These $40 headphones are INSANE!

These crazy budget headphones got a lot better with a simple mod! In this video I talk about my experience with them. (Links below)
KPH30i (amazon affiliate link): amzn.to/3dxPU6p
The PADS they need(amazon affiliate link): amzn.to/3v3xdNT
Tube amp in this video (amazon affiliate link): amzn.to/3syfQmH
⭐Headphones LIST (ranked)!⭐
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[@joshuamiller28]

Try removing the stock pads and re-adding the Grado pads. It's absolutely nuts how much it improves the sound.

[@WyattOShea]

I haven't removed the stock pads yet but I do have the grado pads on them and love them so far. Been using them for a month or two now and I use them more than my sundara lol.

[@TALPOKEYASHA]

Yeah, it's a lot better and the treble is more pronounced but still not hurting my ears

[@Thickamus_Jones]

Removing the stock pads makes ‘em better, I promise you. If you want to go back to stock pads after removing them, buy a pair of Yaxi Porta Pro pads, they are waaaaaay better than the stock pads, and they improve the sound a little.

[@roadsidepicnicbasket]

@@Thickamus_Jones Tried the sotck pad removal. Definitely brings in more treble but can be a bit peaky at times, no bother though snipping the ripped off stock pads and using them as selective filters with the big grado pads works well

[@Thickamus_Jones]

@@roadsidepicnicbasket Something you could try too is using the foam buffer from the inside of the ear cup as a buffer for the Grado pads too. I haven’t really noticed too much peaking on mine but maybe it’s just something I’m not hearing. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@VaalkinTheOnly]

Koss just seems to have a record for making oddly good products at disingenuously cheap prices.

[@nikks1371]

Yeah but the trade off is the build.

[@filipiino96793]

@@nikks1371 and that's where the money flows in

[@NotCharAznable]

Build quality keeps cost down.

[@davidcoons89]

@@filipiino96793 yes and no tho..keep in mind Koss’s often class-leading warranties, many of them lifetime.

[@acoolrocket]

@@davidcoons89 Can agree, after about half a year my KPH30i's headbrand broke off, got a replacement for free.

[@vitaminzeth3742]

I can imagine Z coming in the comment section, telling DMS to: "STOP WITH THE MEASUREMENTS - JUST EMBRACE THE 30 DOLLAR SOUNDS!"

[@Marian1st.]

Who is Z?

[@rynomclaughlin1595]

@@Marian1st. Zeos Pantara

[@Marian1st.]

@@rynomclaughlin1595 Never heard.

[@rynomclaughlin1595]

@@Marian1st. surprising you'd watch DMS but never heard of ZReviews, he's how I got into guys like him and Joshua Valor etc, and how I found out about the KPH30I with Grado pads

[@Marian1st.]

@@rynomclaughlin1595 No sorry. I don’t know that name. Love Joshua’s videos. They are so well produced. It’s like watching a TV program. He’s my favorite. DMS is awesome, for his knowledge on audio gear. He reviews great stuff.

[@Tripokaridos22]

There is a Foam behind the Driver ( THAT transparent Version doesn't have ) if u remove that u get a more open sound with tighter bass .

[@jdk_360]

A “clear” advantage? Ha! But seriously they do sound slightly better. Let’s not forget the second cool of how they look.

[@Tripokaridos22]

@@jdk_360 Very true , i have just convert them to an Around Ear Headpone , if u want to see on HEadfi forum :)

[@Tripokaridos22]

When i got them i was Laughing until i hear them .... WOW just WOW

[@josephshim2744]

Removing the original pads and the foam behind the drivers along with the Grado pads improves everything with little to no negative consequences. Tighter Bass bigger soundstage, more detail retrieval, & more comfort

[@balouthebear2942]

Do you maybe know if this is possible to do with the koss porta pro headphones?

[@josephshim2744]

@@balouthebear2942 sorry. Don't currently have a pair of Porta pros right now.

[@ksbav8r]

Thanks for posting this! Really enjoying my new cans n pads, thanks for the tip!

