[DJDestroid]

I've stuck with Koss for some time now but the incredibly thin and flimsy cables rarely last more than a few months. I've sent them back a few times, and replaced them myself some times. 

Both my Portapros and KSCs(held my a portapro band) have gone now. I may be able to resolder the KSCs, but I'm trying to get the Portapro back for a replacement either way.

This is so incredibly frustrating.

I'm thinking of ordering a spare set of KSCs for now. I like the sound of both the KSCs and Portarpos, and the KSCs are far cheaper to replace.

I don't like having to do this though. I want something with the quality of the Portapro, for a reasonable price that I don't have to replace every few months. From what I know, the Portapro used to be like this until they switched to a cheaper cable.

I've thought about recabling, however it looks awkward to me. Is there any way I can just get a headphone chord ready to go and solder on? It doesn't need to be some $200 thing, just something cheap but more sturdy than what they come up.

Stuck using some uncomfortable Sony earbuds for now, surprisingly good sound after a bit of EQ but I can't keep it up. Music listening was always an experience with the Portapros.

 

[lubczyk]

these tend to have good cables and they're replaceable:
 
http://www.amazon.com/Bennett-TBSE1-Signature-Edition-Headphone/dp/B005K5I9QW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335663354&sr=8-1
 
Good build quality too.
 
Unboxing and review:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nEQTIMtGW0&feature=player_embedded
 
I don't own these myself yet.

 

[DJDestroid]

I'm looking for small over ear phones like the Portapro. I want something portable, even considering getting buds as a spare for this. Nothing much pricier than the Portapro either, *really* skint ATM.

 

[JK1]

Try the $13  JVC HA-S160. It sounds quite good for the price, and imo it is quite sturdy. it is closed, however because it is so small, it doesn't isolate well.

 

[DJDestroid]

Not *quite* that cheap. Again, comparable price to Portapro

 

[dnullify]

Maybe you should look into getting a pair of porta-pros recabled. There's got to be a way to make them sturdier, reenforce the contacts, heat shrink joints by the cable?
 
There's gotta be a way to make them more robust.

 

[DJDestroid]

I haven't found any service that does so for an affordable price. For the prices they go at I'd probably be best just buying a pair every year until I'm in a financial situation where I can buy something better.

 

[dnullify]

Hmm...
 
Well I can't find or think of anything else that would be more durable.
 
If you've got a totaled pair lying around, it might be worth trying some shrink tube/solder/glue yourself.
 
Are you opposed to IEMs by any chance?

 

[JK1]

Why do you consider the $13 JVC HA-S160 comparable in price to the $40 Koss Portapro? I actually paid $8 for some of the HAS160 headphones I bought.
 
 

 

[DJDestroid]

I was saying I was looking for something that was a comparable price(or level of quality rather) to the Portapro. I'm not looking for actual cheap headphones(though I'm aware the Portapro are bargain basement by some people's standards here). 

 

[JK1]

Imo the $13 JVC HA-S160 sounds BETTER than the $40 Portapro. I have had the Portapro over 10 years, and bought my first HA-S160 just a few months ago. While the HA-S160 has less bass than the Portapro, the bass on the HA-S160 is much better controlled. The treble on the HA-S160 is so much better than the treble on the Portapro. Imo the HA-S160 also has a better midrange with more detail. I do like my PX100 a bit better than the HA-S160, however the PX100II is now $70 in the US. Does it make sense to pay $70 for a headphone that is only slightly better than a $13 one(I paid $40 for my PX100 a few years ago).

 

[DJDestroid]

Can someone else verify this? I love the "warmth" of the Portapros but the sparkle of the KSCs can be nice too. Getting a pair of cheap isolated cans would be useful for me.

 

[KimChee]

I loved my KSC75s, but they'd crap out on me every few months.  Good thing they have a lifetime warranty.

 

[forensic fox]

 
Quote:

however the PX100II is now $70 in the US.

 
It's $55 on amazon, but +1 for JVC HA-S160. I like them better than the KSC75