Frederik S
11-24-2007, 12:24 PM
[page=Introduction & Specifications]
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/Alpha/images/logo.jpg
I would like to thank CaseKing.de for supplying the review sample.
CaseKing is one of the few companies out there, which will not just sell anything. They only offer hardware that performs well and is of high quality. The shop offers quite a few exclusive parts and devices from all around the world and it is also the official distributor for a long list of well known manufacturers. Their assortment has grown greatly in recent years, while great service and support is still a very important part of the shop philosophy. The website may be in German, but due to great demand, an English version is in the works. CaseKing is the official distributor of Kossart in Germany.
Kossart is a relatively new company on the gaming headset market. The Kossart h50 I will be reviewing today is their first attempt at making a good bang for the buck headset. Compared to most new headsets the Kossart looks pretty old school, but don't let the design fool you this headset is all about performance. What sets the Kossart h50 apart from most of the midrange headsets on the market today is the fact that it’s bigger and constructed in an old fashion. The h50 features ear cups that completely cover your ears and help to block out outside noise.
The no nonsense design of the h50 is very appealing because you get a lot of headset for the money. The Kossart h50 will set you back around 59.99 €, which isn't so bad for a midrange headset.
Specifications
Technical specification:
Frequency response: 10 - 20 000 Hz
Sensitivity: 97 dB ± 3 dB
Impedance: 60 Ω
Plug: Straight 3,5 mm (gold plated)
Cord: 1,5 m
Weight: 410 g
The specifications are pretty standard when it comes to a pair of midrange headphones. The only thing that's a bit surprising is the high impedance rating of the drives.
[page=The Package & Closer Examination]
The Package
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_package_1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_package_1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/main_features_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/main_features.jpg)
The package that the h50 arrived in is really colorful compared to what I'm used to. One of the aspects that Kossart puts much emphasis on is the fact that the headset is ergonomic and thus comfortable to wear. Just by looking at the package it becomes clear that this headset means business. The only points that Kossart tries to promote with this headset is its sound and ergonomics which also becomes very apparent once you see the headset.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/specifications_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/specifications.jpg)
On the back of the package all of the specifications for the headset are listed. I think that a little slip up occurred when making the packing for the product because the impedance rating listed on the back of the package doesn't match the one they listed on their web page.
Besides the headset you also get a black imitated leather bag which is very suiting for this no nonsense headset.
Closer Examination
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_headset_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_headset.jpg)
The first thing you notice when you get this headset out of its box is that it's very bulky. Everything is made of a thick kind of plastic and all of the joints are rock solid. The bulky appearance is also what makes it so heavy, weighing in at 410 grams this headset is definitely a heavy weighter. Besides looking bulky this headset is actually physically larger than most others on the market. I have a fairly large head and this headset fits me even without the size adjusters pulled out. With the headset on my head there is still room for it to move around.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headset_big_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headset_big.jpg)
Even though the h50 fits me with the size adjusters at minimum length it can extend to almost the double of the original size. I think it's safe to say that no head is too big for the h50.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_mic_boom_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_mic_boom.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/microphone_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/microphone.jpg)
The microphone on the Kossart h50 is placed on a relatively long bendable plastic spiral. The microphone itself is of the omni directional type with a foam piece around to block out some unwanted sounds like air turbulence around the microphone. Because the microphone boom is so long it's easy to adjust so that you get optimal reception without the microphone being in the way.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_can_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_can.jpg)
The shape of the cans is very old school since they are completely round with a minimal amount of details on them. The only flashy item on them is a small chrome band. The joints that fixe the cans to the headband are mounted in a symmetrical fashion allowing for a natural fit. Another thing that affects comfort in a positive way on the h50 is the fact that the ear phones are so large that they completely cover your ears and don't sit on your ear like many small headsets, i.e. Sennheiser PC150/160. The only aspect of the ear cans' design that affects comfort in a very negative way is the fact that there are no vents on the side. This means that your ears will gradually heat up while gaming which is pretty uncomfortable in longer gaming sessions.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_pad_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_pad.jpg)
The ear pads on the h50 are very thick and covered with black velvet. This allows for a comfy fit and feel while using the headset. The material used in the pads is very soft which is both a good and a bad thing. The bad is of course that they are more likely to break over time and the good is that they make the headset more comfortable to wear.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/shapes_1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/shapes_1.jpg)
One of the things that surprised me a bit is just how thorough the twistable joints on the Kossart h50s are constructed. The fact that they are bulky and screwed together makes them very durable. The thickness of the plastic also helps to make the h50s so incredibly durable. I can't imagine how one could break them during normal use.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/though_joint_construction_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/though_joint_construction.jpg)
The most likely thing to break first during normal use are the hinges where the ear cups are fixed to the headband. The construction on the h50 is one of the most heavy duty constructions I have ever seen on a headset.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/cord_assembly_2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/cord_assembly_2.jpg)
It's obvious that the h50 was designed with durability in mind. Even the cord assembly is solid and can stand a fair amount of abuse before bending.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_logo_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_logo.jpg)
The headband itself is covered in imitated leather which looks nice from a distance and feels quite comfortable to wear. On the top of the headband Kossart has placed a logo.
