Customer Reviews

Koss PortaPro - Headphones

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've owned a pair of these for about 5 years now, both at my desk at work and while walking. Most people either put up with substandard performance of the ones that come with their music device, or buy a set of $20 headphones and are happy with the mediocre sound. I bought these for the sound quality, and haven't been disappointed. They sound _great_. The sound rivals anything under $70-$80 (especially if you like rock), has plenty of bass and good response overall. These even sound better than the Bose noise-cancelling headphones, though that's not saying much.

My one complaint would be that I use mine so much that I've managed to break off the plastic covering the wire solder, and have had to get (free) replacements. Buy a pair, hook em up to your CD/tape/mp3 player, and enjoy.

I had a pair back in High School in the 80's used with a Walkman. These are very lively compared to Sennheiser PX 100's. If you prefer classical music then I would go with the PX 100. From Pop, Hip-Hop, Jazz and Rock these are the best for sound and definitely price for Ipods and MP3 players. I thought about a pair of Grado SR60's but these were much cheaper and more portable. Who wants to walk around with a six foot cable? Trust me guys, these are the one to buy. They bring out the passion in your music.

I've had mine for 2 years, use them exclusively for my laptop when everyone in the house is asleep and I want to play a game or listen to a radio stream, mp3s or youtube. These rate a 5 on comfort, which is my main concern. I can't legitimately comment on the sound, since I'm no audiophile, but I've never noticed any problem with the sound. They're not really "noise-cancelling," but that's good for me...I need to hear the baby monitor. I'll probably buy a second pair for the office.

I purchased some Shure headphones for twice the price and they didn't have the bass that these under $50 headphones have. Currently I own three pairs of them.

If you are tired of buying cheaper headphones only to have them break after a few months, these are the headphones for you. They typically last me 6 to 9 months which is pretty good in my book. What usually breaks every time is the connection to one speaker. So I'm left with no speaker sound on one side.

With Koss, you just send them back along with $6 for shipping. Then you get a brand new pair back.

They are clunky looking, but they are super comfortable to wear.

The reason I have three pairs is that one broke so I bought another. When that one finally broke after a year, I bought yet another. Two pairs were sent back for fixing while I listened to the new pair. Now I have three new pairs.

I have let friends borrow them and they didn't want to give them back.

Before finding Koss headphones, I used to buy Sony headphones all the time. They would break (same no speaker on one side problem) after only three months. Then I'd have to throw them away. With Koss, I've received more than my money's worth.

these koss headphones can be seen all around paris, everyone has them here. the sound is really good as well as the feel to them, easy to transport because they fold in. and they look great on your head. i use them with ipod and also to record my demos.

One modification/improvement, that can be made for KOSS Porta Pro and address the issue with leaking sound to surroundings. Is to replace the foam ear cushion with a sealed ear cushion.
Other reported benefits are enhanced Sound performance! The Sennheiser PX200 leatherette closed ear cushions/ear pads have the right size 2" (50mm) and fits perfectly on KOSS Porta Pro.
The benefit in sound performance is reported to be: A tighter bass with some overall improvements and better details, together with increased sensitivity (can play louder). The sealed ear cushion will make Porta Pro, maybe not a fully closed headphone but more a "semi-closed" headphone (still the backside of elements/drivers have openings), but the sealed ear cushions will reduce the leaking sound to the surroundings (maybe appreciated for other people during example a bus ride). The ear cushions for Sennheiser PX200 can be purchased on ebay.

These headphones are the best light-weight(and reasonably priced) headphones i've ever heard! I use to think that to get good sounding headphones under $50 you had to get around-ear or in-ear headphones but these prove otherwise. First of all, most on-ear phones lack in bass but these are extremely responsive. If you have ever heard of the song "Bass I Love You" by bassotronics,you know that only good headphones or subwoofers can pick the bass up in this song but these had no problem of doing that, and the overall sound quality sounds completely natural. The only flaw in these is that the adjustable head band pinches your hair, but the sound quality is so good i didn't knock off a star just for that.

Bought these Koss Porta Pro headset as a replacement for myAKG 26.
Waited a month until they were broken in.
Very nice sound. Very Nice sound indeed.
Better than the AKG K26. Better then the Senhauser PX100.
No wonder they have been around so long while other faddish cans have come and gone......
There is a reason for that.
MUCH more "musical".
The sound stage is better.
It surrounds you and is not all between the cans, in your head......like the AKGs.
Just a beautiful smooth sound, with rich and realistic bass, realistic mids and smooth highs......

And quite comfortable once adjusted. There is a lot to be said for light construction if you are going to wear these by the hour!

Now to the cons.......
IMO the "adjustment" on the sides........from Light to Firm.........does nothing.
Must be a placebo affect for some???????

And the band!....Oh my.
The AKGs also had a steel band.
No big deal, you just set it and forget it ....... right?
On the AKGs......yes.

On the Portapros.......no.

After you set it, they are comfortble......but lets take them off to get a cup of coffee...............Bang, the steel band unloads and the headset self adjusts to the smallest position.
Next time you put them on.....you have to open the band full again, place the headsets on your head, move the band front to rear for the most comfort and adjust the slider......there........ that wasn't too bad........Oh, you forgot to turn the light out in the kitchen....then lets do the whole head band thing all over again......It will not hold your adjustment.
IF you have a setup where if you have to get up, it is best to just unplug the phones and go get the coffee while looking like a refugee from Star Trek.......the original 1966 movie!
Unfortunately, I usually use these on my iMac which has it's audio jacks in the rear.........

Also, the reason I dumped the AKGs after 2 1/2 years was that the Ear Pads wore out and I couldn't find new ones anywhere........Even Head-Fi couldn't help!
The Portapros have pads available everywhere including here, so I bought a package of them with the phones, and should be good for 10 years or so......... ;)

Is the sound worth the quirky mechanics?
It is for me!
I thought of returning them because of the adjustment issue....but in the end, you will have to pry this sound from my cold, dead hands..........

I was looking for headphones that were cheap but sturdy. I commute alot so I wanted a headphones that could be compact and rugged enough so that they can be thrown into my bag. I also hate in the ear headphones so I was looking for a pair that was soft and would fit me comfortably. I love that they are "self compacting" ie they get a little smaller and have a smaller foot print once in my bag. The sound is strong and clear. I couldn't be happier with these headphones.. Its been a month.. Hope they last for a very long time.

I love it. Though the picture is showed wrong, koss pp governs the bass fields. Listening is believing. And it's cheap.