[caableguy]

I am interested in buying a good starter set of headphones after being burned ona pair of B&O earphones, and selling my hd580's mistake I know but I had no amp and really knew nothing about them and really still don't. I learn more on those as time goes by.
Anyway I am looking at getting a good inexpensive pair till my budget comes back under control. All here seem to really like both and from what I read thier both the same drivers just different housings. SOOOOOO........ Which is the one to get?

Thanks!!, my fiance' thanks you and wishes I never stumbled on this site!!!

 

[ProFingerSk8er]

ksc-35 sounds more balanced...more natural...
protapros are just too boomy for me

 

[Rizumu]

Quote:

Originally posted by ProFingerSk8er ksc-35 sounds more balanced...more natural... protapros are just too boomy for me

w0rd.

 

[Rizumu]

the dreaded double post.

 

[xlifez]

from what i see everyone saying, get the ksc-35 they are suppose to be REALLY REALLY good... But the ksc-35 looks kinda plain and cheap since there isn't any sweet design like how the portapros has...

are you sure they are boomy? well lets see after i get mines.. *hopes it comes in tomorrow*

 

[LobsterSan]

Well, I like both the ksc-35 and PortaPros equally. The ksc-35 are definitely the more portable of the two, and can fit just about anywhere (I like to stick them in my pocket when I don't need them on). In terms of comfort, I find both to be very comfortable, with the ksc-35 having perhaps a slight advantage due to the way they just sort of "disappear" on your ears, while you are always aware that the PortaPros are on (but quite comfortably).

In terms of the way they sound, I find that the PortaPros have just a little bit more bass. This could be good or bad, depending on your perspective. The PortaPros to me tend to have a more natural soundstage as well, while the ksc-35 tend to separate things more out into left and right. I'm not sure if this is because of the fit, or if it is possibly a psychological thing (since the ksc-35 are like wearing two *separate* things on your ears). Mids and highs are about equal to me, but the "doughnut" pad mod for the ksc-35 helps to clear up the bass a little bit and to better articulate the highs.

The PortaPros have more durability than the ksc-35, and I use them more often when I am out and about and don't really care about the absolute portability. The ksc-35 tend to be more home all-purpose headphones, and I use them for a variety of things when I don't want to lug around or bother with full size cans. I still take the ksc-35 out quite a bit, though, as the smaller size does add quite a lot in terms of convenience.

If I were to choose one, it would probably be the ksc-35. But I don't have to choose, so I enjoy each equally for their different strengths and characteristics.

 

[Rizumu]

Quote:

Originally posted by xlifez from what i see everyone saying, get the ksc-35 they are suppose to be REALLY REALLY good... But the ksc-35 looks kinda plain and cheap since there isn't any sweet design like how the portapros has... are you sure they are boomy? well lets see after i get mines.. *hopes it comes in tomorrow*

The portapros look sweeter, but I like how the ksc-35's sound more (less bass drowning out the other frequencies, more natural, better soundstage IMO, yadda yadda). Plus the extra portability of the ksc-35 is great. Basically I use the portapro with my computer and the ksc-35 for portable use. I don't plan on parting with either, but if I had to choose one as well, I would choose the ksc-35.

 

[LobsterSan]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rizumu What does the design have to do with the sound?

Well, the design of the ksc-35 to me is actually pretty important... since they use the same drivers as the ksc-50 but have a very different sonic characteristic as a result (the ksc-50 hang looser and have a less present bass response, while to my ears having more clearly articulated highs and an airier soundstage).

In terms of a few more design element comparisons between the ksc-35 and PortaPros... the PortaPros definitely feel like a more substantial headphone. This might not mean a lot to some people, but I know it does mean something to me. I really treat my ksc-35 as an earbud substitute, while the portapros tend to have a more "real headphone" feeling to them. To explain my point further, I may foresee myself picking up a pair of Etymotic or Shure canalphones in the future, but they could never replace the feeling I obtain from donning a pair of fully circumaural full-sized cans.

 

[skippy]

fit is a very important thing. out of the box the porta pros press on the ears more which gives them a boomier sound than the ksc 35. however, you can bend the headband of the porta pro so that it doesn't press on your ears, and you can actually make it sound just like the ksc 35. i can bend the headband of the porta pro so that it sounds even better than the ksc 35, so i'm biased toward the porta pro.

 

[Rizumu]

LobsterSan: I agree about this. For this reason I like donning my Portapros at my computer more and taking the KSC-35's with me portably. It was a dumb comment, which is why I edited it. I realize that someone might opt for the Portapros instead of the KSC-35's on account of their cool looks and traditional design. I just sometimes forget that everyone isn't after the best sound period. To me such things come secondary.

 

[xlifez]

Quote:

Originally posted by skippy fit is a very important thing. out of the box the porta pros press on the ears more which gives them a boomier sound than the ksc 35. however, you can bend the headband of the porta pro so that it doesn't press on your ears, and you can actually make it sound just like the ksc 35. i can bend the headband of the porta pro so that it sounds even better than the ksc 35, so i'm biased toward the porta pro.

how did u bend it? how much far appart from the orginal bend?

btw. whats that on your icon? a pimple?

 

[Rizumu]

Quote:

Originally posted by xlifez btw. whats that on your icon? a pimple?

Not quite!

 

[xlifez]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rizumu Not quite!

a knee? a nose?

 

[LobsterSan]

Quote:

Originally posted by xlifez a knee? a nose?

...think... mammary...?

 

[LobsterSan]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rizumu LobsterSan: I agree about this. For this reason I like donning my Portapros at my computer more and taking the KSC-35's with me portably. It was a dumb comment, which is why I edited it. I realize that someone might opt for the Portapros instead of the KSC-35's on account of their cool looks and traditional design. I just sometimes forget that everyone isn't after the best sound period. To me such things come secondary.

Ah, sorry about quoting an edited post rizumu. I saw that you had changed it after I wrote mine in. Just goes to show how quickly posts get read here at head-fi.