[page=Performance]
Performance
The performance of a headset is always hard to judge objectively because there are so many variables that affect the listening experience greatly. What I try to do is put the headphones through a series of tests where I listen for details in both music and games and then I try to judge what types of sound the headphones are best at reproducing. All of my tests are done many times over with different volume levels just to see how the headphones cope with different intensities.
To start off with I listened to a couple of my favorite tunes from the rock genre. One of the first things that I noted was that this headset has a quite strong bass which tends to overpower the mids. However, with a little tweaking of the equalizer I managed to get a so and so listening experience. Even though the bass has a lot of power it doesn't extend as low as I would have liked. This is especially noticeable in songs that are medium bass intensive with a lot of really deep tones. The mids and highs go well together and seem well balanced for a headset in this price tier. Compared to many other offerings on the market today the h50 does a remarkably good job, price considered. The treble in the headset is a bit hard to start off with, but after about a week of use it began to become a bit softer. The highs are quite precise, but they have some trouble with reproducing the highest of tones without distortion.
The only real problematic area with the h50s is the mids. They tend to sound a bit muffled which makes it really hard to hear the notes played in that spectrum because of the immensely powerful bass.
Playing first-person-shooter games with this headset was a pleasant experience because of the semi-accurate highs. Hearing from where the enemies were coming was quite easy because the of the distinct hard treble in this headset. The bass performed well when it came to reproducing the explosions in-game.
[page=Comfort & Durability]
Comfort
The Kossart h50 isn't the most comfortable headset on the market, but it isn’t half bad. The big velvet furbished pads on either ear cup and the soft headband help to compensate for its heavy design. The only bad comfort issue that I experienced with this headset is that it's really big. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but if you have a small head you should definitely think twice before buying the h50. Another little problem that became apparent after a couple of hours of use is the fact that the completely sealed ear cups tend to heat up quite a big making it less comfortable to wear.
Overall the h50 is a good headset comfort wise if you have a normal sized head.
Durability
It has been a long time since I have last seen such a sturdy and thoroughly constructed headset. Every little detail on the h50 is well constructed out of thick plastic even the bendable joints are tough enough not to give way to excessive force. The only area of concern is the microphone since its boom is made of flexible spiral plastic. This could wear down over time and give way due to plastic fatigue, but when it does I bet this headset is so old you won't even care.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value & Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Kossart h50 is available at CaseKing.de (http://www.caseking.de) for the bargain price of € 59.99.
</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Good sound performance compared to the price of the unit
Excellent microphone
Comfort for people with a fairly large head
Rock solid construction
Comfortable old school design
Simple yet elegant design
Bang for the buck
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
The ear cups heat up due to lack of vents
Can be difficult for people with small heads to get a comfortable fit
Soft velvet ear pads may wear out quick
</td></tr>
<tr><th>9.0</th>
<td>
This headset from Kossart does a remarkable good job compared to its price of only € 59.99.
When it comes to performance the Kossart h50 did really well price considered. The only negative thing I have to say about it is that the bass is perhaps a bit too powerful and makes its sound performance a bit imbalanced. Otherwise the performance of this headset is a bit above average in the sub €60 price tier.<br />
Couple that good price/performance ratio with a good and solid construction and you have a winner. I think this headset is well suited for people looking for an affordable solid performing headset.<br />
With that said you shouldn’t expect miracles. The headset is good compared to headsets in the same price class, but its sound performance can in no way be compared to that of more expensive offerings.<br />
Overall the Kossart h50 is a noteworthy little bang-for-the-buck headset I can recommend to anyone looking for a decent performing headset.
