Koss Porta Pro - originals at a good price. Review of Koss Porta Pro Wireless - the wireless version of the legendary headphones Koss porta pro classic headphones reviews

KOSS's high reputation in the field of headphone production is undeniable - for many years the company's products have been highly rated by professional musicians and studio workers, KOSS headphones rightfully stand next to Sennheiser and AKG. Today the company produces 16 types of headphones, from models for call centers to in-ear headphones for professional stage monitoring. In the 80s of the last century, KOSS shifted a considerable share of the attention of its developers to the consumer segment. The result of this was the creation of an extensive line of headphones for portable equipment, at least two models of which have over time acquired almost legendary status. Of course, we are talking about The Plug and Porta Pro models. They owe their success to several factors, together they are best characterized by the phrase “powerful sound for little money.” Both models retail for no more than $30, while being a kind of benchmark in their segment (in-ear and on-ear headphones) and price category.

Obviously, when starting to publish reviews of headphones, you cannot ignore generally recognized models, despite the fact that they have been on sale for several years. KOSS Porta Pro is quite popular in Russia; these headphones can often be seen in use on public transport, and wherever people listen to music on the move. This is all the more surprising considering that the first version of Porta Pro, not too different from today’s, was first presented to the general public back in 1984.

Porta Pro are medium-sized over-ear headphones, made in a folding design with a metal headband. The ear pads and special pads are made of black foam. The headphones have a standard 3.5 mm gold-plated minijack plug; an adapter for a professional 6.3 mm format is included. Also included is a soft carrying case made of black leatherette.

One of the distinctive design features is the spring-loaded headband, which automatically reduces the diameter if the headphones are removed from the head. It consists of two thin metal plates that move freely relative to each other. The flexibility of the plates, in addition to convenient size adjustment, also allows you to fold the headphones very compactly for transportation. It is also worth noting the suspension of the speakers, which allows you to change their angle relative to the headband - with its help, additional comfort is provided when wearing headphones.

Case and design

The headphone material is durable plastic with different coatings in black and blue, and there are also silver inserts. The plastic feels durable enough to last for several years. All parts are precisely stamped, there are no casting defects. The hinges and guides are firmly fixed in place, there is no play, which usually leads to breakdowns.

The color scheme of Porta Pro, as already mentioned, includes blue, black and silver. The appearance of the headphones generally suits any style of clothing, as much as possible, although it is better, of course, not to wear them with a business suit. The appearance of the headphones as a whole should be considered quite successful, especially considering their only growing popularity for such a long time. They look surprisingly modern, complemented by silver inserts and a metal headband.

The headphone cord is 1.2 m long and boasts a fairly large thickness, especially in comparison with the cords of modern representatives. High thickness means greater reliability, and this can only benefit users. Unfortunately, due to the design features, a separate wire is connected to each of the headphones, unlike many modern models, where the main wire is connected to one of the headphones, and the signal to the second is transmitted through the headband. Here the designers chose the lesser evil: the Porta Pro would lose a significant share of its consumer qualities if the headphones could not be folded or the headband was deprived of such freedom of adjustment.

The quality of the headphones is commendable, which is no wonder: since 1984, KOSS engineers have had enough time to optimize the production process.

Overall, the Porta Pro seem like reliable and durable headphones that can withstand intense daily wear and tear for a couple of years.

Sound and ease of use

Obviously, Porta Pro owes its popularity not only to its successful design and relatively low price; in the end, it is the sound quality that plays the main role. With this, which is quite expected, the headphones are all right. Be that as it may, despite a lot of rave reviews, you shouldn't expect too much. Indeed, the headphones reproduce excellent low frequencies, especially for their on-ear status, and here they can be compared with the best Shockwave models from Panasonic. High and mid frequencies also do not cause any complaints; vocals and cymbals in rock and roll compositions sound very incendiary. However, at high volume levels the sound becomes noticeably “dirtier”, with the bass coming to the fore and reproduced without distortion, but the high frequencies are noticeably blurred. On the other hand, this effect appears when listening to music from players with a powerful amplifier, for example, Apple iPod or some Sony CD models. It is worth noting that this has virtually no effect on the impression of music with “drive”, from the Exploited to the Prodigy, although the “dirty” sound may not be to the taste of connoisseurs of maximum sound purity.

