KOSS Porta Pro vs KPH30i comparison review (shot on iPhone SE 2)

***** 2024 Update:
Unfortunately the KPH30i has disintegrated, fell apart after 3yrs of use.
Both headphones had their pads replaced after 1 yr. The plasticy piece that connects the drivers of the KPH30i just eroded away.
So get the Porta Pros, they are well built!
*****
These are the headphones for KZbin and Netflix that EVERYONE should get. Best bang for the buck in terms of getting a much richer experience from what you already have! But which one to choose?
This is the Massdrop version but applies to any Porta Pro bought elsewhere.
Opening shot done both with the iPhone 11 and the SE for video comparison.
Filmed with camera: 2020 iPhone SE 2
Except where noted in the video.
Section Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:00:32 - Overachiever Products
0:00:52 - Sound Staging
0:02:07 - Porta Pros sound quality
0:02:32 - KPH30i sound quality
0:02:56 - Porta Pros design
0:03:22 - KPH30i design
0:03:56 - Microphone test
0:04:23 - Sound test via sample
0:05:25 - Summary
#koss #portapro #kph30i #budgetheadphone

[@TheWelcome7]

I recently bought the KPH 30i’s.. and I’m finding myself saying WOW! Amazingly impressive.. bassy, not crispy clear if you’re listening to music that wasn’t recorded with modern technology but in any case, great with music recorded 2000 and above. Comfortable and the loudness is just enough. I highly recommend them and I got mine for 24.99 + tax and shipping.. $32 but worth every penny!

[@kedarkedar1520]

Where you bought it

[@MarigoldAW]

Wow from all the reviews I've watched on Iems or headphones soundstage is always mentioned and the way you visualized it i think is very useful for newcomers into the hobby. Great review!

[@ScottOstr]

I bought $8 KPH30i Velvet Earpad on Ali and put them OVER the ear cups and made a small slit for the wire. Then used a heat gun on the head band to stretch them out slightly. I love my KPH30i headphones now! ❤️

[@HiCZoK]

Koss is amazing. I use them for years and I can't find a better headphone for me. I game with these and listen to music. These are super open a wide. Sound is alive and warm. Positional is fantastic. You play battlefield in this it's like you are there. At the same time no fatigue and I can forget I am wearing these. No sweating during summer too. And a shirt cable is very nice for ps4 controller. The lack of noise isolation is great. I feel I am not damaging my ears as much and if a doorbell or phone rings, I hear it. Also great for walking. Need to try kph30i but I don't need a mic... Although kph30i will be great to have mic on the commute walking The only bad use for this public transportation.

[@davidcopher6294]

Amazing in-depth review. Thank you.

[@shanusrivastava-reinvestor1819]

Great headphone review, I'm getting a pair!! Thanks for the content

[@MoStuffReview]

You won't be disappointed!

[@tonydimaio1925]

Thank you for this review!!!!👍

[@filipsalapa]

Very well made video, thanks!

[@zhuochen8092]

Great review and comparison!

[@MoStuffReview]

Thank you!

[@cryptoerok4851]

My kph set broke at the plastic slide so i am back on my porta pros. The porta pros are the greatest ever.

[@sanmao6920]

mine too, my kph30i just snapped in two at the plastic slide randomly, so I got porta pro instead

[@yuanestrada8388]

@@sanmao6920 but can't you get a new one? I know it's a Lifetime warranty

[@chorofapski]

is there some kind of mod i can do to the porta pro for better sound cancellation? ive seen the yaxi pads but as far as i understand theyre not so much for noise cancellation, rather for ear comfort itd be very helpful if you knew anything about this! im in love with their look and the good reviews are very tempting, but i really need them to cancel outside noise

[@superultragiggachigga]

Then these aren't the headphones for you. They aren't meant to noise cancel or tune outside ambience out. I had the same question, but I just ended up getting a different pair for those days when you want to noise cancel the world out.

[@itellsri]

I recently tried kph30i . It sounds great on iPad with apple dongles. But sounds real low audio on Samsung galaxy tablet. Any suggestions for a Solid DAC and amplifier with Koss ?

[@alexvikendi1768]

Do you have more sound tests with mics ? That's the only I can find on KZbin, it's pretty short. Thanks you.

[@MoStuffReview]

Unfortunately no, but it's pretty bad quality. Worse than any earphones included with phones. Such a shame because I could see a lot of people using these headsets for gaming.

[@qorkado5007]

Really liked the review. I own both these headphones as well and I love them. Not sure I agree about the "best under $80" claim though since Grado headphones exist.

[@ADcrackerjack]

Hey bro, great video, one question though, is the KPH's headband smaller than the PortaPro? I wanna know if it would fit me. Thanks in advance.

[@MoStuffReview]

Yes, the KPH's max size is slightly smaller than the PortaPro, i'd say 3-5mm in difference. The PortaPros also have a stronger clamping force, in case you are sensitive to that.

[@ADcrackerjack]

@@MoStuffReview thanks so much for your response. Are they louder than the PortaPros? I own them but I’m having doubts about buying the KPH, I want the beautiful sound alongside the microphone for gaming on PS4, I don’t like in ears.

