Koss Porta Pro Wireless Review
Introduction
There are only a few legendary headphones out there. Even fewer are still alive after more than 30 years. For the most part, the Koss Porta Pro remained unchanged for three decades, yes there were some color options and special editions coming out every now and again but nothing that really took them to the next level.
Now we have finally got an answer to what many of us were asking for. A wireless version of the Porta Pro. The question is in 2022 is it worth it and does it answer the call. My review might not be what everyone was hoping so read on to find out what I thought.
Specifications and Features
Ok so if you are in any way into audio you probably know the Porta Pro. A timeless design, much loved despite its flaws for its amazing sound quality at an affordable price. No this wasn’t just the budget earphone that sounded good for its price. It was a bona fide giant killer. Something that punched up with headphones many times its price. Audiophiles loved it just as much as the hipsters that saw it as a fashion statement.
Upgrading a headphone to wireless can definitely be done right and we discuss what a good job Audio Technica did in that regard in our ATH-M20xBT review. However, it can also be done wrong. Or in my opinion, as is the case here with the Koss a little lazily.
Let’s look at the specs:
Bluetooth 4.1 with apt-X
12+ Hour Battery Life
In-Line Controls (Play/Pause, Start/Stop, Volume, Answer/End) Mounted on the cable.
Comfort Zone settings.
Collapsible design for compact storage
That all looks pretty decent on paper, not class-leading, no mention of a low latency mode or the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard but for listening to music it should be fine.
My issue with the Koss Porta Pro Wireless is…. the wires. What an absolute letdown. Instead of developing a Bluetooth module integrated into the earphones they just went for the lazy and outdated method of running a flimsy bit of cable between the two headbands with a control/battery in the middle. It’s infuriating to me this kind of design because with just a little bit of effort they could have done so much more.
2 possibilities that come to mind in that they could have integrated it into the earpiece or built the Bluetooth module and amp into the comfort zone area. From there they could have run a flat cable of sorts via the headband. Either of these would have not just improved the aesthetic but also inspired more confidence in the build quality… in fact, let’s talk about build quality.
Build Quality and Design
So anyone who knows the Porta Pro knows that they are a very simple design but one that is surprisingly rugged. A combination of hard plastics and metal makes them stand up well to everyday life. Users of the Porta Pro also know that sinking feeling when you sit on them and hear the crunch. Any headphones would explode under such stress but the porta pro does it with such an amusing punch and emphasis to let you know you just messed up.
That said I still have my first Porta Pro from 1993 and it still works perfectly and required only an aftermarket cable upgrade to keep it going. Since then I also bought the beige special edition along with the gold and black version. Rock solid. I think it’s a testament to the build that so many audiophiles still have a set of these lying around.
What worries me about the Koss Porta Pro Wireless is the cable and Bluetooth module. It feels very flimsy and doesn’t inspire me with much confidence as to the long-term durability.
What cannot be denied is the design. There’s a reason it has remained unchanged for so long. People love it, it has an old-school charm that reminds us of a time when music was to be enjoyed on headphones rather than the type of headphones we have more important than the music.
Sound
By far the best thing about the Koss Porta Pro is the sound. This is why it has remained so popular for so many years and why it will continue to be a popular budget headphone going forward.
Overall the Porta Pro is a neutral set of headphones sprinkled with just a touch of warmth across the midrange.
They are open sounding and display a good amount of separation in terms of imaging.
Bass is of good quality but average in quantity. Though they seem to be tuned perfectly for listening to rock music in truth at this price they cope very well with just about any genre.
Treble is a little peaky, really it’s the only downfall but yet again we are talking about a sub $30 set of headphones and if you fancy your hand at a modding the top end and bass can be altered to taste fairly easily.
Sound
By far the best thing about the Koss Porta Pro is the sound. This is why it has remained so popular for so many years and why it will continue to be a popular budget headphone going forward.
Overall the Porta Pro is a neutral set of headphones sprinkled with just a touch of warmth across the midrange.
They are open sounding and display a good amount of separation in terms of imaging.
Bass is of good quality but average in quantity. Though they seem to be tuned perfectly for listening to rock music in truth at this price they cope very well with just about any genre.
Treble is a little peaky, really it’s the only downfall but yet again we are talking about a sub $30 set of headphones and if you fancy your hand at a modding the top end and bass can be altered to taste fairly easily.
The thing here that sets it apart from the wired version is that the Bluetooth amp is probably not great. This is one headphone that can draw a lot and scale well when using a high-grade source. Here it is paired with a cheap Bluetooth and amp unit that limits you in showing what the headphone is really capable of. In that sense, while it sounds good I also know how amazing Porta Pros can sound and I feel like the wireless version is being hamstrung by the inputs.
Negatives
The implementation of wireless functionality is pathetic
You still have a cable
Loses some of the retro charm of the wired version
Positives
Familiar Koss Tuning
Iconic Style remains
You don’t have to be tethered to your phone
Final Thoughts
I don’t recommend the Koss Porta Pro Wireless despite still thinking they are good-sounding headphones. That Bluetooth implementation irks me and considering these cost twice as much as a standard set of Porta Pro I just cannot see myself using them or telling anyone else to buy them for that reason. I hope someone from Koss reads this review (probably not) and thinks about a redesign to make them truly cable free. To be clear I absolutely do recommend the original version as it’s one of the best value headphones in terms of price to performance.
Official Website of the Koss Porta Pro Wireless: www.koss.com
