This is Part II of the Koss Mini-Series and Also Budget King #1!!
Is the Koss KPH30i a perfect headphone? What about it stands out? Who is it for?
All of these answers and more, comin’ up in this Koss KPH30i Review!
Greetings bass head, and Welcome aboard… Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music, all over again, so…
This is part of the Budget Kings Series, which takes a look at some of the best options for under $100.
- Budget King #1: This review
- Budget King #2: The open back Philips SHP9500 Review!
- Budget King #3: The closed back Sony MDR-7506 Review!
- Budget King #4: The closed back Creative Aurvana Live! Review
- Budget King #5: The semi-open AKG K240 Studio Review!
- Budget King #6: The closed back Status Audio CB-1 Review!
Is the KPH30i a perfect headphone?
At A Glance
As seen here with the FiiO BTR3K.
In The Box
Koss KPH30i headphones
Limited Lifetime Warranty Card
Specs/Graph
Graph: Crinacle
- Price: Check Amazon!
- Type: Semi-Open back, Dynamic
- Fit: Supra-Aural (On-Ear)
- Frequency response: 15Hz – 25kHz.
- Impedance: 60 Ohms. What is Headphone Impedance?
- Sensitivity: 101dB/mW.
- Material: Plastic, Foam.
- Color: Beige, White/Blue, Grey/Black.
- Cable: Non-detachable 3.5mm.
- Weight: 12.5 Oz. (75g)
Two separate graphs that I’ve seen show that strange cut/dip around 4kHz, but I can’t say it’s had a negative effect on the way these sound.
The first graph I looked at came from a guy named Samma3a.
Check out what he had to say, a sentiment I happen to agree with:
I also do not perceive that dip. Seems a bit strange, but Crinacle’s graph above shows it as well.
In any event, let’s get into the review.
The Koss KPH30i was, and still is, certainly one of the most talked about headphones in the audiophile community.
Before I first bought a pair around 2021, people were gushing over them left and right. It seemed like you couldn’t even open a browser tab without the darn things popping up, almost screaming at you to buy them.
And why wouldn’t you buy them? They’re only around $20-30. What could possibly go wrong?
NOTHING, that’s what. They were so dirt cheap that I felt I owed it to myself to see what all the hubbub was about.
A lot of times, when products are hyped up as much as the 30i is, there’s a good chance you’re going to be let down.
So I tailored my expectations accordingly, especially given their meager profile and rather unassuming stature.
They arrive in a sheepish-looking box with a window and look like something hanging on the shelf of your local drugstore circa 1995.
The good news is that, unlike those other trashy headphones, you won’t need a crowbar to open the damn box. So already we’re off to a good start.
The 30i comes with no accessories but does include a lifetime limited warranty; basically unheard of in the world of audio products.
So Koss stands behind these headphones wholeheartedly, and for good reason.
Make no mistake, they are certainly ultra-light, but they don’t feel cheap. They’re incredibly economical and efficient; a no-frills, utilitarian, somewhat retro design.
There’s a soft piece of rubber that attaches to either side and runs parallel to the plastic headband. Consider this the padding, and because they’re so light, it’s about all you’ll need like Radiohead.
In other words, comfort is very good although because they are On-Ear, you’ll start to feel them dig a little into your auricles after extended listening sessions.
Aside from that, the headband adjustments are of the click-mechanism variety, with 2 pieces on either side connecting to the overarching headband piece. The non-detachable cable is rather flimsy and comes out of each cup, terminating in a 3.5mm jack at the business end.
The padding does resemble those old cheap Sony foam pads, so you may want to invest in some Yaxi pads if you’re particular about that sort of thing.
Like some of the other stories on this website, I can vividly remember the moment I first tried them.
I was sitting on my apartment balcony and had the FiiO BTR3K at the time. I figured it would just about be the perfect pairing since the 3K doesn’t output all that much power and the 30i hardly needs any.
This setup is also super compact and travel-friendly, so I’d highly recommend it if you’re just starting.
In any event, I remember firing up “Frail State Of Mind” by The 1975 and being completely blown away by how good it sounded.
