Koss PortaPro Headphones with Case
by Koss
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List Price: Our Price: Calculated in a shopping cart Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Speakers See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Koss PortaPro Headphones with Case
Customer Review: Value Pro
Summary: 4 Stars
So headphones break on me ALL the time. I go through at least a pair every year. I guess I don't treat them amazingly and I like having music on me at all times so they get worn out fast. I realized awhile back I can go two ways on my next pair: cheap and easily replaceable or expensive and higher quality (hopefully lasting longer). I tried the latter a couple times since I'm a bit of an audiophile but this time I was sick of the joint at the jack breaking which is how pretty much every pair I've ever owned has broken (can't wait for the day of cheap, good sound quality wireless!).
Then on CNET I saw the Koss Portapro listed as the best bargain headphones and I thought hell why not, my last pair were $10 and they only lasted six months. Got these and I'd say its probably the best dollar to quality value money can buy. The sound is rich and full, especially in the base department. When I first started using them, the treble sounded a little muffled but after a break in period I stopped noticing. I listen to a lot of bass heavy electronic music as well as alternative/indie rock and these cans are perfect for it. Because they're over here, you're not going to get great isolation but its good enough. Loud traffic might leak in a bit (and a good bit of sound leaks out) but its just enough to be aware of your surroundings while enjoying your music. I leave the fit on tight to get the best isolation though you can conveniently loosen things up if you want. They feel very nice on my big head either way with the temple pads. The retro stylings are pretty cool and they're definitely unique in their design.
Some problems:
I like the portable collapse mode but the included case (which is actually a very nice little pleather bag) is too tight a fit. Every time I squeeze the cans in there I'm afraid I'm going to break them or that I'm wearing the wire connections unnecessarily. I'll probably end up using the pouch for some other purpose though since it is quite nice. Along similar lines, it seems like they cut the cost so low by chucking out a lot of the casing and other "useless" plastics on the headset but that makes them feel overly fragile. So far they're holding up fine but they definitely feel a bit light. Likewise the plug is a bit small and looks like a definite Achilles heel. Lastly the cord is only 4' so if your audio source isn't in your pocket or nearby, you may run into trouble sans extension.
Summary:
Great deal for the money so why not? Also, packaging says Koss covers them for life though we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Customer Review: High Quality Portable Headphones, Perfect for iPod
Summary: 5 Stars
My Experience.
For years I had been using the cheap type of headphones that come with most music playing devices. I listen to complex music with many layers of sound, and was never satisfied with the poor sound from cheap headphones. Most headphones for <$50 sacrifice in some way, either by having a whiny high pitch sound with no bass or by artificially enhancing the bass and distorting the high frequencies. Don't be fooled by headphones claiming to boost the bass. Usually they do this by making all of your music sound sickeningly flat. You lose all the richness and breadth in your music.
The Sound
After reading many outstanding reviews for Koss's current line of headphones I decided to take a risk and spend $40 on the Koss PortaPro. These headphones are incredible! I didn't think headphones in this price range could possibly sound so good. I'm hearing layers of detail in my music that I've never heard with other headphones. These headphones provide a broad and rich sound. For anyone who knows how music is supposed to sound (this excludes those of you who abuse bass boosters and subwoofers) you'll be happy with the Koss PortaPro. If portability isn't an issue for you, you can get the same sound for less money from some of Koss's other headphones (they use the same sound drivers).
Ergonomics
One nice feature of these headphones is their flexibility and ability to be adjusted in several ways. I have a large head, so I appreciate being able to easily lengthen the flexible metal overhead strap and widen the placement of the earphones themselves. The PortaPro has a slider on each earphone allowing three different width settings for different size heads and tension preferences. Because I use these on walks, at the office, on planes etc. I appreciate the PortaPro's compact collapsible design. The headphones easily fold up into a fist-sized ball, making it easy to tuck them in a backpack or the included leather carrying bag.
Positives and Negatives
If I had to think of something negative about these headphones I'd say that when collapsed they sometimes spring open when jostled. Soundwise I have no complaints. I love Apple and their iPod, but the in-ear headphones that come with the iPod are abysmal. Sure, they're ok for free in-ear headphones. But if you spend hundreds of dollars on a music player you should get a complementary set of headphones. You probably can't get a better sounding headphone for less than $50, and their portability makes them an ideal fit for the iPod.
Customer Review: Great headphones but build quality might be suspect
Summary: 4 Stars
**Update 9/8/10** These headphones are great but they do have one potentially serious design flaw. The stereo connector is very flimsy. Despite being very careful, mine broke in under a year. The stereo connector literally just pulled apart as I was removing it from the ipod one day. The wires pulled right out of the connector. After checking the web, I see I am not the only one to experience this. Someone was even kind enough to post a picture of it above, in the product photos. I still think they're great headphones and I ordered a new pair (although I plan to have these replaced under warranty and keep as a spare). I knocked off one star simply because now I have to shell out $6 plus shipping to replace this set (although I opted to pay $30 for a new pair to save time). However, if the second pair breaks as quickly as the first, prepare to watch the review stars plummet. What good is something if it won't last at least a year?
