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
- Cnet, Justin Yu
Average Rating
Posted by StratCat from Cuernavaca, Mexico on 2010-02-11
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Comfortable, low price, compact, lifetime guarantee
Cons: Less than stellar sound quality, strange-looking
I have to say that I'm really satisfied with them. First, they're very comfortable, the temporal pads help in relieve pressure from the outer ear, which avoids fatigue, and they also hold the headphones tight around your head, so they just don't move around while walking/jogging.
Secondly, their open back design let's you easily keep your awareness of the outside world, while also helping in the soundstage/headstage department: the sound feels somewhat less "inside your head", specially if you use somekind of crossfeed processing, like with HeadRoom's BitHead/AirHead amps.
Third, the sound quality, while not stellar is quite acceptable. In fact, to my ears these cans sound just about the same as my SR-80i at 50% the price: bass is somewhat exagerated and dominates the mids somewhat, while the treble sounds muffled. Still, I've found that the positioning of the drivers over the outer ear helps alleviate this situation somewhat, as does the 'Comfort Zone' feature: as the driver is pressed less upon the ear, the bass is somewhat lessened.
Sound quality does improve a bit with a good portable amplifier, highs shine a tad more and the bass becomes more controlled; though it's not a night and day difference. Obviously, for the price of this cans, value ratio IS stellar!
About the only 'bad' thing I can say about these cans is that they elicit somewhat strange looks from people around you. While I do enjoy their retro look, it's definitely not universally appraised. Then again, some might enjoy the extra attention they'll get !
Overall, these are nice little headphones that I'd recommend to those looking for a set for walking, jogging, I even wear them to the supermarket when shopping for groceries!
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Posted by st.even from montpelier, oh on 2010-02-10
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Great Sound, good bass, audiophile aprove
Cons: 80's style, May not look cool compare to earbuds
Problem sometime I get my hair stuck with the steel band
You won't regret this purchase trust me
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Posted by A HeadRoom Fan from washington, dc on 2010-02-03
Recommend Product: Yes
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