[@SSStroger]

I wore my KPH30i over my winter hat and it made it sound better too

[@MrAhuraMazda]

I love the KPH30i and have so for a year now, in fact I have them on now. However, the Grado SR60e with those big pads is a substantial improvement. Especially if you have a tube amp and listen to a lot of rock or acoustic. No contest. I would say if you have KPH30i, Grado SR60e, big pads, and a Blon BL03 with foam tips, you really have a great rotation for dirt cheap. Also, all 3 are easy to drive off a phone or on board but also all 3 scale up considerably with better amps.

[@ELJefeReviews]

I love this combination! Good comfortable listening experience.

[@FreakPC]

Thanks for your take on these DMS! Your review I feel is spot on, just wish the build quality of the kph30i was better, mine always break and I have to zombify them with another headband.

[@rdtstudios]

One of my favorite mods! Got todo a update review on these, good review 👍

[@gussilva9937]

Not related to the video topic, but thank you for filming in an aspect ratio that fits my phone perfectly. Love it, and love these headphones too!

[@harryrupam01]

The intro and outro music in your videos are darn good. 👍🏻

[@edgardoaleman8586]

Incredible. Really incredible value for its price. I’m far far from been a headphone expert, but my other set of cans are ATHM50X and the HIFIMAN Sundaras. And let me tell you, this little, cheap looking KPH30iK really ROCKS!

[@blueridge8992]

I grabbed the KPH30i when they came out in clear last month and at first I wasn’t impressed with them enough to ever choose them over my big-boy Sennheisers, Meze, or even my SHP9500s. Then one day my Fiio battery was dead and I had to make an appointment so I went with 30i>Lightning to 3.5mm adapter->11 Pro Max and listened to some run-of-the-mill CDs ripped in iTunes. Turns out I was overdriving the 30is or something because I literally haven’t touched another pair of headphones since I found this combo. It reminds me SO much of how I remember music sounding on my Dad’s 90’s Kenwood/JVC/Sony stereo equipment when I was in early 2000’s high school, and I absolutely love it. I’ve also discovered that the 30is are an absolute perfect match for the PS5 controller, and Sony’s 3D Audio engine sounds better through the Koss than all the gaming headsets I own (Astro A50, Cloud II through 2019 Astro Mixamp, Sony Pulse, and PS Golds). The directional audio in games like CoD BO5/Warzone and Outriders is so much more noticeable in the 30is, footsteps are easier to make out against the background noise, and gunshots and explosions sound way more punchy and realistic versus boomy/muddy/gross in all those over-ear headsets. Plus, I don’t have to manage headset batteries anymore and my head doesn’t feel like it’s been in the oven after an hour of gaming. So yeah, I know I’m late to the party but KPH30i for the mf win! Just ordered a set of these big Grado pads to try out of curiosity but one of the things I like most about the 30is is how small and manageable they are so I’m not sure if the new pads will make it into normal rotation. Always fun to experiment though!

[@champion1859]

Ok so they are great for gaming awesome. I also heard the koss ksc75 is amazing and it's only 15 bucks.

[@acoolrocket]

Amen, for me the reason I pick these headphones a lot more is the weight. In a sense, comfort doesn't mean how much padding you stuff onto the headphone, its about how lightweight it is, so easy to take off and on especially with how little power it draws so I can plug it anywhere.

[@-aexc-]

this is because amps with the trs default support need a 3.5 to mic and headphone splitter for headphones with a mic cause they have trrs, they sound terrible if you dont do this

[@JohnSmith-zl8rz]

HD600 are better?

[@jasonemanuel9070]

You should try the shp 9500 for gaming or the 560S,it will blow yr mind

[@imabeliever85]

Just did a direct comparison between RS2e and the Koss KPHI30 with Grado pads. The RS2e definitely wins on clarity and dynamics, but for 30-40 bucks, the Koss-Grado hybrid put up a good fight - it’s a great deal for the budget minded

[@TonkyTronicus]

Decided to try it. Holy shit. Added soooo much bass and warmth to the KPH30i that I felt was missing after listening to the Porta Pro. With these pads I prefer the KPH30i to the Porta Pro. The massive bass filling up the globular soundstage is awesome.

