Quote:
Originally Posted by
au_d2 
This thread here also talks about Koss Portapro fakes:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/h...ta-pro-467256/
Quote:
Originally Posted by Malandro Hi guys , first post here, ! I find strange that my Koss´s bass is slightly stronger on the left side than the right one. And I was reading an article about a fake Koss Porta Pro model characteristics at the site Koreanstown.com ( link below ) and I noticed that on the right side of my headphone I have 3 equal circles at the inside part of the phone. Is this a sign that my headphone is fake ? Below a pic of a known fake phone with equal circles just as it is in my headphone : 
The site describng how it is the fake Koss : Warning! Fake Porta Pro discovered | Kool Audiophiles
P.S: Sorry for my poor english! |
in the thread is a link to a Korean site which lists these issues:
Fake #. 1:
1 - The Headphone picture on the metalcal does not match ours. Top of headband is all one line on fake one.
2 - Mic screw is a little different on front & back.
3 - Plastic piece that holds the comfortZone label is different. No texture on outside rim. Does not have a ledge under the blue slider.
4 - Plastic piece (earcup w/metalcal ring is different). On inside we have 3 gate circles. Large, med, small. The fake has 3 all the same size. Our 2 top circles are smaller than the fake one.
5 - Metalcal ring is rough looking. Where the ring sits does not have the slope.
6 - The right cup on the fake has a cavity no. but it is no. 4 dull. The Koss phone has a no. 1 but shiny where the no. is.
7 - The “KOSS” embossed on the plug is not very deep as on ours. Also does not have a trash can label on cord.
8 - The impedance reads 30 to 33.7 ohms as where Koss reads between 60 to 63.4 ohms.
9 - Element cups, terminal board covers & grille plates are different.
10 - Cushions are a little larger & a slight difference in color. Do not have the crease on top like ours.
Packaging:
1 - Different backcards.
2 - Inner tray does not have the indents where the headband lays.
3 - Green color is not the same on top insert.
4 - Carrying pouch is different than Koss. Lines are in where “KOSS” is embossed.
5 - Headphone is loaded backwards in tray.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Greg Cox
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeavenlySword So I just bought a pair on ebay from simonsitems
They were fake. Here's how I can tell.
Real Portapros have the number "1" on the inner plastic like this: 
the fake ones I got from ebay said "4". also the number is printed on rough-looking plastic, where the Real thing above has the number 1 printed on smooth plastic. 
The real ones has color-matching sponges as seen on the follow picture on the right, where the left one is the fake one with different color sponges. 
check mine out, different colors:   
The real ones have a trash can white tag next to the plug like this 
but the one I got doesn't have it  |
Hi HeavenlySword,
Yesterday I received a 'lifetime warranty' replacement of my Portapros directly from Koss. Probably the third time I've taken advantage of their wonderful program over the years (I'm rough on portable headphones
)
[DISCLAIMER: FWIW, this may be an apples/oranges deal, since my observations are from a replacement from Koss, not a brand-new, factory-packaged model...]
Assuming I have received a 'real' set, here are my findings:
1) there is a "3" stamped on the inner plastic on the right side & a "4" on the left side (contradicts your 'fake' findings)
2) there was no white tag attached to the cord (contradicts your 'fake' findings).
3) the foam & sponge type/color on both sides are an exact match (supports your 'real' findings)
Regarding the stamped numbers on the plastic & the white tag inclusion, how did you determine what constitutes real or fake?
Since the replacement I received came straight from Koss, I find it rather unlikely that they sent me a fake, unless they are recycling components that include fade parts in their warranty replacement program to scrimp on costs (who knows...but if they are doing this, there are bigger issues at hand).
Side notes:
a) mine has the latest 'straight' plug rather than the right angle - I assume they switched this to accommodate certain cases that house iPods/iPhones??
b) The plastic backing on the drivers are now black, except for plastic section into which tthe l/r wires are inserted, which is still blue.
Greg
I was checking my Blue Portas out. Which MUST be real as they were shipped back new from Hama (who deal with the UK warranty). On the right hand side there's a "3" instead of a "1" (right-angled plug). So I wondered if I had real ones (though they certainly sound authentic).
The Koss PPs I got today (Red Hot Portapros from an ebay seller), absolutely stink of glue, and, I'll hand it to them, actually look the part. But the connection at the plug is very dodgy. My mobile automatically kicks in the mp3 player when I plug in phones, but instead it jumps from track to track as the connection keeps cutting out. Oh, and they sound ropey. They have a "4" at the right hand side. The aluminium doesn't feel smooth, it's rough. And the Koss embosses are different, the screws are too.
The ebay seller has been contacted twice and is VERY quiet. Unfortunately for me, I saw "Red Hot PortaPro" and hit Buy right away, seduced by having a red pair. Then I read the negative feedback. So, I admit, I'm a fool.
All sad as I wanted my headphones back! I wear them every day :(
PS: Using the Lifetime Warranty, I sent back my PortaPros (real ones :) ) last year to Hama, and paid postage. Replaced with brand-new ones. I've read that they now charge a £10 fee to replace them? I'm pretty sure I read it on a Koss-approved site but can't find it. I've emailed Hama about my broken PortaPros, so I'll let you know.
Edited by louiselouise - 1/29/11 at 4:00pm
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