitivity at 103 dB SPL per milliwatt, with distortion below 0.2 percent. The drivers are dynamic, and Koss cites anisotropic ferrite magnet structures intended to maximise sensitivity and reduce distortion. A single-entry straight cord of 2.4 m gives room to move away from a desk. Weight is about 431 g, and the over-ear cups are built to seal out ambient sound.

Engineering and use context

The microphone is an electret condenser design under the Clear Voice Technology name, with noise reduction aimed at high speech intelligibility in voice calls, and it is meant for video conferences and voice chat as well as multimedia recording. The ear cups are closed and surround the ear, and they are fitted with soft leatherette cushions. A fully adjustable headband sets the fit, and the design folds for portable storage when the headset leaves the desk. Koss backs the SB45 with its Limited Lifetime Warranty, the coverage it gives to its wired products. Because the cord enters on one side only, the opposite cup carries no cable. Where the USB version is chosen, the headset draws its connection from a single USB-A plug, while the analog version keeps separate plugs for audio and voice.

Pairing

The analogue SB45 uses independent plugs for headphone and microphone and connects to computers, laptops and other devices with analog headphone and microphone inputs, while the USB variant plugs into a USB-A port for computers without separate audio jacks. The high sensitivity allows this load to be driven from the headphone outputs of ordinary computers.

Alternatives

The Koss SB42 is a closed communication headset with D-profile ear cups and a detachable cord with an integrated boom microphone that can attach to either ear cup.