The ease of use of Porta Pro is due to the design itself and is at a very high level. The flexible headband allows for a very wide range of adjustments, and the same goes for the swivel mounting of the speakers. Separately, it is worth noting the proprietary system for adjusting the pressing force of the speakers to the ears: right on the suspension there is a two-position switch with which this force can be increased or decreased. In the same place, but on the other side, there are pads made of dense foam rubber, which prevent the headband from pressing the suspension to the head in the temple area.

Be that as it may, it is with the active use of foam rubber in the design that perhaps the only complaint about the Porta Pro is associated. The fact is that foam parts tend to become dirty and deformed during use, and it is not possible to remove them for replacement, at least this applies to pads. The fastening of foam ear pads has the property of a “fish hook”, that is, without damaging them, the ear pads cannot be removed, they only need to be replaced with new ones.

Conclusions and impressions

Porta Pro represent timeless classics like the Kalashnikov assault rifle or the Technics SL-1210 turntable. The headphones sound great at medium volume levels and distort the sound somewhat at maximum. However, they are great for listening to loud and dynamic electronic music, rock and hip-hop, no matter what. The response at low frequencies is pleasantly surprising; here the headphones give a head start to many of today's competitors. The headphones get extra points because of their thoughtful design, which is resistant to wear and tear during intensive use every day. The price for KOSS Porta Pro in Moscow retail today is about 1,000 rubles, although they can be purchased from some sellers for 800.

Specifications:

• Resistance: 60 ohm
• Sensitivity: 101 dB/mW
• Frequency range: 15 Hz – 25 kHz
• Cord length: 1.2 m
• Plug: 3.5 mm, adapter to 6.3 mm included

Modern realities dictate a frantic pace of updating the model range, because progress does not stand still, new technologies appear every year. And selling a product presented in the past is a non-trivial task; the buyer is chasing new products. But there are also timeless classics! KOSS Porta Pro are headphones with a 30-year history, which are still in production today and are in enviable demand. Today we have to understand the secrets of the model’s success using the example of a limited edition created specifically for Russia - KOSS Porta Pro Casual Edition.

Specifications

• Headphone type: over-ear.
• Fastening method: headband.
• Emitter type: dynamic.
• Type of acoustic design: closed.
• Headphone frequency response: 15 - 25,000 Hz.
• Impedance: 60 Ohm.
• Sensitivity: 101 dB.
• Sound circuit format: stereo 2.0.
• Headset connection: 3.5 mm (3-pin).
• Cable: fixed 1.2 m.
• Weight: 79 g.
• Features: foldable design, comfortZone suspension adjustment.

Equipment

The headphones are supplied in a small cardboard box decorated in light colors. It’s nice that the company took care of the Russification of the inscriptions that describe the key features of the model.

Inside there is a plastic pedestal with a rope for easy pulling. In addition to the headphones themselves, the delivery package includes a transport bag. The packaging was made by people for whom attention to detail is not an empty phrase; the contents look more than presentable.

Appearance and design of headphones

I think that the design of the KOSS Porta Pro when it was released in 1984 was quite bold, even futuristic. Over the past decades, the appearance has become the epitome of classic. The test version was the Casual Edition, decorated in blue and brown tones. The color scheme reflected the combination of jeans and leather, which has entered our lives so deeply. This made us take a fresh look at the classic model, refreshing its appearance.

The design remains unchanged. The base is a metal headband, to which a pendant made of semi-glossy plastic is attached. The material has a texture that is pleasant to the touch and plays beautifully in the light. An important accent is the chrome-plated metal inserts with the model name painted on. A small screw on the left suspension complements the retro look of the model and helps to distinguish the left speaker from the right on the go.

KOSS Porta Pro - on-ear headphones. The headband is adjusted by two metal plates that move freely relative to each other. To fit the headphones, you need to move the headband to its extreme position using plastic tips, and after putting it on, adjust the size according to the volume of your head.

