Koss M-80 (1982–1984)

Koss is remembered for headphones, but between 1982 and 1984 the company also sold a miniature loudspeaker called the Dyna*Mite M/80. Period ads paired the M/80 with the larger Kossfire 210 and 110 models. They made bold claims for the little box: a unique 3-driver system with dual 4½-inch woofers and "perfect mirror-image performance" whether the cabinet stood upright or lay on its side (HiFI-Stereo, April 1982, p.110). Koss's copy went so far as to say the M/80 put big floor models to shame.

The only real measurement record of the M-80 is a review in High Fidelity (June 1983, p.31). It describes a wood cabinet with walnut-veneer finish, 5¼ by 12¾ inches on the front and 5½ inches deep, priced at $280 per pair, with a limited five-year parts-and-labor warranty. The reviewer's indoor measurements showed the response rising about 7-8 dB above a remarkably flat plateau running from the 320-Hz band up to 16 kHz. That makes it a lively, bright small speaker. The review found the 30-watt maximum power rating reasonable. Beyond Koss's own ads and that single review, little else is documented about the M-80.

Known specs: