Koss PortaPro Headphones with Case
by Koss
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Koss PortaPro Headphones with Case
Customer Review: TOP QUALITY SOUND AT A LOW PRICE
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been an audiophile since the late 50s, I own three HOME THEATER systems, one built using a pair of 168 pound Klipschorns, arguably one of the best speakers ever built (currently $8000 per pair). I don't know how I missed these headphones from Koss one of the early developers (over 50 years ago) of headphones with the Portapro design over 25 years old. Paul Klipsch and John Koss were from the golden age of audio. I've owned a number of headphones from Koss, from Bose (the leader in noise canceling designs) and have listened to many different headphones in all price ranges and owned headphones costing over $300. These are the best I've ever heard! And they only cost about $30 bucks1
How is this possible?
Well I think I know. In speaker design, accurate bass reproduction is the most challenging. Accurate is the key word; loud booming bass isn't all that hard. It used to be called "juke box boom". It's now a fad in "boom boxes" and butt kicking car boxes. Some people think it's the end all and be all. Actually it's loud distortion that muddies and distorts other frequencies. Accurate music sounds real not hyped (although some rock concerts are super=hyped and that's what's real to some; and that's OK if that's what you like). True high definition sound reproduction, however is crisp clean and well defined. You can hear the sound of the sticks hitting the skin of the drums, the bass fiddle strings being plucked and you can distinguish and locate one instrument from others in the band or orchestra.
Bass frequencies are big powerful wave forms that can obscure other frequencies and can cancel and distort themselves. There are three basic speaker designs that try to prevent this. The waves from the back of bass speakers can easily cancel the waves from the front of bass speakers because they are out of phase with each other and are extremely hard to dampen because of their powerful and long wavelengths. Bass reflex speaker enclosures attempt to turn the waves produced by the back of speakers around to be in phase and augment rather than cancel the waves emanating from the front of the speaker. However, to do this with great clarity at very low frequencies in a bass reflex design requires a very long folded horn design (think bass tuba). Klipshorns use the walls of a room and must be placed in corners. They also require very substantial and heavy enclosures that won't vibrate! Higher frequencies need much smaller horns and are far easier to design without canceling frequencies and to prevent vibrations. Thus "tweeters" are very small next to "woofers". Bass relex and folded horn enclosures are efficiency champs and can produce high sound levels at very low power. They are the speakers used in big old movie theaters. Another design is the "acoustic suspension" speaker that attempt to absorb and eliminate the back waves by stuffing a smaller but very sturdy enclosure with a lot of absorbent material. This is harder to accomplish than with the bass reflex design but results in much smaller enclosures that are very inefficient and require high powered amps. But that can be placed in bookshelves rather than stand in corners and be the size of refrigerators! Both of these designs have real problems when used in headphones. The third speaker enclosure design is seldom seen anymore. It's called the "infinite baffle" - it takes the out of phase waves from the back of the speaker and vents it to the great outdoors or the inside of a big closet filled with a lot of clothes! The Portapros are basically an "infinite baffle" design - the least distorted of the 3 designs! While an infinite baffle design may cause your neighbors or whoever wants to use or lives on the other-side of your closet to purchase a shotgun, headphone speakers use very tiny speakers that are coupled directly to your eardrums (yes they can damage your eardrums or produce tinnitus at high volumes) but produce relatively low levels of sound at even short distances outside of your ears.
Noise canceling headphones use electronics to cancel outside noise by setting up an out-of-phase signal. Wear them in a buzy city and risk being run over by a honking truck! However any sealed enclosure around your ear creates distortion not found in an infinite baffle design. Its really difficult and costly to eliminate distortion with designs that are not infinite baffles. Thus, the very low distortion crystal clear high definition non-noise canceling sound "leaking" marvelous and cheap Portapros! Ecstasy, if you love quality sound reproduction.
And yes they are now available in a new design, almost completely black - blue inserts and silver headband included - and more importantly with sturdier cloth covered wires.
