Warm - Koss Portapro Headphones - $31 shipped

[kellerwilliams]

First Post, Long time Lurker - Didn't see anything on these in a search so pardon me if I missed something.

I have been skeptical of Koss branded devices in the past, but these headphones are the exception. I have been borrowing a set from a co-worker for the past month, but I thought it was time to get my own. Normal price from Koss.com is $50 + shipping, but a google search for koss portapro coupon will reveal a $25 off coupon that can be used to purchase at the Koss site . Cheapest from other websites w/shipping is at least $40, so $31 is a bargain for these.

People tend to either love or hate the design, but the sound can't be beat. Epinions reviews here .

 

[Replay]

There is a deal with 2 pairs of titanium element headphones, model KTXPRO1, for $26 shipped Discussion HERE. Not the same model, but they probably use the same driver. Got mine and they sound great. There may also be some money-off promotions with $40 purchases.

 

[SpacemanSpiffVT]

hmm might have to get those 2 pairs for 26...

tho i dont really need 2 pairs...

 

[quik2^^]

that is the ugliest headphones I've ever seen in my life. Don't get caught using those in public places, keep it locked up in your room

 

[zodder]

Bump for a sweet deal on some excellent headphones.

 

[corinthos]

Ugly? dunno... I think the hot chix would dig a dude sporting these 'phonez...

 

[iwearnosox]

Potato headphones?

Mmmmm...

 

[KevinF]

These headphones are great for the money; try Head-Fi for more information.

 

[benklop]

So which are better head phones, the two pair for 26 dollars or the PortaPros for 31? Also, are these suitable for running off of my Sony MP3 CD player? They aren't going to rapidly drain my batteries right?

 

[SwishSween]

Originally posted by: benklop
So which are better head phones, the two pair for 26 dollars or the PortaPros for 31? Also, are these suitable for running off of my Sony MP3 CD player? They aren't going to rapidly drain my batteries right?

Both of these headphones are pretty efficient and shouldn't drain your batteries any more than any other 'phones. I would think that either pair would be good for portable use. I ordered the 2 for $26 because both my g/f and I needed a pair of phones and the reviews I've seen so far look very good. I also got them because they would be used for running/working out, which I didn't think the portapros were as well suited for. My cans were supposed to ship out on Monday (yesterday) so I'll let you know what I think if I get them soon.

 

[amnesiac]

These are hands down my favorite headphones, mainly because they are not only cheap compared to grado/sennheiser, but have amazing frequency response. You can actually feel the drivers pulse against your ears with the bass.

 

[caramelle]

Koss.com may charge $6 for shipping.
Amazon.com is selling Portapro for $34.94, free shipping, no tax. Use $5 off coupon code to save more.
Link

 

[pappupager]

Originally posted by: caramelle
Koss.com may charge $6 for shipping.
Amazon.com is selling Portapro for $34.94, free shipping, no tax. Use $5 off coupon code to save more.
Link

I think the $31 includes shipping charges.

 

[TekDemon]

I was really annoyed to find that the KTX Pro had dropped so much in price vs the PortaPros I bought.

I like the Porta Pros...excellent for the size, weight, etc...although the open design pisses off the people at the library...

I heard the KTX Pro's are slightly tighter on the head though...the porta pros are fine for me(and are adjustable in so many ways). But you can stretch em out.

 

[benklop]

Do the PortaPros and the other head phones use the same drivers? Which are more comfortable? If they are both equal then I might as well get the two pair seeing as how they are cheaper and don't have the retarded PortaPro design.

 

[benklop]

Also, how much sound gets out of these headphones? Would they be suitable for using in say, the library or in a quiet classroom?

 

[cremefilled]

The PortaPro's, PortaPro Jr.'s, KTX-Pro's, KSC-35's, and KSC-50's--and probably others--all use the same drivers. So the differences are in cost, aesthetics, and especially comfort. The PortaPro's command the highest price probably because they were on the market first (maybe 20 years ago), and they were pretty revolutionary for their time. That was back when portable CD players were an amazing novelty. Their price has stayed at $50 ever since.

I think that the PortaPro Jr.'s are the most comfortable in the series, but they do look dorky. The KSC-50's are also quite comfortable, and they look a bit odd, but not bad. They are good to wear in the gym. Warning: The KTX-Pro's I find quite uncomfortable after about an hour. They pinch my eyeglasses, although they are uncomfortable even apart from that.

Radio Shack has rebranded versions of the KTX-Pro and the PortaPro Jr.'s, so I'd suggest trying there before you buy. KSC-50's from Amazon for about $15 make a nice "tack-on" order with something else, so that the shipping is free.

 

[cremefilled]

benklop, these are "open-air" headphones, so you wouldn't be able to play them at all loud at a library. You might want to look into a pair of earbud earphones--Aiwa makes good ones in the $15 pricerange, and the Sony's at $40 are better yet.

 

[Squalish2357]

Originally posted by: cremefilled
benklop, these are "open-air" headphones, so you wouldn't be able to play them at all loud at a library. You might want to look into a pair of earbud earphones--Aiwa makes good ones in the $15 pricerange, and the Sony's at $40 are better yet.

*<$30 price plan*
For earbuds, the Sennheiser mx500's for less than $20 at amazon(the price fluctuates) are one of the best deals. For clipons, KSC-35's can be found for sale on forums for $20 NIB. For open phones, the Portapro is the best deal. Closed phones aren't very good until you get up into the >$50 range.

 

[zodder]

OMG! I just got my KTXPRO1s and what a great sound! I was thinking about getting a new MP3 player because the sound sucked, but these things are amazing. I had no idea my Nomad could sound this good! I don't claim to be a hifi guru, but I know what good music sounds like. Needless to say, my cheapo Altec Lansing phones are now sitting in my garbage can.

 

[benklop]

Hey sorry to bring this thread up again but how much sound do the Koss KSC-35s let out? I need something that I can listen to at a reasonable volume in a quiet place without disturbing people around me. I really wish I had the cash to throw at those Etymotics but I don't think I could justify a 250 dollar pair of headphones for strictly portable use, no matter how good they sound.

 

[Boogak]

Originally posted by: Squalish2357

Originally posted by: cremefilled
benklop, these are "open-air" headphones, so you wouldn't be able to play them at all loud at a library. You might want to look into a pair of earbud earphones--Aiwa makes good ones in the $15 pricerange, and the Sony's at $40 are better yet.

*<$30 price plan*
For earbuds, the Sennheiser mx500's for less than $20 at amazon(the price fluctuates) are one of the best deals. For clipons, KSC-35's can be found for sale on forums for $20 NIB. For open phones, the Portapro is the best deal. Closed phones aren't very good until you get up into the >$50 range.

My $0.02 on the Sennheiser MX500's: THEY SUCK. Bass response was non-existent, sound quality sucked, and they didn't fit very well as they kept falling out of my ear. If you want decent sound, I would stay away from earbuds.

The past 3 years I've bought and used the Radio Shack rebranded Koss KTXPro, Grado SR60, the MX500s, and my current set of Sennheiser HD212Pro. The MX500s were by far the worst, the Grado's had the best sound quality (little light on the bass though) but I sold them because they leaked too much noise, I still have my KTXPro's I use at work with my mp3 player, and the 212Pro's are pretty decent (sound quality not as clear as the SR60 but they don't leak noise since they're closed headphones). The best bang for the buck are my KTXPro's, bought them for $10 after someone posted about them in these forums. Great sound quality for under $15, if I ever break or lose my current set, I'll definitely be getting another set to replace them.