The advantages of the store: a wide selection of goods with very reasonable prices, fast service and delivery. Comment: I ordered these headphones from the Doctorhead online store. Immediately after ordering, I received a quick response from the store managers and made a deal to purchase headphones. The service was very good and dignified, it was a pleasure to communicate with a knowledgeable person. The goods were delivered the next day, much faster than I expected.
Sound
Anonymously
(4 out of 4 people found this review helpful)
In my opinion these are the most best headphones, among the inexpensive ones. They have been working faithfully for more than a year, their sound is amazing, and the design is also interesting. I am simply delighted with them, I don’t even want to change them for anything else.
Neutral rating
Anonymously
Very good headphones with incomparable sound quality and unique design. Very convenient to carry. My favorite headphones for many years now.
Neutral rating
from maxim
I decided to give myself a gift for February 23rd and bought it, as they say, blindly. I didn’t even know these were such popular ears. First of all, I decided to try them out on a recently downloaded rip from Scorpions vinyl and... I was very upset. The sound is boomy, high frequencies are lost, sound detail is poor. In general, the topic of vinyl remained unsolved. Moreover, before that I used (and will continue to use for some time) the cheap Panasonic 0101, which give a more realistic sound with smooth frequency characteristics. The only thing these ears were good at was electronic music. But since I only listen to it in the car, and not at home or on the player, these ears are not suitable for me. Selling.
Negative rating
from Vyacheslav
(3 out of 3 people found this review helpful)
Praising KOSS is sedition. But, I'll take the risk. For their cheap price, the ears are wonderful! Yes, the design is without any frills, yes, the bass in them is vulgar, yes, they are muddy... But, they are correct in the middle and at the top! In them (the plebeian bass does not count) there is “Euclidean geometry” - all the sounds are in their places. For “sausage” and metals, an extended bass is not a strong hindrance, and in classical music there is not so much “bass extremism”. And what full voices - Grado and Sennheisers will give a head start! The cymbals in them ring, not rustle, when the singer reaches the letter “C” - it doesn’t seem like he has no front teeth... like in some highly praised headphones. I've been listening to them for 4 or 5 years. I have Sporta pro for sports, and Porta pro for the rest (Porta is clear, better, more sophisticated). Both of them endured incredible loads. The sports ones were so wet from the rain that I thought they wouldn’t survive - they are still alive. Even the ear pads are original. (Porollon becomes very decrepit from the light - I always keep it in a case). Since it is important WHO praises, I will say about myself that I listen to Ch. in a classic way. music. More opera. In my youth I was a “metalhead” and now sometimes, but rarely... Sports - under furious techno (not strong in styles). So, these headphones are very good. I recommend!!! I replaced them, just 2 days ago, with Audio-Technica ES7. Yes, new ones will of course be better, but the money is different...
Positive review
by TrickyKid
(2 out of 4 people found this review helpful)
Negative rating
by Symbol
(1 in 1 people found this review helpful)
I bought these headphones about half a year ago - I haven’t parted with them since then. Truly a classic. When choosing, I was won over by reviews like “analogue of a Kalashnikov assault rifle”, “produced since the early 80s” and “give rich bass”. Well, what can I say. Among the undoubted ADVANTAGES: - Very cool “old school” design. Classic! Largely because of this, I preferred them to the more modern and not so stylish Sporta Pro. - Ba-a-as! Simply incredible bass for a budget model costing just over 1000 rubles. Perhaps the sound is not as detailed as you would like, but if you buy this model as an alternative to standard player earbuds and are not spoiled by the sound of studio headphones for 200 bucks, then you definitely will not be disappointed! The bass in Porta Pro is not as true as many fans of uncolored sound appreciate, but it is very rich and deep. - Lightweight and comfortable. Quite tightly, but comfortably cover the head. They don’t move, they don’t put pressure. I used these headphones everywhere, even snowboarded in them, and I can say that they have quite sufficient fixation on the head even for such an active sport. I consider the use of a three-position temple pressure regulator in the design to be nonsense, because... It still gets lost every time I take it off. But for me personally, this is not critical: even in the default position, the headphones fit comfortably. - The foam used in the headphones is of very high quality, and after six months of active use there are no problems. To be