*** End of update ****
I've tried pretty much all types of headphones. I was looking for a good solid pair, under $50, preferably over-the-ear but not too big (for gym, athletic use and better portability). I stumbled across these on the web and saw that people loved them, so I came to Amazon to read some reviews. Seeing that they were highly rated here as well, I ordered a pair. These headphones have a solid reputation for a reason, they sound great. The minute I plugged them in, I knew why they were so highly rated. Clear highs, deep lows. I mean, it's not bone rattling bass, but it's decent enough if you don't want to lug around a pair of $50+ self-powered heavy headphones. Easily the best sounding headphones I've bought the past year. And that's in a group of Skull Candy, Sony, Apple, self powered, noise canceling... I've tried it all the past year. The only (extremely minor) gripe I have is that I agree with others that it does feel flimsy at times. I like that the moving pieces are metal instead of plastic (can't tell you how many plastic headphones I've inadvertently broken from simply putting on and removing), but it still has a somewhat delicate feel to it. They do come with a lifetime warranty, which is pretty sweet, (although a further check of the terms reveal you pay to ship them back and have to include a $6 check. Something potential purchasers should be aware of). I'm happy with my set and agree with everyone else that these headphones come in a portable package but possess full-sized sound.
Customer Review: In a word...
Summary: 5 Stars
WOW. Like many others here, I was looking for something better than the stock iPod earbuds. I did the research on the net and found these Porta Pros and the Sennheiser PX100s and couldn't make up my mind...they both get excellent reviews from many sites.
I went with the Porta Pros, as they seemed to have a much more enthusiastic following! And man, I am not disappointed! I can see why people rave about them. Even I was compelled to do a review here, and I have never reviewed any purchases before on Amazon or anywhere else!
These headphones are top quality. The sound is excellent. Clear bass. Clear mids. Clear highs. If your MP3s are good quality, they'll sound great. If not...well, you will know it!
The first thing I listened to was Yes' Fragile and also the 'Drama' album. Holy smokes! I was hearing things pop out of the music that I never knew were there. It was like experiencing the songs for the first time all over again. The headphones were so comfortable I forgot I was wearing them, and was transported to another place entirely. The soundstage on these phones blows away just about anything out there in my opinion, and I have tried ALOT of cans...
Also, these phones are not as dorky as they seem. They are well constructed and fold up easily. They are much smaller than you perceive them to be from the pictures on the net. The appearance of the Porta Pros did not bother me at all.
These headphones respond wonderfully to the EQ settings on the iPod. I had fun discerning the differences between each one and hearing what else was being brought out of the mixes. If you are into music production at all as I am, you will appreciate how it must have sounded in the actual studios where the tracks were recorded. These phones will get you THAT close.
I found it very cool that the guy who designed these headphones over at Koss many years ago also posted a review here. The man obviously takes pride in his work. It shows. In researching Koss, I found that they started off as an audiophile company that took quality seriously in their products. The fact that these are still on the market after 20+ years speaks for itself.
If you are on the fence about these, don't hesitate to buy them. This is easily one of the BEST purchases I have made in a while, and I tend to thoroughly research everything I buy. It's a no-brainer, especially if you consider the lifetime warranty.
Customer Review: PortaPro: Ugly, but GREAT in the sack.
Summary: 5 Stars
Where do I begin? There is simply so much to say about these little puppies..!
First, let me start by saying that I went to Circuit City and paid $80 for a white pair of Sennheiser PX100. I did this for two reasons: I wanted to buy something nice for a great friend and...I wanted to know what $80 headphones sounded like.
Fast-forward to when my friend isn't around and there I am trying on the PX100. What can I say? It's lightweight, very portable and the treble comes in crystal clear. I listened to them on my friend's Gmini xs200 DAP with some 320kbs DJDoboy remixes. Jealousy!
I couldn't afford another pair for myself and was still using some cheapie earbuds. Oh, the humanity. Then, someone who studies in the sound department of my old college recommended the Koss PortaPro DJ. Man, I hate Koss. Anything Koss-related that I owned, sucked nasty-style.
But I trust this friend's advice and shelled out the $30 to get a pair off of Amazon. As soon as I opened the package, I was a little queasy. These things are not pret--
(I'll speak in a lower voice since they're right over *There*)
They are ugly. UGLY. Hideous. I once beat up a bag of tomatoes and they still looked prettier than this thing. But...
...when I put this thing on, I heard the angels themselves. The bass on the PortaPro is DIVINE. It's warm and lush and makes love to the treble, which isn't as overpronounced as the PX100. In fact, the PX100 brought out ARTIFACTS from the higher bitrate MP3s, producing a weird tinny cold aftertaste. The PortaPro is perfection. Yes, I tested the headphones on the same MP3 player with the same music and the difference is like NIGHT and DAY. And the comfort level? Wonderful. I BARELY feel when I have the PortaPro on.
And strangely enough, the more you use the PortaPro, the BETTER it sounds. I'm not kidding. After test-driving the PX100 for over four hours, the stark "coldness" of the set started becoming REAL noticable. The sound is just TOO clear for MP3.
My only real qualms are that they feel flimsier than they LOOK in the Amazon pics, AND they are UGLY. However, they don't feel like they're gonna break when I fold and unfold them--I guess the pics made the headphones look BIG (they definitely AREN'T).
Anyways, try them out. They will become a FAVORITE of yours.