Наушники — Koss SB49

The SB49 is a closed, full-size gaming and chat headset from Koss, aimed by the Milwaukee maker at video gaming and online use and grouped with its SB40 and SB45 models. Koss says these headsets pair high sensitivity with reduced distortion across the volume range. It connects through a conventional 3.5 mm analogue lead rather than USB, sells for USD 44.99 on the Koss site and is covered by the Limited Lifetime Warranty for parts and labour that applies to every wired Koss headphone.

Key specs that matter

Koss specifies the stereophone section from 18 Hz to 20,000 Hz, with an impedance of 100 ohms and a sensitivity of 103 dB SPL at 1 mW. The microphone covers 100 Hz to 16,000 Hz and is rated at minus 56 dB plus or minus 3 dB per 1 V at 1 kHz, which Koss also expresses as minus 36 dB plus or minus 3 dB re 1 V/Pa. Microphone impedance is given as equal to the load resistance of the input it feeds. The cord is straight, single entry and 2.4 m long, and the headset weighs 0.45 kg.

Engineering and use context

Anisotropic ferrite magnets drive the earphones, a choice Koss links to the high sensitivity and low distortion of the SB series. Large closed ear cups surround the ear for isolation, and soft leatherette cushions are intended to keep the headset comfortable through long gaming sessions. The voice pickup is an electret condenser capsule on a boom, using Koss Clear Voice Technology, or CVT, to reject excessive background noise, and Koss names speech recognition and interactive gaming among its intended jobs. Level is set with a volume control built into the cord. The headband adjusts to fit most heads, the plastic frame is collapsible for protected storage and transport, and the circumaural binaural earpieces reproduce a stereo signal. Koss also names telecommunication as a use, where the isolation of the sealed cups keeps a noisy room out of the call.

Pairing

The analogue plug fits into the analogue audio sockets of a desktop or laptop, and the analogue link avoids any need for a USB driver or a free USB port. Koss describes the microphone as intended for hands-free talk from a personal computer, so a computer is the main partner rather than a hi-fi amplifier. The long cord gives room to sit back from a monitor or to reach a machine placed on the floor.

Alternatives

The Koss SB45 is the closest relative in the communication range, sold with analogue plugs and also in a USB edition called the SB45 USB.