-
CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating -
Average user rating:
Write your own review
Product summary
The good: Extremely comfortable; highly effective noise-canceling circuitry; lots of bass.
The bad: Sound lacks detail; wires get tangled easily.
The bottom line: For smaller headphones, the QZ-2000s provide impressive noise cancellation and big-bottomed bass.
Specifications: Product type: Headphones ; Design: Ear-cup ; Color: Black ; See full specs
Price range: $148.68 - $160.63 check prices
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 06/02/2003
Koss's Quiet Zone QZ-2000 headphones are capable of surprisingly efficient noise cancellation over a relatively broad frequency spectrum: from midbass to upper midrange. This effectively hushes much of the sound made by planes, trains, and buses. We even subjected the QZ-2000s to a full-frontal New York City sonic assault, consisting of subways, noisy restaurants, and--worst of all--the unyielding din of midtown traffic. The noise-cancellation process pumps up the midrange to help the music cut through noisy conditions, which suggests that this unit is best for canceling fairly consistent noise.
We found the QZ-2000 earphones extremely comfortable, although they don't look as cutting-edge as they could, considering their advanced noise-cancellation technology. The circuitry that cancels the noise is housed in a small external box; this also holds twin AA batteries, which Koss claims last more than 200 hours at a stretch. You can fold the QZ-2000s into a compact bundle and store them in a neat little carry bag--a good idea for travel.
The relatively large and heavy battery pack lacks a belt clip, and its two wires (a thick one to the headphones and a skinny one to the portable audio device) are prone to getting tangled with each other. One more nitpick: The QZ-2000s, like some other noise-canceling headphones, produce a slight sense of pressure on the eardrum. Listeners sensitive to this effect may find them mildly uncomfortable.
The QZ-2000s' warm and round sound is adept at pumping up music. The headphones sounded best with rock tunes, but for a retail price of $199, Koss should offer more midrange detail and high-frequency resolution. DVD movies were less affected by the overmellow sound, but we still much preferred the less expensive Sony MDR-NC11 earbud headphones for their better sonics and noise cancellation.
- See more CNET content tagged:
- Koss,
- headphones
User reviews
Write your own review Be the first one to review Koss QZ-2000 and share your experience with the CNET community!
Submit your review
Where to buy
Koss QZ-2000:
$148.68 - $160.63
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$160.63 | Yes |
|
|
Amazon.com Marketplace
|
$148.68 | Yes |
|
