Headphones
Koss Porta Pro
We've long been a fan of these little open-back, earpad style headphones for those wanting a compact and good sounding upgrade for their portable listening. The sound is unmatched at this price, and they conveniently fold up into a compact and sturdy little bundle for storage and transport. Comes with Koss' outstanding life-time warranty.
Product Features:
- Best sound quality in category/price.
- Open design let's you remain aware of your surroundings.
- Rolls up and clips into convenient wad for transport and storage.
- Comes with Koss' killer life-time warranty.
What's In The Box:
- 1/4" adaptor
Applications:
These could be our favorite $50-and-under headphone. The Koss PortaPros are a killer-sounding portable headphone at an incredible price -- matter of fact, some headphone afficionados think the Koss actually sound better than some mobile-oriented headphones at twice the price! If you have an iPod, MP3 player, laptop/PC computer, portable CD/DVD/MiniDisc player, WalkMan, or portable radio, these will perform wonderfully for all music genres. These are likely THE clearest-sounding & best musically-detailed mobile headphones for all your portable audio needs. Moreover, that sweet Koss limited lifetime warranty sure doesn't hurt any; break 'em and Koss repairs or replaces the headphones as long as you keep the original authorized dealer (like HeadRoom!) product purchase receipt.
Two small pads on the sides of the PortaPro headband allow the headphones to rest simultaneously on your ears and on the sides of your head, giving them a very secure feel in active applications. The earpieces collapse inward and the headband curls up to clip at each end, allowing the headphones to fold down quite small for storage / travel. The headphone's 'Y'-type cord is connected at each earpiece by a short straight-type 4.5ft cable, and it is terminated to a 1/8" (3.5mm) mini-plug jack. A full-size 1/4" plug adapter is handily included in the Koss package. Lifetime Koss warranty!
Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 101 dB/mW
- Cord Type: Straight Y
- Coupler Size: Small
- Cord Length: 4 ft. (1.2 m)
- Weight: 2.5
- Microphone: No
- Driver Type: Dynamic
- Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Detachable Cable: No
- Isolation: 0
- Connector Type: 1/8"
- Ear Coupler Type: Earpad
- Impedance @ 1kHz: 60
- Wireless: No
- Headphone Type: Earpad
- Noise Cancelling: No
- Warranty: LIFETIME
- Acoustic Seal: Open
Additional Resources:
- Manufacturer's Website
- http://www.koss.com/
- Product Reviews
- GoodSound! September 2002
- Playlist Review
Average Customer Rating: by LD from on 2010-01-20
Pros: Sound Quality, Ergonomics, Comfort, Cost
Cons: Bass Too Much At Times, Leaks Sound, Ugly
Would you recommend this product: Yes
You want the best portable headphone in the world? This (and it's sibling the Sportapro) is, I believe, it. The sound is very high quality, like listening to the world's best stereos. Some music does sound too bassy for my tastes but overall the warm sound pours out accurate and very pleasing to the ears. Yes, it's that good for only $50.00.
They grip your head without the feeling of pressure and will never fall off your head. They do look and feel cheap and are fairly delicate but should last you a good amount of time before you have to send them back to Koss for replacement. Beware they leak lots of sound. Anyone within 50 feet or so of you in a quiet environment will hear them if you have them at moderate to loud volume. Not good for public transport.
If you love or like music don't take my word (and the words of countless others)try these out. Lifetime warranty from Koss. A lifetime of enjoying your life to the fullest to gain and only shipping costs to lose if you send them back.
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by A HeadRoom Fan from washington, dc on 2010-02-03
Would you recommend this product: Yes
These compete with the Sennheiser PX-100 for the best portable, small-size, earpad headphones. Personally, I prefer the PX-100. Although the PX-100 has a darker and less sparkly sound, I find its presentation to be overall more satisfying in the richness of its mids. However, the high-end energy and sparkle of the Porta Pro cannot be beat, especially for the price. If you like the retro look of these headphones, go for it. You will not be disappointed. The only downside I have with these is that the fit is a little awkward, and the headband tends to pull out a little bit of my hair each time I take them off. Relatively minor quibble on an otherwise excellent headphone.
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by Doctor Detail from Northern New Jersey on 2010-02-03
Pros: stays on head, value, sensitivity, warranty
Cons: appearance, cable, carrying bag
Would you recommend this product: Yes
Pros
these stay on your head, which is key if you are working out. Plus, they are not closed, so you are not completely ambivalent re. your environment (running near cars). They are a good value, have great sensitivity so work well with Ipods, and have a great warranty and support on the phone.