Customer Review: You won't believe your ears
Summary: 5 Stars
Take what other reviewers have said about these headphones, believe them, and then multiply it by 100. I received a pair of Koss UR-20s as a gift years ago and loved them so naturally I looked to Koss again when replacing my portable/on-the-go headphones. After buying a pair of KSC-55s, which sounded great but were uncomfortable for me personally, I hopped on Amazon and found everyone raving about the PortaPros. I figured they were good, especially considering that the design seems unchanged since the 1980s (which has to mean something), but I also figured that this was one of those things that was just too good to be true. However, these are bar-none the most amazing headphones I have ever put on my head. Listening to some of my favorite songs for the first time was one of those 'wow' moments where you realize you have found something that changes your expectations completely. The bar will be raised the instant you hear the bass response and incredible acoustic qualities of these light, comfortable headphones.I don't know what I'm impressed with the most: the amazing bass, the excellent stereo division, or how loud they can get! These things are just as amazing as most of the reviews show them to be and then a lot more... I was worried about the eighties styling, but in person they don't look bad at all. I hate headphones that scream for attention, but these don't look like that when you have them on and I have already been wearing them in public (something I didn't think I would do after only seeing the picture of them online). And even if they're a bit outdated in appearance, the design is so functional you won't even give looks a second thought after you put them on.
One thing is for sure: these things have plenty of bass! Not too much (not "boomy"), but they seem properly tuned for listening to things without "bass booster" turned on, which I like. Even with the bass settings adjusted high, the bass remains clear and crisp. I'm not sure how much power these can handle without damaging them, but I listen to them very loud and they do not sound distorted or stressed at all. After a few days my left speaker began making some weird noises and it ended up being a hair stuck inside the headphones that I cleared out with canned air. Something important to consider is that these are very open and airy headphones and the treble carries very well outside the headphones (so someone nearby could definitely hear what you're listening to if you have the volume up loud).
Others have mentioned that they felt the headphones were too tight feeling, but I have a very large head and they fit me without a problem. However, if I will be wearing them for an extended period of time I always set them to the "Light" setting on the comfortZone control (which divides the side pressure of the headphones with your temples rather than just on your ears).
I already had headphones I was pleased with (Sony MDR-G52s and Koss UR-20s) but I wanted a set of small, portable headphones for use with my laptop and these are perfect. The folding design isn't something I necessarily wanted, but it is nice. The carrying case they come with (a leatherette bag) is a slightly tight fit and I probably won't end up using it much since it is not a hard case that would protect them from shock or crushing. Some others have mentioned that they feel delicate or are easily broken, but compared to other small headphones I have had they seem very well built and equally strong considering their light weight.
While I wouldn't say these are bad things about the PortaPros, it is worth mentioning that the headband is metal and will occasionally snag a hair as you adjust it on your head, and that they don't fold down as small as you might think they would so don't expect to put them in your pants pocket or something. Considering these are the worst things I can come up with to say about the PortaPros, they are nearly perfect in my book.
I can't say enough good things about these PortaPros! They're simply amazing. These are the first headphones (or speakers) I've had that sound absolutely awesome without adjusting the equalizer or pumping up the bass. They sound good on everything from R&B to Country and everything in-between. I've been especially impressed that they pull the bass and highs out of a song without getting that shrill, tinny treble that plagues so many headphones. If there ever was a question about the quality of Koss stereophones in my mind, these PortaPros have put it to rest and made me into a lifetime customer! If you're like me you'll wish you had discovered these legendary headphones (haha! how often is that said?) years ago...
Customer Review: If you don't need noise-cancelling, get them NOW.
Summary: 5 Stars
Toss those white-plastic Apple earbuds. Do it now. Yes, really. I mean it. Make no mistake, behind the PortaPro's 80's styling and intended use with Sony Walkman CASSETTE(!) players, these headphones have just about the best sound you can hope for for the money. These are NOT noise-canceling and will allow a decent amount of environmental noise through, but I like this because it lets me stay aware of what's going on around me. Little to no distortion at higher volumes than I would normally listen to. Sound is crystal clear; non-audiophiles with a good ear will be able to tell a dramatic improvement over almost anything else they've used in the same price-range, especially over Apple earbuds (which aren't at all bad for included earbuds IMHO). Bass is powerful-almost overwhelmingly so, but there is so much dimension in the low range that some songs sound different. Highs were a little shrill at first, but calmed down with use. Mid-range was a bit stiff out of the box but has since opened right up. I'm hearing lyrics I've never heard before, and background instruments I've never been able to distinguish before, as well as background vocals and other interesting elements like you hear in Beatles songs that I had never really been able to make out before. They are all-around comfortable (I usually have the ComfortZone sliders set to Light) and very light-weight. They may look and feel a bit cheap and flimsy, but they are in fact pretty durable. Hair getting caught in the adjustable metal band has never been a problem like it is with other cheap metal-band headphones. Included "case" is useless, don't bother with it. They fit around my neck fairly comfortably with the headband fully extended. Cord is a good length to reach your pocket with slack to spare. Open-can design allows for clearer highs and mids than closed-can designs like Skull Candies. No expensive, electronic noise-cancelling like steeply overpriced Bose headphones to muddy up the audio signal. Just simple, clean, honest sound.
