Koss Porta Pro vs. KPH30i vs. KSC75 - The BEST Walkman Headphones

The Koss Porta Pros are a long-time favorite of audiophiles on a budget. But are they the best headphone for portable listening? I compare them with two other pairs of budget Koss headphones, the KPH30is and the KSC75s to find out how they're different, and which one I like best for Walkman usage.

See these headphones on Amazon...

FYI: I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

#PortaPro
#Headphones
#KossHeadphones

[Slapo]

Interesting comparison. Of the three, I only have the KSC75 (which I have modded a little) they hold their own well even against significantly more expensive headphones. They generally lack the detail of higher end headphones, but the signature is good for pretty much anything I've used them for. They do have a decent level of detail, too, but you can only do so much on a budget, I guess.
I have a tip on how to put them on easily: Try it like with glasses, with the ends of the clips going behind your ears. Then you can just rotate them into position. Once you do it a couple of times, it becomes quite natural and very fast.

[LuisXGP]

Video starts at 14:30
You are welcome.

[JasonRasmussen]

It's criminal how good the PortaPros sound for the price. So smooth, powerful, clear and can listen to them all day. Epic.

[Eskimo]

I like the sound profiles are presented as histograms, which is much easier to understand. thank you!

[HiCZoK]

I love porta pro for home use too. Works great with ps4 controller output, have amazing bass(Or I am crazy), soundstage and have this fun warm sound. Same with music. It's just a relaxing, fun headphone and I do not understand the craze with boring studio and neutral headphones for hundreds of $... And Its super comfy. Even during hot summer, I can forget I am wearing them

[michael_c]

It's fascinating how the port-a-pro, the kphh30i and the Ksc75 old have their different acolytes! Everyone seems to at least love one Koss. But plenty of debates on which one

[tcrvo]

great review helped me decied what to buy, the KPH30i :) also i liked the illustration you did at 15:14, creative way to explain sound beside just talking about it usally hard to follow if you arn't that versed in the subject )

[darensweeney]

I have the porapros and the KPH30is. I also liked the 30is, but mine fell apart in a couple of places. Luckily, Koss is great about returning them to be fixed at minimal charge.

[antoinep]

Great comparison, as they say around here, “you deserve more subs”.
From what I’ve read the KSC75 and PortaPro driver units un-clip and are interchangeable. With a bit of clamping pressure the bass improves x best of both worlds!

[RPrototype]

Great comparison and review. Started with the KPH30i and ended up warranty upgrading to the PortaPros because of the adjustment arm on the KPH30i snapping constantly(2-3 warranty exchanges). I think I like the sound of the KPH30i more but I can't recall that well since it's been such a long time

[Saint_Cuthbert]

Thank you! Picked up the KPH30i to use while sitting in the office cubicle. Looking forward to trying them out.

[kylemueller]

I put the ksc75X drivers into my portapro headband, and it's an awesome combo! You should try it out!

[luigismilazzo]

The best is ksc75 drivers on pp headband with yaxi pads. 100 euro, but still worthy

[davidmaiden]

The trick I have learnt for the KSC75 is to go to the local electronics store and buy the cheapest headphones with the clip on headband and replace the ear clips of the KSC75 with the band. The KSC75 have a great sound and sit nicely on the ears with the headband especially at work where I wear them most of the day, also doesn't leave you totally isolated with what is going on around you.

[andreany]

Thanks! Been checking reviews for KPH30i and yours was very helpful. The 75s are "Wow!" headphones. Porta Pros on the other hand need a little help. If you try replacing the stock pads with Sennheiser HD414 pads I think you'll find them more enjoyable. They move the drivers further away from your ears and give the bass a bit more room to move. Makes em sound less muddy and congested. Cheers!

[VladQuake]

I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the "switch" on the portapros changing the clamping force

[Lumiiinine]

just got the ksc75s because I needed earbuds/headphones I could wear with a helmet that would fall off. I used to use AirPods but then they fell off and got run over ;-;. Excited to see how they'll handle!

[kylevanwagnr]

I've been digging your videos a lot. I got a Walkman about the same time as your review, and the Porta Pros a couple days later. I love the Porta Pros, but they definitely get a little muddy toward the high end. I recently picked up a Dragonfly Red because my laptop's on board audio was horrible, and it's changed everything. The warmth and thump of the Porta Pros that I love is still there, but it's eliminated the muddiness and cleaned up that high end. I highly recommend a Dragonfly Red to anyone.

[keithgilliard]

Radio Shaak made a rebadged koss headphone in 80 s and 90 s and gave lifetime warranty. Great sounding and at great price. They had a titanium drivers

[franzb]

i broke a couple of those porta pro's when i iwas a kid. they sounded great for what they are.