The UR40 delivers digital quality sound in an ultra-lightweight design for listeners on-the-go. The UR40 features dynamic elements for a wide frequency response from 15-22,000 Hz. A 2 mil. titanium coating on its diaphragms increases the rigidity of the elements, minimizing mechanical distortion and ensuring exceedingly accurate sound reproduction. Computer-optimized neodymium iron boron rare earth magnet structures enable the UR40 to deliver greater volume, even with low-voltage portable devices. Oxygen-free copper voice coils improve signal transmission and conduction for cleaner, clearer sound. With its hybrid design, the UR40 combines the best of closed-style and open-style headphones. Closed leatherette earcushions form a light seal around the ears, enhancing bass frequencies. Screened earcups provide an open, hear-through sound that lets listeners stay in touch with the world around them. The result is a full frequency, clean sound that turns any recording into a "live" performance.At just over six ounces the UR40 wears comfortably even after hours of continuous listening. The airy mesh sling provides soft breathable support, ideal for those with touch-sensitive scalps. An adjustable headband accommodates all head shapes and sizes for maximum comfort. When not in use, the resilient, lightweight frame folds into a compact configuration that's protective, easy to carry and convenient to store. Perfect for travel, the UR40 includes a straight dual-entry eight foot cord. A gold-flashed 3.5mm (1/8") plug, L-shaped to minimize cord stress is included.The UR40 will delight listeners seeking heavyweight sound in a comfortable lightweight package.

Wide, 15 to 22,000 Hz frequency response

Titanium-coated, high-polymer diaphragms deliver accurate sound

Neodymium iron boron rare-earth-magnet structures for accurate sound reproduction

Oxygen-free-copper voice coils for high signal clarity

Closed leatherette ear cushions for maximum isolation and deep bass

Adjustable Headband Accommodates All Head Shapes and Sizes

Closed Leatherette Ear Cushions Form A Light Seal Around The Ears

Hybrid Design Combines The Best Of Closed-Style and Open-Style Headphones

Screened Ear Cups Provide An Open, Hear-Through Sound

Average Customer Review: ( 112 customer reviews )
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These Koss phones aren't audiophile quality, and the treble is a little bit muddy, but they're by no means harsh like most cheap headphones, and you hear just about everything in your music. Plus, they're pretty efficient...plenty of volume, even on portables that usually strain to produce audible music in loud settings like an airplane. Bass response is great, and I haven't been able to make the drivers clip, even during pretty loud listening. If you care what your music sounds like, it's almost impossible to find headphones worth hearing that aren't oversized and a little ridiculous looking, as these Koss are. But hey, if you're into image, buy some street style nightmares and listen to popular music that isn't worth hearing anyways.

These Kosses are definitely recommended, espcially since they're relatively portable for the size (being foldable), and they more than hold their own against anything in their price range in the present market. For about $20 more you can get some nice Grado SR60s that are remarkably true to your music, but they don't really travel well, and you can't wear them in anything but totally stationary settings thanks to their oldest-school design. And they don't quite bump like these budget Koss UR40 do. Plus, Koss makes it really easy to take advantage of their lifetime warranty, which I have done twice with other models. And if you buy them, post a review, since the other two reviews on here so far are suspiciously duplicate plant-sounding salespitch-type reviews. Enjoy.

29 of 31 found the following review helpful:

Close to perfect, at least for meFeb 14, 2006
By Noah
I bought a pair of these in 2004 to use primarily with my laptop. I'm not a huge audiophile, but I do expect much better sound than built-in computer speakers can deliver, and as I sometimes spend 12+ hours working at my computer, I needed something that wasn't going to be torture on my ears/head. I have a very small head, so I wanted the self-adjusting strap to keep them snug and comfy, and of course the fact they're collapsible makes them easier to transport.

These headphones have more than lived up to my expectatoins, and I'd buy them again in a heartbeat, but I do have a couple of warnings for those considering buying them. One is the short cord (4 feet), which works pretty well as long as you're not interested in moving around too much, and your headphone jack is reasonably close. You're probably not going to be able to plug them into the back of a computer tower or watch TV with them without an extension. The other thing is that after about a year they started to look really shabby. The silver paint on the outside is scraping off, and the outer lining on the earpads has mostly torn away. They still work and wear fine, though, so as long as you don't care how they look it's not a huge problem.

22 of 26 found the following review helpful:

Nice powerful cans, but lacking in qualityNov 10, 2004
By J. A. Dombrowski
I bought these at BestBuy as a quick replacement after my Koss R200's broke. These are nice and powerful cans that really put out a lot of sound. I used them mainly for late nite DVD viewing. They are extremely comfortable even after several hours of continuous use. The folding design would make travel easier than a full size set.

Now, the negatives. The cord is fine for a portable or laptop, but way too short for home use. The mesh inner headband is connected to the outer headband by four small pieces of elastic. After one week of use two of those pieces of elastic have broken ( one on each side ). The two remaining pieces of elastic look dry and brittle. I can't imagine this not being a problem any UR40's after awhile.

I was going to give them another star for the sound quality. That is before my new pair of Sennheiser HD500's arrived today from Amazon. My test was simple. I fired up my Top Gun DVD on my iBook and listened to the intro ( you know the scene with the jets taking off and landing on the aircraft carrier ). WOW, what a difference. The sound crispness and separation on the Senn's is awesome for $50.

