Why We Like Them
The small size and great sound make the Porta Pro by Koss the winner of the best portable headphones under $100. This headphone is so good that it is featured on our list of the best audiophile headphones… yes, it’s that good.
The Porta Pro is one of the most iconic headphones ever. It has been on the market for over 30 years with little to no changes. Why have they lasted so long when other headphones disappear? The sound quality is fantastic.
Yes, even today, with all the advancements in technology, the Porta Pro stands out as sounding double or triple its price. They have a clean and clear presentation with smoothly detailed mids and some tight, punchy bass. They are perfect for pop, rock, classical, jazz, and vocal music. I loved this tuning when I was younger and still love listening to it today.
A top tip that takes the sound quality to a completely different level is to replace the stock earpads with the famous Yaxi earpads (found here). This creates a more open and richer listening experience.
Despite such fantastic sound, the Porta Pro is the smallest headphone on the list, easily transported and folded up. The build quality is excellent, with good-quality plastic and metal used throughout. Styling gives all that old-school cool; the design hasn’t been touched, and fans of retro earphones love them. It’s iconic.
The downsides are that they are open-back, so you can use them in crowded places without everyone around you hearing your music. Oh, and the headband tends to pull a hair now and again. Still, this is the cheapest headphone on this list and one of the best-sounding.
Verdict: These headphones sound fantastic and let users enjoy a true audiophile experience at a low price. It is one of my favorite headphones of all time at any price.
