I've become rather spoiled by my spouse's Sportapros, which she has recently reclaimed. I'm trying to get the Portapro coupon deal, but have encountered resistance. If it doesn't work out, I'm looking in the US$50 and under range for something portable. I've read here that Sennheiser's PX100 or PX200 may be better than the Koss phones anyway, so they are strong contenders, but I am open to other suggestions. These are my criteria:

Must be portable (this rules out mid- and full-sized cans)

Must be regular headphones with a headband (this rules out buds and canalphones - I'm just not happy about having gear in my ear).

Must be able to be driven directly by a Sony MZ-N505 MD recorder (5 mW + 5 mW into 16 ohms).

Closed or open - I don't care as long as they sound good. I enjoy mainly classical music and pre-1970 jazz.

Anyone with experience with both PX100 and PX200, I'd love to have your insights.

34$ from amazon with free shipping isn't an huge difference from the 31$ of this Koss offer (25$+6 for shipping).

There was also a website offering the sr40 for 30$+shipping

what is the most comfortable set of portable headphones? i've been looking to replace my D22SL eggos because the headband just clamps too hard.

Quote:



Agreed. I love the PortaPros, and for $35 they're a steal.

- Chris

I have heard both the PX100s and the 200s. And I like the 100s a lot better!.

The px200s seem to be very depending on the fit in order to sound right.
For me there wasn't enough bass. Others like or dislike them for totally different reasons. After some burn-in they sounded just a bit better than stock phones to me. Luckely I can return them. So if you go for the 200s make sure you can return them if you cannot find a good fit.

The px100s, i've been using for a while now and at first I didn't like them so much, found them a bit to dark. They have a lot of bass but not too boomy, rather tight to my ears. The highs and mids are a bit reccesed in comparison with the bass. But they sound more detailed than the MX500s earbuds I also own.
Now I got used to the dark sound of the 100s I use them more than the MX500s.

I use the PX200s with my iRiver portable. I am not an expert audiophile but I like the sound. I also listen to classical, rock and blues as well.

Thanks, all, for your comments.

Haven't heard back from Koss about the PP deal. I think I'm getting the brush-off. Shame... I was (I thought) quite diplomatic about being told the coupon had expired.

I wish I could audition PX100 & 200. Too bad, huh.

PodMan - PortaPro and friends are quite comfortable, IMO. I have yet to try a portable set with better comfort, though many like PX100 & 200.

i'm sorry, but I think you answered your own question.

why not just order a pair of SportaPros?

Well, I guess part of the original question had to do with PX100 and 200, with which I have no personal experience, around which there seems to be nothing like a consensus here anyway. From my point of view, I haven't satisfactorily answered my own question, since I am now no closer to making an informed decision than I was before posting the question... I suppose if I had been clever, I'd have started this thread instead:

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...threadid=31619

Yes, I do like the Portapro variants, but am equally ready to try something new, particularly as my enthusiasm for Sennheiser is waxing, and my esteem for Koss is on the wane.