[@RobertBeckk]

Saw the thumbnail and was like oh boy what are those. Then I realised they are just kph30is lol

[@Thickamus_Jones]

Buy the Grado pads and a pair of clear KPH30i’s or get the other colorways and remove the thin foam buffer inside the ear cups, remove the stock foam pads completely. Before putting the Grado pads on the headphones, soak those pads in boiling water for ten seconds each to soften them up, make sure they are dry, especially inside the inner rim of the pad. Put ‘em on the KPH30i’s, and you got a great everyday desk headphone. And the mic sounds pretty good over Discord too!

[@jafizzle95]

How does it change the sound with vs without the foam buffer? I'm gonna be opening mine up later to add mmcx connectors and I'm debating on removing the foam. Want to avoid having to open twice due to risk of snapping the tabs.

[@Thickamus_Jones]

@@jafizzle95 I’m sure the foam buffer is a minuscule difference in sound, I just remove it in the effort of making them completely open.

[@jafizzle95]

@@Thickamus_Jones So I did end up modding my KPH30i. MMCX, and Grado pads. I did some testing with the foam buffer on and off and, it really did not make much of a difference that I could tell. The stock earpad foam really made a difference though. With the stock foam removed and Grado pads installed, it was unbearably sibilant. I ended up putting all the stock foam back on, plus the Grado pads and now it's just about perfect.

[@crypticvisionary]

I love budget ass budget headphones. Currently own (and use often) some SR850's, and CB-1's. Just got my first "high end" pair which are the 560s (and I love them my god do I love them), but something about bang for the buck really just gets me. Cheers!

[@tomahawkstudios9688]

Cheap headphones can be surprising sometimes. At the Walmart near me, I was trying some cheap headsets just to compare and flex how much better my $300 Focal Listen Professional is, and I was actually pleasantly surprised with the Turtle Beach headsets, and ended up purchasing a Turtle Beach Recon P50X just to have a set of headphones that is both cheap and good, plus it certainly doesn't hurt having a gaming headset around

[@pojk5698]

i like that you wore a matching t-shirt

[@Buzdu22]

Finally, your take on the KPH30i, just Josh left now! 👌

[@fahlikz9942]

The Superlux HD681 (k240 clone with way more sub bass) are also very nice value headphones for about 25€

[@franciscobutte]

Better than a lot of $200. Koss signature is really something else.

[@mrfrosty3]

I bought the kph30i for the sole purpose of being able to argue with people claiming that they have great sound. Imagine my disappointment when they turned out to sound very pleasant.

[@kkitsee]

Did Zeos ask you to do this?

[@vm6038]

I have a stock KPH30i in beige color scheme. I prefer KSC75 and Sporta Pro drivers on Parts Express headband over them. In a nutshell, the KPH30i sounds boomier in the bass and more veiled than than the other two. This is not surprising, considering that it is basically a stock Porta/Sporta Pro driver within its stock housing, placed within a second housing... Still fun and great for the price, but not as transparent and natural as the other two. I read that putting those jumbo sized Grado pads on the KPH30i also results in some lower midrange scoop. Would be nice if you could measure them and show us some comparison FR graphs of stock vs. Grado pads modded so we could see exactly what the tonal differences are.

[@CJNooberson]

Nice! These are definitely not overrated.

[@Zalionn]

My KPH30I have been sleeping in my drawer since I got them. This is exactly the mod I need it! Already got me some modded Porta Pros and KSC75 to enjoy though.

[@bigjt37]

Stock foam on front and back removed gives max clarity an res (drastically changes it, with stock pads and backing foam removed). I've been pushing this mod for over a year lol been around for years tho (plus they scale like a mug)..

[@theodorezurla496]

The Clears are even better 👍🔥

[@plexidotorg216]

Got a really good deal on these from drop with rewards (they're expensive as shit on amazon in my country) and I'm super pumped for them to arrive

[@juliangst]

I use them with yaxi pads and I often like them better than other high end headphones I have. Everyone should own these

[@blkc744]

a playlist with your opening can be the best of all time

[@bjmarchives]

Yep, I own the same setup. I also removed the stock pads on install.

