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Apr 6, 2018
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I have been buying Koss PortaPro phones since they were first released in 1984. I've been through many dozens of pairs over the years, as I've jogged with them and put them through heavy use.
In my opinion, they are the best lightweight, walkman-style portable headphone available.
The bass is quite strong for an on-ear lightweight, but not very articulate. Similar to Grado SR-60i in bottom end character. The mid-highs are recessed, and the upper treble is very natural, slightly dark, with no harshness whatsoever.
They are very efficient, and can play at loud levels from portable devices. If you like rock/pop/country and you like to play it LOUD, then I think you'll like this headphone for on-the-go use, as its tonality and slightly recessed treble prevent fatigue at high volumes.
The darker character and lack of fine detail and bottom end refinement make these less suitable for classical in my opinion.
The only thing that has changed on these phones since they were first introduced in 1984 is the color and the cord. Unfortunately, the thin-gauge cord Koss introduced several years back is sonically inferior to the original from the first couple decades of production.
Since the 2000s, some folks have claimed the Sennheiser PX-100 give the PortaPro's a run for their money. The long discontinued original PX-100 had a better character in the bottom end and less of an upper-midrange dip, but a thinner overall sound and scratchy highs. The Sennheiser PX-100II is a totally different phone than the original PX-100, with a tonality very, very close to the PortaPro, but with a lot more bass distortion than the Koss.
The Grado SR60e sports improved efficiency (more sound output for a given amount of power) than the prior i series, and is a better sounding can than the PortaPro. If you don't mind spending the extra money, and you don't mind having a larger more fragile contraption on your head, the Grado is the way to go for casual portable listening IMO. But, if you want to exercise with headphones on, or have a much smaller walkman-style headphone package, I have never heard anything in its class that tops the Koss PortaPro in the 34 years it has been in production.
Highly recommended product for what it is.
Apr 6, 2018
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