I have owned these for about a year, and since I've bought them they have been my go-to headphone. They can fit in my backpack super easily cause they're pretty small, and in fact they can (technically) fit in some of my looser pants pockets (DISCLAIMER: you will look like a dork if you tote them in your pants pocket, especially if you have tight pants. Don't say I didn't warn you). Over those 13 months, this pair of headphones has certainly won a place in my backpack, desk, and on my ears for years to come.
Whether or not you like the styling is all personal preference. I personally dig the styling, since I am a sucker for retro designs. It is evident in the visual aesthetics of this headphone have not been changed at all since they were introduced by Koss in 1984. However, some people I know who I have shown the headphones to don't like the design. I would encourage you to find these headphones before you buy, or if that is not an option look at photographs of it from multiple angles to make a verdict. If you are a hipster, don't even bother reading the rest of this review, or looking at the headphones at all before you buy them because they are quintessentially hipster; in fact, buy a dozen for your hipster friends too, they'll love the style.
These headphones, weighing in at only 60 grams, is very comfortable for long listening periods. While some people have complained about pressure on their temples over time, I have never really had that issue, even if I listen for 5 hours straight. the earcups have literally no cushion, but since the (puny) clamping force is directed more so towards the temples that is not an issue at all. Same goes for the solid metal, non-cusioned headband, since the weight of the headphone is so small. They are light to the point that I can almost forge they're on my head, and they are totally not a hindrance at all while walking. Just don't run with these on, though (or jump, or skip, or do a handstand), since these have a tendency to shift around.
The sound of the PortaPros really surprised me when I first listened to them out of the box. To summarize, they are definitely bass-heavy, but the mids and treble are still present. These little headphones have very good bass, which is very nice for genres like Rap or Techno. The bass is both deep and loud and yet tight at the same time. While these headphones are definitely bass-heavy, the mids and highs are certainly solid as well. They have a pretty good soundstage due to their semi-open design, although nobody will be mistaking them for the Sennheiser Orpheus any time soon. The thing I like the most about the sound is that it is well-rounded enough for any genre. I can enjoy both Biggie Smalls AND the Berlin Philharmonic on them, which is not something which can be said about other headphones at this price.
In terms of sound quality, no other on-ear headphone below $50 (that I have tried) is even close to being as good as the Koss Portapros. The highly-popular $20 Sony ZX series headphones may be a little cheaper that the PortaPros, but the portaPros have significantly more bass and much more clarity than the Sony's. The JVC Flats are a good value at $12, but the Koss PortaPros are a clear step up. Skullcandy Uprock, at $30, has good bass as well, but the bass is not as tight as on the PortaPros and the mids on the Uprocks are not as good (in fact, mids on the Uprocks don't even exist, they are so bad of a purchase that the government thought about banning them from sale, but ultimately decided that listening to them would be punishment enough). I even found them better than the UrbanEars Plattans, which are more expensive at $60. The cheapest on-ear headphones which I have liked better are the Grado Labs SR60e, which are $80.
And now, for the more cynical section of this review. The biggest con of these headphones, by far, is that they leak. A lot. Sound waves are free to stroll both in and our of the PortaPros. This is to be expected, due to their semi-open design. If isolation is a priority, I recommend that you check out the Panasonic RP-HTX7 ($30), the Audio Technica ATH-M20x ($50), or the Koss Prodj 100's ($45).
While these are a great value, there is certainly evidence that these are not a high-end set of cans. There are just tons of little things which are annoying about this headphone which can remind you that you bought a $35 headphone, not a $300+ one. The cord is very thin, and thus it tangles super easily and the cord has kinks in it from just folding it up over and over. The headband adjustment sliders can get caught in your hair pretty easily if your hair is longer. The headphones don't stay in place on my head very easily, even when I have the (pointless, by the way) comfort slider set to "firm". They certainly look and feel like sub-$50 headphones when you pick you up, despite the use of solid materials. For an in-line mic and remote, you have to pay another $20, which puts it in competition with more competent headphones at the $50-$100 price range.
Nitpicks aside, I very highly recommend this headphone for anyone looking for good on-ear headphones on a tight budget. They have very respectable sound which is good for any genre, impressive portability, super cool retro-styling (in my opinion), and exceptionally low price. And one other thing I didn't mention: this headphone has a lifetime warranty from Koss. I highly recommend this headphone to anyone who is not an avid audiophile, a frequent flier (or Britney Spears listener), or fitness nut.