[@masterxyr]

KPH30i clears, foam removed ultras addded. Got it. On the list.

[@Ton-uy1xd]

"The guy who is gonna sit back and smoke a joint while enjoying his music..." Guarantee you that's DMS and prolly most of us lol.

[@Scarbir]

Oooh! Now I'm so curious what you think of the OKCSC ZX1!

[@cyano3d]

Where do u get these flowing ink videos from man. I could watch them for days 🥺

[@OakForestAudio]

Man I love this continued focus on Pad Swapped Koss Headphones! I've been floored by my Yaxi Porta Pro and now I see there's another excellent option. For those who are curious as I am, I'll be doing a Yaxi Porta Pro VS Salad Bowl KPH30i review here shortly for SCIENCE and the benefit of us all of course!

[@josefaguilar2955]

I have the Yaxi pads and I'm about to put these over them

[@bosthebozo5273]

Closing track sounded phenomenal on my GL2K

[@itzmezelio5433]

My god I love that ending music. Takes me to places everytime I hear it lol

[@eeyorebill04]

Me too! It's "Siren Screen" by Ooyy open.spotify.com/track/7ziPDYAVkUQy6dpGeVbqI7?si=eb1a44b2b4554158

[@itzmezelio5433]

@@eeyorebill04 Bro! Awesome man Ty. I thought he made it lol. Listening to this on my Kanto Tuks!

[@eeyorebill04]

@@itzmezelio5433 You're welcome. :-) I only know because I asked what it was on a previous DMS video

[@itzmezelio5433]

@@eeyorebill04 lol I tried the same thing but never got a response. I thought he made it lol

[@arigato7788]

Damn, I was plenty satisfied with my KPH30i already, but I'm not going to say no to try a cheap and easy pad mod. Especially when I just found those same pads on my local Amazon (FR) for even less than half than those on Amazon US. Can't wait to get those pads. Thanks for the tip.

[@Thickamus_Jones]

Highly recommend goin’ the Grado pads route for these. Though if you do buy the pads, I recommend boiling them. Like soak each pad in boiling water for like 10 seconds each and let them dry completely. It softens up the pads and also disinfects them.

[@kid12j]

I love the sound, but i've had two break on my family in the same spot. They were not being rough with them which is disappointing. Hopefully the 40s will be more durable.

[@Brunnen_Gee]

Every time I go back to my KPH30i or KSC75x I'm like 'Huh'. Best banger headphones.

[@Firenmage433]

I could tell it was the Koss from the headband, Legendary

[@My_Legs_Are_OK]

I wish they put the drivers onto a stronger frame. I'd gladly pay for that. Mine snapped after half a year of almost daily use. It happened outside, in winter (at -10 Celsius or so), so maybe that's the reason.

[@fiddlix]

Sold. Ordering tomorrow.

[@davidhodgin8900]

Favorite anc headphones? These seem cool thinking about getting akg k72 for recording

[@thatchinaboi1]

You really should review the Oneodio Studio Pro 10s and compare them to this pair of Koss headphones. I use them for longer casual listening sessions due to the bass rumble at higher SPLs. They are my "fun" pair of headphones. My Sennheiser HD300 Pros gives me all the accuracy I need for monitoring, mixing, and mastering. It sounds amazing on well mixed music, but can get fatiguing at higher SPLs. (Headphones can never give me the same level of enjoyment as a good speaker system, due in part to the lack of tactile sensation of bass that is felt by the body. Some over ear headphones that are bass heavy take advantage of bass rumble to mimick some of that tactile sensation.)

[@TenshinSound]

that's really funny that he said it's for people who wanna smoke a joint and listen because I have on several occasions taken a massive bong hit and listened to these and it's awesome.

[@Bumper210]

Have you tried Bluedio TM? 20$ BT 5.0 over ear headphones, IMO best headphone money can get. Using it in outside, when I can't use my HD650

[@JuanCruz-et8so]

Try clear ones is another surprise with the audio signature

[@brothatwasepic]

Hey guys this or the Sennheiser HE1?