honest, I was surprised to read that for some people it breaks and wears out, but for me everything is fine, although it is made in China. From the MINUSES: - Quite archaic design of the bow. Being unaccustomed to it, it was difficult to put them on, and sometimes even painful: the bow often pinches the hair, and with an awkward movement you can tear out a couple of pieces :) True, I quickly got used to it, and after a week I did not experience absolutely any discomfort when putting it on. - Open design. Don't even think about using these headphones in the subway or other similar places. Sound insulation leaves much to be desired. - A rather flimsy design for attaching the innermost speaker housing (in the pictures it is blue) to the outer holder (black metal). The inside of the earpiece is mounted on what appears to be a floating plastic hinge, sandwiched between 2 "vices". From experience I can say that this is the most weakness these headphones: a couple of times while snowboarding, I fell on the porta pro that was in my chest pocket, after which I took them out of there with one inner “ear” already flying out of the holder. Fortunately, the plastic hinge itself did not break off, but was only slightly deformed, and with a slight click it was inserted back into the “vice” holding it. After that, I try not to use these headphones for sports, because... I'm just afraid I'll break it the next time I fall. SUMMARY: Excellent headphones for the money! In this price range I think they have no equal. In particular, I had the opportunity to listen to the AKG K27i - against the backdrop of a coss - just no way. If before purchasing these ears you only listened to earplugs, then the sound of the koss will definitely make a lasting impression on you! However, over time, I think, I will want better sound insulation and sound detail.
Porta Pro is an iconic headphone model from Koss, which appeared back in 1984, but to this day not only is not outdated, but continues to be produced in various options and delight audiophiles with the most beautiful sound in its price segment, original design, as well as ergonomic and high-quality construction.
Design and Features
Despite the considerable age of the concept, the design of the product does not at all smack of archaism and looks quite interesting and original against the background of modern products with rounded shapes, catchy colors and a futuristic appearance. Actually, thanks to a thoughtful and unique design, these headphones are remarkably compact: the ear pads at the ends of the arcs rotate 180 degrees inward and when folded, Porta Pro turns into a circle.
In addition, to this day, the design of the headphones continues to please with ergonomics, mainly thanks to the headband, made of a pair of metal arcs that move relative to each other. The mechanism is simple and allows you to easily adjust the size to the most comfortable fit. The disadvantages include the fact that sometimes this design likes to painfully grab a clump of hair. The earcups of the headphones are mounted on hinges, which contributes to a better fit, and the soft foam ear pads, coupled with the lightness of the design, sit comfortably on the head, so much so that sometimes you can forget about the headphones you are wearing.
Unfortunately, the disadvantages of the design include insufficient sound insulation due to the open type of headphones. And although you can still listen to them on the street, in transport your neighbors will probably “enjoy” your track list, and you yourself will from time to time hear car horns, engine growls and brake squeals.
Sound quality
Despite the fact that open-back headphones have unsatisfactory sound insulation, on the other hand, they provide the listener with a warm and pleasant sound. As many users note, for decades the bass lines in these headphones remain consistently beautiful, deep and rich. And although they sometimes lack punch, the bass of these headphones is unrivaled in their price range. The mids and highs are well developed, although sometimes the highs clearly lack speed.
Conclusion
Advantages:
- high-quality sound;
- light weight;
- folding design;
- original design;
- storage bag;
- adjusting the speaker suspension angle.
Flaws:
- the metal arches of the headband often pull hair;
- insufficient sound insulation.
KOSS is one of the undisputed leaders among headphone manufacturers. They have been on the market since 1953 and produce headphones, headsets, microphones and other audio equipment.
In the mid-80s it was very difficult for the brand; there were many strong competitors. Especially Sony with its Walkman player, which revolutionized the market. KOSS also tried to release their first portable player, but due to delays in sales, the company failed.
At the same time, the heads of the company realized that the future belonged to personal sound. And we decided to make good headphones for listening to music on the go. In 1984, the company presented the KOSS Porta Pro Remote.