Word of advice to iPod users especially: I found the best balanced sound by setting the auto-equalizer to "bass reducer". I'm usually one to leave the equalizer completely neutral, and for iPod earbuds this provides the best balance; but the PortaPros have a lot of low-end kick.
Also, if you want the best sound quality as soon as possible, plug 'em in to your computer at a slightly-higher-than-normal-listening volume and set iTunes (or whatever you use) to shuffle through your entire library continuously for two or three days whenever you're not using them (it's perfectly OK to use them at any point during that time if you want). Break-in is real, people, and just like a brand-new baseball glove, the diaphragm of the speakers needs to loosen up a bit before reaching it's best sound response. Or, if you really want to put them through their paces to whip them into shape in just two days or so and be sure they've opened up almost as much as they're going to, Google "burn-in waves." The first site has a bunch of sound files meant to exercise headphones and break them in. Just be warned that they may start to sound a little worse before they start to sound better. But when they open up, these babies sing. (If you want to give yourself chills, the beginning of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue is a good place to start)
EDIT (Feb. 17, 2010):
True audiophiles need not necessarily apply; a well-trained ear will be able to tell where the PortaPro's weaknesses lie, but you'd have to be used to sets costing $$$-$$$$ to even know what to listen for. My brother's a musician, though, and was using relatively cheap Sony studio headphones when he wasn't listening to the speakers in his "bedroom-and-a-closet studio" for recording/production. I gave him these for Christmas and he prefers these to his old set when not in his studio.
Final note: I wish I could have large versions of the sound drivers in these to use as the speakers for my car stereo. I didn't realize how lacking the stock speakers were until I got these. Oh well, I don't listen to music much when driving anyway, save for the tune of a turbocharged engine.
Customer Review: Wow!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me start off by saying that I went from Grado 80's to these and let me say that I have officially been converted. Don't get me wrong the Grados are great, but they were very uncomfortable to use. I couldn't find myself wearing them any longer than an hour and I would rarely use them because of this. They were bulky and heavy and I couldn't find myself using them while walking throughout my house which is what I really like to do when I'm at home. My opinion is that if you have headphones they should, at minimum, be comfortable enough to wear while you're on your feet and doing stuff around the house. Now as for taking the Grados to the gym that was completely out of the question. Also the bass on the Grados just didn't suit my taste, it just lacked too much bass. So I ended up selling the Grados through craigslist and I got pretty much what I paid for them, which really mad me happy.
Now to the Portapro review. I finally ordered my first pair of Portapros and I was really impressed. Let me start off by saying that when I first got them I was a bit skeptical by the build quality because they do look a little flimsy. However, after I put them on and used them for a few hours I felt that they would be more than suitable for what I would use them for, which is for the gym and for at home use.
The build and look of the Portapro is great. The Portapros have these Princess Leia looking cans that are connected by a pretty thick metal band. The metal band is probably as wide as my pinky's fingernail and looks very solid. This band can be adjusted for people who have pretty large heads like myself and for pretty small children as well (from the looks of customer's images here on Amazon). Anyway I think that these headphones will definitely last plus they come with a "no questions asked" warranty, all you have to do is pay for the shipping costs to get them to Koss and the return shipping costs to get them back to you.
Now let me get to the sound. When I first put them on I literally couldn't help listening to my ipod for hours. It really made my music collection sound really good. I was listening to Miles Davis, MGMT, J Dilla, Bob Marley, Daft Punk, Rancid, and many other musical artists. These headphones were really versatile and sounded so great that I just went through most of my music collection to see if there was any music that didn't sound good with them but I just couldn't find any. (I seriously love these headphones!!!)