Whether or not you like the styling is all personal preference. I personally dig the styling, since I am a sucker for retro designs. It is evident in the visual aesthetics of this headphone have not been changed at all since they were introduced by Koss in 1984. However, some people I know who I have shown the headphones to don't like the design. I would encourage you to find these headphones before you buy, or if that is not an option look at photographs of it from multiple angles to make a verdict. If you are a hipster, don't even bother reading the rest of this review, or looking at the headphones at all before you buy them because they are quintessentially hipster; in fact, buy a dozen for your hipster friends too, they'll love the style.
These headphones, weighing in at only 60 grams, is very comfortable for long listening periods. While some people have complained about pressure on their temples over time, I have never really had that issue, even if I listen for 5 hours straight. the earcups have literally no cushion, but since the (puny) clamping force is directed more so towards the temples that is not an issue at all. Same goes for the solid metal, non-cusioned headband, since the weight of the headphone is so small. They are light to the point that I can almost forge they're on my head, and they are totally not a hindrance at all while walking. Just don't run with these on, though (or jump, or skip, or do a handstand), since these have a tendency to shift around.
The sound of the PortaPros really surprised me when I first listened to them out of the box. To summarize, they are definitely bass-heavy, but the mids and treble are still present. These little headphones have very good bass, which is very nice for genres like Rap or Techno. The bass is both deep and loud and yet tight at the same time. While these headphones are definitely bass-heavy, the mids and highs are certainly solid as well. They have a pretty good soundstage due to their semi-open design, although nobody will be mistaking them for the Sennheiser Orpheus any time soon. The thing I like the most about the sound is that it is well-rounded enough for any genre. I can enjoy both Biggie Smalls AND the Berlin Philharmonic on them, which is not something which can be said about other headphones at this price.
In terms of sound quality, no other on-ear headphone below $50 (that I have tried) is even close to being as good as the Koss Portapros. The highly-popular $20 Sony ZX series headphones may be a little cheaper that the PortaPros, but the portaPros have significantly more bass and much more clarity than the Sony's. The JVC Flats are a good value at $12, but the Koss PortaPros are a clear step up. Skullcandy Uprock, at $30, has good bass as well, but the bass is not as tight as on the PortaPros and the mids on the Uprocks are not as good (in fact, mids on the Uprocks don't even exist, they are so bad of a purchase that the government thought about banning them from sale, but ultimately decided that listening to them would be punishment enough). I even found them better than the UrbanEars Plattans, which are more expensive at $60. The cheapest on-ear headphones which I have liked better are the Grado Labs SR60e, which are $80.
And now, for the more cynical section of this review. The biggest con of these headphones, by far, is that they leak. A lot. Sound waves are free to stroll both in and our of the PortaPros. This is to be expected, due to their semi-open design. If isolation is a priority, I recommend that you check out the Panasonic RP-HTX7 ($30), the Audio Technica ATH-M20x ($50), or the Koss Prodj 100's ($45).
While these are a great value, there is certainly evidence that these are not a high-end set of cans. There are just tons of little things which are annoying about this headphone which can remind you that you bought a $35 headphone, not a $300+ one. The cord is very thin, and thus it tangles super easily and the cord has kinks in it from just folding it up over and over. The headband adjustment sliders can get caught in your hair pretty easily if your hair is longer. The headphones don't stay in place on my head very easily, even when I have the (pointless, by the way) comfort slider set to "firm". They certainly look and feel like sub-$50 headphones when you pick you up, despite the use of solid materials. For an in-line mic and remote, you have to pay another $20, which puts it in competition with more competent headphones at the $50-$100 price range.
Nitpicks aside, I very highly recommend this headphone for anyone looking for good on-ear headphones on a tight budget. They have very respectable sound which is good for any genre, impressive portability, super cool retro-styling (in my opinion), and exceptionally low price. And one other thing I didn't mention: this headphone has a lifetime warranty from Koss. I highly recommend this headphone to anyone who is not an avid audiophile, a frequent flier (or Britney Spears listener), or fitness nut.
