KOSS portapro-Portapro2

[LTUCCI1924]

HI:
Portapro –Portapro2
These headphones are very light and comfortable. They are very portable in that they fold up and are small compared to full size cans. The only difference between the two are that the portapro has a comfort zone with a three position adjustment that let you control the distance from your ear and the portapro2 doesn’t have that adjustment. I bought the portapro2 on sale for 20.00 at circuit city but the retail price is 40.00 I think. The portapro cost 50.00 at full price but have had sales at a lower price. They are 60 ohms and the specs are
·Frequency Response: 15-25,000 Hz
·Dynamic element design for deep bass performance
·Comfort Zone™ setting on temporal pad for comfortable, secure fit
·Multi-pivoting ear plates and adjustable headband for added comfort
·Collapsible for maximum portability when listening on the go
·Includes convenient carrying case
·Includes 1/8" and 1/4" stereo plugs for home and portable use
·Straight, dual entry 4 foot cord
·http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/files/graphics/$file/PORTAPRO_lg.jpg
I find the sound to have great bass with very nice mids and highs and a very fun sound with the modes done to them. Now a few members have posted that the portapro were muddy sounding with the bass overwhelming the mids and highs but that’s were the mod comes in. I use a pair of scissors to cut quarter size holes in the pads that tame the bass but still have great bass but lets the mids and highs come thru. The sound is a very fun sound and a pleasure to hear. Now you can use the portapro portapro2 with out an amp but I have found that with an amp the sound gets much better and the better the amp the better the sound. These are one great headphone and at the cost a great buy. I find the sound to ravel headphones that cost much more money and are way bigger. To sum up the portapro portapro2 are a very good sounding headphone and with the mod a great sounding headphone that are small and very light and cost very little money.

 

[Mr.Radar]

They sure are great headphones. I have yet to mod mine but I completely agree with your comments. For some music I even prefer them to my DT440's.

 

[terrymx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Radar For some music I even prefer them to my DT440's.

wow, and i heard the dt440 was pretty good. can you go into details why?

 

[Mr.Radar]

The DT440 just doesn't have the impact required for some music but the PP2 does.

 

[erikzen]

I never knew what the difference between PortaPros and PortaPros 2 was. Thanks for the info Lou.

I have a pair of these sitting around that I probably never even burned in properly. Maybe I'll revisit them.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Ever tried the Sennheiser PX-100s?

I think they are better...improved clarity, tighter bass that doesn't eclipse the highs, and a better upper range.

They are certainly less colored and "more neutral" than the PP2, which push the midrange too far forward and unacceptably amplify the bass for some types of music.

I only use my porta pros for working out; they stay on your head better than the PX-100s.

You get more out of an amplifier with the PX-100s, too (they're a little harder to drive).

 

[LTUCCI1924]

crazyfrenchman27
HI: Have you done the mod to them?

 

[root]

I've been using Koss Porta Pro's for almost a year now. IMO the sound is good as is and I wouldn't like to tame the bass, because that's where the whole fun lies when using these. This suggestion for a mod is an interesting one, though; and maybe I'll try it someday. Thanks for the tip LTUCCI1924.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

root
HI: How are you? May I please explain the tame the bass thing. With the full pads on my portapro2 the bass seems to dominate the sound and in my opinion it is also bolted bass holding back the mids and highs from their sound. With the mod the bass is a lot less dominating but still very strong but let the mids and highs come Thur. Now with a amp the mod makes the bass stronger but tighter with way better control plus the power lets the mids come forth with a smooth sound and the highs do the same. Also I was able to get new thicker pads at rat shack for a few bucks that are so very comfortable due to their thickness but the mod is what makes this all possible. Now I know there are other cans that have great bass and full sound but look at how big they are and how heave they are not to mention the cost of them. When I add up the smallness and light weight and cost with a simple mod the portapro2 are my home headphone over a lot of way more expensive headphones that I have owned and that is a lot of different headphones. I am not trying to take away from any other headphone that members might like but I feel the need to tell about a 20.00 portapro2 headphone that is holding its own with the big boys and girls. LOL

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTUCCI1924 When I add up the smallness and light weight and cost with a simple mod the portapro2 are my home headphone over a lot of way more expensive headphones that I have owned and that is a lot of different headphones.

I saw you sold your HD 595, which if I recall your impressions correctly, you really liked a lot. Do you like the PortaPros better than the 595s, all things considered?

 

[LTUCCI1924]

erikzen
HI: How are you? All things considered Yes in a big way. I always seem to forget to mention that the portapro2 are also very cool no heat compared to all the headphones that I had that went around my ears. I cant find the actual weight on the portapro2 other than ultra light. I also like the short cord on them. About 4 FT. The sound is fun and makes me want to listen to my music. I prefer these over all my other cans to date when all things are considered. The PI META amp just opens them up like wow. The super mini amp V6.2D does the same but I think the PI META is a bit over kill and the S/M would be just great but since I have the PI META I am using it. I would like to mention that I am talking about the portapro2 as a main home headphone with a amp and my minidisc deck.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

LTUCCI1924: Have you tried the Sennheiser PX-100s? How do you think they compare to the PP2s without the mod? How about with the mod? I'm not about to butcher my Koss PP2s for a mod with questionable effect (some head-fiers think that it doesn't change the sound that much).

As for all comparisons between Koss PP2s and HD595s, they should cease; I have never personally tried the HD595s, but I know that my Audiotechnicas ATH-A900s are VASTLY SUPERIOR to my Koss PP2s with regard to clarity, detail, and sound stage.

Koss PP2s simply can't compete with a good pair of $200 headphones; stop pretending that they can.

 

[bLue_oNioN]

The HD595s are at least 160USD more than the PortaPro2s!! If this is true, the PortaPro2s are an incredible value...

 

[LTUCCI1924]

crazyfrenchman27
HI: How are you. Ok You seem to know better than me. You want me to stop so I will on your say so.

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 As for all comparisons between Koss PP2s and HD595s, they should cease; I have never personally tried the HD595s, but I know that my Audiotechnicas ATH-A900s are VASTLY SUPERIOR to my Koss PP2s with regard to clarity, detail, and sound stage.

With all due respect, I don't think you should tell anyone to cease anything, especially when all they're doing is expressing their opinion. Lou doesn't need me to defend him but he has certainly earned the right, in so many ways, to express what he thinks about his headphones.

Now if you want to disagree with him, and I'm sure there are many that would, considering this is a bit of a daring statement, that is your prerogative, but I think you could express yourself in a bit less condescending fashion. I don't think he is pretending anything. Why is it so difficult to believe that with his ears and his gear that he enjoys the PortaPros more than the HD595s?