Review by I wanted a simple and affordable pair of headphones for my portable CD player (since stolen) and for music and games on my laptop. I would have settled for any cheap set of headphones, but decided to do some research and get the best of the low-priced headphones available.
My search led me to the fantastic headphone review site, HeadRoom. At the time they described the Koss PortaPro headphones as the best available under $50 (US). Since then, they’ve updated the review to say that the Sennheiser PX100s are even better in the same price range. I have not tried the Sennheisers, but they are probably worth checking out.
The headphones fold into a compact package that can easily be packed for travel.
The PortaPros look like a cheap pair of headphones. However, they are strong and durable. They fold into an amazingly small shape for travel, and are quite comfortable to wear.
They sound far better than I expected was possible in a below-$50 set of headphones. They also do not bleed much sound, so you can listen without disturbing others. While this may be a positive or negative aspect, depending on how you use them, they also don’t block out much other sound - so you can tell when someone is talking to you (I like this about them - but it’s not great on a noisy flight).
The only negative issue so far has been that that foam padding has started to wear and tear. However, this wasn’t until after over a year of frequent use.
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Comments
piter from Poland - February 2, 2005 2:25 pm
Thanks for this post, Im searching the best headphones in my country. Koss are more expensive then USA (about 80 $) but I dont find better. Piter
Johan DeSilva - July 13, 2005 8:02 am
Koss PortaPro Headphones are the best headphones since the 80's.
Grado SR60's are the next best thing but they are not very portable!
Chris Bidmead - December 18, 2005 5:14 am
Yes, the foam pads do wear out -- mine after a couple of years. But it's worth knowing that you can replace these by mail order directly from Koss. Two sets of foam pads -- that's the ear pads and the side-of-head pads, four pads in all -- cost me the princely sum of $5.00. That's including postage. Any complaints?
--
Chris
Johan DeSilva - March 3, 2006 5:29 am
I have done my own audiophile review of the Koss for use with portable movie playback and music.
Michael Gauthier - March 3, 2006 10:36 am
After reading my coworker's review and being in the market for a set of decent sounding headphones I bought a set of Koss PortaPros.
The sound is indeed great. The only problem I have had is after about a year of use an annoying buzz developed in the left earpiece. I considered shipping the headphones back to Koss under their lifetime warrenty but eventually I removed the foam pad from the left earpiece and discovered two hairs sitting on top of the driver. After removing the hairs audio is once again crystal clear. I guess that's what I get for having unruly hair.
Eric Adams - May 10, 2006 12:21 pm
The PortaPros are indeed an amazing headphone. The bass is fantastic. They outperform many much higher priced hi-fi headphones.
James - October 5, 2006 3:29 pm
These are the best at under $ 75.00, forget $ 50.00
I have two pair and they outperform far higher priced headphones!
KOBO - November 2, 2006 4:36 pm
After 10 years my PortaPros still deliver the excellent sound they had when I got them. Koss may have dropped the ball on their latest stuff, but these things are still great.
Stephen - December 14, 2006 3:42 pm
Hi Chris or anyone out there who can help me get a replacement set for my foam pads. Mine is worn off and I do not know where I can get another set.
thanks. I live In Victoria B.C. Canada
Steve
Patrick - December 29, 2006 5:02 pm
Stephen: http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/csfrec?OpenForm&Start=75&Seq=1 or just http://www.koss.com/ and select "Find replacement Ear Cushions" in the navigation bar.
daneger - January 22, 2007 5:30 pm
if i wouldn't have smashed my PP's while snowboarding, they would sit in my collection as the most under-rated and over-achieving headphones to date. KOSS may blow now, but these offer redemption.
Wendy - April 27, 2007 3:46 pm
The little black plastic clips on the metal rail of mine broke but I still use them with a clip holding the two sides together. These headphones are truly amazing. I agree with previous comments that they are underrated and outperform far higher priced headphones.
I recent bought the Bang & Olufsen A8 and Form2 headphones (mostly for the looks and to add to my collection), the sound from the Form2 s are very noticably thinner in depth. The A8s are not bad for ear buds.
I am waiting for my pair of Grado SR325 to arrive hope they are superior to the Koss which I use as my yardstick. I will continue to enjoy the Koss even with more expensive ones in my collection.
JB - January 3, 2008 4:26 pm
They feel a bit flimsy, bass is slightly too loud, cord is very very short and no volume controller. Also they seem to hiss a little and trying to change the volume settings to be more quiet in OS (Windows in this case) doesn't seem to help out (but this could be because of my soundcard etc?)
Otherwise for the price, they are very good. Good sound quality, comfortable, very lite, pretty good sound insulation from the outside world (but not too much) and low price. I got them with 30€ which is a bargain. (And yeha my english isn't perfect mmkay)
john - January 16, 2008 12:34 am
PortaPro headphones are on order the Sennheiser PX100s sounded great but snapped like a twig. I also have the Sennheiser pro HD 280's and the Sennheiser 202's, they fine but not any better than the PortaPros for the average ear. I have come to hate the 280's because they are flat and if they touch anything like a head rest the sound is so loud I can't relax siting if I rest my head.
I had the Koss phones for years and died ager 10 plus years, When the koss get here goodwill will get the Sennheiser 280s and the 202s, the 100's will hit the garbage.
Louis - January 21, 2008 2:53 pm
Michael Gauthier: You're the man. I was just about to send them back for repair for the same problem. I just did what you said and now they sound perfect again.
Carlot Chery - March 21, 2008 3:39 pm
I have a Porta-pro and all of a sudden left speaker does not work any more. Where in Canada can I send it for warranty replace. Thanks.
Mike Gauthier - June 28, 2008 4:04 pm
JB,
The hiss is probably from your sound card. There are no internal electronics that could cause a hiss in the phones themselves.
I do know what you mean about a short cord though. I had to buy a headphone extension cable to use these phones on the computer that lives under my desk.