Cons
They are a little dorky looking. The new cable's plastic is softer and more pliable (a good thing in cold weather), but the new cable seems a little thinner (not a good thing) and is terminated with a straight plug as opposed to the 90 degree plug they used to use...the ninety degree plug may cost Koss an extra 5 cents, but I miss it because sticking in my headphones is now a two-handed operation. The carrying bag is also about 1 inch too small, making getting the headphones into it not only a frustrating experience, but also one that wails on the foam earpads.
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by mritt400 from Upstate NY on 2010-02-01
Pros: Great sound, Classic style, Great value for money
Cons: None for me...
Would you recommend this product: Yes
The Porta Pro’s are some of my favorite headphones. Sound-wise, these will be a clear improvement from your stock player buds although some may say they are a bit strong in the bass department. I find the sound to be reasonably balanced for my tastes – and especially for the price. They are an open design so, if you are rocking out, you will be sharing your music. The build is solid and they are quite portable as a result.
The love-it-or-hate-it Tron, retro aesthetic is one of the coolest and most unique things about these headphones. The “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” design approach is refreshing these days and seems to have served Koss well - especially considering these have remained identical for all those years. As is the case with most Koss products, they are a wise choice considering the performance, warranty, and overall value for money.
The Porta Pro’s are the same as they ever were and as a result, they are unapologetically original - unquestionable modern classics.
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by Rocket Richard from San Diego, CA on 2010-01-30
Pros: balance, clarity for the price
Would you recommend this product: Yes
A friend of mine has these and is really annoying in that he won't stop praising them! They sound remarkably natural and clear for the price. I would have bought them myself except at the time the Sennheiser PX100 was available for about the same money and was just a better looking phone to me. The PX100 II has moved upmarket and is now significantly more expensive, leaving these as the value leaders. And for those people who are hard on their possessions (not me, fortunately) the lifetime warranty might just clinch the deal.
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by Magedark from on 2010-01-24
Would you recommend this product: Yes
There's a very good reason why this headphone has been on the market for 25 years, it's just that good. This headphone is a classic that quite a few people will remember, if not for its outrageous looks.
This is easily driven by iPods, or by my case, my Sansa Clip+. At first buy, I was overwhelmed by how this actually could sound. The bass is there, and makes quite a presence, but isn't too overpowering. The treble is a bit overpowered, but it is quite manageable. The dynamics all blend together, and it sounds lovely with all types of genres, across the board.
The portapros are unique in their looks, and the adjustment band on its side. It is adjustable for how much pressure are put on your ears. It's pretty comfortable, but be wary if you have long or unruly hair, as it may get stuck on the headband adjusters, and it's quite painful.
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by Rick-K from Long Island on 2010-01-18
Pros: Comfortable. Sounds better than you might imagine. Folds.
Cons: metal headband in contact with hair may pull
Would you recommend this product: Yes
If my entire music life was an iPod without hope of an external amp I would be very content with these headphones. Add the buy them once in a lifetime warranty and you have the perfect portable companion. Yes they "leak" sound and yes they offer no isolation but for most occasions this is ok. I buy these as gifts for my headphone challenged friends and family.
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by IRONSNAKEMX from LAREDO, TX on 2010-01-13
Pros: The sound is unmatched at this pricepoint , very comfortable
Cons: Nothing at this price, i dont expect a pair 50 $ cans to have leather pads or wood
Would you recommend this product: Yes
this headphones sound awsome , i could not believe the powerfull sound that this baby can produce, i have a lot of sennheiser headphones (pmx100, pxc250, OMx52) and shure SE110 and the portapro wins hands down, bass is big and powerfull but it does not affect the mids and highs at all , everything from pop to Country sound good on this headphones.
Overall i give them a 9.8 out of 10
Plus the lifetime warranty is great if you are as messy as me :D
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by dasmb from Albany, NY on 2010-01-13
Pros: Lightweight, good bass, good cord, highly portable, comfortable
Cons: Not super accurate, looks aren't fantastic
Would you recommend this product: Yes
Listening to these next to the Grado RS-2s, I'm surprised at how close they come. For that last 10-20% of sound quality, you pay 10 times as much. Sound is a little hazy in the top end and bass is certainly punchier than ordinary, but for the price this is insane sound quality. The cord, which is the main complain I had about the iGrados, looks durable as hell; the rest of the phones seems flimsy but with a lifetime warranty and 25 years of practice it can't be all that bad. This is the comfortable, knockaround phone I have been searching for; for some it may be the only phone you need.
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