The second detail that ensures a comfortable fit is foam inserts in the temple area. The pressure exerted on the ears is regulated by changing the angle of the suspension relative to the headband. With only three positions, the adjustment range of a couple of degrees is impressive. The solution cannot be called anything other than unique!

The picture is completed by a hinge with which the cups are attached to the suspension. The adjustment range is quite wide and ensures a precise fit. It is worth admitting that the foam ear pads look rather archaic, but there are no complaints about the material, and the ears do not sweat. The only thing in which foam rubber is inferior to leatherette is wear resistance; the lining will have to be changed periodically. Fortunately, due to the prevalence of the model, there are no problems with finding spare ear pads.

Overall, the ergonomics of the KOSS Porta Pro became a real revelation for me; the design breaks the stereotypes about the inconvenience of miniature on-ear headphones. Once you select the appropriate combination of settings, you won’t want to say goodbye to your headphones. Due to the precise adjustment of pressure on the ears and the lightness of only 79 grams, the concept of fatigue during wear simply does not exist.

The company's engineers did not forget about ease of transportation. The pendant is equipped with a swivel mount with a lock and folds into the inside of the headband. For greater compactness, a hook is provided. When folded, the headphones easily fit into your fist, as well as into the included leatherette case. You can carry KOSS Porta Pro not only in a bag or backpack; the headphones will not take up much space in your winter jacket pocket. You can fold the headphones without fear for the safety of the structure, because the cable is routed separately for each channel, and the metal plastic of the headband is quite flexible.

Connection

The cable is the weak point of the KOSS Porta Pro. It seems to me that a model of this class and sound level is worthy of a modern braided wire. But buyers will find an ordinary cable 1.2 meters long in a rubber braid. The connection is made via 3.5 mm, the L-shaped plug is a big plus for reliability.

Sound

Sound is the main highlight of KOSS Porta Pro and the reason for its high popularity. The model is famous for its excellent low frequencies. The bass sounds sharp and rich. It creates a feeling of volume that most compact headphones lack. Even at maximum volume, the lows sound detailed and without a hint of wheezing. This character combined with a compact body is the result of the open design. The radiators do not require an acoustically designed space inside the housing.

As a result, KOSS Porta Pro copes with electronic music rich in low frequencies with a bang, the compositions sound truly driving! But the company’s engineers didn’t stop there; fans of rock and other genres rich in instruments will appreciate the well-developed midrange, which gives the sound the necessary dynamics.

As is known, the dynamic type emitters that form the basis of KOSS Porta Pro are not capable of playing the entire frequency range equally well. Therefore, those with a keen ear, who are accustomed to enjoying the most subtle notes, will notice that the high ones are overwhelmed. The equalizer largely corrects the current situation. And the headphones do not pretend to be the ultimate Hi-Fi solution.

With all the advantages described above, the open design is fraught with some nuances. First of all, there is a complete lack of passive noise insulation, which causes discomfort in public transport; you have to increase the volume. The latter entails the risk of disturbing people around you; sound from open headphones easily breaks out and covers the room.

Let's sum it up

KOSS Porta Pro Casual is, first of all, an interesting sound that will appeal to fans of most musical genres. The picture is completed by a successful design, which has all the necessary features, despite the compactness of the body. Also, one cannot fail to note the remarkable design; the headphones look more than original. All of the above are the very drivers of success that have allowed KOSS Porta Pro to successfully navigate the compact headphone market since 1984. Adequate price and correct positioning made the model legendary and incredibly popular!

Pros:

• Unusual appearance.
• Deep rich bass.
• Compact foldable design.
• Finely customizable fit.
• Light weight.

Minuses:

• Simple permanent cable.
• Poor sound insulation.

May not like:

• Open type of acoustic design.

The advantages of the store: a wide selection of goods with very reasonable prices, fast service and delivery. Comment: I ordered these headphones from the Doctorhead online store. Immediately after ordering, I received a quick response from the store managers and made a deal to purchase headphones. The service was very good and dignified, it was a pleasure to communicate with a knowledgeable person. The goods were delivered the next day, much faster than I expected.

Sound

Anonymously

(4 out of 4 people found this review helpful)

In my opinion, these are the best headphones among inexpensive ones. They have been working faithfully for more than a year, their sound is amazing, and the design is also interesting. I am simply delighted with them, I don’t even want to change them for anything else.