[@Moon-ut7fq]

I keep seeing people reviews these after buying my Koss KSC75 So i decided to order a pair and cant wait till they arrive.

[@NOMER007]

how was it lol

[@soulfulfool]

I'm the one who would love to go places after smoking, already did with other HP now I must try this combination

[@circattle]

I put those pads on the Grado Hemps and the SQ sucked, like headphones broken bad. I might try this with the KPH30i that I love, as I suppose I've got the pads left over not doing anything, but I'm not really expecting much.

[@kevss1993]

What are the best headphones for gaming on PC? I have a Schiit Fulla 3 and HyperX Solo Cast Mic. Looking to spend under $200 and I'm interested in closed and open back. Thank you.

[@First.Last.99]

ordered mine, with those sick pads, lets see how good are they.

[@columbo6757]

I like these headphones even better with the L cups, but the big bagel cups are good too

[@HiFiGOAudio]

These are just fantastic!! HiFi quality audio for just 30$!!

[@jerryjb]

What is a good headphone to upgrade to over the kph30i? I'm looking for something under $200 and easy to drive off a smart phone. I've always been an iem user until I found the porta pros and then the kph30i, and now I'm curious about upgrading if it's worth it.

[@Gerz970]

Please keep this ultrawide format

[@reptilejesus829]

Eyy... How are they on tubes? Little skeptical because of the low impedance...

[@nerdyneedsalife8315]

I bought them, not a fan of it. I have come to realize I am not a fan of dark, warm audio. I like V-shapes from the DT 770 or the sparkliness of Grados SR60e.

[@YosuaNangin]

I have them, they broke within 6 months of ownership. First the left stem snapped in the middle of the extension adjustment, then the right one broke the in the same area too. I'd pay 50 bucks for a metal band ver.

[@johnmatheny4696]

Hey, which do you think is best for competitive fps. The audio technica ath ad700x or the pc38x?

[@flaviogmaia]

Every time I try this mod, I go back to stock. I love the stock sound of the KPH30i. Still building up courage to remove de stock pads. Maybe when they start to disintegrate.

[@xophere]

It is worth it. If you don't like it you can always do the yazi pads.

[@Pwnisification]

Have you tested the KPH40s? and if so what is ur opinion on them

[@brandondickerson6795]

You should try out the OneOdio Pro-50. It's $50, and sounds better than most headphones double the price.

[@airb2804]

Broken two different pairs of these. I found out I'm not the only one who's had that issue.

[@ohgrimfukme6922]

What do you prefer kph30i or pc38x for competitive gaming on console with no dac.

[@josephalmazan4805]

4:00 watching this with the 9600 lol I had some 30i’s two years ago after the Zoes video came out but my sister sat on them 4 months later now I have a reason to buy them agian tho

[@goobfilmcast4239]

I did this a couple of months ago based on Z's review........I have since made 2 other pair for friends...... perfect for use with iPads ... comfortable as all hell, excellent sound signature and works great when "lightly" amped

[@davidvalentin4128]

I think having them amped makes a world of a difference

[@gibusvisionguy5814]

by "lightly" what do you mean?

[@goobfilmcast4239]

@@gibusvisionguy5814 I sometimes use a TEAC HA-P50 portable DAC/Amp …. They will distort with excessive volume setting

[@fujishiki]

Like these on Kenzie OG out of 32ohm tap with Audio-gd R1.

[@jonbrodie1442]

I love these headphones, I use them at work all day and they're great when I can't use a full open backed pair, the pads make the bass rumble a lot. I also remove the stock pads when I put the Grados on.

[@LetsGoGolfing721]

does this work on any headphone which have that type of on top of ear style? Cuz i have these old beyerdynamics with that style but find them really uncomfortable

[@marksafe5463]

The clear version sound nice and airy. Try those too! I wasn’t going to bother getting them but Z told everyone to try them because they sound different probably because the foam was removed inside.

[@willywonka3050]

I wonder why Koss decided to have the foam on the non-clear variants. Maybe to decrease sound leakage?