</td></tr><tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/recommended.gif</td></tr>
</table>
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/Alpha/images/logo.jpg
I would like to thank CaseKing.de for supplying the review sample.
CaseKing is one of the few companies out there, which will not just sell anything. They only offer hardware that performs well and is of high quality. The shop offers quite a few exclusive parts and devices from all around the world and it is also the official distributor for a long list of well known manufacturers. Their assortment has grown greatly in recent years, while great service and support is still a very important part of the shop philosophy. The website may be in German, but due to great demand, an English version is in the works. CaseKing is the official distributor of Kossart in Germany.
Kossart is a relatively new company on the gaming headset market. The Kossart h50 I will be reviewing today is their first attempt at making a good bang for the buck headset. Compared to most new headsets the Kossart looks pretty old school, but don't let the design fool you this headset is all about performance. What sets the Kossart h50 apart from most of the midrange headsets on the market today is the fact that it’s bigger and constructed in an old fashion. The h50 features ear cups that completely cover your ears and help to block out outside noise.
The no nonsense design of the h50 is very appealing because you get a lot of headset for the money. The Kossart h50 will set you back around 59.99 €, which isn't so bad for a midrange headset.
Specifications
Technical specification:
Frequency response: 10 - 20 000 Hz
Sensitivity: 97 dB ± 3 dB
Impedance: 60 Ω
Plug: Straight 3,5 mm (gold plated)
Cord: 1,5 m
Weight: 410 g
The specifications are pretty standard when it comes to a pair of midrange headphones. The only thing that's a bit surprising is the high impedance rating of the drives.
[page=The Package & Closer Examination]
The Package
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_package_1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_package_1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/main_features_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/main_features.jpg)
The package that the h50 arrived in is really colorful compared to what I'm used to. One of the aspects that Kossart puts much emphasis on is the fact that the headset is ergonomic and thus comfortable to wear. Just by looking at the package it becomes clear that this headset means business. The only points that Kossart tries to promote with this headset is its sound and ergonomics which also becomes very apparent once you see the headset.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/specifications_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/specifications.jpg)
On the back of the package all of the specifications for the headset are listed. I think that a little slip up occurred when making the packing for the product because the impedance rating listed on the back of the package doesn't match the one they listed on their web page.
Besides the headset you also get a black imitated leather bag which is very suiting for this no nonsense headset.
Closer Examination
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_headset_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_headset.jpg)
The first thing you notice when you get this headset out of its box is that it's very bulky. Everything is made of a thick kind of plastic and all of the joints are rock solid. The bulky appearance is also what makes it so heavy, weighing in at 410 grams this headset is definitely a heavy weighter. Besides looking bulky this headset is actually physically larger than most others on the market. I have a fairly large head and this headset fits me even without the size adjusters pulled out. With the headset on my head there is still room for it to move around.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headset_big_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headset_big.jpg)
Even though the h50 fits me with the size adjusters at minimum length it can extend to almost the double of the original size. I think it's safe to say that no head is too big for the h50.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_mic_boom_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_mic_boom.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/microphone_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/microphone.jpg)
The microphone on the Kossart h50 is placed on a relatively long bendable plastic spiral. The microphone itself is of the omni directional type with a foam piece around to block out some unwanted sounds like air turbulence around the microphone. Because the microphone boom is so long it's easy to adjust so that you get optimal reception without the microphone being in the way.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_can_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_can.jpg)
The shape of the cans is very old school since they are completely round with a minimal amount of details on them. The only flashy item on them is a small chrome band. The joints that fixe the cans to the headband are mounted in a symmetrical fashion allowing for a natural fit. Another thing that affects comfort in a positive way on the h50 is the fact that the ear phones are so large that they completely cover your ears and don't sit on your ear like many small headsets, i.e. Sennheiser PC150/160. The only aspect of the ear cans' design that affects comfort in a very negative way is the fact that there are no vents on the side. This means that your ears will gradually heat up while gaming which is pretty uncomfortable in longer gaming sessions.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_pad_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/the_pad.jpg)
The ear pads on the h50 are very thick and covered with black velvet. This allows for a comfy fit and feel while using the headset. The material used in the pads is very soft which is both a good and a bad thing. The bad is of course that they are more likely to break over time and the good is that they make the headset more comfortable to wear.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/shapes_1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/shapes_1.jpg)
One of the things that surprised me a bit is just how thorough the twistable joints on the Kossart h50s are constructed. The fact that they are bulky and screwed together makes them very durable. The thickness of the plastic also helps to make the h50s so incredibly durable. I can't imagine how one could break them during normal use.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/though_joint_construction_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/though_joint_construction.jpg)
The most likely thing to break first during normal use are the hinges where the ear cups are fixed to the headband. The construction on the h50 is one of the most heavy duty constructions I have ever seen on a headset.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/cord_assembly_2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/cord_assembly_2.jpg)
It's obvious that the h50 was designed with durability in mind. Even the cord assembly is solid and can stand a fair amount of abuse before bending.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_logo_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Kossart/h50/images/headband_logo.jpg)
The headband itself is covered in imitated leather which looks nice from a distance and feels quite comfortable to wear. On the top of the headband Kossart has placed a logo.
