Koss Porta Pro Limited Edition Black Gold Headphones Review
It'southward 1984. Yous just got out of a picture show double feature of Ghostbusters and the Karate Kid (and yous're looking frontward to watching Terminator and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom side by side weekend). Earlier today, you picked up Michael Jackson's mega-popular Thriller CD and the hwottest new portable audiophile gadget on the market, theSony CD Discman.
Now, all yous need is a great pair of headphones to go with it. Luckily, Koss just released an awesome portable set of cans: the Porta Pro! Koss says they are "portable high-end supra-aural stereophones"; all the cool kids say they are "totally fresh and rad to the max!"
Koss continued to sell the Porta Pro almost unchanged for 34 years—a longevity about unheard of in the electronics world. However, it seems that when something reaches this age, it's finally fourth dimension to cutting the cord. Now there's the new Bluetooth Porta Pro Wireless. Tin this sequel measure up to the original, or is it just going to exist another disappointing remake?(Frankie Says) Relax, Koss knows what it's doing.
34 year later, we now have iii Ghostbuster movies, iv Karate Kid movies (plus a new Television show), 4 Indiana Jones movies (with another announced), and 5 Terminator movies (with nevertheless some other one on the way).
The final three and a half decades take been overrun with mediocre sequels and remakes . The Porta Pro Wireless strives to avoid this trap.
Available on Amazon: Koss Porta Pro Wireless
What We Similar
- Lightweight
- Amazing comfort for on-ear headphones
- Surprisingly practiced sound
- Reasonable price
- Excellent battery life
- Folds easily into the included zipper storage case
- Open up-back design adept for practise due to ability to hear surround
What We Don't Like
- Brilliant flashing blue LED is distracting in low-light environments
- Lifetime warranty of the original shortened to but one twelvemonth
- No power to connect and use via cable if the battery is expressionless
- Wireless blueprint with a 50 cm wire?
What'southward in the Box?
Inside the functional and attractive black cardboard box, you will discover:
- Porta Pro Wireless headphones
- Round zipper storage case
- Blueish micro USB charging cablevision
- Pedagogy pamphlet
Upon opening, my headphones were completely unresponsive until charged.
Innovative and Distinctive Design
Zilch looks like the Koss Porta Pro Wireless. Whether this is really a pro or (Porta) con, I'll leave that to your personal gustation. The Porta Pro is retro-absurd, only in a black plastic and not in a brushed aluminum sort of way.
Other vintage classic headphones similar the Pioneer SE-L40 may exist more luxurious, simply they certainly aren't still in production. If the Porta Pro didn't sound so good, information technology wouldn't be around either.
The design of the Porta Pro is truly unique. The shapes of the side pieces aren't simply the typical circular or oval cups that are ubiquitous in modern headphones. Instead, they're shaped in the form of a musical annotation—each of which features a 3-position adaptable temple pad (Comfort Zonesetting) at the top, with the small round transducers mounted below using a pivoting ball and socket.
The headband is made up of two unpadded, spring-steel bands that slide against each other to fit the head. (Simple, light, and easily fine-tuned, but the headband is known for pulling out hair if you're not careful when making adjustments!) When removed from the head, the band slides back to the not-extended length.
The ear plates fold up and betrayal a metal hook and loop that spike the Porta Pro into a compact round shape for storage. The originals came with a "but a tad too small" vinyl pocketbook, which was frustrating to use. The zippered example is an immense improvement.
Color Choices
To paraphrase Henry Ford's iconic quote, you tin can take the Porta Pro Wireless in "any color so long as information technology is black." No other options at this point.
Withal, the wired version is currently available in a couple of limited-edition colors (Blackness Golden and Rhythm Beige), which include an inline remote and microphone on the not-removable cable. Crimson and white wired versions were also made in some markets.Massdrop even offers a wired Porta Pro X in all black.
The new colors and cablevision are the just changes to the original Porta Pro design. All the important bits are exactly the same as the original, maintaining form, function, and (nearly importantly) the sound that the Porta Pro is known for.
Koss Porta Pro Wireless Differences
Artful changes from the original to the new Wireless version are fairly subtle. The original turquoise blue found on the commuter has been changed to a darker, bolder bluish. The original blue on the Comfort Zone switch is at present black. Decals are updated to say "Porta Pro Wireless."
Of course, the original 1.35 m Y-type string and iii.5 mm angled plug have been removed for the wireless version. Although touted as wireless, there is now a thicker 50 cm cord connecting both cups. Approximately 3 cm down on the right side is the integrated command module (Play/Pause, Showtime/Finish, Book, Reply/End, etc.) and an integrated microphone.
Unfortunately, the buttons aren't very easy to differentiate by touch, as they are a single continuous piece of rubber. Mirrored on the left side is a slightly larger module that contains the battery.
Weight is relatively unchanged, with the Porta Pro Wireless (~70 g) beingness only well-nigh 5 grams heavier than the original (~65 thou).
Bright-Blue LEDs Don't Make Electronics Better
My well-nigh serious complaint regarding the Porta Pro Wireless is the obnoxiously bright bluish LED that flashes every few seconds when connected.
In annihilation but a well-lit room, the flash is bright enough to reflect off anything nearby. My wife described it as lightning that you lot come across in your peripheral vision. It's a abiding and abrasive distraction that's easily solved by covering it with tape (but that shouldn't be necessary in the offset place).
The Comfort of Koss
The Porta Pro has always been a pair of remarkably comfortable on-ear headphones, likely attributable to its lightness, reasonable clamping strength, and the adjustable "Condolement Zone" temple pads.
Although the band is not padded, information technology typically barely touches the head, and in that location is a bit of a floating awareness when using the Porta Pro. Even though these are far from the vise-similar grip exhibited by some headphones, they stay in place well enough to be used while exercising (like running). They tin exist adjusted to fit virtually anyone, from a child to those with a larger-than-boilerplate head.
