This is Part IV of the Koss Mini-Series!!
Greetings mate and Welcome aboard!
Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music (NOT gear), all over again, so…
At this point in the Koss series, we’ve discussed the KSC75, KPH30i, and Porta Pro. If you landed on this page from the search engines, click those articles for in-depth reviews.
This final shootout will cover all 3 and how they sound in relation to one another.
Sound
- Amps Used: S.M.S.L SH-9 (DF Red as DAC)
- Amp/DAC combos used: AudioQuest DragonFly Red, FiiO BTR3K
- Official Playlist: Here!
- Source(s): Spotify Premium
Right off the bat, you’ll notice that the KSC75 is the most neutral out of these 3, with quite a bit of bass roll-off and an overall “blank stare” type of sound.
That is to say, the KSC75 is the flattest and doesn’t really accentuate or emphasize any one particular aspect of the frequency response.
It can sometimes sound a bit dull, but it’s true and incredibly natural so you’re never going to feel like the frequencies are fighting for recognition.
There’s just enough bass to keep it from sounding dull, but it rolls off considerably starting around 100Hz.
Some people out there will be turned off by this type of portrayal, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Yes, the sub-bass is almost laughably absent, but guess what? You can’t actually hear anything below 40Hz so it doesn’t matter all that much.
I will say I’d rather they had some sort of rise around 60-90, and that’s one of the reasons why I couldn’t see myself with the KSC75 long-term and ended up selling my pair.
So it goes without saying if you’re an out-of-control bass-head bro longing for heaps and heaps of sloppy Beats by Dre bass, I’d probably just run in the opposite direction.
If you’re a recovering bass head like me who understands frequency response much better than I did when I was a young dumb kid, and/or your tastes have shifted a little, you may really enjoy the texture and articulation present in this type of low-end portrayal.
That said, the KSC75 is very bass-light, so keep that in mind.
What I love about all 3 of these headphones is that they completely and unequivocally understand how the general shape of the bass is supposed to look.
Rolled off sub-bass, a bit of a rise/bump around 60-90Hz, followed by a cut in the bloat/mud regions of 200-300Hz.
This curve nearly always results in a bass that has impact and slam without sounding like your music is drowing in a sea of chocolate pudding.
All of the relevant low-end information, i.e. what gives the kicks and bass its power, is roughly concentrated around 60-90Hz.
The 30i understands this well. The KSC75 opts for a rise a little after that (100-150) which is still much better than what most companies do in boosting 200-300 higher than that time you smoked out of a vaporizer and forgot what year it was.
So the bass on all 3 is, generally speaking, accurate and correct, though I’d say the Porta Pro is most certainly the bass-happiest out of the bunch and is veering into Sloppy Joe territory.
It’s easily the least neutral out of these 3, with an even more in-your-face mid-bass bump that can sound both good and semi-good/okay/bad on certain tracks.
It really depends on the song and can be a little too meaty in certain instances; sort of like you’re hearing a bit of an extra layer of buzz/fuzz/impact that may not be necessary.
Like selling the KSC75 because it was too bass-light for me, I also sold my Porta Pro because it’s too bass-happy in most cases.
Make no mistake, a lot of tracks will sound great with the Portas, but overall, I prefer a bit more neutrality out of my bass nowadays. This is because you’re getting a more consistent output with the majority of tracks that, let’s be honest, can vary wildly in terms of EQ and overall production value.
The 30i, to me, strikes a nice balance between the KSC75 and Porta Pro; in that, there is some much-needed weight and impact, but instead of a 10dB shelf, it’s more like 5. This is just about the perfect way to construct a heavy bass-oriented sound; at least from a consumer perspective.
That is to say that yes, the KPH30i is what all of those trashy drugstore headphones from the ’90s should have sounded like.
So if you are looking for that type of low-end portrayal, check out the 30i first.
In any event, let’s discuss the mids.
Mid-Range
All three headphones are very similar in the presence regions (2-3kHz), and both the Porta Pro and 30i have that somewhat strange dip at 4kHz that, surprisingly enough, isn’t very noticeable for whatever reason.
In other words, you’re not going to put the headphones on, fire up a track, and do something like this:
That said, the KPH30i is a little less neutral and more fun-sounding than the KSC75, but both portray instruments and vocals quite nicely.
