Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

Wonderful sound, but the wire will break at the connector after a few months. I've been through three pairs of these and they all had the same fate. The wire at the connector gives way, the right channel goes out, there's nothing you can do.

Perfect headphones except for this fatal flaw.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

I have known these headphones for years, now I just bought a pair as a spare set I can give to my mom for her to watch TV, or take with me when I'm in need of portability or at risk of losing stuff (you know. Like a drinking rampage situation).

The sound, of course, outclasses anything in the $30-50 range. Closest comparison I have are Senn HD 238 I used to have, made with a bit of a different approach to the listening experience, but similar qualities and standard. But these are twice the cost of the Pros.

The Pros have a typical Koss audiophile sensation to them, with wide, in this case open, well projected tones. The spatial quality and precision of tone could be more pronounced, but I guess it could be asking too much from headphones that cheap that have also been in the market for presumably more than 20 years. In general, the Koss earphones I had the pleasure of listening, excelled at producing expressive patches of sound, perfect for any kind of popular music, exceptionally for electronic, which I'm a huge fan of. Portapro are no exception to this, music is pervaded with this special feel.

One advantage of this product is portability. The earpieces can be folded, and the metal band can be reduced to minimum length for mobility. Put it in the leather bag you're supplied with and your headphones are packed into a pocket-sized gadget.

As for comfort, the minimalistic recipe makes them one of the most lightweight accessories I've ever had - that's a big plus. Despite what they look like, they don't pinch or rub against ears or head, the metal band too is rather comfy (unless, from what I've heard, you have long hair - then it may tug at them. Earpieces have a quite delicate feeling to the ears. You can also adjust them to 3 settings (firm, balanced, light) in case they were too tight; to me, an everyday closed headphones user, the firm setting is light enough.

The Pros also differ from most available headphones in their outlook. The design was probably very fashionable in the 80s, when they emerged (at least from what I know), now it may seem a bit outdated, but it doesn't trouble me. For most part it's a minimalistic contrast of black plastic and pads, silver metal and blue buttons and finish of the earpieces. It may seem beautiful to some, and cheesy to others, to me it's just not outstanding but for sure characteristic. I tend to like them.

To summarize the above, I would definitely advise anybody to buy them for their sound. It's a good choice whether you're looking to save as much money as possible and still get great sound, or to buy a second pair for any reason, like different sound, different use, etc.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

The ONLY problem with this headphone is that if you have long hair it can snag your hair.

I keep my hair low so that's not an issue.

This headphone rocks!

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

Better sound than $200+ headphones! I was torn between Beats by Dre Solo, a pair of Sennheisers, Bose, or Koss portapro. Having listened to all except,the portapro, I choose the portapro's. I will be sticking with these headphones for life! Every sound produced is amazing, and the bass response is way above other phones! Buy them, more than worth it! You won't believe what you paid for them after you listen.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

I've used these headphones for years and I am very satisfied with the sound. It's probably the best sounding headphones in its price range and I would not have trust to any other kind unless I hear anything that sounds better. Good bass and a high overall sound quality. I listen to very different styles of music and it sounds excellent regardless. They have broken a few times over the years (usually due to me being clumsy with the cord) but they come with a lifetime guarantee.
Note that these headphones have excellent quality but are not meant for recording studios. They do "leak" some sound since they are not isolated, which means if you have loud music others will hear softly what you are listening to. They currently (December 2011) only seem to be available online

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

These headphones sound awesome. If you're looking into these then you probably already know that from all the amazing reviews online.

So I'll address other things:
1. They are authentic. I've ordered these before from other sites and then had to return them. My sister and I have originals from before so we can compare grooves and textures and cord length etc etc. B&H is selling the real deal.
2. Delivery, was fast. I live in Ontario and I think it took 6 business days to arrive.

Again, these sound so good. Brass instruments sound amazing. Electronic music sounds awesome; both bass and highs and everything in between sounds crisp and vivid.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

VERY GOOD

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

the sound is great for a cheap price

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

I own the bose quiet headphones and their great problem is you have to charge them....ugh....and their almost 300.00 bucks. I remember as a kid (I'm 50 now) that Koss were the headphones to have and for the 30.00 bucks I figure what the heck. WOW! They sound as good as the bose, no need for charging and have a metal head band not a cheap piece of plastic. I LOVE them, I actually gave the bose to my 10 year old son for his i-pod. If I had to pick one issue it's the cord is a little too short, nothing an extention doesn't fix however.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

I accidentally broke my last pair after 13 years. My audiophile friend recommended these way back in 1998 (PortaPro's haven't changed much since 1984). They continue to have amazing sound quality for the money. The frequency range is huge, build quality is also good and fits just about any size head. Beware of knockoffs a few bucks cheaper. Get them!