It was as close to perfect as it gets in this price range.
What makes this even more astounding is when you consider the fact that I heard these after hearing 135+ other headphones. That’s right, you read that correctly.
The semi-open-backed KPH30i for $20-30 sounds at least as good or better than the majority of them, and that’s not an exaggeration.
You’d be hard-pressed to find many headphones in this price range tuned as well as these, and that’s the honest truth. Unfortunately, the majority of products below $100 sound like complete dog shit, but there are exceptions.
And, fortunately for you, many of them happen to be in this Budget Kings series.
For a long time, I felt like the SHP9500 was the best headphone under $100, and certainly, you could make the argument that it still is.
If it’s any indication of how much I love the 9500, I bought one in 2017 and don’t ever plan on selling it.
But the 30i, at around $20-$30, makes a strong case for being a better overall value (and arguably a better sound) thus why I bumped it up to #1.
What about it stands out?
Putting one on your head is a revelation of sorts, in that, nothing about the sound signature comes across as out of place, over-emphasized, weird, or wrong.
I can’t really point out a single flaw with it. This is outrageous, again, considering its price.
All of the hype surrounding the 30i is completely and absolutely warranted; without question.
It’s the one thing that most audiophiles and regular people agree on; unless you’re this goofball:
It’s one of those things that can only be appreciated in retrospect.
After hearing a lot of good headphones, some mediocre, some amazing, and some terrible, the 30i is most certainly a breath of fresh air.
The mid-bass thumps without sounding bloated like a 40x, the treble is detailed and crisp without sounding neither too veiled nor too bright, and the mid-range is sublime.
Vocals and instruments stand out, but in a way that isn’t too shouty or in your face.
If there was ever a “perfect” sound signature, I think the 30i would be as close as it gets.
Put another way, I’m becoming increasingly cynical by the day the more trashy products are sent my way. They’re seemingly all tuned horribly and have terrible mid-bass flaws, so listening to a 30i almost feels like an epiphany.
For the newcomer to audio, hearing a 30i as your first foray into the hobby may result in some incredibly unrealistic expectations moving forward. Meaning, you may think it’s all sunshine and rainbows.
Well, it’s not.
Just know that these headphones are the exception and not the rule; meaning, most products in this price range are going to sound pretty awful if we’re being honest about it.
The 30i bucks that trend, and for an On-Ear headphone, the Soundstage here is quite good too.
It’s not a K702, but what is?
It’s definitely above average and has no business sounding this open and spacious, especially for its price.
Instruments are spaced out nicely and the music is given ample room to breathe and express itself. Timbre is also exemplary and instruments have an element of realism that few others below $100 can match.
Because of these things, I fully recommend that most people bypass everything you may have heard about, and just go straight for the 30i as your introduction to the hobby.
Yeah, you’ll be going down the rabbit hole soon after, but who cares? You would have eventually dove in head first anyway:
I talk a lot about the MDR-7506 and SHP9500 as perfect entry-level headphones (and they still mostly are), but the 30i outclasses both because there aren’t any glaring flaws with its sound.
You could make the case that the cut at 4k is problematic, and it would be in the majority of other cases. But here it’s just something that isn’t all that noticeable given how good everything else sounds.
If you’re looking for something more durable and comfortable, the 9500 is a great option and something I still own.
The 7506 comes in third because of the earcup issues, annoying non-detachable coiled cable, and sometimes overly bright treble.
Still, it’s both are solid options and I think everyone should get a chance to try them due to their excellent overall resolution and solid tuning.
Amplification
Pictured: DragonFly Red, BTR3K
You won’t need an amp for the 30i, but I’ve found it to work quite well with anything I may have lying around.
- Recommended: How to Choose a Headphone Amp [Definitive Guide]
Again, a great pair would be something like a BTR3K, which you can listen to at home wired, or on the go via Bluetooth.
It’s incredibly convenient because the 30i’s cable is short and compact, and the headphone is highly transportable.
You can wear this bad boy on your neck without looking like you just walked out of a Head-Fi meet with a duffel bag full of overpriced DACS.