The Porta Pro’s mids are a bit more pushed back than the others, but they still don’t sound lost or unaccounted for.
The Porta Pro, like the 30i, has a 2kHz bump and it mostly sounds about the same on both. Plenty of presence and a lively flavor.
All three have a very relaxed, but still crisp and detailed treble although I think the 30i is likely the darkest.
On Slenderbodies’ “ruminate” the 30i sounds clearer than it does with the Porta Pro.
By this I mean the mid-bass is almost completely out of the way even though it’s still slightly emphasized.
On the Porta Pro, it’s bordering on out of control but still doesn’t quite cross that line. You’ll find this to be the case on most tracks when comparing the 2.
This is why the 30i may be the best out of the 3.
It’s a headphone you can listen to for hours without feeling a hint of irritation. Well, except for comfort that is.
Let’s get into it.
Build & Comfort
The 30i can and will start to dig into your ears after around 45 min. to an hour.
And like an Oompa Loompa, there’s no getting around it.
The KSC75 is even worse and literally feels like you’re wearing 2 clothes hangers on your ears.
This is yet another reason why I sold it.
Not only is it annoying to put on, but you’ll start to feel it almost immediately. It digs into your lobes, head, and the backs of your ears too. It’s awful.
The Porta Pro is the most comfortable out of these 3 as I’m making much less frequent adjustments when it’s on my head; almost none in fact.
The Porta Pro also folds up while the 30i does not.
The KSC75 obviously does not as the headphone is essentially 2 pieces.
The other thing I find annoying about the 75 is that the cables get all tangled up because it’s not a traditional headphone.
I don’t know about you, but I want to listen to music, not play with cables.
Cables on all 3 come out of both cups, all 3 are on-ear, all are semi-open, and all utilize flimsy foam padding.
The only real difference in cables is the termination.
The Porta Pro is an L-shape, the 30i is completely straight but perhaps a little bi-curious, and the KSC75 is like a cross between the 2. I won’t touch that.
The Porta Pro is the most retro-looking out of these, as the 30i resembles a fairly utilitarian design, both in look and functionality.
The headband adjustments on the 30i are fairly straightforward, while the Porta Pro’s are somewhat unique.
Place your thumbs on the 2 plastic pieces on either side and push up to open the headband.
There are also 2 soft foamy pads right above the main ear pads for some added cushioning.
Simply adjust the settings on the side which dictate how much pressure will be exerted from the pads to your melon head.
With the 30i you’ll just pull up and down on either side. The 30i also has a flimsy rubber piece underneath the main plastic that rests on your head.
Neither of these dig into the top of your dome which is nice; mostly due to their featherweight profiles.
Again, the KSC75 is a reject.
Lol. Clothes hangers, dude.
The earpads on the 30i are the largest here, while the KSC75 and Porta Pro are roughly the same, give or take a millimeter or so.
If you’re into better comfort overall, I’d go ahead and snag a pair of Yaxi Pads. They fit all 3 models.
Soundstage & Genre Pairing
I found the Porta Pro to have the best Soundstage out of these, and I was surprised at just how good it was.
I was absolutely not expecting to feel like the music was coming from the outside, but I experienced exactly that. Pretty neat for it being a cheap on-ear headphone that looks like it belongs in an ’80s pop video.
I didn’t really notice any of those sensations with the 30i or KSC75, but all three have very good Imaging.
Instruments are placed nicely and the sound never feels like it’s bottled up or claustrophobic in terms of spacing.
Genre-wise,
you’ll find these work with pretty much anything and everything.
As mentioned in the Porta Pro review, I mostly listen to Hip-Hop, Jazz, Classical, and Indie Pop, with some Rock, Ambient, Soul, Motown, etc. thrown in for good measure.
I think the Porta Pro is likely best for harder genres with heavier bass emphasis, while the KSC75 and 30i tend to excel a bit more with a wider variety of music types.
The problem with the Porta Pro is that for many tracks, there’s simply too much bass emphasis and it kind of spoils the action. The mids can be very hit-and-miss as well.
