Koss PortaPro Headphones with Case
by Koss
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Koss PortaPro Headphones with Case
Customer Review: I'm back...the sound can't be beat!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a Portapro enthusiast for the past 4+ years. You've already read the hundreds rave reviews of the Portapro's phenomenal sound and being that I am in agreement with them all, I have little to add. I have several head phones from different manufacturers such as AKG, Sony, and Sennheiser and these beat all the more expensive open air and closed air headphones I have. The only headphones that are better are in-ear variety which I use conditions with a lot external noise such as on planes and working out at the gym.
However, recently I have fallen out of love with my Portapros and I think there are a lot of Portapro users who are in the closet about this particular design flaw that I'm about to elaborate on. First of all, let me explain that I have several mp3 players. Recently, I acquired mp3 players with large amounts of flash memory (16gb). Because of the long battery life inherent in these players (25 to 30 hours), I'm pretty much listening to them all day long, along with my Portapros. I wear these instead of the better sounding isolation earbuds because I need to hear the phone and be able to talk to people while wearing them.
With my extended hours of usage, I've been noticing that when I remove my Portapros, about 7 times out of 10 they pull at least one of my hairs out. I have developed a method of slow removal combined with pushing together adjustable metal frame that reduces the instance of this. This acts to release any hairs that have been captured by the sliding mechanism. However, because many times, I have to answer the phone quickly, I find myself having to pull off the Portapros at more normal speed -- and this results in too many instances of unauthorized hair removal.
Because of the great sound of the Portapro, I have been will to put up with it...until last night.
Last night I was at Office Depot and on a whim I purchased the Sony MDR-E828LP Fontopia Earbuds (with the wind-up case) for about 10 bucks. These are the most generic basic earbuds that Sony makes. Over the years, I have owned several of these and my experience with them was that these were entry-level headphones with entry-level sound. But when I plugged them in, I was in for a pleasant shock. These sounded great. They must of done some design improvements since I last tried them. Excellent full spectrum sound for metal, jazz, classical -- everything I listen to. Tight, natural bass response that, in my opinion, is at least 97% of the greatness of the Portapro -- all for a measly 10 bucks. Better sounding than the other headphones I have that cost several times as much.
Long story short...I've switched to Sony Fontopia's for the time being. The fact that they're not "in the ear" allows me to hear the phone and talk to people. But best of all -- no hair pulling.
I still like the Portapros for their sound. In fact a week ago, I wrote an email to Koss explaining the problem and they politely explained they were working a solution that didn't compromise the positive qualities of the current design.
That's cool. I'll be waiting. For now, I've hung up my Portapros. If there are other folks out there who have a problem with hair pulling like I did, the Sony Fontopia are a nice alternative for the being.
Revision 2/28/2011
In recent months, I've migrated back to using my Portapros. I'm just more careful when I take them off. There's nothing else like the sound on these babies. While I hope you guys fix the hair pulling, you're back to 5 stars.
Customer Review: outstanding value, w/ amazing warranty
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first got these headphones and compared them to the ones included with my Walkman back in 1997, I was amazed at the sound improvement, especially the strong bass these produce. I didn't know much about headphones at the time, but I took a chance on this brand I'd never heard of. Years later it's nice to know they're still considered among the best budget headphones you can buy. And to be fair, I'll mention other options.
Why the PortaPros are great:
- They sound much better than the cheap default throw-ins, especially if you like bass. I actually bought a larger pair of Koss headphones after this, but found out the PortaPros sounded better.
- They're the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. They're very lightweight and the pivoting earpad design accommodates ears that stick out. If not for the music you might forget they're on your head.
- They're conveniently portable. They fold into a little ball that's easily stored in a bag or backpack. I found this very convenient for walking between college classes.
- The price is a steal. Headphones get ridiculously expensive for those with remarkable hearing and wallets, but this is one of those models that will satisfy most people for well under $100.
- The No-Questions-Asked Lifetime Warranty. After years of use, my foam pads were deteriorating and part of my headband had come loose. I just sent my PortaPros back to Koss with a note and my address, and in about 2 weeks I got what looks and sounds like a new pair in the mail! I was so impressed, I decided to write this review.
Other headphones to consider:
- The Sennheiser PX100 seems to be the main competition, so they are worth checking out too. They're similarly affordable, lightweight and portable. I haven't had a chance to try on or listen to a pair.
- At the next level up are the Grado SR60 and SR80, which cost a bit more but are considered by many to be the best sound value out there. I had a chance to listen to some SR80s once; they sounded great but I found them to be somewhat uncomfortable due to the earpad pressure. After a while my ears were sore.
