Koss KTX-Pro1 vs Portapro2

[fewtch]

I received my KTX-Pro1's today, and here are some preliminary impressions, vs. my Portapro2's:

Pros:

(1) The KTX-Pro1 looks nicer than the Portapro (more modern)
(2) KTX-Pro1 is a bit more comfortable, at least on my head

Cons:

(1) They do not sound as good as the Portapro2's, although this might improve with some break-in. The sound is more constricted and closed, soundstage is poorer, detail reduced and less treble extension. They do have the same Koss house sound, but it's definitely a step down. I'm disappointed, and hope they will improve with a bit of burn-in. Still adequate for portable use though, and still better than the freebies shipped with PCDPs.

(2) The cord... is just horribly cheap. The Portapro2's have a cord I'd term "inexpensive" -- KTX-Pro1 cord is just unbelievably cheap, thin plastic and I don't expect it to last very long with any active portable use. I predict the volume control will get scratchy and/or intermittent within a short time as well. Cheap, cheap, cheap, shame on Koss for selling this crap.

Preliminary verdict -- I wish I'd gotten a second pair of Portapro2s instead, or maybe a pair of original Portapros. KSC-xx is probably out for me because I wear glasses. Anyway, I don't recommend these unless you find the Portapro(2) just too ugly to wear in public. Avoid these.

P.S. does anyone have any experience with the Koss Sportapro? $20 cheaper than the Portapro on koss.com, I'm wondering if it sounds as good.

 

[450]

KSC-35's work great for me and I wear glasses too. But my ears are kinda big so YMMV...

 

[fewtch]

I'd just like to add one more thing -- I think the KTXPRO1 are a wise marketing choice on Koss's part. Because of the price point and looks, they're going to sell a lot more of these than Portapro or Portapro2's. Build quality is about what you'd expect in a $15 pair of headphones. They're obviously aimed at teenagers and 20-somethings.

They are in fact light, comfortable (at least on my head) and the sound is livable for portable use. I'm disappointed but not disgusted, and will be using these. OTOH Koss's "The Plug" is sitting in a drawer, where they'll probably remain forever.

Further sonic observation(s) compared to Portapro2: Midrange appears to be better, probably because of the redesigned earcups. Bass is a little less overbearing, but treble extension is also lessened (those who find the bass on the other Koss models to be intolerable might actually like these better). The decent soundstage and sonic spaciousness found with the other Koss models (IMO their best quality) is more or less gone.

 

[Naga]

i have a KTX ( radioshack equivalent ) and the parts rattle alot

i returned it and the second one does just as bad

 

[NeoteriX]

Is the KTXPro1 supposed to have that same "Koss" driver as the Portapros? I did not know that.

 

[VicAjax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtch P.S. does anyone have any experience with the Koss Sportapro? $20 cheaper than the Portapro on koss.com, I'm wondering if it sounds as good.

IMHO, sportapro are the worst of the bunch (haven't heard KTX). the bass is ridiculously bloated and out of control. take the PP bass and give it a few drinks, and you've got sportabass.

 

[dvw]

I have almost all the small Koss Phones (except the 75). IMO, the sound varies dependent on the how it fit on your head. A tight fit give you more of a bloated bass. You can adjust the fit by bending the band.

My every day phone is KTXpro because it's cheap (I don't mind if it's stolen or lost) and it's comfortable. I have two; one I leave at work and one in my travel bag. And an added advantage, after I got these phones, I haven't lost a single headphones in the last 5 years. Hmmm.

They are good phones if you're not too critical.

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvw I have almost all the small Koss Phones (except the 75). IMO, the sound varies dependent on the how it fit on your head. A tight fit give you more of a bloated bass. You can adjust the fit by bending the band.

IMO the 'earcup' design of the KTXPRO1 has got to make a sonic difference, vs. the KSC35 or the Portapro. It is drastically different in design, with a U-shaped screened port on the back.
Quote:

Originally Posted by VicAjax IMHO, sportapro are the worst of the bunch (haven't heard KTX). the bass is ridiculously bloated and out of control. take the PP bass and give it a few drinks, and you've got sportabass.

Thanks, I'll avoid 'em then. Too bad the Portapro2 seems to have been phased out, these are my all-time favorite Koss. The Portapro is almost the same, but substantially pricier.

 

[bundee1]

I cant find the portapro 2 on the Koss webpage. Anyone have any images?

 

[Ingo]

I have a pair of Radio Shack Pro35a phones, which were the raido shack predecessors of the KTX and I'm assuming KOSS at one time had a phone that was identical to them. I've tried out the new Radio Shack KTX phones and they were a considerable downgrade from the previous generation. I really like the Pro35a's, to my ear they sound nearly as good as the KSC-35/75/55/50. The newer 'KTX' supposedly have the same drivers (according to the Radio Shack guy) but the bass is much more muddy. The originals (Pro35a's) had a fake leather under-the headband pad and a metal headband. These have a rubber under-pad and a plastic headband and the cord is much thinner and cheaper. The volume control on my Pro35a's hasn't given out in more than 3 years of use.

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bundee1 I cant find the portapro 2 on the Koss webpage. Anyone have any images?

They look very close to the Portapros, but with nonadjustable temple pads and different color earpieces (silver/gold/black/red).
Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingo I have a pair of Radio Shack Pro35a phones, which were the raido shack predecessors of the KTX and I'm assuming KOSS at one time had a phone that was identical to them. I've tried out the new Radio Shack KTX phones and they were a considerable downgrade from the previous generation. I really like the Pro35a's, to my ear they sound nearly as good as the KSC-35/75/55/50. The newer 'KTX' supposedly have the same drivers (according to the Radio Shack guy) but the bass is much more muddy.

I'm not getting a muddier bass with the KTXPRO1, but definitely an overall more constricted presentation with less detail that could be termed 'muddy', I guess. As for being a downgrade, definitely. For portable use though, they're OK... IMO the better comfort and looks factor offsets a downgraded SQ to some degree.

 

[sonick]

i think im the odd one out in believing the KTXPro look horrible, whereas the PortaPros look awesome.. i love the retro look of the portapros...

 

[NeoteriX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtch Thanks, I'll avoid 'em then. Too bad the Portapro2 seems to have been phased out, these are my all-time favorite Koss. The Portapro is almost the same, but substantially pricier.

Wha? At the Circuit City near me, they have at least 2 Koss Portapro2s... $30 never sounded so good.

Also, I'm pretty sure you can order them from the circuit city website, they list them as portapro2s in the product description too.

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeoteriX Wha? At the Circuit City near me, they have at least 2 Koss Portapro2s... $30 never sounded so good. Also, I'm pretty sure you can order them from the circuit city website, they list them as portapro2s in the product description too.

Circuit city seems to be the only place online that has them anymore... even Koss.com doesn't list them. Weird, eh?

 

[BowerR64]

The pro1, 75 and sportapro all use the same titanium driver. The band and the cup design chane the sound slightly. They all use the classic KSC35 driver design though with a few little changes. I think this is the best driver koss ever built.