For instance,
John Coltrane’s saxophone may sound a bit shouty and over the top, with the mid-bass bordering on chaotic. This is certainly noticeable with a lot of tracks.
As a jack of all trades, I’d take the 30i over the other 2.
For strictly harder stuff I may just buy a Porta Pro, but again, I’d likely just get a 30i as you’re getting the best of both worlds.
I guess it depends on what you listen to.
For me, the 30i strikes a perfect balance between the too-laid-back KSC75 and the sometimes too-flamboyant/energetic nature of the Porta Pro.
It’s a bit more resolving than a Porta Pro and sounds a hare better with regard to clarity and detail, but only because the mid-bass isn’t quite as forward.
- Required Reading: Deciphering Audio Resolution: Unveiling Sonic Detail and Clarity
The Porta Pro just sometimes sounds ever so slightly “messy” if that makes sense.
It’s like when you don’t clean your room and stuff is a bit scattered, but you’re still not starring in this week’s episode of Hoarders.
Hoarder after his stuff catches fire.
The KSC75 is the purest sounding out of these, and it’s hard not to love its no-frills, neutral sound.
Still,
Comfort wasn’t good enough for me to keep it.
If the KSC75’s sound was packaged as an actual headphone (like the 30i), I may opt for it over the 30i given my propensity to prefer an almost completely dead neutral profile.
That said, I did receive a comment below about some potential mods, so do keep that in mind if you think you’ll prefer a sound signature like the KSC75.
As it stands,
the 30i is the top choice overall because it has just enough lively flavor to keep you satisfied.
Amplification
You’re not going to need an amp with any of these, but one could help if your phone’s DAC is bad and/or you simply want to get your feet wet.
- Related: What is a USB DAC?
In that case, I’d go with something like a BTR5 as you can use it wirelessly with Bluetooth or wired on your desktop.
Video Discussion
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So how would I rank these in order?
#1
Koss KPH30i
Basically a perfect headphone outside of the minor comfort issue. Mid-bass is much better than the majority of consumer trash and it’s not fatiguing in the slightest.
Just enough mid-range emphasis to keep most people happy for a long time. Non-fatiguing treble.
#2
Koss Porta Pro
For those who listen to harder genres 95% of the time, you may opt for this over the 30i.
Mid-bass can get a little out of line at times, so if you think that’s going to end up bothering you over the long-term, please just get a 30i. You’ll thank me later.
#3
Koss KSC75
It was hard to put this last, but the comfort and dull factor kept it from ranking higher.
It can sometimes be almost laughably boring (See Nas’ 2nd Childhood). It’s almost anemic with certain tracks and while incredibly neutral, doesn’t make me want to do cartwheels in my Speedo or anything.
I really think you should go for the 30i.
In fact,
I just bought 2 of them on Drop to give to family members this holiday season.
Trust me on this, you’re not going to regret getting one.
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Koss KSC75 vs. KPH30i vs. Porta Pro Shootout and came away with some valuable insight.
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Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
What are your experiences with the Porta Pro? If you haven’t heard it, would you purchase one? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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24 comments
I love my kph30i. And I love you too. Best wishes. Hope this website and your channel grow a lot! ❤️
Thanks Prabin love you too lol! ?
I got the 30i thanks to your advice and I have exactly 0 regrets, my man! Always appreciate your reviews, cheers!
Hey man thank you for the kind word! Appreciate you stopping by. Reach out any time!
-Stu
Comfort is subjective, and I agree with your takes on the PortaPro and KPH30i. Something to consider with the KSC75 is the metal clips are bendable and meant to be bent to fit. I’ve had several pairs over the years (my biggest issue with them is build quality, as the soldering tends to fail where the cable meets the cup)—some pairs need to be slightly tightened to stay on properly, others need to be slightly loosened to fit comfortably. Worth experimenting since it’s an easy fix.
Thanks for the tip man! Which of these do you enjoy most sound-wise? I actually really like the KSC75 and 30i. I think if the 75 was an actual headphone I’d be more inclined to keep it around. It’s still mostly what I prefer sound signature-wise nowadays (ruler flat), but the bass is almost laughably rolled off. I don’t know if you watched the video but it’s pretty entertaining. Thanks for reminding me as I forgot to embed it in the article. Check it out! 🙂 Honestly, I’ll probably buy another one after the giveaway and try and mod it as I think it’s worth messing with as you’ve pointed out. Other people have told me what you said as well with them breaking down over time, but they’re so cheap and Koss gives a lifetime warranty lol.