- If you prefer closed headphones (better isolation from outside noise- the previously mentioned phones will be audible to people near you), I'd take a look at the Sony MDR-7506/MDR-V6 and the Sennheiser HD280 Pro. These are also a step up in price, but considered a great value.
- See for yourself at review sites such as headphone.com, goodcans.com, etc.
Who wrote this review:
- I've done a lot of research, but I don't claim to be an expert or hard-core audiophile.
- I bought the PortaPro in late high school, and used them all throughout college to great satisfaction.
- Since then I've come to prefer clarity over exaggerated bass. My current favorite headphone is the Etymotic Research ER-4P. It's an odd comparison since the ER-4Ps are in-ear-canal headphones that cost several times as much. However, for the curious: the PortaPro can't compare in treble clarity, but they do have stronger bass, are slightly more comfortable, less fatiguing, and much cheaper. There are many steps up from the PortaPro, but it's a great, affordable place to start listening to good headphones.
NOTE: I actually have a pair of PortaPro Jr.s. From what I've read they are just PortaPros without the Comfort Zone switch on the temple pads. In any case, I'd assume the PortaPros are the same or a step up, and I'm very satisfied.
Customer Review: The Koss PortaPro shines in every area!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have recently realized that I am what some like to refer as an "audiophile." I've always loved good sound reproduction, excellent sound range as well as quality. When I was younger, I used to buy Koss pretty much exclusively. Lately though, I've been somewhat disappointed though with a few exceptions, the Koss PortaPro being at the top of the list!
These headphones have been around since I was a teenager and unlike me, they are still going strong! They have fantastic sound, they are not overly affected in the bass range (they don't add extra bass for the "boom boom" window rattlers out there), they are economical, comfortable and just all around a fantastic buy. Also, they are recommended by SERIOUS audiophiles as the best portable out there.
I can't agree with that entirely; I also recommend the Sennheiser PX-100 and PX-200 depending on your needs. But of the three, these are the least expensive but offer fantastic sound that you would expect to come out of a pair of full size cans (headphones, I guess I'm learning the audiophile lingo!).
The Koss PortaPro have the Comfort Zone temple pads that help make them even more comfortable and the pressure between temple and ear can be adjusted literally by the flick of a switch on ear side of your head. I have a massive head and these fit me with room to spare. I like the firmest setting on the Comfort Zone but I've tried the other two settings as well and I can honestly say that there is a difference; it is NOT just a gimmick. The Comfort Zone really works.
These are truly portable also! They fold up into a little ball that can then be placed into a convenient case that Koss provides. I personally would recommend buying a semi-hard shell case that Koss also sells just for the extra protection.
What more can I say? If you'd like a few other recommendations in the truly portable range, the Sennheiser PX-100 and PX-200 are rugged, comfortable and highly portable. (They collapse as well and fit into their own plastic case.) If you like earbuds, the Sennheiser MX-500 is wonderful with its in-line volume control; the sound is absolutely amazing for something so small. And finally, the Koss KTXPRO1 is an excellent portable headphone with an in-line volume control. It uses a Titanium element to drive it. All of these are great products but ultimately this particular review is about the Koss PortaPro and I really am blown away at how great these tiny portable cans truly are. I believe you will be too.
Though I've become somewhat disillusioned by Koss as I've become a so-called "audiophile" (why not just call me someone who really loves good sound to come through good instead of creating a term that sets me apart from everyone else?), I highly recommend these cans to you. If you are on a budget, you especially can't go wrong. Remember that Koss guarantees all their cans for life with their "no questions asked" guarantee. It's worth it! So as my review title states, "The Koss PortaPro shines in every area."
Oh, one last thing: Don't listen to people who say these cans are ugly or clunky; they aren't. The design is what gives the PortaPro its unique sound quality and I personally think they look cool! Ultimately though, it is the sound that matters, right? :)
Customer Review: 25 YEARS later, I still love my Koss PortaPro headphones
Summary: 5 Stars
Back in 1985, I had just purchased a new Walkman cassette player with FM radio. It was really nice to take music with me, but the flimsy headphones sold with the Walkman sounded flimsy, too. I needed something with a sound more comparable to my home stereo system, yet portable and affordable in case they were lost, damaged or stolen. On the other hand, I've never been afraid to pay for quality, if I was sure that's what I was getting.