Put another way, spend any more money than a BTR3K and I think you’re wasting money.
Closing Thoughts
If the 7506 is pure sound, and the 9500 is pure-er, the 30i is definitely the pure-est.
It’s an experience you won’t soon forget and a headphone that personally changed my life and made me re-evaluate what I thought I knew about recorded music.
So buy one today. It’s $20. Chump change.
You really have nothing to lose, and most certainly everything to gain.
This is a headphone you’ll cherish for a long time, perhaps even forever.
Learn More:
Ready for the next article in the series?
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Koss KPH30i Review and Discussion, and came away with some valuable insight.
If you love what I do here and want to support the blog and channel in a more personal way, check me out on Patreon and discover all the value I have to offer you.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
What do YOU think about the 30i? Is it a perfect headphone? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!
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Photo Gallery
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Koss KPH30i
Pros
- Insane value
- Better than the majority of audiophile offerings
- No need for an amp, but does well with one
- Highly transportable
- Tremendous sound
Cons
- A tad flimsy
- Comfort isn't the greatest
20 comments
How would you say it compares to Porta Pro? Is there a noticeable difference?
Hey man, that one is coming next, but there is more mid-bass on the Porta Pro for sure. I guess I would say it’s a tad more of a V-shaped type sound (without the harsh treble) vs. the more uniform, even sound of the 30i. I will be doing an official Porta Pro review and then a shootout to round out this series, so stay tuned! 🙂 Let me know if that helps.
It definitely helps, thanks for your reply! I bought both Porta Pro and 30i which is yet to arrive. KPH30i is harder to get outside the US so I had to buy it from abroad. Both of these headphones are pretty hyped online and I must admit I was somewhat disappointed by Porta Pro because of muddiness (mid-bass?) and lack of detail. Although it really works well with some songs. Obviously they are cheap so not sure if my disappointment is warranted. Your description of the differences to 30i makes me think that I might enjoy 30i more.
Would you say either of these is worth ~50USD shipped? This is what I paid and I guess what many non-Americans would have to due to regional price differences.
Also, sorry if I accidentally left a double comment 🙂
Hey man no worries! So you’re saying Porta Pro 50 USD shipped and 30i 50 USD shipped for 100 total or 50 total? I think the 30i hits way above its price point at what I paid ($20 on Drop), so yeah! The only thing is that it’s flimsy and can get a bit uncomfortable. The sound is impeccable and you’re going to love it! I think you’ll probably end up returning the Porta Pro.
Hi Stu,
Thanks for all your budget king reviews and this one in particular. It really is amazing that Koss have such a sound built into a set that many would immediately skip over due to build/look compared to traditional ‘sturdy’ over ears.
Love your clarity, explanations and links that add extra value and comprehensiveness to your reviews.
Really helpful.
Thanks
Hey man thank you so much! And my pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it. I certainly skipped over this one for quite awhile haha. Your kind words encourage me more than you know!
Reach out anytime.
-Stu
Have you ever mod a headphone? Mine broke easily. I got some couple of pair but prefer something more durable.
And the driver still good, so it’s a bit waste to throw it out.
I have actually never aside from pad swaps and stuff. I’d like to do the detachable cable mod for the 7506 though. Perhaps you’d like the 400se which is priced really well: https://homestudiobasics.com/hifiman-he400se-review/
Hi! I just stumbled over your youtube channel and just saw you have a website so yeah here i am lol. So i just saw this budget king today and looking at your review it seems impressive. but i have question regarding the build quality, it scores 4.5 / 5.0 which strange because all i see about this headphone is that it looks so fragile. So my question is, what makes this headphone’s build quality so good?
Hey man!
Those claims could very well be true, I just haven’t personally experienced them. Also, keep in mind that I didn’t have the 30i for 2+ years. I included it in a giveaway in 2021. I’d have to buy another pair and keep them for a long time, but there’s not much to it that can break down other than it snapping so I wouldn’t worry about it too much. That and it’s so cheap you could always just buy another pair. The sound most certainly makes up for any of that and as long as you’re not throwing them around, you should be okay xD
Stu: You are so right on with your review of the Koss KPH30i headphones! I bought a set, pretty neutral sound, with some mid bass thump (which I like). Can you please start reviewing wireless earbuds too? I like the fact that you seem to listen to every possible brand / model you can. ahmed924944
Hey Ahmed924944!
