Koss QZ-Pro Active Noise Cancellation Stereophone

Product Review

The Koss Quiet Zone QZ PRO stereophone delivers a winning combination of passive and active noise reduction (ANR) for music lovers who are looking for a little peace and quiet on the go.Designed with soft, vinyl closed cushions that create a seal around the ear, the QZ PRO creates a passive, mechanical seal that reduces ambient noise while retaining bass frequencies.Koss’s active noise reduction circuitry is built directly into the earcups using tiny microphones that sense surrounding low frequency. Information about the undesirable sound waves is processed through the circuitry and creates an "anti-wave." The sound wave and "anti-wave" counteract each other at the wearer’s ear, reducing the irritating low frequency noise and increasing listening pleasure.Designed to reduce low frequency, repetitive noise, the QZ PRO is most effective at blocking out noises you want to eliminate while not affecting things you want to hear- like voice and music.

Product Features

Reduces harmful and annoying low frequency sounds in noisy environments
Closed leatherette ear cushion for added passive noise reduction
Dynamic stereophone element for extended frequency response (40-20,000Hz)
Includes 2-prong airline adapter for in-flight use
Collapsible design for portability
Active Noise Reduction Circuitry Built Directly Into The Ear Cups
Delivers Combination Of Passive and Active Noise Reduction (Anr)
Noise Reduction Circuitry Can Be Turned On and Off With A Flip Of A Switch
Soft Vinyl, Closed Cushions Create A Seal Around The Ear

Accessories

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review

(12 customer reviews)

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

More Noise ADDITION than cancellation!, January 4, 2006

D. Fredriksen "aworkingstiff" (Suwanee, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Koss QZ-Pro Active Noise Cancellation Stereophone (Electronics)

I asked for, and received, these for Christmas. I tried them without the noise canceling feature enabled. They are closed-ear and do reduce ambient noise from the environment (about the same as any other closed-ear phones). I was very disappointed to find that when I turned on the noise cancellation, it actually INTRODUCED MORE noise. They apparently have poorly designed amplification circuitry and there is a signficant amount of hiss when the noise cancellation is turned on. I have not yet evaluated their ability to cancel low frequency sounds (like road and aircraft noise) but the high frequency hiss makes them unacceptable for listening to music with this feature turned on.

Bottom line: they are a little pricey for use as low end closed-ear headphones, which is their only suitability. Buy a pair of Sennheiser HD201's or HD202's for this purpose at half the price. If you want noise cancellation, buy something else.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

Horrible!, January 15, 2007

S. Parshley "Cooked (pronounced like crooked)" (Southern Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Koss QZ-Pro Active Noise Cancellation Stereophone (Electronics)

The sound is mediocre to subpar and the fit is painful. The noise cancelation depends on a skull-crushing fit to be effective. I got these as a gift and I'm certain I wouldn't have purchased them on my own (without random and extremely manipulative council or, winning them with a 28% interest credit card).

The AAA battery-powered noise cancellation is a pain in the arse because it is easy to leave it switched on after you take them off. Thus, going through batteries quickly. There is a red LED incicator light but, it is on the right speaker/driver shell and still easy for this dumb bell to notice it on. If the batteries are weak, the sound gets really crappy with extreme bass distortion. Also, after about 10 mins of play (with even new batteries), volume loss is apparent.

This isn't ideal for sports activities so I do not understand why there is such a short cable lead of only about 3 feet(??).

All-in-all, kinda crappy.

-Cooked...Read more

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

eh.., June 28, 2006

ebmanhattan "eb" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Koss QZ-Pro Active Noise Cancellation Stereophone (Electronics)

i just bought these at radio shack for $50. the fit is ok but they pinch a bit after a while. the sound is pretty dissapointing. the noise cancellation feature doesn't do a lot and they sound quite muddy. the only thing i do like about them is their size. i will probably return them.