[@brandondoehrman]

I ended up removing the inside foam along with the outside foam with the grado pads. Massive improvement.

[@MiniTrashCreations]

Would these earpads work with the JLab Audio Rewind Wireless if I wanted a bluetooth version of this setup?

[@WhyName]

But the real question is how do they stack up against other stuff in their price range, like Samson sr850s?

[@Qwertyasdfg995]

I just need to know where you got those panel things in the back from

[@prabinpaudel5572]

I always wanted your kph30i review. 😁 And hoping for tinhifi p1 review sometime Soon as well! ❤️

[@s2030081]

you should try the kph30i clear :)

[@johnnylandry3226]

Any closed back you can think of that uses these pads and is as small as the Koss?

[@kukyri2697]

In value for price do you think these are better or worse than the AKG K240s?

[@JamieVatarga]

The sibilant peak was the reason I stopped using these in favor of the KSC75 on Yaxi pads and headband mod. That said, KPH30i with grado pads do have a lot going for them. I feel like revisiting them and playing around if there's any way to get rid of that sibilance

[@christofferaasted]

Have you tried the Campfire Cascade or Kennerton Magni?

[@maaarrlonn]

how is the microphone ? been looking for a good pair of headphones with a decent mic so i can still respond to my teacher during class lol

[@baka0319]

I tried this mod using the Vever pads and I didn't like them. The treble was harsh and sibilant, I tried it on both the KPH30i clear and rhythm beige. So a sample size of two. They had great midrange and soundstage but the bass distorted. I much preferred the stock pads and the later swapped Yaxi pads for the Portapro. I am not sure what happened with the sound, I even just ran the headphone with just the Vever pad with the stock pad removed and the same problem occurred. I tried to calm the harshness with the desecrated corpse of my clear's stock pads by cutting it into a circle and placing into the hole where the driver is and the same problem occurred. I then switched to the Yaxi pads and the sound was unoffending and not sibilant. The amps I ran with these headphones were my phone, MT602, Zen Stack and and Hidizs S3. Is there anything I am doing wrong? Thanks. Same problem happened with my Grado SR80X, the Vever pads made them harsh sounding. Stock pads make the Grados sound like Grados. Edit: Is there a difference between the Vever and the Bokie pads?

[@BilliumGates]

Which RCA cables are you using with the little dot?

[@sevendyseven4090]

Any reason you have not reviewed Skull candy's crusher EVO's ?

[@user-pz3fg6qk2z]

Some more sub 100$ or maybe 50$ headphones Reviews would be awesome

[@jackjack3874]

He really likes the Creative Aurvana Live (if you can find them).. I have the Creative Aurvana SE and love them.. try the different european creative sites... you can find them for around 45 euros... I imagine you know the KOSS KSC75 and Porta Pros... for around 100 euros the Yamaha HPH-MT5 are supposedly really great (I dont have them)...The Shure SRH440 & 840 are also in that price range and are available in Greece for similar prices as in Amazon... DMS really likes the AKG K361... I would have bought them but there have been some quality control issues and I am scared... Δεν ξέρω γιατί γράφω στ Αγγλικά αλλά δε βαριέσαι. Καλό Πάσχα

[@nomiguda]

great video. When I break my pandas I'll probably pick them up. One side already exploded and is taped. Disappointed with the poor quality. Reason being is my head is big, which stretches the plastic + glue that holds it together, and when I took it off my head one side popped.

[@stuka78]

Prefer these over hifiman HE400i 2020 (which i sold because i found myself treble sensitive); ksc75x are closer to HE400i than kph30i in the highs

[@thecjl99]

Ebic so far, good review.

[@dudeekill4win]

Have you tried the angled pads that z rec'd?

[@VamsiMohanKrishnaVadrevu]

Makes us wonder what the other headphone manufacturers are charging so much money for. They're light, comfortable and sound fantastic! What more do we want!

[@benjapizarro981]

20$ = The headphone 180$ = The brand

[@sturanb92]

rather than getting wider left and right they get wider front to back its really unique