[page=Performance]
Performance
The performance of a headset is always hard to judge objectively because there are so many variables that affect the listening experience greatly. What I try to do is put the headphones through a series of tests where I listen for details in both music and games and then I try to judge what types of sound the headphones are best at reproducing. All of my tests are done many times over with different volume levels just to see how the headphones cope with different intensities.
To start off with I listened to a couple of my favorite tunes from the rock genre. One of the first things that I noted was that this headset has a quite strong bass which tends to overpower the mids. However, with a little tweaking of the equalizer I managed to get a so and so listening experience. Even though the bass has a lot of power it doesn't extend as low as I would have liked. This is especially noticeable in songs that are medium bass intensive with a lot of really deep tones. The mids and highs go well together and seem well balanced for a headset in this price tier. Compared to many other offerings on the market today the h50 does a remarkably good job, price considered. The treble in the headset is a bit hard to start off with, but after about a week of use it began to become a bit softer. The highs are quite precise, but they have some trouble with reproducing the highest of tones without distortion.
The only real problematic area with the h50s is the mids. They tend to sound a bit muffled which makes it really hard to hear the notes played in that spectrum because of the immensely powerful bass.
Playing first-person-shooter games with this headset was a pleasant experience because of the semi-accurate highs. Hearing from where the enemies were coming was quite easy because the of the distinct hard treble in this headset. The bass performed well when it came to reproducing the explosions in-game.
[page=Comfort & Durability]
Comfort
The Kossart h50 isn't the most comfortable headset on the market, but it isn’t half bad. The big velvet furbished pads on either ear cup and the soft headband help to compensate for its heavy design. The only bad comfort issue that I experienced with this headset is that it's really big. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but if you have a small head you should definitely think twice before buying the h50. Another little problem that became apparent after a couple of hours of use is the fact that the completely sealed ear cups tend to heat up quite a big making it less comfortable to wear.
Overall the h50 is a good headset comfort wise if you have a normal sized head.
Durability
It has been a long time since I have last seen such a sturdy and thoroughly constructed headset. Every little detail on the h50 is well constructed out of thick plastic even the bendable joints are tough enough not to give way to excessive force. The only area of concern is the microphone since its boom is made of flexible spiral plastic. This could wear down over time and give way due to plastic fatigue, but when it does I bet this headset is so old you won't even care.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value & Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Kossart h50 is available at CaseKing.de (http://www.caseking.de) for the bargain price of € 59.99.
</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Good sound performance compared to the price of the unit
Excellent microphone
Comfort for people with a fairly large head
Rock solid construction
Comfortable old school design
Simple yet elegant design
Bang for the buck
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
The ear cups heat up due to lack of vents
Can be difficult for people with small heads to get a comfortable fit
Soft velvet ear pads may wear out quick
</td></tr>
<tr><th>9.0</th>
<td>
This headset from Kossart does a remarkable good job compared to its price of only € 59.99.
When it comes to performance the Kossart h50 did really well price considered. The only negative thing I have to say about it is that the bass is perhaps a bit too powerful and makes its sound performance a bit imbalanced. Otherwise the performance of this headset is a bit above average in the sub €60 price tier.<br />
Couple that good price/performance ratio with a good and solid construction and you have a winner. I think this headset is well suited for people looking for an affordable solid performing headset.<br />
With that said you shouldn’t expect miracles. The headset is good compared to headsets in the same price class, but its sound performance can in no way be compared to that of more expensive offerings.<br />
Overall the Kossart h50 is a noteworthy little bang-for-the-buck headset I can recommend to anyone looking for a decent performing headset.
</td></tr><tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/recommended.gif</td></tr>
</table>