We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a collapsible, bass-forward wired headphone you can fold up and toss in a bag, choose Koss 183773; if you need a full-size gaming headset with a retractable boom mic and a lightweight suspension frame, choose SteelSeries Siberia v2.
• Koss 183773 — biggest strength: A genuine full-size over-ear design that collapses. The earcups rotate and fold inward, so the whole headphone packs down small — rare in a full-size closed-back set.
• Koss 183773 — biggest trade-off: No microphone of any kind. It is a listening-only headphone, so you would need a separate mic for chat or calls.
• SteelSeries Siberia v2 — biggest strength: A pull-out microphone that retracts into the ear cup, plus 50 mm drivers and a lightweight suspension build tuned for long sessions.
• SteelSeries Siberia v2 — biggest trade-off: It does not collapse or fold. The suspension frame is light, but it stays full-size in your bag.
• Pick Koss 183773 if you want portable, bass-leaning over-ear sound for music, DJ-style listening and travel, and you do not need to talk into it.
• Pick SteelSeries Siberia v2 if you want one cable, one headset, a mic and a comfort-first fit for PC gaming and voice chat.
The Koss 183773 — sold as the UR29 — is built around a simple idea: give you a real over-ear headphone that can survive being carried around. The earcups physically rotate and fold in, collapsing into a protective package. That single design choice is what separates it from most full-size headphones, which are bulky and awkward in a backpack. If you move between a desk, a commute and a dorm room, that matters more than almost any spec on the box.
Sonically, Koss leans into bass. The dynamic elements use 1.4 mm Mylar, which the spec sheet says is chosen for rigidity to minimize mechanical distortion and deliver a full-frequency response. The rated range runs 18 Hz to 20 kHz, and with 101 dB sensitivity and 100 ohm impedance, these are efficient enough to get loud from low-voltage portable devices. The closed leatherette earcushions seal around your ears, which does two things: it reinforces the low end and it keeps sound from leaking out. That last part is genuinely useful in a shared room, because your music stays yours.
There is also a volume control on the cord, which is a small thing until you use it constantly. The trade-off is that this is a headphone, not a headset — there is no mic, so it is the wrong tool for voice chat or meetings unless you add something separately. In my opinion, the Koss 183773 suits the listener who wants one portable, bass-heavy over-ear pair for music and doesn't care about talking back. Skip it if a built-in microphone is non-negotiable.
The SteelSeries Siberia v2 is a full-size gaming headset, and it is honest about that. The defining feature is the pull-out microphone that retracts into the ear cup, which means it disappears when you are not using it but is right there when you need to talk. For anyone who alternates between solo play and a group call, that is a genuinely elegant solution — no dangling boom, no separate mic clipped to a cable.
The audio side is built around 50 mm driver units, which the spec sheet describes as 25 percent larger than the previous generation, with the aim of boosting overall acoustic performance. Frequency response is rated 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, with 32 ohm impedance and 112 dB sensitivity — low impedance and high sensitivity together mean it will get plenty loud from a standard 3.5 mm jack without extra amplification. The closed ear cups use sound-dampening foam for passive noise reduction, so outside noise gets knocked down and your audio stays in.
Comfort is where the suspension construction earns its place. The headband flexes and self-adjusts rather than clamping down, and the protein leather, memory foam and pleather padding points suggest a soft, long-session fit. The frame mixes plastic and metal, which keeps it light — around 9 ounces. There is also a volume control on the cord and a carrying case in black. Who should buy it? Competitive and casual PC gamers who want one headset for sound and speech. Who should skip it? Anyone who needs maximum portability, since it does not fold.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for portability → Koss 183773. Rotating, folding earcups collapse into a protective package; the Siberia v2 stays full-size.
• Best for voice chat and gaming → SteelSeries Siberia v2. The retractable pull-out microphone is the deciding feature; the Koss has none.
• Best for long-session comfort → SteelSeries Siberia v2. Lightweight suspension construction and memory foam padding are designed for hours of wear.
• Best for low-volume portable sources → Koss 183773. 101 dB sensitivity and anisotropic ferrite magnets are spec'd to stay loud even on low-voltage devices.
• Best for passive noise reduction → SteelSeries Siberia v2. Closed cups built from sound-dampening foam reduce outside noise; the Koss relies on its closed cushions for isolation only.
• Best for keeping your audio private → Koss 183773. The closed cushions are specifically noted for preventing sound leakage — handy in a dorm room.
• Best for a single-cable all-in-one setup → SteelSeries Siberia v2. Audio, mic and on-cord volume control in one 3.5 mm wired package.
If I had to pick one, I would buy the SteelSeries Siberia v2 — but only if talking to people is part of how I use headphones. The retractable mic, the 50 mm drivers and the lightweight suspension frame make it the more versatile single purchase for gaming and voice chat. If, on the other hand, my priority were music on the move and I never needed a microphone, I would take the Koss 183773 for its folding, portable design and bass-forward tuning. Match the headphone to what you actually do with it, then check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
how should over ear headphones fit
Over-ear headphones should sit around your ears, not on them, with the cushions sealing against your head without squeezing hard. The Koss 183773 uses closed leatherette cushions that seal around the ear, while the Siberia v2 uses a suspension headband that self-adjusts for a lighter, looser fit. A good fit stays comfortable for long sessions and keeps the seal intact.
how long do over ear headphones last
There is no fixed lifespan, but build quality and materials hint at durability. The Koss 183773 lists a lifetime warranty and a folding design with a protective package, which helps protect it in transit. The Siberia v2 mixes plastic and metal in a lightweight suspension frame and ships with a carrying case. Treat the cable and joints well and either can serve you for years.
are over ear headphones worth it
For most people, yes. Full-size over-ear designs like these two seal around the ear, which improves bass and blocks outside noise compared with smaller on-ear or in-ear options. The Koss 183773 adds portability, and the Siberia v2 adds a mic and passive noise reduction. Pick based on whether you need to talk and how much you travel.
are over ear headphones waterproof
Neither of these is described as waterproof. The Koss 183773 uses closed leatherette earcushions and copper voice coils, and the Siberia v2 uses protein leather, pleather and memory foam — none of which are rated for water. Keep both away from rain, sweat-heavy workouts and spills, and store them in a case when you can.
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