Koss Porta Pro Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones, in-Line Microphone, Volume Control and Touch Remote, Adjustable Headband with Multi-Pivoting Ear Plates, Black

This is a review of several sets of headphones that I’ve tried in attempt to listen to music while at the same time being able to hear my kids If something bad happens and to not use a speaker so that my wife, who is working in the room down the hall isn’t disturbed by the music. Basically, Pandemic headphones. I wanted to keep this purchase in the realm of one hundred bucks. There are basically two ways that you can do this, one is called ambient aware or hear through technology, different companies have different names for it, but it uses either the microphone for talking or the noise cancellation microphone to bring the outside sound in to the headphone. The other is to just use an open backed headphone. I also wanted to this to be a Bluetooth setup because I usually listen to music when I am cleaning or exercising. What I ended up finding was that many companies implement the ambient sound as a button that also brings down the volume, which doesn’t work for what I’m doing. I don’t want to push a button when I’m ready to hear things outside, I want to listen to music while hearing what’s going on around me. The other thing that is an issue with this technology is that, with earbuds and on-ear designs the ambient sound cuts out when the volume gets to about half way. I think this is because above that volume it would start to feed back and potentially damage your hearing. So the better way to do this is to use an open backed headphone. Because of this the winners ended up being the Koss porta pro headphones, the only open backed headphones I could find. They are pretty preposterous looking. But they are comfortable and they are the only open backed Bluetooth headphone under $100, the next most expensive and only other one is the Grado wireless which is $250, there is not a lot of options in this category. It took me a long time to stumble upon the Porta Pros. Apparently they have quite a cult following, the same since 1983 I think. They do sound reasonably good, I’ve read some reviews that the bass is a bit muddy, and I would agree, there are other headphones with a cleaner sounding low end. But, overall, they sound really good, no complaints. The Bluetooth addition to the headphones seems like five years out of date in its implementation, it has the same boop boop beep sound when powering up that my five-year old $35 skull candy's have, the amount of engineering that went into this part was obviously very minimal. I haven't had any trouble with the range though or them cutting out, they seem to be able to be as far away as any of the others. In closing, if you want to rock out but also be able to hear around you these are the best thing that I found. They are very comfortable, however as a bald guy, I’m going to buy a head band pad to put on them. The runner up was the Sony hear on 2, H900N. You can get these around one hundred dollars renewed from Amazon. At this price point these headphones are a very good value. The ones I got had very minimal scratches and no problems. They have many more bells and whistles than the porta pros. They have spoken word announcements when powering on and off and an app that has an equalizer and a few other sound adjustments including the 360 support. You can select the hear through mode or noise cancellation, wind noise reduction or nothing. Of the headphones that I tried with this feature, these had the clearest sounding ambient noise. The JBL live 400s were almost as good in that department but I think the Sony’s were even better. I downloaded Tidal and did the ear picture thing and tried out the Sony 360 feature. I like it. Of all the headphones I tried these created the best soundstage. You can also listen to the 360 tracks on any headphones and they still sound different and, I think, better. However, there are not very many tracks that have been made with this type of recording. Overall though these headphones had the best sound and the best ambient noise feature. But I preferred the Porta Pro’s because you can still hear more ambient noise with those, and I prefer the on ear in general, and especially when I want to hear what is going on around me. In third place I am putting the Plantronics Fit 6100. These are very comfortable over ear headphones. More comfortable than the Sony’s in my opinion. I could wear them for hours. I think the sound is very good and I found the volume is loud enough, which is a problem some reviewers have mentioned. There is app support and you have a couple of different eq preset options to choose from. The ambient sound though, is definitely not as good, it has a hiss and seems faint and in the background. You can not listen to these with a wire, there is no jack. The touch controls, they work ok, but I prefer buttons. The touch controls on these are exactly the same as the Sony’s. I didn’t have any problems with accidental inputs. These are the only headphones that are water resistant, as far as I can tell they are the only non-ear bud headphones in this price range that offer ambient sound and water resistance. Fourth place goes to the JBL live 400. These have a very crisp ambient sound, all the way up to about 60 percent of the volume, where it seems to cut out. There is support for wired listening and pretty satisfying controls. I thought the sound was very good, perhaps not quite as good as the Plantronics 6100 but still very good. No complaints in that department. My only complaint with these headphones is they are not very comfortable, the head band isn’t very soft and neither are the ear cups, the clamping force is on the stronger end. I could wear them for a while, but they end up below the other options because of that. Bringing up last place is the AKG Y500. Still not a terrible set of headphones. But for my purposes they didn’t work because the volume is capped too low with ambient sound turned on. I thought these headphones sounded ok, but perhaps not quite as good as some of the others. I found the controls to be nice to use, and I thought they were comfortable. If I weren’t looking for this specific feature I would have been fine with these.

In 1984 The Koss Porta Pro's were simply designed to be an upgraded portable open ear phone that replaced the relatively poor sounding earphones that came included with one's Walkman, or Walkman clone. Yet in doing so, Koss created a legend. Not only were Porta Pro's ridiculously comfortable, but they sounded great as well. And even if they weren't the most stylish, they certainly beat shoving a boom box to your ear. From early on, Porta Pro users didn't care how they looked, but rather how they sounded. The Koss Porta Pro has remained basically unchanged for 36 years. This is a testament to their design and sound. Oh there have been versions with an included cord mic and volume/playback controls, but the design of the actual headset hasn't changed a bit. The increasing availability of Bluetooth and decreasing availability of 3.5mm phone jacks convinced the engineers to do something pretty revolutionary. Create a wireless version of the Porta Pro. But how do do it and still maintain the sound signature that the Porta Pro? The solution is as brilliant and as inelegant as the PortaPro's themselves. Put all the "hardware" in the cord, and loop the cord together. Thus, the DAC, the charging port and the batteries are all contained in two "lumps" in the cord. Nothing was added to the headset itself. Some in audio circles have criticized this, but fail to see that even slipping a battery pack in the headset would likely affect the fit and sound signature. Nope, For the Porta Pro, to stay a Porta Pro, you couldn't modify the headset. So instead, you have a set of Porta Pro's with a looped cable between the left and right side. On the left side of the loop houses the battery. This battery gives the headset 12 hours of playtime. The right side houses the Micro USB charging port, and a multi function button setup which controls track navigation, volume, pause and play, and activating your voice assistant. The controls are quite intuitive and easy to get used to. The result is amazing. I get the same sound quality I love from my Porta Pros, but with the added benefit to be untethered from the phone. Some have complained of Bluetooth connectivity issues, but I have had none. I can walk around my entire condo without issue. The included battery provides ample battery power. The only small complaint I have is the micro USB charging port, or more specifically the rubber flap. It can get in the way and hinder charging. It would also be nice if Koss upgraded this to a USB-C connection, but these are minute quibbles in my mind. I also love the nice hard case that comes with the earsets as it keeps them nice and protected. Unfortunately Koss is unable to provide a "lifetime warranty", so your warranty is reduced to 1 year on these models because of the limited lifespan of the battery. I am hoping that Koss continues to sell this model or an upgraded model in the future, because I will definitely be wanting to pick these up again when the battery dies for good. Look. I get it. As TWS technology gets better and better, the argument for these headsets is harder to make. There are some outstanding wireless earbuds out that can stand toe to toe with the Porta Pro's. But ultimately even the most comfortable earbuds eventually can cause some level of discomfort. Something that I've never had with the Porta Pros. So while a set of earbuds may be in my pocket to enjoy while I am out and about. The Porta Pro wireless are a welcome change for when I return home, and simply want great sound quality and comfort.

My wired Portapros are still my favorite, but then I went and bought a phone without a headphone jack, and, well, I am not a fan of dongles. Pros: - Lightweight, but still powerful, like the originals. - Battery life is great. I charge them when I think about it, instead of constantly needing to charge. - Pairs easily with multiple devices. Currently using them with a phone, a TV, and a computer. Just hold the button when powering up to go into pairing mode. Otherwise, when you power them on, they attach to whatever device you used last. Neutrals: - There are differences in sound quality, sure, due to the degredation that comes with Bluetooth, but it is minimal, I think partially due to the openness of the headset, small pads, no noise canceling. - The flashing light on the side. This is honestly a bit of a negative for me, as I often use these to listen to music or watch TV at night, and the light can be a bit distracting. (I also have been too lazy to see if it is something you can disable.) Negatives: - These are not great on-the-go headphones, especially in summer. The metal band on the top suffers from the same issue as the originals: if you are out in the sun, it gets hot. Also, the way the cable hangs requires you to either have it dangling in front of you or tickling the back of your neck. Not a problem when sitting still, but can become annoying when you are walking around. All-in-all, these headphones offer good sound quality and a lightweight profile, and I like them.

I've dealt with wires on my headphones for 30 years (I'm almost 34). I have always been a purest, unimpressed by bluetooth. Now that it's the year 2020, the technology has finally evolved to sound just as good as a wired connection. These headphones are no exception. I can't tell a difference between my wired portapros and these bluetooth ones. Here are the main reasons these are my new favorite headphones: o Sound quality (100% unrivaled for the price) o Comfort o I can hear people and things through the headphones, so if someone walks up to me I'm not surprised (or scared) o Stubbornness. When I like something I latch on to it and never want it to change. Bonus awesomeness: o I've used them for over 20 hours and not yet charged them. o Bluetooth range - I can leave my phone on the 2nd floor and still have a perfectly clear signal in the basement o They are super 80s looking o The bluetooth controls / battery do not interfere with the original awesome design at all. Some minor but 100% forgivable setbacks: o The microphone picks up EVERYTHING around you, my boss could hear TV dialog from another room on a conference call today o I'm getting used to the battery/control box, but honestly I'm really glad they didn't change the original design, so I will learn to love it. o They don't come in the "retro" color style like my wired portapros (pale blue comfort selection and ear pieces) My $300 sennheiser in-ear headphones do sound a little better than these, but they can be tiring to use for very long. There's the thrilling aspect of hearing tiny details that you wouldn't notice without a really expensive pair of headphones but unless you're playing only FLAC files or analog tracks there's an unmistakable digital shrillness that comes into play with expensive headphones. That is why these Koss Portapros are my daily drivers. I bought the first pair of headphones that were truly mine around age 11 -- RadioShack Pro25's. I loved them to death, I really used the crap out of the warranty as I used to cut grass for a living from middle school thru college. The Pro25s evolved into Pro35s... Then RadioShack ruined the design by introducing the pro35A (I can't believe Koss still makes that design, it is unbelieveably uncomfortable!!). So I had to keep repairing my old Pro35 headphones. They were literally covered in epoxy and had gone through at least 5 different leads, a dozen new foams but they were still comfortable and still my daily drivers... Until someone stole the gross old things off of my desk after 18 years of use and repairs. But then my other (obsessed) coworker told me that they still make Portapros... I honestly had no idea. I picked up a pair and loved them just as I loved my beaten old Pro35 headphones. Then along comes COVID-19 and a mont of working from home! I occasionally used my regular portapros as a headset and just spoke into the microphone of my phone, but not having a real headset with a mic became really annoying. So I went all out and bought these bluetooth porta-pros and boy am I glad I did!

I have loved my Koss Porta Pro headphone collection for many, many years, but my current phone (Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra) lacks a 3.5mm port. I really missed the Porta Pro sound signature so I jumped on this set during the recent Prime sale. So glad I did because it offers the best of the old school with modern connectivity. Not only does this sound just like my wired Porta Pros, it fits exactly the same. The connective wire and dongles on either side haven't changed a thing about the fit or overall function. Yes, they can look a little dangly by your ears, but the Porta Pro has always been about that beautiful sound signature supported by that uniquely Koss retro vibe. You'll get over it just like you got over wearing the Koss KSC75 earclips (or the KSC75 headband mod), trust me :) Connectivity on my phone is great! I'm sorry to hear some people are having issues, so hopefully that was/is resolved by now. I was able to place my phone by my inner master bedroom window and walk to the back wall of my bathroom with zero issues. As for accessories, I was absolutely delighted with the premium (for Koss) packaging, the firm case and the Koss Blue micro USB cable. I got used to the classic leatherette pouch and how it keeps everything scrunched, but I love the included case with these wireless ones. Roomy enough to pack the headphones and USB cable but compact enough to (finally) do away with the scrunching needed with the leatherette pouch. I'm quite happy with these headphones. I think Koss found a good compromise with the function and form that doesn't remove the folding, fit, and form of the wired Porta Pros. So listen with pride because people who know what you're wearing totally get it; everyone else is just playing catch-up to this classic.

UPDATE 8/7/19: Well, just a year and a few months since I bought these, they're dead. They won't turn on. When I plug them into the charger, the light goes from red to blue immediately, as though they're fully charged. They'll actually turn on while plugged into the charger, but shut off once unplugged. Given the limited functional life and other drawbacks mentioned below (never mind that unlike the original PortaPros they're only warrantied for a year), I can't in good conscience recommend these to anyone. And now I have to go apologize to the people I told to buy them shortly after I first bought them. Prior Review below. I was a huge fan of the original Porta Pros, and we have a couple of sets in the family. I've owned the Bluetooth version for almost 10 months now and have been using them regularly, primarily for outdoor activities. The good: They sound great. Solid bass, clean mids and clear highs. Battery life is excellent (with a qualification). They're reasonably compact and comfortable to wear for extended periods (with a separate qualification). The bad: Unless your Bluetooth source is in line-of-sight and within 12 feet of your headphones, expect to hear many dropouts and crackles. The range for these is tragically awful. For example: I normally carry my phone in a left-breast pocket, literally within a foot of my head. If I turn my head to the left, sound is great, no dropouts. If I turn my head to the right, continuous repeated dropouts and crackles until I at least face forward again. Putting the phone in a side jacket pocket or the right rear pocket of my jeans only exacerbates the issue. More bad: Battery life is deceiving. In above-freezing temperatures, you can expect to get 12-15 hours of continuous use, which at an hour a day has me recharging them every 2 weeks. Below freezing, though, the battery will go from 60% to dead within 90 minutes. These are NOT cold-weather phones. The last bad: The cord, battery and control can be annoying. The weight of the battery when walking/running will drag the cord across the back of your neck such that most of the cord length will sit on your left shoulder and the control unit will be pulled under your right ear and towards the back of your head. You have to keep pulling the right side of the cord forward to keep the control unit (also the location of the microphone) in a comfortable, easy-to-reach location. More annoying than uncomfortable, but I didn't buy these because I enjoy being annoyed. I have 3 Bluetooth-enabled sets of phones besides the Koss (BTunes adapter for Bose QC25s, Anker SoundBuds Slim, MEE Air-Fi) and none of them exhibit these issues. It's obviously poor design decisions on Koss' part for these Porta Pros.

The sound quality is amazing, based on Koss' legendary Sportapro headphones. They are also very lightweight. Unfortunately, the other reviewers were right -- the bluetooth receiver strength is simply too weak to be usable during any physical activity -- whether walking, running or just doing things around the house. I wanted to use them with my Apple Watch to play music while jogging. Unfortunately, they cut out constantly the moment you begin to move your arms. I think Koss is the #1 maker of headphones in terms of sound quality. I am astonished they placed such a poor Bluetooth receiver on their product. I have a pair of their old KBT1 Cobalt headsets, which have decent sound and tend to cut out as well. I was really looking forward to them releasing an upgraded portable bluetooth headphone and I was optimistic that these would be an improvement. So rather than a ''5" ratingI have to give them a "2" since they are basically unusable if you are not stationary. Update: Just had to add that I returned the headphones and bought another off-brand. The sound quality is nowhere near the same but they have the advantage of a decent onboard BT receiver. I hope Koss realizes they could literally own this portable bluetooth headphone market if they would use a decent receiver. If these off-brand guys can do it, why can't they? ——- UPDATE #2 - January 2019 For some reason I decided to take a chance and bought another pair in January ‘19, just to see if Koss had somehow fixed the Bluetooth range problem. I was skeptical since the design looks identical physically. But boy, was I pleasantly surprised! I can now walk from room to room away from the source with no drops! So I have gladly updated my review to 5 stars! Put these in the “Highest recommended” pile now. To the others who also had this problem but also love the sound and comfort, I suggest giving them another shot. Koss must have quietly fixed things (or perhaps there was a bad batch os something).

Long time Koss Porta Pro headset owner. I've been wearing the wired version of the headset since the early 90s. They are the best combination of sound quality, portability and cost. I challenge anyone to find a pair of headphones that sound this great and are this inexpensive. These headphones are basically a portable version of the same ones I've been wearing for over 20 years. And that's part of the problem. Koss needs to innovate. It's sad that these headphones look the same as they did when they were first announced. Isn't there a way to improve the design to be more in step with a modern lower profile headphone? Here are a few highlights from my first week of wearing the headphones: - These sound exactly like the Koss PortaPro/SportaPro headphones that many of us know and love. No loss in quality (although part of me thinks it's a notch quieter than the wired model. I could be wrong.) - The cable is kind of pointless. It is supposed to drape around the front or back of your neck. All it does is house the battery and the controls. Why not just use all the real estate around the earpieces and the metal strap that goes over the head. - I'm a very style conscious man. I am also passionate about music. When I get dressed up and go out and look in the mirror, these things just date your entire look. My ears are too small to wear earbuds. And I wouldn't mind perhaps a design that connected the headphones around the back. But these just ruin my entire admittedly somewhat shallow appeal. - The battery life is very solid. I am pretty good with charging my devices at night and I have worn the headphones pretty continuously for about 5-7 hours a day and I never notice any issues. - There is a bright blue light that emits from the headphone cable. It's not noticeable when you're wearing the headphones unless you're in the dark, but it has to be annoying to people around you and it's pointless. Why do you need to waste battery life and annoy everyone with a light that continuously flashes. The device is already paired. It's evident that despite the age of the company, Koss is inexperienced in the wireless realm. In closing, these are a great sounding pair of headphones. Great battery life. I just wish Koss hired some actual industrial designers and thought about the best way to modernize headphones such that they look like they belong next to a Samsung Galaxy S9 or an iPhone X. They look like a relic in an era of new and exciting design. Koss -- if you are listening -- please.... update the design.