Neutral rating

Anonymously

Very good headphones with incomparable sound quality and unique design. Very convenient to carry. My favorite headphones for many years now.

Neutral rating

from maxim

I decided to give myself a gift for February 23rd and bought it, as they say, blindly. I didn’t even know these were such popular ears. First of all, I decided to try them out on a recently downloaded rip from Scorpions vinyl and... I was very upset. The sound is boomy, high frequencies are lost, sound detail is poor. In general, the topic of vinyl remained unsolved. Moreover, before that I used (and will continue to use for some time) cheap Panasonic 0101, which give a more realistic sound with smooth frequency characteristics. The only thing these ears were good at was electronic music. But since I only listen to it in the car, and not at home or on the player, these ears are not suitable for me. Selling.

Negative rating

from Vyacheslav

(3 out of 3 people found this review helpful)

Praising KOSS is sedition. But, I'll take the risk. For their cheap price, the ears are wonderful! Yes, the design is without any frills, yes, the bass in them is vulgar, yes, they are muddy... But, they are correct in the middle and at the top! In them (the plebeian bass does not count) there is “Euclidean geometry” - all the sounds are in their places. For “sausage” and metals, an extended bass is not a strong hindrance, and in classical music there is not so much “bass extremism”. And what full voices - Grado and Sennheisers will give a head start! The cymbals in them ring, not rustle, when the singer reaches the letter “C” - it doesn’t seem like he has no front teeth... like in some highly praised headphones. I've been listening to them for 4 or 5 years. I have Sporta pro for sports, and Porta pro for the rest (Porta is clear, better, more sophisticated). Both of them endured incredible loads. The sports ones were so wet from the rain that I thought they wouldn’t survive - they are still alive. Even the ear pads are original. (Porollon becomes very decrepit from the light - I always keep it in a case). Since it is important WHO praises, I will say about myself that I listen to Ch. in a classic way. music. More opera. In my youth I was a “metalhead” and now sometimes, but rarely... Sports - under furious techno (not strong in styles). So, these headphones are very good. I recommend!!! I replaced them, just 2 days ago, with Audio-Technica ES7. Yes, new ones will of course be better, but the money is different...

Positive review

by TrickyKid

(2 out of 4 people found this review helpful)

Negative rating

by Symbol

(1 in 1 people found this review helpful)

I bought these headphones about half a year ago - I haven’t parted with them since then. Truly a classic. When choosing, I was won over by reviews like “analogue of a Kalashnikov assault rifle”, “produced since the early 80s” and “give rich bass”. Well, what can I say. Among the undoubted ADVANTAGES: - Very cool “old school” design. Classic! Largely because of this, I preferred them to the more modern and not so stylish Sporta Pro. - Ba-a-as! Simply incredible bass for a budget model costing just over 1000 rubles. Perhaps the sound is not as detailed as you would like, but if you buy this model as an alternative to standard player earbuds and are not spoiled by the sound of studio headphones for 200 bucks, then you definitely will not be disappointed! The bass in Porta Pro is not as true as many fans of uncolored sound appreciate, but it is very rich and deep. - Lightweight and comfortable. Quite tightly, but comfortably cover the head. They don’t move, they don’t put pressure. I used these headphones everywhere, even snowboarded in them, and I can say that they have quite sufficient fixation on the head even for such an active sport. I consider the use of a three-position temple pressure regulator in the design to be nonsense, because... It still gets lost every time I take it off. But for me personally, this is not critical: even in the default position, the headphones fit comfortably. - The foam used in the headphones is of very high quality, and after six months of active use there are no problems. To be honest, I was surprised to read that for some people it breaks and wears out, but for me everything is fine, although it is made in China. From the MINUSES: - Quite archaic design of the bow. Being unaccustomed to it, it was difficult to put them on, and sometimes even painful: the bow often pinches the hair, and with an awkward movement you can tear out a couple of pieces :) True, I quickly got used to it, and after a week I did not experience absolutely any discomfort when putting it on. - Open design. Don't even think about using these headphones in the subway or other similar places. Sound insulation leaves much to be desired. - A rather flimsy design for attaching the innermost speaker housing (in the pictures it is blue) to the outer holder (black metal). The inside of the earpiece is mounted on what appears to be a floating plastic hinge, sandwiched between 2 "vices". From experience, I can say that this is the weakest point of these headphones: a couple of times while snowboarding, I fell on the porta pro that was in my chest pocket, after which I took them out with one inner “ear” already flying out of the holder. Fortunately, the plastic hinge itself did not break off, but was only slightly deformed, and with a slight click it was inserted back into the “vice” holding it. After that, I try not to use these headphones for sports, because... I'm just afraid I'll break it the next time I fall. SUMMARY: Excellent headphones for the money! In this price range, I think they have no equal. In particular, I had the opportunity to listen to the AKG K27i - against the backdrop of a coss - just no way. If before purchasing these ears you only listened to earplugs, then the sound of the koss will definitely make a lasting impression on you! However, over time, I think, I will want better sound insulation and sound detail.