[@ShitakiBoy]

@@ADcrackerjack They drive equally, personally I prefer the KPH's as they sound closer to my HD 58X's, more balanced overall.

[@MoStuffReview]

Hmm strange, didn't see this question. The porta pros are slightly louder. But the really disappointing thing are the mics. These two would really be great gaming headsets if the mics were half decent, but they're not. :(

[@sammybelskus1534]

Brother have you tried the KSC75? It’s about half the price and I have all three and it is the best BY FAR

[@sammybelskus1534]

I’m actually serious and have had much higher end cans

[@MoStuffReview]

No I've not tried them but the next time I buy some Koss headphones I'll certainly try it. I understand they have a different coating, pretty interesting, thanks!

[@MoStuffReview]

Yes, I know what you mean. Although I do think people tend to exaggerate the performance of the Koss headphones a bit, they do offer surprisingly good sound staging which is perfect for games and watching streaming videoes like Netflix and KZbin. I actually use them much more than my Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PROs!

[@soggz9190]

Would have liked a comparison between which is more comfortable to wear the porta or the KPH

[@Schmidteren]

Porta Pro's are more comfortable because of the extra pads on your tempels. I own both. But Porta Pros slider can pull out your hair, so put on right size before you put them on to not have your hait get caught, or tape the top at the correct setting.

[@Spintechfilms]

Litterally listening to this on my KPH30i headphones with grado earcups mod on them, i love using these to watch movies or youtube videos when i feel like drowning out my life I switched my Porta Pros drivers with some KC75x so i can have the Porta Pros headband, but KC75x with Yaxi Pads for more comfort and better sound All solid Headphones

[@GS-yg9wk]

Does the microphone have volume controls?

[@bladecup]

Wondering what would be results sporta vs porta;)could any1 tell me ;) tnx

[@gandit]

How about the KPH40?

[@TerraBlacc1]

The PortaPro X by Drop and PortaPros do not have the same sound signature. Those are PortaPro X.

[@outofvideos]

You're a rare bird everyone says all Porta Pro's sound the same. Your ears must be super special. ;)

[@TerraBlacc1]

@@outofvideos No, when you have the different models side by side, it's blatant enough a random child could distinguish it for you. The standard issue has a mid bass focus, the drop edition has a w signature and is some what aggressive, and the limited edition is much more gentle.

[@outofvideos]

@@TerraBlacc1Thanks for the clarity. It has helped everyone. gentle = fragile? Lol.

[@TerraBlacc1]

@@outofvideos No, gentle in it's attack, it's easily the most detailed and least fatiguing of them. It also costs more, going for just under $60 new, but they really are a much more pleasant choice, especially when compared against the PortaPro X, drop's model is far less detailed and much more fatiguing, the way it produces sound is very in your face and could be described as a much more intimate stage, whereas the limited edition is much more recessed and airy and when compared directly could be described as a much more refined tuning. I personally prefer the limited edition over the others greatly.

[@outofvideos]

@@TerraBlacc1 How long have you burned in your Koss headphones before comparing them? I just read one person state it may take a year.

[@Versatech17]

Can't buy kph30i on my country. It would be good if they are shipped from china like my Samson SR 850

[@MoStuffReview]

Hmm, if Amazon doesn't ship there, you could try Ebay.

[@viridian9673]

wer u from? if ur from Ph try using shippingcart, buy US goods send it to their address then they will send it to you

[@pandassudsnshine4125]

Porta pro sounds better to me. The other one is a bit muddy with the low end and mids.

[@NinadMithbawkar]

Porta pro appear to sound more wider than kph30i

[@AngeloRyanMaalat]

Hagler better

[@jeofthevirtuoussand]

If you want to begin. The kph30i is the best entry. (30$) The hd600 is endgame. (300$) The tonality is the the most important aspect of the sound for me . These headphones just happened to be the best

[@DweebLord]

HD600 is entry level if we're being honest.

[@TheHulksMistress]

I just got some kcs75 and they’re my endgame now. I just can’t realistically spend 10x as much on headphones that maybe sound 10% better. I’ve got some X2HR which my Koss have now made redundant, although I’m keeping my X2HR solely for the sub bass for gaming. And I’ve got some £180 ATH MSR7B which I’m now really considering selling. They seem to have a little more detail than the Koss but again, not remotely worth 10x the money Koss are my saviours. I’ve spent so much money and time the last year trying dozens of various headphones. All just to end up on a set that looks like (and costs like) it come from a thrift store lol. I love them

[@HeliBenj]

Strong sub bass? LOL

[@marcc482]

LOL... I have the KPH30i ($22 new), KPH40 ($25 open box) and Porta Pro ($30 New)... they are all fantastic value and definitely fit particular needs

[@MoStuffReview]

Unfortunately, my KPH30i has disintegrated, literally fell apart after 3yrs, but the Porta Pros are still going strong. So I'd have to strongly recommend the Porta Pros.

[@marcc482]

@@MoStuffReview ... I understand, I think it depends on the usage and the environment too ... and the Porta Pros are also double the price in most cases !!! But they are all great sounding which is what Koss is really about and still affordable !!!