Good, cheap headphones - Koss Porta Pro

[jandl100]

Just a quick heads-up for those looking for some nice headphones for just a couple of £10 notes.

http://cdn.head-fi.org/6/6b/6b71afde_koss-porta-pro.jpg

I just wanted something half-decent to plug easily into my laptop for sampling tunes off Amazon prior to purchase and casual listening while perusing AOS. :)

At a touch over £20 these provide good clarity, definition and high end extension with no harshness, nicely projected and neutral vocals and a pretty decently defined and deep, if slightly tubby bass.

Really quite cumfy, too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Koss-Stereo-Over-Ear-Headphones-Smartphone/dp/B00001P4ZH/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377935307&sr=8-2&keywords=koss+sportapro

For £20 or so these seem a bargain to me. :thumbsup:

[Reffc]

You seem to have four very weirdly shaped ears Jerry :D

[jandl100]

Nope, usual shape and number, although they are of course Golden. :ner:

-- the extra spongey bits help with the comfort, I think, by relieving pressure on the ears. They do seem to work well.

[Marco]

Looks like something Joe 90 would've used! :D

Anyway, glad they're hitting the spot, dude. Koss headphones are great - I wouldn't swap my PRO4AAs for any supposedly 'superior' high-end designs! :nono:

Marco.

[jandl100]

Yep, they are a bit retro!
And all the better for that, I reckon. :)

-- I seem to remember those Koss PRO4AA - mahoosive beasts, I don't think my neck muscles are strong enough. :eyebrows:

[Rare Bird]

Yes but there not Koss PRO4AA ;)

[Marco]

Yes but there not Koss PRO4AA ;)

Soz, dude. Can you elaborate? :)

Marco.

[DSJR]

We've been here before, but aren't the current Pro4AA's updated internally over the 1970's models? When I went to look, the bargain priced new ones had long gone, so I went with what I knew and found some Sennheiser HD265's, which are broadly similar sonically to the Sony's 'everyone' was raving about here a few months ago (I haven't done a direct comparison though, but had a good listen to Alex's set a month or two ago - they're nice:))

[Marco]

Ah, I see... If that's what Andre's on about, then it doesn't matter to me, as I've compared the current models to the originals, and sonically, which is all I'm interested in, I much preferred the current ones. Andre's entitled to have an alternative opinion, and that's fairy muff! :)

Marco.

[Rare Bird]

I would not buy the new ones because they simply are not an original production model from back then, however i do have an original 1970's pair & i don't like them.

[Frankyc2003]

Actually talking about best value for money, I have bought these headphones for work, and they are truly brilliant!

Fostex TH-7B stereo headphones - Monkey

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fostex-TH-7B-stereo-headphones-Monkey/dp/B004C1JH6Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377967316&sr=8-1&keywords=fostex+headphones

You can get them on Amazon for less than 40 quids... Can't go wrong?

These and a Epiphany acoustics mini amp / dac and your colleagues will never sound the same!;)

[adam_ecofansound]

hi,

portapro good portable h/ph choice

have owned these - hideous look, but comfortable
and reasonably balanced sound good bottom end
with a bit of weight without being silly...

were stolen (sad), went beyerdynamic dt311 -
totally different, cans packed a sad after i replaced
the cable for the nth time (portable audio hazard)
- now have sennheiser hd485's

a

[Yomanze]

I love Koss Porta Pros. They're good fun, warm & rich, nice bass, bit loose... all in all just nice to listen to!

[seoirse2002]

I love Koss Porta Pros. They're good fun, warm & rich, nice bass, bit loose... all in all just nice to listen to!

Ive got a pair for sale...new boxed with leatherette carry case,bought 2 pairs 6 months ago to use on plane as I thought her indoors would like them,she put them "away" and Ive only just found them unopened...£20+pp...
oops!... maybe I should put them in private exhibitions,powers that be, feel free to move

[technobear]

I have a pair of Sporta Pro and they are also good.

[Mr Kipling]

Jerry, you want some real "Manphones" man. Those Koss look too wussy for my liking.

You want something like these babies - Sharp's HP 400's.

[technobear]

Jerry, you want some real "Manphones" man. Those Koss look too wussy for my liking.

You want something like these babies - Sharp's HP 400's.

Skullcrushers par excellence, they contained a 9cm woofer and a 5cm tweeter. Enormous great things. :eek:

[stupinder]

Couple of new budget end 'phones due on the market int he next couple of months! More when I have more details :-)

[southall-1998]

The Sony MDR-V6 are good value.

[Mr Kipling]

Skullcrushers par excellence, they contained a 9cm woofer and a 5cm tweeter. Enormous great things. :eek:

Actually, Chris, I have a pair! I got them a couple of months ago - and I LOVE THEM! They don't sound as I feared they might (boom & tizz) with having two drivers, as you mention. Surprisingly, they sound quite clean, clear and detailed. And, believe it or not, they are more comfortable to wear than lightweight Sennheiser 424Xs that I had in the 70s and 80s which would get to be quite painful due to the thin foam earpads. When the Sharps arrived, I had a 3 1/2 hour session with them - and without the aid of a neck brace!

[RichB]

Bought a pair for Mrs B's Christmas present to use with the tablet PC she's getting. Look forward to trying them out myself....:eyebrows:

[Yomanze]

Bought a pair for Mrs B's Christmas present to use with the tablet PC she's getting. Look forward to trying them out myself....:eyebrows:

Have a try yet? :)

[RichB]

Have a try yet? :)

Only briefly to test they are working. Been making the most of my time off work with a stack of vinyl and the main system. Initial quick impression was of nice bass depth which surprised me considering their lightweight construction. I'll borrow them for my next big commute in the new year and run them out properly then.

[Yomanze]

Yes, they go way deeper than they look, and have a "rich and warm" character that is so lacking in portable cans. They are also very forgiving headphones even with low bitrates. They make it fun to listen to my iPhone when am out and about. :)

[blutonium92]

Bang for buck they are the best headphones anyone will ever buy.

I had a set for a while. They sounded fantastic through my electric piano better than my Grado SR80i.

[DJAlex]

Not a detail monster but does play a god tune. Seriously great vfm and great for holiday use if they get lost damaged you ain't hurting for long.

[RichB]

agree, they're a fine pair of cans and my mrs is most happy with them.

For the money, they're a no brainer. Whether they'll last as long as my akg 450s which have been a constant travelling companion for nearly 2 years now remains to be seen and at 40quid a pair from richers are cracking buy. In that time they've survived 3 different jobs, visits to 6 different countries, countless long train journeys and still get almost daily use.

I wouldn't subject the koss to this as they're not built for and lack the carry case, and the cable rubs against one of my many chins somewhat... I'm not about to kick off a diet just to fit them!

[technobear]

The SportaPro sounds very good too, is more portable and does come with a carrying pouch.

[Yomanze]

The Porta Pros are much more durable than they feel. The black versions though are not due to a flimsier cable.

[jandl100]

Not a detail monster but does play a god tune. Seriously great vfm and great for holiday use if they get lost damaged you ain't hurting for long.

Yep, they are good with hymns, but good for other music, too.

:lol: