Cell phones
Desktops
Digital cameras
Laptops
MP3 players
TVs
Deals
More categories
- Appliances
- Camcorders
- Car Electronics
  - Car Audio,
  - Car Security,
  - Car Video,
  - GPS Navigation,
  - Satellite Radio,
  - Speakers,
  - See All Car Electronics
- Computer Components
  - Cases,
  - Hard Drives,
  - Memory / RAM,
  - Motherboards,
  - Processors,
  - TV Tuner / Adapters,
  - Video Cards,
  - See All Computer Components
- Computer Peripherals
  - Keyboards,
  - Mice,
  - Monitors,
  - Printers,
  - Speakers,
  - Webcams,
  - See All Computer Peripherals
- GPS
  - Automotive GPS,
  - Marine GPS,
  - Outdoor GPS,
  - GPS Accessories,
  - See All GPS
- Home Audio
- Home Video
  - A/V Cables,
  - Blu-Ray Players,
  - Digital Media Receivers,
  - DVD Players,
  - DVD Recorders,
  - DVRs,
  - Remote Controls,
  - See All Home Video

- log in
- join CNET
- welcome,
- my profile
- log out

Koss KEB/79

Manufacturer: Koss Corp. Part number: KEB79

Compare with most popular

$54.19 - $69.99 at 3 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.0 stars Good
Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: There are better earbud options in the $100 price range, but the Koss KEB/79 offers a couple of interesting features that may appeal to some users. Plus, they offer good sound--if you can get a proper fit.
Read more

Where to buy

store customer rating inventory tax & shipping price

store	customer rating	inventory	tax & shipping	price
	See store profile	In stock Try Free Amazon Prime for one Month	Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price	$57.40 Shop now as of 07/09/2009
Savings, Selection & Service since 1971	See store profile	In stock Free Shipping!	$69.99 Shop now as of 07/09/2009
Amazon.com Marketplace	See store profile	In stock		$54.19 Shop now as of 07/08/2009

See store profile

In stock

Try Free Amazon Prime for one Month

Enter zip code to get total price:

Price

+Tax

+Shipping

=Total price

$57.40

Shop now

as of 07/09/2009

Savings, Selection & Service since 1971

See store profile

In stock

Free Shipping!

$69.99

Shop now

as of 07/09/2009

Amazon.com Marketplace

See store profile

In stock

$54.19

Shop now

as of 07/08/2009

*Total price for the Koss KEB/79 are estimated and may vary slightly based on exact tax, shipping, manufacturer rebate or any sale/promotion on the merchant site.

show

CNET editors' review

Koss KEB/79

price range: $54.19 - $69.99

Reviewed by: Jasmine France
Reviewed on: 07/20/2007

The good: The Koss KEB/79 offers a handy modular cable that allows the user to select length, and Koss includes a carrying pouch. The headphones offer warm mids and decent clarity, causing certain types of music to shine. Bass response is good, but only if you can get a good fit.

The bad: The cable of the Koss KEB/79 is tangle-prone and thin, causing concern for durability, and the weight of the inline mute button and modular connection tends to pull the left earbud out. Some users will have issues getting an effective seal with the ear, making it difficult to achieve adequate isolation and hear the low end.

The bottom line: There are better earbud options in the $100 price range, but the Koss KEB/79 offers a couple of interesting features that may appeal to some users. Plus, they offer good sound--if you can get a proper fit.

Read full review

Koss earbuds don't have the most outstanding history on CNET, but they haven't utterly failed either. Still, they have tended toward the middle of the road, which isn't bad considering their low price point. Now, Koss has made a brief departure from ultracheap 'buds to release the KEB/79, a $100 pair that purports to offer "deep bass and unbelievable isolation." Unfortunately, for some users, problems getting and retaining an effective seal with the ear may interfere with this claim. Still, the KEB/79 is quite capable of producing quality sound, if you can achieve a proper fit.

The design of the Koss KEB/79 is my main gripe, though there are certain aspects that I appreciate. First, the cable is modular, so you can choose between two lengths: 17 inches for use with an MP3 player that you carry in a shirt pocket or wear clipped somewhere on your upper body, or add the extender to get to 58 inches for use at home or with a player that you carry in a bag. Another nice touch is the inline mute switch, which you can press and hold if you want to hear external sound without taking the earbuds out. It's cool that you can press it in the middle for full mute, or on either side to just mute either the left or the right channel. I also like that Koss includes a pouch for storing and carrying the earphones.