I thought for a long time whether I should undertake this review. Not because the Koss Porta Pro are bad headphones, on the contrary, they are very good in their price category. The main reason for my doubts was that everyone already knows about Porta Pro. But after thinking a little, I decided that I still have something to tell about them, so read on, and I hope you will learn something interesting about the legendary model.

If you haven’t read my review of the Koss UR50 headphones, where I talked about the history of the company’s formation, I recommend reading the first half of it to understand the historical context and the role that Koss played in personal audio.

In the early to mid-80s, the situation for Koss was very difficult. A series of unsuccessful decisions made by the hired manager almost brought the company to bankruptcy. This forced John C. Coss himself to return and take over the company, saving it from collapse, which seemed inevitable. In those years, Sony revolutionized audio with its Walkman player, making audio truly portable. Koss also tried to release their own player, but the company failed due to delays in the start of sales. Despite this setback, Koss engineers realized that personal audio was the future and focused on creating good music for on-the-go listening. As a result, Porta Pro was developed in 1984 based on KSP (Koss Sound Partner) headphones.

At that time, there were virtually no role models, there were no large Chinese factories offering hundreds of OEM models that you could take and, sticking your own logo on, sell. It is not surprising that the Porta Pro turned out to be innovative in almost every way; they are often compared to a Kalashnikov assault rifle, since the same combination of simplicity and efficiency can be observed in the Porta Pro.

Based on the basic model, the company produces many similar solutions. The now-discontinued Koss Porta Pro Jr, with its black and blue design and no comfort zone switch, was offered for less, but has now been replaced by the Koss Sporta Pro, which features the ability to be worn with a headband. There is also now an even more budget model on sale - KSC-75, it is made without a bow at all, the headphones are simply attached to the ears with special “hooks”. All these models use the same driver and similar acoustic design (below I will tell you why this is very good).

There were also experiments with design: there are models in different colors, with headsets, and in honor of the 25th anniversary of the model’s release in 2009, the company released a limited edition Koss Porta Pro Anniversary Edition. This is exactly the model I got into my collection, and I will tell you about it using its example.

• Acoustic design: open
• Ear pad type: over-ear
• Mounting: arc
• Frequency range: 15-25000 Hz
• Impedance: 60 Ω
• Sensitivity: 101 dB/mW
• Harmonic distortion factor:< 0,2%
• Features: foldable design, pressure regulator ear pads
• Cord length: 1.2 m
• Plug: 3.5mm
• Weight: 79 g

Packaging and delivery

The anniversary edition comes in a solid double box made of black cardboard. The outer box, made of regular black cardboard with silver embossing, hides another box made of thick, thick cardboard.

Opening the second box, we finally get access to the headphones. Everything is neatly laid out in foam rubber, and the company slogan is printed on the inside of the lid: “Hearing is Beieving.” In addition to the headphones themselves, you will receive a leather carrying pouch, a 6.3mm adapter and a commemorative coin dedicated to the anniversary.

The regular Porta Pro version is sold in a blister made of transparent plastic; it doesn’t look as stylish, but it allows you to save a lot on your purchase.