In regards to the KSC75, you could do the recommended mods that enthusiasts usually mention, such as replacing the ear clips on with a headband (Parts Express headband), and changing the earpads to Yaxi earpads. There’s even more indepth modding such as the ‘Kramer mod’ too
Hey Justin! Thanks for stopping by. I may try that in the future. I had included the KSC75 in a giveaway last year so I don’t currently have one on hand.
Was really stuck on either the Porta pros or the KPH30i. I love the look on two and am now glad to know the sound differences between both!
Thanks man! Glad it helped 🙂 GET PUMPED!!
It’s crazy I just watched your Koss Shootout on YouTube while looking the UR40s and then I saw your giveaway on Instagram. I’m a die hard KSC75 user but I love all the Koss 40mm. Great video comparing them. Can’t wait to see you talk about the UR40s and Mods in the Future! 😉
Cheers
Thanks so much for your comment man! Shoot, they only $30 dollaz! I may pick up a pair lol. I added them to my amazon cart xD
This was a super helpful article! Thank you!!
My pleasure, Molly! 🙂
Have you checked DMS’ and Zeos’ video on KPH30i mod with grado earpad. They claim to elevate the level of audio production from the headphones. Whats your opinion?
Hey Sunny! No, I have not.
Man I wish I’d seen this review before picking up the KSC75s!! The sound is good but god those metal clips.. Which headphones would you say are best for listening to alternative rock (something like shoegaze)?
Haha yeah, I actually poked fun at it in the shootout video by comparing them to clothes hangers. xD
Hmm. Are you looking for open or closed headphones? Here is my list for Rock
Are you wanting a brighter treble or something more subdued? I personally believe the HD25 is best for all hard stuff, and certainly fantastic for all types of Rock. I’d probably focus on that for really crunchy intense tracks though. Shoegaze is a bit different as it’s definitely smoother and less in your face (if I have that correctly). I have listened to some in the past but by no means am I an expert.
I’m sure you’re familiar with older M83, My Bloody Valentine, and Slowdive. That would be about the extent of my experience. Good stuff! If you have any recommendations I’m all ears.
If I had to narrow it down, you really can’t go wrong with a 6XX. That’s kind of an all around great headphone and works with almost any genre. If you want an upgrade, the Edition XS is pretty fantastic.
I prefer open-back (these coat hangers have seriously spoiled me in terms of soundstage haha) but I’m mainly looking for something with minimal sound leakage for listening to music in public spaces. I enjoy treble but really miss bass which I’m not achieving for the harder rock tracks so something with just a little more punch to it would be awesome. That said, I’ve got my eye on the HD25 thanks to your review on it! How’s the leakage on them?
Can’t go wrong with the classics 🙂 In terms of recommendations, Catherine Wheel’s first album ‘Ferment’ is an easy one! There’s also a ton of great heavy/grungier shoegaze out there as well like julie’s ‘Flutter’ and Teenage Wrist’s ‘Chrome Neon Jesus’ album if you’re into that sort of stuff.
I’m also looking at the 6xx and 660s for at home listening, which would you recommend?
If you’re looking for punch, try this.
Haha just kidding. No, the HD25 is fantabulous and I wouldn’t think twice about buying one. Leakage? I mean, given they’re On-Ear headphones there will likely be a little, but from what I remember I didn’t disturb my mom and dad when I was listening to music in the living room so I think you’ll be fine.
I haven’t heard the 660, but I’ve been trying to get one here for demo or just purchase it outright. That said, can’t go wrong with a 6XX for home listening!!
I jotted those artists down. Thanks! I will report back my findings.
Hope that helps. Let me know!
Cheers,
-Stu
Hello,Have you tried ktx pro1t? can you compare
Hey Hayrullah,
No I have not! Is that new or old?
Hi, What do you think kph40? Kph30 vs kph40, which is better sound?
Hey man haven’t heard the KPH40 yet hopefully soon!