However, the mute switch and cable connection also cause part of the problem with the KEB/79: they add weight that pulls on the left earbud, causing it to gradually slip out during activity. Plus, it can be difficult to achieve an adequate seal with the ear to begin with. Koss includes three sizes (small, medium, and large) of silicone ear tips, but I couldn't even get a good fit with the smallest ones and was never able to bring about effective isolation. And unlike with competing models from the likes of Shure and V-moda, the ear fittings rest flush with the 'bud, meaning the hard plastic casing sits inside your ear as well. This low-profile design is good for looks, but I found that this contributed to my problems getting a seal with the ear, and it proved uncomfortable after less than 30 minutes of wear.

Of course, not everyone will have this issue with fit, and users that can get an effective ear seal will be rewarded with good sound quality. Initially, music came off as bright and lacking in bass, but once I pressed the KEB/79s into my ears, things improved considerably. The high-end clarity is not the best I've heard, but it's up to the $100 standards. Really, the mids and lows shine the most through the KEB/79--you can even pick up upright bass in track backgrounds. Overall, folk, classic rock, blues, and dancey hip-hop sounded best, but the headphones do a fine job in general.

See pricing

show

User reviews

Write Review

Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 1 out of 1

Sort by:
9 stars

Exceeded expectations

by pugpuppydude on August 14, 2008

Pros: Amazing solid and crisp bass, awesome sound quality in all volumes, nice cord features, good sound isolation and fit.

Cons: mute button drags on left earbud, can be fixed with creativity.

Summary: While researching these headphones i noticed they did not score very good ratings but i bought them anyways, as they were Koss's best earbuds and you can't go ...

Read more

Summary: While researching these headphones i noticed they did not score very good ratings but i bought them anyways, as they were Koss's best earbuds and you can't go wrong with Koss's lifetime guarantee. Overall these headphones are amazing! The sound is comparable to the Bose in ear phones with more bass attack. The bass about brought me to my knees my first listen.. Stellar! They have the perfect amount of bass, (after bass boost EQ), and balanced nicely. The short cord for sport bands is also a nice feature, and the mute button is convenient, though you can't hear to well even with no music playing due to the superb noise isolation provided. These are a MUST for all music lovers, being cheaper and better than most 100 dollar phones (these are $62 bucks) and are definitely a 300% upgrade from iPod headphones or any other free with mp3 player phones out there. -Amazing bass, very loud and soft range, nice features, and lifetime guarantee. Get Some!

Show less

Showing opinion 1 to 1 out of 1

See pricing

show

Specifications

Manufacturer: Koss Corp.
Part number: KEB79
Description: A compact design with robust sound - the KEB/79 is lightweight with an in-the-ear design that delivers accurate acoustical reproduction, deep bass and unbelievable isolation typically found in closed-style stereophones. The KEB/79 features a dynamic element that is positioned just outside the ear for extended frequency response. The KEB/79 includes small, medium and large silicone ear cushions for a customized fit to enhance isolation when you want to eliminate ambient sounds that interfere with the listening experience. A convenient inline mute switch can be used to stay connected to your environment without unplugging your earbuds. The unique dual entry cord wraps around your head during use with one side of the cord shortened for easy attachment to your MP3 player while on the go. A convenient carrying case for protective storage along with an extension cord for active comfort and convenience is included.

General
Product Type Headphones
Headphones
Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
Headphones Form Factor In-ear ear-bud
Headphones Technology Dynamic
Connectivity Technology Wired
Sound Output Mode Stereo
Response Bandwidth 10 - 20000 Hz
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.3 %
Sensitivity 102 dB/mW
Impedance 16 Ohm
Remote Control
Type None
Connections
Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )

Miscellaneous
Cables Included 1 x Headphones cable - Integrated - 4 ft
Included Accessories Carrying case
Power
Power Device None
Battery None
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support Limited lifetime warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Lifetime

See pricing

show

Similar products

Klipsch Image S4 earphones $79.99
- CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 6 reviews
Koss The Plug $12.99 - $14.55
- CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 54 reviews
Koss KEB24 Headphones (black) $14.83 - $18.09
- CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 4 reviews
Koss PortaPro Headphones $31.99 - $37.76
- CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 54 reviews
Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones $313.23 - $449.99
- CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 55 reviews

Shopper.com strives to provide the best price, review, user opinion, and product information on the Koss KEB/79. Shopper.com updates pricing for all products multiple times each day. If you find a price, link, product specification, review, user opinion, or any other error for the Koss KEB/79, please notify us through our support form.