Design and wearing comfort

The design of the headphones never ceases to amaze with their efficiency. The headband is made of two metal arcs that move relative to each other, this simple mechanism allows you to easily adjust the size, achieving a comfortable fit. The downside is that sometimes this design can catch several hairs. In the regular version these plates are silver, in the anniversary and color versions they are black.

At the ends of the arc there are black plastic holders for the earcups; their characteristic shape has become the calling card of the model. The design allows the holders to be folded inwards for transport, while the earpiece itself can be secured using a hook and loop at opposite ends (another example of a clever idea). Silver inserts complement the design of the headphones.

The earcups are fixed on movable hinges, which allows for a better fit. The ear pads are made of foam rubber, they are put on the cup, covering it, and are additionally held in place by small pins on the outside of the cup. In the regular version the cups are blue, in the anniversary version they are black, personally I like this option better.

The symmetrical Y-cable is one of the weakest points of the Porta Pro, as I think all owners of these headphones will agree with. Capable of surviving being caught in the epicenter of a nuclear explosion or a short trip in space, “ports” most often fail due to cable breakdowns near the plug or cup. In regular models, the cable is also the simplest, with rubber insulation, while in the Anniversary Edition it is made of fabric, which gives it a little strength.

Porta Pro is also unlikely to cause any complaints regarding the comfort of fit: they are light, almost weightless, and movable cups provide a comfortable fit. There are foam pads on the inside of the headband. There are two controls on the outside of the holders to adjust the clamping force, although the sound is best when the headphones fit snugly.

Since the headphones are open, the sound insulation is average. You can listen to them on the street, but in public transport the noise will disturb you, and there is a risk of quarreling with neighbors who are dissatisfied with the noise.

Sound

The following equipment was used for listening:

• MacBook Pro Early 2011
• Yulong DA8 in HogMode as DAC/amplifier
• as a player
• Fischer Audio Oldskool 33 1/3, AKG K702 for comparison
• Recordings in lossless formats

As I wrote above, the headphones are open, their sound is warm, prone to darkness, a little distant. The bass is good considering the price of the headphones, but when compared with more expensive models - even if the quantity is sufficient - it sometimes lacks clarity and punch. The mids are well-developed, but they are a little drowned out by the bass, making the sound on some tracks seem a little buzzy. The upper frequencies are not straining, relaxed, although sometimes they lack speed.

It’s worth considering, however, that all these quibbles are definitely offset by the cost of the headphones. When you consider the price tag, the Koss Porta Pro sound more than good, and certainly beat out almost all competitors in a similar price range.

Due to the open design, the sound is quite spacious and the instruments are not poorly positioned. I also love the energetic nature of these babies, they are well suited to music full of life and "real" instruments.

Maud

The potential of the emitters used in the headphones is quite high, this can be heard from the careful processing of the entire spectrum, the main problem is the bass, which “overlaps” the mid-frequency range. The second most important problem is insufficient development of the upper frequency range, depriving the sound of “air”. This is largely due to the acoustic design of the headphones.

The fact is that on top of the emitter there is a grille with very narrow slits and foam ear pads; they dampen the upper and partially mid frequencies, leaving a lot of booming bass. It’s not difficult to fix this; there is a so-called “Krummer mod” for this.

Attention! Everything you do with headphones is at your own peril and risk. This mod will void your warranty and, if done incorrectly, your headphones. Although if you do it carefully, it does not present any difficulty.

The headphones for the mod will need to be disassembled; instructions with pictures are traditionally available on iFixit.

First, you will need to remove the cups with the emitters. They are held on by a simple latch, so to disconnect you need to stick your fingers under the cup and pull it away from the mount.

The next step is to remove the ear pads. Everything here is trivial, the main thing is not to tear them on the fastening pins.

The last step you need to do is to remove the black grill covering the diaphragm. It is also held on by latches, so carefully pry it off and remove it.

Now, using a drill, you need to make as many holes in the grill as possible. It is best to take a smaller drill first, then expand the hole with a larger one. The configuration of the holes can be seen in the figure.

After this, carefully put the headphones back together, except for the ear pads. In the middle of the ear pads you need to cut a hole approximately half the diameter. You can do this roughly using a utility knife, or you can find a tube of a suitable diameter and, after sharpening it, cut a hole with it.

