Yaxi Earpads For Koss Porta Pro/KSC75 Review – Tutti Frutti
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Like many headphone aficionados that have survived the Walkman area, we both are proud owners of diverse foldable on-ear headphones: Koss Porta Pro, Koss KSC75, Koss KPH30i, Sennheiser PX 100 and Sennheiser 100-II, and buckets full of small AKGs. The Koss Porta Pro has been a staple for the budget audiophile since 1984. The Sennheiser PX-100 models have been around since the early 2000s, and the 100-II version was discontinued in 2019. All the above models have in common that their drivers are covered with black foam ear pads, roughly of the same size. In the recent wake of Chi-Fi earphone development, our perfectly good small on-ear headphones have disappeared in our drawers – as the new toys — many in-ears — have taken over.
I was brought to our attention, recently, that Yaxi, a dedicated Japanese company, offers colourful earpads for these models, that not only make them look fresh again, but also dust off their sound. Yep, Yaxi claims these earpads make our old headphones sound better. These earpads are visibly thicker and bigger, which should also reduce the clamp pressure for increase comfort. In the following we analyze the Yaxi earpads for sound, comfort, and optical appeal.
The Yaxi earpads fit our Koss Porta Pro, Koss KSC75, and the Sennheiser PX 200 and 100-II. They also fit the KPH30i.
Ordering
Ordering was done from the Yaxi website and was very easy as worldwide shipping from Japan is included.
One pair is $12 and two pairs are $19.99 (much of this must be towards postage/fast shipping). We paid for four pairs and received a 5th pair for free. They arrived within a few days of order (less than one week) in Vancouver and Calgary – evidently Japan Post is still operating at pre-coronavirus efficiency. The earpads came with three small anime-type posters and in very lush colours.
Biodegraded’s Technical Analysis
The Yaxi pads were used on the Koss KSC75 with the KPH7 headband.
Here they are with the original pads in the background; the Yaxis are bigger, thicker, and denser:
They are certainly more comfortable than the stock pads. The latter fit nicely inside my pinnae, which I’ve always suspected helps their bass; the Yaxis spread the load more, making the squish from the tight headband more comfortable for long sessions.
The first noticeable sonic difference is a reduction in volume, which I presume is due to a combination of the denser foam and the increase in driver distance from the ears. On my measurement coupler the difference is 3-4 dB at 1 kHz, but my head not being a flat plate I’m not sure that’s representative – it might even be a little more.
There are also tonality differences. Perhaps surprisingly (despite increased distance from the ear canals) there’s more bass with the Yaxis. Although my measurements (see below) suggest it’s distributed throughout the bass and lower mids, I heard it particularly in the low bass. Measurements also suggest they reduce the spike in the upper mids (4-6k) by a couple of dB and boost the mid-treble around 3 dB. I’m not sure I heard the former, but the latter was noticeable as an increase in low-level detail in what for me are the highs (my hearing doesn’t extend much beyond that area).
Effects on timbre and technicalities I think follow directly from the tonal differences. Bass seems better balanced and less muddy, transients in the upper mids through treble seem sharper and microdynamics in the treble are definitely improved. I didn’t notice any handicap through the mids that might be suspected from the Yaxis’ reduction in SPL there.
Measurements. The Yaxi pads were measured at 90 dB at 1 kHz, the stock pads were measured at the same place on the Nano’s volume dial (giving 3-4 dB @ 1 kHz higher SPL, as mentioned above) and then pulled down in REW to match.
It is assumed that this coupler (and/or mic) gives more bass rolloff than is realistic, so the differences in the low bass/’sub-bass’ between the two sets of pads may, as per my impressions, be more than through the mid and upper bass.
In conclusion: these would be a good addition to 75s or PortaPros for the increased comfort alone, but the sonic differences in the lows and highs make them doubly good value. I foresee increased head-time with these at the expense of some of my IEMs in my walks around the park and shoreline in future.
Jürgen’s Technial Analysis
My Sennheiser PX 100-II loose quite a bit of volume with the Yaxi earpads. At the same time, the bass is perceived as increased and extended, and the upper midrange is definitely reduced. This dialled-down upper midrange removes shoutiness, widens the soundstage, and results in a much more refined image. And the bass adds depth to the image. This is a good example how the recession of the midrange contributes to a better sound. What is not ideal with either set of earpads is the bass: remains somewhat boomy.
Using the Yaxi earpads with the original Sennheiser PX 100 achieves a similar result. But this earlier model still sounds somewhat flatter than he PX 100-IIin comparison (both with Yaxis).
The Koss Porta Pro also record a decrease in volume, stronger, extended bass, and a stretched soundstage.
I have to increase the volume on my iPhone SE or use a dongle amp such as the Audioquest Dragonfly when using the Yaxi earpads on the Senns and Porta Pros to match the output achieved with the stock pads. Nevertheless do these headphones with Yaxi pads work reasonably well without amping, too.
The Yaxi ear pads definitely increase the comfort: the bigger and thicker/softer pads (compared to the stock pads) spread the clamp pressure over a wider area. I didn’t realize how good these headphones (still) are, and the Yaxi earpads made me find them attractive again…and use them again. Task achieved!
Concluding Remarks
The Yaxi earpads are not only eye candy because of their lush colours, they also reduce clamp pressure for improved comfort — and they alter the sound characteristics because of their larger diameter and thickness (compared to the stock pads).
For us, the Yaxi earpads worked like the icing on our (old) cakes. They are a little, affordable luxury that provides lots of pleasure and makes us appreciate and use your old gear again. And isn’t that what this hobby is all about?
Yaxi have indicated to us that they will be releasing earpads for the Grado SR60e and SR80e models soon. Stay tuned for our analysis.
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