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

This is my second set of Porta Pro. It is a small headphone set for use outdoors, while traveling, at the gym or at the beach, or any situation where you cannot use a bigger set.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

The bass is great. Difficult to find such deep bass with small headphones. In fact the bass is so powerful that I find it sometimes a bit too much. I had to select a specific equalizer on my iPod to correct it. But now they sound perfect. Better too much bass than not enough.

Otherwise, the hold is firm; I can do my jogging with it. Comes with a protective pouch.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

I use the headphones for to listen to my iPod on the Subway.

I like how its metallic head band is very flexible, I can toss it in my backpack, and I'm off. The head band also countours to my head snugly.

It looks a bit cheapy, and I would've love to see a fully encapsulated headphone (noise-canceling), but I'll definitely recommend this to others

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

I've bought them for my iPod, they sound great!, although the may look ugly for some, I am not bothered by their appearance. The sound is less bright than the sound from the KSC 75, but the tonal balance is better. Some people may complain that they are open headphones, but I always use them in quiet environments to enjoy the music. Another good thing is that they include an adapter for the bigger plug found in stereos.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

These get used with portable mp3 players, and they sound great.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

I've been trying to find the right combination of headphones and headphone amplifier to use with my I Pod while riding my Harley. Getting past the loud exhaust is not easy. Last month I found a headphone amp built for bikes at electric avenues (amplirider) which had so much gain that my headphones couldn't handle it without distorting. Before I bought the porta-pro's I bought just about every name brand headphones there was. Gary at electric avenues recommended Koss Porta-Pro's and all I can say is "WoW". Great bass and full range, they can handle my amp without distorting and Its the only over the head band that doesn't interfere with wearing a half helmet.If you ride these are "the ones" and if you don't, same thing.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

I purchased these at the B&H store in person back in March. My other headphones are AKG K271s (also purchased from B&H in 2004) and Shure E4C IEMs. While the sound quality of the PortaPros doesn't match those of $200 head/earphones, they fill a gap in my lineup that needed to be filled.

They have surprisingly good bass, especially from underpowered sound sources like smartphones and laptop headphone jacks. They allow me to wear them and hear my surroundings, which is what I purchased them for. I didn't want to get run over crossing the street in NYC while wearing my E4Cs.

Downsides, of course, include noise leakage. They aren't the clearest sound-wise, but they're leagues ahead of what other $30-range head/earphones I've tried. The headband came apart once and it took me a little while to figure out how to reassemble it, but it doesn't appear that I've actually broken anything. If I had, I would have taken comfort in their lifetime, no questions asked warranty that I only heard about after I had purchased them.

Highly recommended.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

As a user of Bose, Beats, and Sennheiser products, understand the weight of my words when I say these headphones are above and beyond the best pair I have ever used.

For a fraction of the price of other quality headphones the Portapros seem to have no limit when it comes to frequency, searing synthesizers and thumping base both come out in absolute clarity at any volume level. As well as reaching the peaks and valleys with ease, I have not noticed any rattling of the headphones at any frequency, despite its light weight.

Speaking of the weight, the portability of the headphones show ingenious design. Durable and collapsible, I was very pleased to find how easily I could take the Portapros around without fear of damaging them.

I can think of only two setbacks to the headphones. First, the 3.5mm jack is smaller and appears to be somewhat more delicate than the one shown in the picture. Second, there was no mobile headset available, which would have been much preferred, when you take smartphones into consideration.

Otherwise, I doubt I could find such a spectacular pair of headphones for such a remarkable price. Buy them!

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

The PortaPro headphones are one of my favourite over ear headphones i've come across.

The major problem with them is how flimsy they are. I have gone through two pairs in the last two years because they break real easy. First, the on-ear bit broke off and then the cord hooking up to the jack busted, making only one ear usable.

They do have a great sound for the value though. I think with better care, this new pair will last longer.

Comments about Koss PortaPro Stereo Headphones:

Used them for everyday listening.Roll up to fit in jacket pocket.Great sound, and keeps you aware of your surrounding so good for outdoors on the busy streets.Easily the best under $50 headphones.I bought Grado S60 and returned them to buy these because of the portability and comfort.Recently my Porta Pros broke and all along I thought I would get grados but they are just not practical for commute. Might look at Marshall Major, which sound pretty good and fold up like the porta pro or might end buy buying them again.many of my friends who tried these ended up buying them. so yea... wouldnt hurt to own one of these just in case.