Koss Porta Pro

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by ultrabike, Sep 14, 2016.

  1. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    Oh, cool! Thanks, Ultra!

    It's interesting that I was able to "take care" of the null at 4KHz. Or is that something related to the coupler?

    I heard that area as more of a peak than a null, by the way, so the primary goal of the mod was to remove it and make the treble somewhat smoother, while hopefully not killing/destroying the other positive areas of the drivers. Have you tried EQing this pair? (please let me know the result)

    If it's true that the null is gone, I'll post more info on this whenever I get it back. (but still no rush, man! I'd love to read more of your impressions whenever you have time!) :)
     
  2. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    I'll spend some time comparing the stock vs the mod and post about it. I'm not sure if its a coupler or driver issue. But it's possible it is a coupler issue. We'll see.
     
  3. Bagged Milk

    Bagged Milk Friend

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    I'm almost certain you ordered a fake. Koss only has one Chinese distributor, and that's Koss Asia. That, and the Porta pro, as far as I know, doesn't have any official alternate colors other than the new massdrop one or discontinued special editions. Shipping from China+color options=red flag

    Edit: koss seems to have two new special edition colors on their site. Beige and gold. Presumably only on their site as it says online exclusive

    https://www.koss.com/support/distributors
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2017
  4. LSW

    LSW Facebook Friend

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    Great info, thanks for the measurements. I use sportapros as disposable workout headphones since they're ~$30 and it's not a big deal when they get destroyed by sweat induced corrosion after 9-12 months. Yeah, they look kind of dorky at the gym but I'm an old married geezer so who cares. Also have a pair of portapros; maybe I'll do a comparison of of the sporta and the porta on my crappy measurement rig when I get home just for grins.
     
  5. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    I have suspected that. It would be interesting to see measurements comparing @ultrabike 's black pair and a known authentic pair of Porta-Pro.
     
  6. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    I have no idea if it's a fake or not.

    But it does sound like the real deal.
     
  7. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    Yeah, I think the acoustic design of the Porta Pro are just so good that even if they're fake, they still sound good/decent/pretty awesome.

    The Porta Pro is a prime example of how good acoustic design > cheap drivers, IMO.
     
  8. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    I think it's both things (acoustics and drivers). If the Koss I have are fake, they maybe fake, but they have good drivers. The matching is impeccable too. I've seen over $1k headphones that do not have anywhere near the matching my probably fake Koss have.
     
  9. HockeyFan12

    HockeyFan12 New

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    I remember hearing a null or feature when I did a frequency sweep and I think it was where yours is. If those are fake, they measure a lot like how real Porta Pros sound. I think. :/

    I liked them.
     
  10. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Working up a 3-way portable comparison (adding AKG K403), but to whet appetites in the meantime...

    [​IMG][/IMG] [​IMG]

    Note I think measurements on my rig are systematically low from c. 7-11 kHz and roll off fast below c. 60 Hz.

    Edit: and too high around 5-5.5k - which doesn't help when the measured phones also have a peak there...
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2017
  11. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Interesting. Looking forward to it. I've never tried the PX100-II but based on the graph I might prefer it over PP.
     
  12. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    So... What does this Bll-P mod consist of?, is it the dynamat mod?
     
  13. Ian Craig

    Ian Craig The Dotard of DIYAH

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    The Senn bass goes a bit deeper but on the head, it is significantly darker sounding than the Portapro.
     
  14. LSW

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    Here's my noob measurements of a Portapro and a Sportapro. Not sure what's up with the channel balance of the sporta and the big dip in the right channel at 4.5k, but it might have something to do with them practically going underwater for an hour during my daily attempts to not be a huge big fatty on the cardio machines. They're definitely grainy compared to high end HP's or IEM's but sometimes you need a beater. They sound pretty much the same to me.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Comparing left channel only of the two (Portapro green, Sportapro Red):

    [​IMG]
     
  15. donjoe0

    donjoe0 most likely deaf

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    I don't get why people think a headband would make KSC75s any better - if anything it ruins their supreme comfort by adding unnecessary ear pressure, plus it makes them less portable. If there's one main problem with their build that I see reported over and over it's the wire and/or strain-relief: people who use these for sports (I have to assume) end up breaking one of the wires and losing a channel in about 3-6 months, and that's not something a headband will fix. Maybe some shrink wrap or hot glue around where the wire exits the housing.
     
  16. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    I like the headband better than the clips. And in the end I got the Porta Pro partly because of this (though I still have my KSC75s somewhere, and I do like them). Note the Porta Pro headband folds neatly. I also do not feel any ear pressure with them.

    I use my Porta Pro more than any other headphone BTW. Daily actually.
     
  17. donunus

    donunus Friend

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    I just had to post on this thread to say that I was a big portapro fan as well. Heck, I should buy another one.
     
  18. Biodegraded

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    A headband allows better adjustment of positioning than the clips. Together with the extra pressure, I found that to give better bass - which for me was a bit light otherwise.
     
  19. julian67

    julian67 Facebook Friend

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    I just find them more convenient with a headband. Occasionally I swap the headband for the original clips.

    Yes, the cables are vulnerable and I have wrecked a few but there can hardly be a more accessible and easier headphone on which to solder a new cable. If I can do it then anyone can. A new cable with 3.5mm jack and y split can be had for pennies on aliexpress, for example:
    2pcs KZ 1.2m Gold-plated 3.5mm DIY Headphone Audio Cable Line 3-pole Jack LC-OFC 56 Strand Earphone Maintenance Repair Wire Cord
    http://s.aliexpress.com/VnaeQf6v?

    Yes, that is two cables for £2

    My KSCs have one of those cables now, it is fine. And if/when I destroy it I have the spare ready.
     
  20. julian67

    julian67 Facebook Friend

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    More generally:
    A couple of people mentioned the Sennheiser PX 100. I have the PX 100-II and the KSC 75 but not the PP. Next to the KSC 75s it has a slightly deeper bass but it sounds thick and much darker, the mids and highs get little lost, and it lacks the sparkle and airiness of the KSCs.
     

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