Like now, most headphones then were sold sealed in plastic, making it impossible to listen before buying, but I had an advantage. At the time, I was in the military, and if you asked around on base, you could find someone who already owned most any set of headphones you wanted to try out. So I asked around and listened to at least fifty sets of headphones in all price ranges, from the cheapest sets hung by the register to the high end boutique models you just couldn't find without a careful search.
Of all the brands, I was most impressed by models from Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, Grado, and Koss. Hmm... These are generally brands well-respected for closed ear, full sized home headphone sets. This was even more the case back in '85.
So off I went to the store to pick up the lightest set of Audio-Technica for around $79, but there was a new Koss model I'd never seen there at the store. They were an unusual but lightweight folding design, with large, closed ear 'phone sized diaphragms. At only $35, I was willing to give these a shot, considering that the other Koss products I'd auditioned had such excellent sound quality.
So what about the product?
They're a little strange looking, but they are extremely comfortable once adjusted. The rubberized cord is durable and flexible. The portability is a nice feature, even though I usually just tucked them into a small pouch for travel, rather than folding them up.
Even though I expected good value from the brand, the full, lively and clean sound really impressed me, and still does. Clean, crisp treble without a trace of harshness; full, balanced midrange, and rich, fully present bass that stays clean and goes far lower than you might expect from this size and price range. These really do give the sound of a full, high quality home stereo system.
OK, so I like these a lot. They're probably the best portable headphone value available. But why write a review, 25 years later?
Because they still sound fabulous. They still beat the market in value for dollar. And because Koss stands behind their product better than anyone with a lifetime warranty.
In the 25 years since I purchased my PortaPro headphones, I literally wore out the wire connections twice, once near the jack, and once near one of the speaker elements, and each time, Koss has sent me a replacement set, no questions asked. They looked up my warranty registration from years ago, and that was it.
But if they ever give trouble again, I'll probably buy another set. Not because Koss won't replace them again free, but because they've earned it. And they have a new "25th Anniversary Edition" that's tempting me. ;)
Customer Review: Maybe the best Bang for your Buck Headphones Ever.
Summary: 5 Stars
I am most certainly not an audiophile but these headphones came highly recommended not only from other sites but from other people I know. They are a classic design from the eighties which is now nouveau chic again.I am a heavy heavy tech user and like to use high quality items and I demand a lot from them.
With that said these are my new favorite headphones (the one's that travel with me everywhere).I was skeptical even after reading all the reviews, thinking "How could something so reasonably priced really be as good as all of these reviews suggest." Well they can be and are, consider my doubts banished as I was pleasantly surprised. The reviews are correct, this is Koss' masterpiece, homerun, the epitome of what Koss represents.
I have a pair of Bose Triport Headphones and Senneheiser PX200's both of which are excellent headphones....and these Porta Pros are commandingly better (the Triports are "warmer" and the Senneheisers crisper, but I like the sound of these best as they are the cleanest clearest balance of warmth & crispness).
They are light weight, foldable, exceptionally comfortable and of coarse the sound quality is excellent.
Actually, I cannot say enough about the sound quality, it is well balanced, full, hits the highs, lows and everything in between accurately. They produce clean scratch that pristine audio that is a pleasure to listen to. I find myself searching out music that can challenge or push these and they just keep on producing beautiful music to my ears.
Essentially they are awesome. (period) They sound and function better than headphones easily two or three times their price, look cool if you're into retro and they are dirt cheap.
CONCERNS:
The only concerns if any are that the part that connects the earpiece to the headphone part doesn't seem very robust and may break eventually(though I haven't had any issues). Some may find that the metal headband might catch on their hair (something else I haven't had an issue with, though I have short hair) and finally, the foam pads over the earphones sort of scream I'm cheap and I will wear out on you. In defense of them, it does keep with the whole retro thing, it's really comfortable, it's easily replaceable, and they are in fact inexpensive, essentially who cares. Many of these small things have been ever so slightly adjusted on the Anniversary Edition of these gorgeous nearly perfect headphones (but for twice the price I wouldn't bother). Oh and Koss has an included lifetime warranty for the life of the product, ridiculous!(amazing) For me this tosses basically all of the concerns out the window.
Conclusion:
-Beautiful design and function (form and function married beautifully, just one of those products that is right on, balanced, perfect in most ways) Clearly the designers got it and knew what they were doing when they made these.
-Koss' famous lifetime warranty.
-Worth every penny, I would feel good about paying twice the price and wouldn't bat an eye. Awesome part is you don't have to. I would buy them again, for myself or others.