|
| 
 enlarge
| Brand: Koss
Category: CE
List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $31.58
You Save: $18.41 (37%)
New (23) from $31.58
Avg. Customer Rating:  324 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Number Of Items: 1
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 88.6 x 68.9 x 19.7
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
MPN: Porta Pro
Model: 155491
UPC: 021299101384
EAN: 4260043720099
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 The best December 16, 2003
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I just had to chime in when I saw another reviewer saying the Sportapros were as good as the Portapros for sound. My experience was that there was a significant difference in sound quality between the two. I WANTED the Sportapros to sound great, but they didn't. I went back to the Portapros, which I've used for 20 plus years. They in fact are very rugged, as I use them running all the time, and jam them into my suitcase. If there's ever a problem, the lifetime warranty covers that! (I think you send Koss $6.00 for S&H). I do something a little weird, though, and that's make them LOOK like Sportapros by spraypainting them flat black and putting some black tennis grip tape on the shiny aluminum headband (this sets the adjustable head sizing band specifically for my size, too). Just some ideas!
 Great sound, at least to the nearly tin ear January 28, 2005
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I bought these from Amazon (and, I would add, the Amazon experience was excellent as it always has been for me), based on the reasonable price and the rave reviews here and at goodcans.com. Up front I will say that, while I am a lifelong (50+ years) listener of music and can distinguish the difference between so-so audio equipment and good stuff, I am definitely not an audiophile.
I have a new Creative Zen Micro and wanted an upgrade from the earbuds supplied, as everyone claimed you "have to get a good set of cans" to replace them, and, well, I just had to see for myself. On my initial session with the PortaPro's I convinced myself that they were indeed stereophonically superior, though they did not blow me away as I had hoped.
Now, while many self-proclaimed audiophiles (and that's not a put down--more power to you) claim headphones have to be burned in before they sound their best, I have trouble comprehending how that can be. I'm not saying it isn't so, only that I, due to my own ignorance in that area, cannot accept it at face value until someone can show me reasonable evidence of the phenomenon. In short, I am a skeptic who believes nearly nothing I hear and only half of what I see. Anyway, after 3 weeks I have not noticed any difference in the quality. How long does this burn-in take, I wonder?
I have little recent history in headphones and little to compare the PortaPro's to, but I did visit Best Buy and try the Bose TriPorts ($150), which likewise sounded good but did not knock my socks off, though I will say I found them far more comfortable than the PortaPro's. I went back after getting the PortaPro's and listened to the Bose again and still feel the Bose is not worth the extra $$$.
After 2 weeks of listening, I had occasion to more conveniently use the earbuds that came with the Zen, and then was more or less blown away by the fact that I could not believe how good they sounded in comparison, frankly not noticing any significant loss of stereophonic quality! I didn't use the earbuds very long, so perhaps with more experimental comparisons I would change that opinion.
I question that it was necessary for me to purchase the PortaPro's at all, which are something of a hassle to deal with, trying to stuff them into the undersized pouch provided. Also, while everyone raves about the comfort, I find they grow somewhat uncomfortable for me after about an hour or so, though it is not enough to keep me from using them. The earbuds are quite comfortable, have better sound quality than any others I've owned over the years (mostly Sony) and are far more convenient. As to "ugly," I don't agree, only that they are different, and I sort of like that.
I keep thinking I would like to have a really good set of headphones, like Grados maybe, or some expensive closed cans, for home use, as I am sure there is superior sound quality out there to be had. But, for the money, the PortaPro's are definitely a nice sound, and most people with just an average ear should be pleased with them. I rate them a 4 because 5 is definitely too high, and 3 is really unfair; a 3.5 would be a more reasonable rating, from my perspective.
Not bad for cheapy cans!!! April 5, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
As a means for comparison, I own Westone's Um2, Shure's e3, Sennheiser's HD202 and PX200. My favorite is Westone's Um2, but at a pricepoint average of about 300 big ones, they are an unfair measure for comparison. Koss's portapros offer good sound and are well worth the purchase price of about 40 bucks. The packaging boasts incredible bass...euphoria for bassheads indeed. I, however, find the bass to be a tad bit overwhelming. Even after the "burn-in period," the bass is still to thick and unbalanced for my taste. I'm not so certain the phenomena of the "burn-in period" is an actual physical state that transpires after hours of usage. I think it's more a psychosomatic state...one becomes accustomed to the sound quality eventually as one continues to listen. Since these cans are engineered to deliver more bass, I can't really fault them on that principle. The portapros are certainly far better than Sennheiser's px200 which lack bass altogether. As for comfort and build quality, not very on both fronts. The adjustable pressure points on the headband are a nuisance after some time. Perhaps because I'm proned to headaches, but they really do squeeze tight at some point regardless of the setting. Build quality is 40 dollar build quality. I'm sure they'll go the distance with proper care. Be mindful of your hair, I've lost some by the root with the portapros. If you like a lot of bass, these cans are for you. For a much more balanced sound, give Sennheiser's HD202 a shot and of course my favorite, Westone's UM2. I didn't really mention Shure's e3 in this review because I fell out of love with them.
 Won't Ship To Military January 20, 2006
6 out of 55 found this review helpful
I wouldn't know how to rate this product! I am an active duty marine stationed serving in Iraq. I wanted to order a set of headphones so I could listen to music at night. I tried to order them and AMAZON won't ship the product here. This part is the best: The address we use in the military to get mail is the same as an address in the US. It costs the same for the sender. There is ABSOLUTELY no reason to not ship to APO AE address. At least I wasted my time looking through all the products just to find out I can't order from you. Since i only have a limited time I can use the internet, perhaps you could put a new sort category that would identify who will ship to servicemen in Iraq.
 Koss PortaPro Headphones not as comfortable as expected November 19, 2006
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I purchased the Koss PortaPro Headphones and the Sennheiser PX 100 Headphones at the same time 09/04/06. The Koss PortaPro Headphones were not as comfortable as expected based on what I had read prior to purchase.
After about 15 minutes I wanted to take them off. The sound quality was excellent however. But what good is that if they are not comfortable [to me]. The Sennheiser PX 100 Headphones were just the opposite of the Koss! They were very comfortable - hours on end. Sound quality was very good, but a cut below the Koss. Bottom line - for an expected short listening sesson where I want the best sound - I use the Koss. Otherwise it's the Sennheiser most of the time.
|
|
|
2005-2007 Zone1electronics All rights reserved.
| |