Another funny but workable option: instead of ear pads, use a hair tie of a suitable diameter.

As you understand, the main goal of this mod is to remove as much as possible all possible obstacles between the emitter and your ear. As a result, the sound of the upper mids and high-frequency range is greatly improved, the bass becomes less booming and smeared.

Compatibility

The headphones, despite the above-average impedance, are not very critical of the source. They play perfectly from any source, although after the mod they are quite worthy of good players at the level of the same X3. I also want to note that the lower the player's output impedance, the better bass control your Porta Pro will have.

conclusions

The most famous, best-selling, longest-running headphones are all Koss Porta Pro. If you are looking for on-ear headphones and are not burdened with extra money, then Porta Pro will be an excellent choice for you.

Contest

You have a chance to see for yourself the veracity of this review, since Koss has given us the opportunity to give Sporta Pro headphones to one of our readers (and almost everything written about Porta Pro applies to them as well), so we will hold a simple draw.

There were a lot of participants, so we collected all your links to social networks, removed duplicates from them and obtained a list of unique posts on social networks. Next, using a random number generator, we selected one link and determined its author. Thus, the winner is our reader with the nickname Pioneer_93. Congratulations!

The first Porta Pro from Koss were released back in 1984 and have remained virtually unchanged since then. During this time, we have seen the rise and fall of tape cassettes, portable CD players, MP3 players, and smartphones with headphone jacks. But the newest era of sound is transforming into a wireless one, which prompted Koss to release the Koss Porta Pro Wireless headphones costing $79.99 (RUB 5,000).

I'll start with the design, which even by 1998 standards looks terribly unimpressive, let alone in 2018. The new product has no high-end additional features and is made of spartan plastic connected by a thin, adjustable metal band with small foam pads.

The savings in materials are directly related to two of the Porta Pro's strengths: firstly, they are inexpensive, and secondly, their low weight ensures impeccable comfort even during prolonged use.

A little annoying is that when using the Koss Porta Pro Wireless, each earbud has a remote control hanging from it, which dangles pointlessly or gets caught on the collar when moving. This doesn't make the headphones ugly, but the design could use a little more work.

Another downside to the Porta Pro Wireless is the pulsating blue light that is emitted when they are turned on. This light is too bright and what is even sadder is that it cannot be turned off. Watching a movie in a dark room will be a big challenge.

Unfortunately, the theme of poor design extends to the functionality of the remote control, which has three buttons - one for play/pause and the other two for volume control. They are practically indistinguishable to the touch, which makes them difficult to use.

Headphone performance

In terms of performance, the Koss Porta Pro Wireless is close to its wired brother, with the same problems and shortcomings. The headphones support Bluetooth 4.1 with AptX, which is pretty much the minimum you'd expect from any modern Bluetooth headphone.

When using Porta Pro Wireless, background noise is heard. This does not interfere with enjoying the music, but it adds another minus to the piggy bank.

Sound and its quality

It's worth noting that the Koss Porta Pro Wireless, whether wired or wireless, are among the loudest headphones you can buy for under $100 (RUB 6,000) or even $200 (RUB 12,000). Their volume is very impressive.

The sound from the Koss Porta Pro Wireless is a bit rough and not very detailed, given the design, you shouldn't expect any real bass. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Porta Pro Wireless reproduces bass frequencies very well. The highs also sound great here, with no hiss or screaming peaks.

Noise insulation

One of the significant problems with the Wireless version, like the wired version, is sound leakage. Soft foam pillows do not have sound insulation, so everything you listen to will be heard by others.

In the same way, external noise will penetrate into your ears, constantly distracting you from listening. So I don't recommend using the Koss Porta Pro Wireless on public transport, in an open plan office or even in a shared bedroom.

Koss Porta Pro Wireless microphone and autonomy

The built-in microphone on the Porta Pro Wireless is quite good and does its job well.

Nowadays, everyone has a Bluetooth connection on their phone, and finding $80 to buy a pair of really good headphones won't be a problem for most people.

Benefits of Koss Porta Pro Wireless

• Wearing comfort.
• Excellent sound quality.
• Foldable design.
• Protective case.