I still give the UR40's high marks for shear power and comfort, but I think this pair is going back to BestBuy while I enjoy burning in the HD500's.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:

Outrageously comfortable, BUT...Dec 26, 2008
By CynicalPenguin
I first tried on the Koss UR40s at a local store and immediately fell in love with how light and comfortable they were. The mesh band is great for the top of the head, and the around-ear design keeps them from pinching your ears (and I've had no problems with wearing glasses). It's worth noting that comfort was a big, BIG factor in my decision making, so if you absolutely want comfortable headphones that are wearable for hours on end, you might want to consider these.

However, not to state the obvious, but the open back design is really -open-. As in it doesn't block out outside sound (or keep sound in for that matter) well at all. This is fine if you're only going to use them in quiet areas by yourself, but otherwise you'll have to turn the volume up when there's noise or people around you. And because you've turned your volume up, now the headphones leak noise like none other, which basically makes them public speakers and not private headphones.

Having a college roommate, I have to be careful with the volume level while she's studying/sleeping/generally being quiet since the sound leaks so easily. And if she's watching TV, I can still hear it quite clearly even with my volume turned up to the point of being painful.

I am not by any means an audiophile, so perhaps it was my fault for not understanding how open open-back designs really were, but I find myself yearning for my cheap, nameless brand headphones even though they would hurt my ears after a few hours of listening. Koss UR40s will probably never be uncomfortable to wear, and yet I find myself looking for Amazon's return policy and shopping for some nicer closed-back phones.

Pros:
- absolutely the most comfortable headphones I've ever tried, aside from the outrageously overpriced Bose around-ear TriPorts
- open-ear design allows you to still hear when people are talking to you (if you prefer that)
- foldable = pretty convenient
- stereo adapter was a nice addition
- pretty good budget phones for 25 bucks

Cons:
- even when volume is turned up, even the slightest outside noise can still be heard
- can't turn volume up too high if other people are around since sound leakage is so bad (high frequencies seem to leak even at minimal volume; bad if you listen to female singers)
- (both of the previously mentioned points are probably doubly bad for airplanes: you either have to deal with engine noise or bother your fellow passengers--pick one.)
- the wire is pretty thin and doesn't seem that durable. Granted, I haven't had these headphones for very long, so I can't speak for how durable it actually is, but I'm sure it's mentioned in other reviews.

Sorry I can't really speak for the sound quality since all I'm basically looking for are comfortable, budget phones that isolate sound (passively). In terms of sound isolation and sound leakage, these are IDENTICAL to basic behind ear/clip-on street headphones, which defeats the purpose of getting over-ear headphones in the first place. Didn't even really care that much about sound isolation until I got these, if that's telling you something.

edit(3/19/09): I ended up keeping the headphones because a family member accidentally threw out the original packaging. They're fine in quiet settings (like at work or when studying) and really are ridiculously comfortable. I've gotten more or less used to them at this point, but I would definitely only suggest getting these as additional headphones (if at all) and not as your only set.
Comfort: AMAZING
Sound isolation/leakage prevention: not so much

edit(5/23/09): I finally upgraded to the Audio Technica ATHM40FS Precision StudioPhones and gave the Koss UR40s to a friend who needed new headphones . The Audio Technica's have noticeably better sound quality, passive sound isolation, and are also pretty comfortable, although not as light as the Koss's but still pretty light. If you don't want to have to buy an adapter 1/4" to 1/8" adapter (so you can use it with your mp3 player or laptop), the ATHM30 is pretty much the same thing (probably slightly lower audio quality--I don't know since I haven't tried them). Anyway, the ATHM40FS's are definitely worth the extra 20 bucks over the Koss by a long shot.

11 of 13 found the following review helpful:

Tops in sound, comfort, and convenience.Jun 17, 2006
By Samuel Chell
These have quickly become my favorite headphones for use at home or at the station. Compared to Koss' comparably priced TD80's or TD85's, the UR40's are lighter, more compact, and less loose-fitting but without the slight pinching of my Sennheiser HD497's. The sound is fuller than Koss' heavier TD series, practically indistinguishable from the Sennheiser's or my Sony MDR600's--balanced, with tight, definitive bass, crisp percussion, pleasant and very present mid-range. Moreover, their high efficiency should make them more practical than the Sennheisers for underpowered portable players. (Also, with low-efficiency headphones such as my Sennheisers, increasing the gain occasionally produces feedback when working in front of a microphone. The high efficiency and the sealed cups of the UR40's eliminate feedback problems and moreover don't broadcast audio signals to other people in the user's vincinity.)

The UR40's are lighter and more compact than the picture might suggest. The cord is short (a plus from my perspective) and exceptionally thin (adds to the lightness of the package). These are "pack and go" phones, especially handy for people on the run--no wasted time folding them, or re-packing them into a case or tote bag. Just collapse 'em and wedge 'em into a spare corner of your brief case or coat pocket.

I can't attest as yet to workmanship quality. I suspect that should you forget yourself and walk away from the short tether too quickly (I lost a favorite pair of Panasonics that way) these will not be forgiving phones. A lot of plastic, and it's pretty much all or nothing if you break something. But for the convenience plus the sound and the modest price, any use beyond a year might be considered gravy.

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