Koss Porta Pro

The portapros sit in between the px100-II and the ksc75 in brightness. Bass is in between as well

 

True, but the only thing that makes positioning so important in the first place is the pressure itself. It's not like you're doing sub-millimeter positioning to achieve the perfect sound, it's just for comfort.

That I can understand as a legitimate reason. Though I have to mention that I'm a low-volume listener and usually hear less bass than most people report from every model of headphones, yet the KSC75 is always impressive (or surprisingly satisfactory) to me in bass quantity, especially if I go a longer while without using it and then come back to it.

 

The portapro also has settings for tightness of the cups to adjust for bass

 

Recently did some removable cable mods on the KSC75, just thought I'd share here. Also having fun experimenting with different pads.

 

That's very neat, where did you source the connectors?

 

I'd also be interested in knowing what connectors you used. I've been trying to find one of the 25th anniversary Porta Pros with the upgraded cable on the used market, but they're rare at reasonable prices. This would be a good alternative.

Does anyone know if anyone has recently tried to measure the KSC-35 alongside the KSC-75 and Porta Pros? The KSC-35 are still available direct from Koss. I remember long ago reading someone speculating that the KSC-35 was basically the KSC-75 form factor with drivers borrowed from the Porta Pros.

For what it's worth, I recently picked up one of the black band Porta Pros like the ones shown on the first page when they were an Amazon-Koss exclusive and find them quite similar to my old KSC-35s, although marginally bassier probably because of the method of ear coupling. My new pair of PPs has just a hint of minor channel imbalance though in terms of volume levels between ears. Despite that, very satisfying to listen to, and easy to recommend to people.

 

That would be Solderdude or someone else from DIY Audio Heaven.
https://diyaudioheaven.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/portapro-bl-75-green-35-pur.png

Yes, that's what I've been seeing claimed as well: KSC35 is basically the (S)Porta Pro driver on earhooks. KSC75 is a new driver with titanium coating that the others didn't have, leading to smoother treble.

 

Doesnt the massdrop version have a beefier cable? If so they had it for 30 bucks the other day and I would expect them to possibly sell it again before xmas. It may be for sale there now.

 

There are 35 & 75 measurements by Marvey on Changstar:

https://www.changstar.com/www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,393.msg6521.html#msg6521

https://www.changstar.com/www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,231.msg2732.html#msg2732

I know nothing about the 35s (which I don't see on the Koss website - sure they're still available?) beyond that in photos on the web their enclosures look the same as the PortaPro enclosures, so I suspect that they are indeed the same units.

Measurements of the PortaPro vs headbanded 75, taken from the ones in this thread but corrected for a bad microphone calibration, below. Avg L/R for 2-3 of measurements of each:



The 75s' bounce at 3k and the Portas' drop around 8 are not inconsistent with other measurements I've seen (including, broadly, @ultrabike 's from earlier in this thread). I don't know to what extent the difference is due to driver coating vs enclosure, which is more vented on the 75s.

My listening impressions, recorded in the thread linked above, also seem consistent with others' impressions.

Edit: Gibberish -> English

 

I bought 35s a few years ago after being so impressed with the 75. Both are used with the Parts Express headband. I've been using the 35s at work the last few days and really like them, but for being about 3-4x the price of 75s (When 75s can sometimes be found for $15 or less), I don't think they're worth the extra money. Heck, I'm not sure I even prefer them over the 75s. I think the 75s are a little smoother but lack a little top end detail. The 35s have more detail but could potentially offend people that are treble sensitive. (Think Multibit DAC vs. Sabre DAC).

BTW, I preferred the 35 with headband over Portapros even though they supposedly use the same driver. Probably has more to do with clamping force than anything.

KSC-75s are the ultimate no brainer for a cheap headphone. I usually have one driver go out in about 2-3 years. Despite the lifetime warranty, they're disposable. Buy them when they're dirt cheap on Amazon and keep a spare around for when the other dies.

 

Porta Pro's =/ KSC 35

If anything Porta pro driver = KSC 75.

 

Heh, this conversation again... What are you basing that on? The KSC75 driver has the thicker enclosure, more venting holes and silvery titanium-deposited diaphragms, while the Porta Pro, Sporta Pro and KSC35 drivers look exactly the same if removed from the headbands.

 

The fact that my porta pro is a bass cannon compared to my ksc35.

 

KPH30i, having drivers of the same family (dunno about coating) in different enclosures on a headband, is $19.99 at Massdrop today. Measurements and impressions cf. PortaPro & KSC75 in this post:

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...apro-senn-px100-ii-akg-k403.5303/#post-194751

Bad mic calibration, but it's the same for all 3. Short version: IMO KSC75 on a headband > PortaPro > KPH30i, but the 30i is certainly convenient and comfortable.

 

Tried switching them around?

 

I could 100% blind test that shit

 

The FR varies a great deal depending on the headband, I have not measured the KSC35, but the Sporta Pro and Porta Pro drivers have identical FR profiles if you take the headband out of the equation.

 

I've done the headband swap to el cheapo band years ago. To my ears the 35 is a hell of a lot more neutral and the porta pro a hell of a lot more v shaped. These koss phones are my sweaty/beater phones and I swap them around depending on my mood. For me it is a night and day difference.

 

Now you’ve got me curious. I may need to do a comparison again. I think I may have done my original comparison with well used 75s, while the 35s may have been pretty fresh out of the box. So if break in is real on these that could make a difference.

Come to think of it, I may have replaced the pads on the 35s. They are donut style where the metal screens covering the driver are exposed.

 

Metal screens covering the driver?