Also I don't know what it is about these headphones, but now I don't find the need to blast my music to make it sound enjoyable, I am literally using them connected to my mac on the lowest volume setting and I still find myself lowering the volume on Itunes sometimes.
These headphones are really, really comfortable. I use them for hours and hours on my free time and my head or ears never ever feel fatigued wearing them. The band never squeezes my big old head and the cans where the sound come from sit perfectly on top of my ears.
After about a few days I found that it was necessary to buy a better case than what they came with so I ended up buying a few large sized cases for sunglasses to see if they would fit. I have yet to receive any so I'll let you know how that goes. But the reason I needed to buy a better case was because I knew that I would be using them for the gym and for going to school and I don't think that the soft pouch that it came with would hold up well in my backpack or duffel.
In closing, I would these headphones to any friend of mine as long as they don't mind the "Back to the Future" look that they have. (I literally could see Michael J Fox using these in the movie, with his red puffy vest and blue jeans... maybe he did???) They sound truly amazing and are extremely comfortable..... now all you have to do is add them to your cart and you'll be all good!
Customer Review: Have used these daily for over 20 years
Summary: 5 Stars
5.5 stars
For my 200th review, I thought I'd sing the praises of one of the most useful and wonderful things I've ever owned, the PortaPro. I got these shortly after they came out, as I always longed for bass in my early Aiwa walkman (best of breed back then). These thangs changed my life!
I still love music deeply, but back in school it was everything to me, my solace and balm and ecstatic release, hours and hours every day. I still wear mine daily while running the dog, walking the dog, and during various non-dog activities as well. They have tremendously balanced sound, lots of bass but very open and tight bass, not sloppy. The highs are clean and never harsh, the mids smooth and present. From Bach to the Beatles to Metallica to Charlie Parker, they deliver musical sound in a pleasingly full sound spectrum, top to bottom.
For the money they are a miracle! They turn any mp3 player into a real sound machine, and BLOW AWAY any of the in-ear phones except for the thousand dollar customs (go to the HeadRoom online if you want perfect sound...they sell these alongside the best cans in the world, say no more). They deliver a surprisingly real soundstage and plenty of truly musical detail.
Add to that two great features. They fold up easily and fit in your pocket (make sure to get the folding ones, worth the extra few bucks for sure), making them a perfect companion to tiny mp3 players (they are a perfect match with my Muvo 2gb player, such sound from such tiny devices!).
But THE best feature of the PortaPros is the inestimable LIFETIME guarantee!! And they ain't whistlin' Dixie, folks, they mean it. I would know, as I've bought maybe four of these in the last 20 years, but I've owned about 14 new pairs total! Whenever the cords wear out or pull out of the ear (can happen, it's only thin rubber and wire, happens now and then when you're mountain climbing etc), I send them back to Koss with a six-dollar check (only gone up one buck in 20 years) and in a week I get a BRAND NEW pair. If that ain't taking care of the customer, what is?
So, for coming through on their promises, and for making a truly great-sounding and very cheap-for-the-quality headphone, I give Koss total props and praise for this product, one of the best values I've ever encountered as a music uberlover. This and a Muvo 2gb player will set you back only a hundred bucks and then give you so much musical pleasure everywhere you go. I have enjoyed my PortaPros on mountain tops, inside the Louvre, Prado, MOMA, etc, by the sea, on ski slopes, on trains in the high alps with views to die for as Beethoven's Sixth took me to heaven, in the subways and busses of dozens of lands, in front of literally thousands of sunsets from Big Sur hills to Jamaican beaches to Mallorcan cliffs to Norwegian fjords and so on for twenty-plus years.
I can only imagine how gratifying it must be for the spirits of the great composers to know that their music can now be heard in good sound anyplace on the planet. If we've achieved one useful thing as a species in the last thirty years, this is it: great portable sound that turns any post office line, etc from a nightmare into a dream.
In fact, now that I think of it, no product I've ever purchased has brought me this many hours of joy, except perhaps some of my guitars. The Pros were 25 bucks in the mid-80s and are now only 35; with inflation it should be far more. Thank you Koss for proving that some companies still know what value is. This is a bargain of the highest degree. Whoever invented these, I LOVE you!
Buy some for a friend; I have, many many times. And make sure to buy some for yourself; your life will become a lot sweeter, especially if you know how to let music take you far beyond this mortal coil.
My highest recommendation.