The new cablevision on the Porta Pro Wireless is unobtrusive and easy to ignore. I had some concerns most the battery or control swinging in to touch my neck, simply in one case I had it on, I noticed neither the cable nor the modules on it.
Build Quality
I've heard plenty of concerns regarding the immovability and build quality of the Porta Pro. Let me preface this with: I take expert care of my gear, and I've owned a pair of original Porta Pro for more than two decades (likely longer than some of our readers have been live). I've used the lifetime-warranty repair pick only once over that period of time.
The original'south cable is thin and adequately vulnerable to abuse, and eventually i side was working intermittently. Warranty repair was reasonably quick and entirely painless. They even included new cream pads.
Unfortunately, the lifetime warranty has been shortened to only one twelvemonth with the Porta Pro Wireless.
This is likely due to the express life span of the non-replaceable battery, only information technology's disappointing nonetheless.
I notice the build quality to be absolutely appropriate for the price: a primarily plastic construction with a sturdy steel ring that perfectly balances weight and durability. Replaceable foam ear cushions are available fromKoss at an extremely reasonable three pairs for $v!
Don't make the mistake I did and try aftermarket false-leather-blazon pads—they significantly degraded the audio into a deadened mess. Koss has been doing this for 34 years; they know all-time.
The Wireless Controversy
E'er since the announcement and promotional pictures of the Koss Porta Pro Wireless, there have been a lot of folks complaining that in that location is (in fact) a wire on the wireless version. In general, the criticisms seem to circumduct around this decision, with many stating that they would rather see a significant design modify that hides the wire and electronics in the ring.
If It Works, Don't Mess With Information technology
Suffice to say, Koss is post-obit a proven philosophy regarding these iconic headphones: If it works, don't mess with it. Rather than changing the structural components and risking irresolute the sound, Koss added the Bluetooth functionality to the cord. This blueprint is very reminiscent of the many current Bluetooth IEMs that are tethered together.
An boosted advantage of the controls being on the cable is that they are easier to admission than if they were positioned up on the ear plate itself.
Bluetooth Operation
I've had admittedly no connectedness issues with the Porta Pro Wireless. Information technology features Bluetooth 4.1 with aptX audio codec, and I've experienced no dropouts within nearly 25 feet of my phone or tablet. As expected, across the house and behind a wall, things can become inclement. Anything less has been seamless.
Pairing with Apple tree devices (iPhone, iPad, and Macbook), an Android phone, and a Windows tablet all went smoothly. The remaining bombardment chapters was displayed on my iPhone (iOS eleven.4), and was never an issue due to the lifespan of 12+ hours of regular apply.
Equally an alternative to the Porta Pro Wireless, I tried to locate a decent Bluetooth module that offered the same sort of benefits (price, size, battery life, and audio quality) that could be added to the original wired Porta Pro.
Icouldn't find anything that could compete. Honestly, I wish I could buy just the wire and Bluetooth dongles separately from Koss. Information technology would be terrific to be able to just plug this functionality into any headphones with removable cables.
Sound Signature and Quality
Despite some otherreviews noting an audible background buzzing dissonance, I didn't feel any unwanted noise using the Bluetooth interface. In fact, the Porta Pro Wireless sounds identical to the original wired version. Bravo Koss!
Opposite to the popular trend of consummate isolation for portable headphones, the dynamic driver Porta Pro has an open-backed blueprint that allows plenty of sound to pass through. This is really my preferred noise-isolation mode while being out and about. I don't like being so isolated from my surroundings that I miss helpful warnings like: "Duck! There's a baseball game near to hitting you!"
Still, because so much sound is let in, the Porta Pro is probable not the perfect pick for those in especially noisy surroundings. Equally with open-backed headphones, it leaks sound. However, this wasn't a business for me considering I prefer listening at lower volumes that aren't likely to bother those around me.
Bass
Although lacking much in the way of low sub-bass extension, bass response is generally pleasurable and fun. It remains reasonably controlled and tight-sounding, and gives the impression of fullness. It balances nicely with the midrange and treble in the overall flavor of the audio.
Midrange
Continuing the smooth presentation of the treble, the midrange is clear and presents instruments and vocals naturally (if a bit warmly).
Treble
Best described as not-fatiguing and laid-back, the high frequency playback of the Porta Pro makes for a relaxing and pleasant listening session. While definitely non belittling, the treble response is enjoyable and presents enough item to feel that you lot aren't missing anything too important.
Determination
Why has the Porta Pro survived so long? The deadly value proposition of corking sound quality and a ridiculously affordable price ($49 wired; $79 wireless) had elevated the Porta Pro into rarefied air.
It isn't the most detailed and revealing, or the most appropriate for bassheads. Information technology doesn't accept the best soundstage or resolution. But what the Porta Pro excels at is being an almost unbelievably skillful-enough jack-of-all-trades.
The new Porta Pro Wireless sounds just the same as its predecessors that Koss made 34 years ago.
Check Cost: Koss Porta Pro Wireless
Full disclosure: I still drive an one-time sports car made in 1984. I dear much of the pop culture, music, and movies of 1984. And I notwithstanding beloved the Koss Porta Pro circa 1984. I can retrieve my father owning a pair (rebranded as Radio Shack business firm make "Realistic," I believe) when I was a kid.
Regardless of the dystopia presented inGeorge Orwell'southward classic, it was a year with much to offering. Koss decided to go on doing what works when information technology updated this archetype. Thank goodness for that.
Source: https://www.headphonesty.com/2018/06/review-koss-porta-pro-wireless-if-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-it/
0 Response to "Koss Porta Pro Limited Edition Black Gold Headphones Review"
Post a Comment