Thank you for the kind swords! I do have a Wireless earbud coming in very soon and there are some others I also need to get to as well 🙂 Be on the lookout!
I have the Koss KSC75 and the KPH30i. I also have the Koss KTXpro1 which uses the same titanium coated driver as the KSC75. The KPH30i & PortaPro use the same driver without the titanium coating. In terms of pleasurable listening I would rank them as 1) KSC75 2)KTXpro1 3)KPH30i. The KSC75 seem to have more clarity and detail than the others and presents as more balanced and refined. I heard details I never knew existed in the music I’ve listened to for 30 years. The bass is nimble and controlled with excellent timbre though overall is much reduced in amplitude compared to most common mass produced headphones. Apparently most people prefer loud, dominating bass.
Unlike yourself and many others I find the KSC75 the most comfortable. Slightly more work to get them on, but once in place they simply disappear. No pressure, no itching, no sweating. Just sweet glorious sound. The clamp pressure on the KPH30i make them impossible to wear much more than 30 minutes. The oversized Grado earpads extend pressure tolerance but result in sweatiness and itching.
The Koss KTXpro1 are warmer with more bass than the KSC75. They still retain above average detail & excellent tone. The bass is looser & not as refined as the KSC75 but is more prominent. I am able to wear these for many hours without discomfort.
To me the KSC75 are audiophile headphones in many ways. They do have reduced bass but do not carry the hefty price tag. Unfortunately they are quite fragile & need to be treated very gently.
Thank you for your thoughts, Rob!
Yaxi pads and the Parts Express headband really make the KSC75’s sing.
Sweet!
This was the first, and probably last time I bought headphones based on (not-so-professional) reviews alone. Read yours multiple times. Gave it a week so it wouldn’t be impulse-buying. Read other reviews. But… it just does’t cut it. Sure, the soundstage is amazing for its price. Very much so. I.e. it’s outrageously wide (again, for its price, e.g. compared to M50x even) and its punch can bring a smile to your face… for 2 minutes. Then it just isn’t fun anymore. It’s so dull and bookshelfy. That’s the word that kept coming back in my mind. Bookshelfy. The carpeted, veiled kind. Sure, you can’t expect a 35-40 dollar one’s transient speeds and rhythm to be precise and transparent, either. In fact, it’s quite a lot less muddy and boomy than many at its range, and in its own way actually clear-ish, but still with soft with smeared band seperation. Too much to warrant the hype.
I tried really hard to make it work, have good use for him. No matter what source, no matter how I EQ where applicable, it’s just too dull. In the best case it’s tolerable but squelchy-fatiguing. Found myself actually falling asleep during three different albums on different times of day forcing my attention to details.
Oh, and you should’ve mentioned the finnicky controls on it. You know a product is intended for the ‘cell-phone generation’ when, if you plug it into any, ANY hi-fi CD-player or preamp (tried with two different adaptors), you have to keep its volume/phonecall-answer button pressed. …the whole time. If you don’t want a mono-reverby karaoke effect.
All-in-all, a just-about deal breaker. If you are on a low budget and could only save up 40 bucks, wait thrice as long and get a K702.
P.s.: The 4kHz dip? Yes, you can definitely sense it 😛 Without question. On any material. … Just train your ears more.
Don’t take this the wrong way man, but you just wrote an entire novel complaining about $30 headphones lol. I do love the K702 though and it’s definitely something I recommend for most people.
Also, it’s just your opinion. You’re entitled to it and that’s fine. The problem I have is that one person makes their opinion gospel as if it’s the final say in the matter. It’s not. Like me, you’re just a guy with a viewpoint. That’s OKAY! And I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. But please don’t try and discredit others who enjoy the headphones and recognize their merits.
You tell’em, WOOO!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by, Joe!