Does Koss make good headphones?

2009-11-20 03:04:25

I recently posted about what where the best on-ear headphones and someone mentioned the Koss Prota Pro headphones, I looked up there design and like it alot (I just like the old retro design). From what I've read they have amazing sound quality, but I was wondering is it just these headphones by Koss with good sound quality or are all Koss headphones like this because I bought a pair (I don't remember the name of them but I know they weren't porta pro) for about 40 dollars and was upset by the quality, and my dad told me all Koss products suck so I have not bought any since. All the information you can tell me would help. Think you in advance.

Does Koss make good headphones?

Reply #1 – 2009-11-20 05:26:32

I own a Koss Porta Pro. The build quality indeed is not one of the best because they seem quite fragile. But they are now two years old, in constant outdoor use and are still in very good shape. No broken parts, no broken cable. The sound - to me - is relatively balanced. Especially for such an inexpensive headphone. I´ve read comments that several people consider the bass being too strong (don´t want to do a TOS violation here). I don´t have a frequency response for them but maybe others can comment on that too. I actually like them a lot. They are easy to drive by the built-in headphone amplifier in portable players. If mine would break I´d buy them anytime again.

One major disadvantage though: as the acoustical design is "open" they don´t block outside noises. Also, people can hear what you are hearing if you play your music too loud. But: the Koss Porta Pro also comes in a "closed" design, the Koss Sporta Pro. I don´t know about the sound, build quality etc. though.

Does Koss make good headphones?

Reply #2 – 2009-11-20 14:11:54

Here's the CNET review of the Koss PortaPro, make your own assumptions of course.

Does Koss make good headphones?

Reply #3 – 2009-11-20 15:18:48

I've had a number of pairs of Koss headphones and liked them all. They may not be the most heavy duty, but they all have a lifetime warranty, and are relatively inexpensive.

There's a number of them that use the same drivers as the PORTAPROS, I believe. And the others are even cheaper (like the SportaPros and KSC75s). The Koss headphones with 60 ohms impedance are all in the same family.

Does Koss make good headphones?

Reply #4 – 2009-11-20 21:43:44

I've never listend to the Porta Pro, but as far as sound quality, it has reputation of being a bargain.  I'm guessing that it compares favorably with headphones going for $100 - $150.

Koss has been around for a long time.  The Porta Pro has been around for 25 years!  They must be doing something right if a 25-year old design is still cosidered one of the best in it's price range.  And, it has a lifetime warranty!

Not all Koss headphones have the same reputation for sound quality.  Some probably have "average" sound quality in their respective price range.    I doubt that "All Koss products suck" unless you are comparing them to $500 headphones.  I used to see Koss Pro 4AA* headphones used a lot in radio/tv stations. (I havent been in a radio or TV station for many years.) 

In a given price range, open headphones will generally have better sound than closed phones.    All of the Grado models (all open back) have a reputation similar to the Porta Pro of being one of the best sounding in every price range.  But, as someone noted in your other thread, they look kind-of cheap.  I have a pair of Grado SR225's, and they don't look like I paid $200 for them, but they sound nice!


* They keep adding A's...  First, it was the Pro 4A, then the Pro 4AA, and now it's the Pro 4AAAT.

Does Koss make good headphones?

Reply #5 – 2009-12-04 22:00:54

Koss is a well known headphone brand.
I have used some high grade Koss headphones in a studio for mastering and they were pretty precise reference phones.
As far as sound reproduction goes, Koss has headphones which are dependable for each price level. Still, headphones are a very personal choice; some like red, others green.
Your best bet is trying them in a mall or something and comparing to other headphones I guess.