And thanks to these legendary headphones, the company was able to achieve new financial successes and finally gain a foothold in the market. Even now, many similar solutions are being created based on this model.
Design and usability
Of course, the company paid special attention to the design of the headphones. And the emphasis was not on aesthetic beauty, but on ease of use.
The headband consists of two metal arcs moving relative to each other. Thanks to this, you can easily adjust the size for the most comfortable fit.
At the ends of the arms there are black plastic cup holders. Their characteristic shape has become the hallmark of Porta Pro.
The holders fold inward for easy transport, but the arch itself can be secured using a hook and loop on opposite ends. The bowls are fixed on movable hinges, thanks to which the manufacturer was able to achieve a better fit.
I would also like to note the foam ear pads - a distinctive feature of headphones in this price category. They provide gentle, firm pressure on the head without causing strain on the ears.
As for convenience, there are no complaints at all. Porta Pro is light, almost weightless, and thanks to the movable bowls, you can adjust it to your head as comfortably as possible.
But since these are on-ear headphones, you will have to forget about some kind of unrealistic noise isolation. Yes, on the street they do an excellent job of this task, but in the subway the music will be interrupted by the sound of the environment. And the neighbors obviously won’t be happy with your music on maximum volume.
The sound that makes you high
To start, specifications:
Listening to Porta Pro, you understand that KOSS is not in vain considered an excellent manufacturer of audio equipment.
The headphones sound warm, multifaceted, and have a wide soundstage. It is clear that the main emphasis is on bass. In this regard, the accessory sounds perfect - it doesn’t hurt the ears, it’s balanced. Occasionally it feels like there is a lack of clarity and pressure, but these are minor things.
The mids are periodically drowned out by vocals and bass, but this is not critical. In general, the headphones do not overwhelm the horizon, but sometimes they simply “fail to extend” this range. In some tracks the sound seems to be buzzing or something.
It’s simply not possible to get to the high frequencies, even with all the desire. They are relaxed, calm, even and harmonize well against the background of even instrumental chords.
On the other hand, everyone's sensitivity is different, and the sound may be experienced differently. Taking into account its price tag of 4,000 rubles, KOSS Porta Pro Remote produces more than decent sound quality. And they certainly beat competitors in their price range.
Surprisingly, these “babies” cope quite well with instrumental compositions. The guitar motifs are especially noticeable.
The only problem is the foam ear pads, which partially dampen the high frequencies in some compositions.
And yes, the main innovation of the KOSS Porta Pro Remote is the switch on the headphone cable. With one click of a button, you can answer a call, end it, pause the song, and continue playing. A double press switches the song to the next one, and a triple press switches to the previous one. Everything is the same as on standard iPhone headphones.
Do they sound good from iPhone?
KOSS Porta Pro Remote are not very critical of the source, so they will sound quite competent when paired with an iPhone. And even with the same iPhone 7 and higher, which use a special adapter for a 3.5 mm audio jack.
The lower the output impedance of the source, the better the headphones will control the bass. On iPhones there are no problems with this at all.
Verdict
KOSS Porta Pro Remote is the most famous and longest selling headphones in the world. This is a timeless classic, like a Kalashnikov assault rifle. And now also with a music control unit.
The first Porta Pro from Koss were released back in 1984 and have remained virtually unchanged since then. During this time, we have seen the rise and fall of tape cassettes, portable CD players, MP3 players, and smartphones with headphone jacks. But, the newest era of sound is transforming into wireless, which prompted Koss to release wireless headphones Koss Porta Pro Wireless costs $79.99 (RUB 5,000).
I'll start with the design, which even by 1998 standards looks terribly unimpressive, let alone 2018. The new product does not have high-end additional functions and is made of spartan plastic connected by a thin adjustable metal band with small foam pads.
Material savings are directly related to two strengths Porta Pro: firstly, they are inexpensive, and secondly, their low weight ensures impeccable comfort even during prolonged use.
A little annoying is that when using the Koss Porta Pro Wireless, there is a remote control hanging from each earbud remote control, which dangles senselessly or clings to the collar when moving. This doesn't make the headphones ugly, but the design could use a little more work.
Another downside to the Porta Pro Wireless is the pulsating blue light that is emitted when they are turned on. This light is too bright and what is even sadder is that it cannot be turned off. Watching a movie in a dark room will big problem.
Unfortunately, the theme of poor design extends to the functionality of the remote control, which has three buttons - one for play/pause and the other two for volume control. They are practically indistinguishable to the touch, which makes them difficult to use.
Headphone performance
In terms of performance, the Koss Porta Pro Wireless is close to its wired brother, with the same problems and shortcomings. The headphones support Bluetooth 4.1 with AptX, which is pretty much the minimum you'd expect from any modern Bluetooth headphone.
When using Porta Pro Wireless, background noise is heard. This does not interfere with enjoying the music, but it adds another minus to the piggy bank.
Sound and its quality
It's worth noting that the Koss Porta Pro Wireless, whether wired or wireless, are among the loudest headphones you can buy for under $100 (RUB 6,000) or even $200 (RUB 12,000). Their volume is very impressive.
The sound from the Koss Porta Pro Wireless is a bit rough and not very detailed, given the design, you shouldn't expect any real bass. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Porta Pro Wireless reproduces bass frequencies very well. The highs also sound great here, with no hiss or screaming peaks.
Noise insulation
One of the significant problems with the Wireless version, like the wired version, is sound leakage. Soft foam pillows do not have sound insulation, so everything you listen to will be heard by others.
In the same way, it will penetrate into your ears and external noise, constantly distracting from listening. So I don't recommend using the Koss Porta Pro Wireless on public transport, in an open plan office or even in a shared bedroom.
Koss Porta Pro Wireless microphone and autonomy
The built-in microphone on the Porta Pro Wireless is quite good and does its job well.
Nowadays, everyone has a Bluetooth connection on their phone, and finding $80 (RUB 5,000) to buy a pair is really good headphones, for most people this won't be a problem.
Benefits of Koss Porta Pro Wireless
- Wearing comfort.
- Great quality sound.
- Foldable design.
- Protective case.
Modern realities dictate a frantic pace of renewal model range, because progress does not stand still, new technologies appear every year. And selling a product presented in the past is a non-trivial task; the buyer is chasing new products. But there are also timeless classics! KOSS Porta Pro are headphones with a 30-year history, which are still in production today and are in enviable demand. Today we have to understand the secrets of the model’s success using the example of a limited edition created specifically for Russia - KOSS Porta Pro Casual Edition.
Specifications
- Headphone type: over-ear.
- Fastening method: headband.
- Emitter type: dynamic.
- Type of acoustic design: closed.
- Headphone frequency response: 15 - 25,000 Hz.
- Impedance: 60 Ohm.
- Sensitivity: 101 dB.
- Sound circuit format: stereo 2.0.
- Headset connection: 3.5 mm (3-pin).
- Cable: fixed 1.2 m.
- Weight: 79 g.
- Features: foldable design, comfortZone suspension adjustment.
Equipment
The headphones are supplied in a small cardboard box decorated in light colors. It's nice that the company took care of the Russification of the inscriptions that describe key features models.
Inside there is a plastic pedestal with a rope for easy pulling. In addition to the headphones themselves, the delivery package includes a transport bag. The packaging was made by people for whom attention to detail is not an empty phrase; the contents look more than presentable.
Appearance and design of headphones
I think that the design of the KOSS Porta Pro when it was released in 1984 was quite bold, even futuristic. Over the past decades, the appearance has become the epitome of classic. The test version was the Casual Edition, decorated in blue and brown tones. The color scheme reflected the combination of jeans and leather, which has entered our lives so deeply. This made us take a fresh look at the classic model, refreshing its appearance.
The design remains unchanged. The base is a metal headband, to which a pendant made of semi-glossy plastic is attached. The material has a texture that is pleasant to the touch and plays beautifully in the light. An important accent is the chrome-plated metal inserts with the model name painted on it. A small screw on the left suspension complements the retro look of the model and helps to distinguish the left speaker from the right on the go.
KOSS Porta Pro - on-ear headphones. The headband is adjusted by two metal plates that move freely relative to each other. To fit the headphones, you need to move the headband to its extreme position using plastic tips, and after putting it on, adjust the size according to the volume of your head.
The second detail that ensures a comfortable fit is foam inserts in the temple area. The pressure exerted on the ears is regulated by changing the angle of the suspension relative to the headband. With only three positions, the adjustment range of a couple of degrees is impressive. The solution cannot be called anything other than unique!
The picture is completed by a hinge with which the cups are attached to the suspension. The adjustment range is quite wide and ensures a precise fit. It is worth admitting that the foam ear pads look rather archaic, but there are no complaints about the material, and the ears do not sweat. The only thing in which foam rubber is inferior to leatherette is wear resistance; the lining will have to be changed periodically. Fortunately, due to the prevalence of the model, there are no problems with finding spare ear pads.
Overall, the ergonomics of the KOSS Porta Pro became a real revelation for me; the design breaks the stereotypes about the inconvenience of miniature on-ear headphones. Once you select the appropriate combination of settings, you won’t want to say goodbye to your headphones. Due to the precise adjustment of pressure on the ears and the lightness of only 79 grams, the concept of fatigue during wear simply does not exist.
The company's engineers did not forget about ease of transportation. The pendant is equipped with a swivel mount with a lock and folds into the inside of the headband. For greater compactness, a hook is provided. When folded, the headphones easily fit into your fist, as well as into the included leatherette case. You can carry KOSS Porta Pro not only in a bag or backpack; the headphones will not take up much space in your winter jacket pocket. You can fold the headphones without fear for the safety of the structure, because the cable is routed separately for each channel, and the metal plastic of the headband is quite flexible.
Connection
Cable - weak side KOSS Porta Pro. It seems to me that a model of this class and sound level is worthy of a modern braided wire. But buyers will find an ordinary cable 1.2 meters long in a rubber braid. The connection is made via 3.5 mm, the L-shaped plug is a big plus for reliability.
Sound
Sound is the main highlight of KOSS Porta Pro and the reason for its high popularity. The model is famous for its excellent low frequencies. The bass sounds sharp and rich. It creates a feeling of volume that most compact headphones lack. Even at maximum volume, the lows sound detailed and without a hint of wheezing. This character combined with a compact body is the result of the open design. The radiators do not require an acoustically designed space inside the housing.
As a result, KOSS Porta Pro copes with electronic music rich in low frequencies with a bang, the compositions sound truly driving! But the company’s engineers didn’t stop there; fans of rock and other genres rich in instruments will appreciate the well-developed midrange, which gives the sound the necessary dynamics.
As is known, emitters dynamic type, which form the basis of KOSS Porta Pro, are not able to play the entire frequency range equally well. Therefore, those with a keen ear, who are accustomed to enjoying the most subtle notes, will notice that the high ones are overwhelmed. The equalizer largely corrects the current situation. And the headphones do not pretend to be the ultimate Hi-Fi solution.
With all the advantages described above, the open design is fraught with some nuances. First of all, there is a complete lack of passive noise insulation, which causes discomfort in public transport; you have to increase the volume. The latter entails the risk of disturbing people around you; sound from open headphones easily breaks out and covers the room.
Let's sum it up
KOSS Porta Pro Casual is, first of all, an interesting sound that will appeal to fans of most musical genres. The picture is completed by a successful design, which has all the necessary features, despite the compactness of the body. It is also impossible not to note the remarkable design; the headphones look more than original. All of the above are the very drivers of success that have allowed KOSS Porta Pro to successfully navigate the compact headphone market since 1984. Adequate price and correct positioning made the model legendary and incredibly popular!
Pros:
- Unusual appearance.
- Deep rich bass.
- Compact foldable design.
- Finely customizable fit.
- Light weight.
- Simple permanent cable.
- Poor sound insulation.
- Open type of acoustic design.
