Home Headphone Comparisons Koss KSC75 vs. KPH30i vs. Porta Pro [Definitive Guide]

Koss KSC75 vs. KPH30i vs. Porta Pro [Definitive Guide]

by Stuart Charles Black

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This is Part IV of the Koss Mini-Series!!

 

Greetings Friend-O 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…

Let’s get right into the sound differences between the Koss KSC75 vs. KPH30i vs. Porta Pro.

Sound

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.

You’re never going to feel like the frequencies are fighting for recognition.

It just is.

There’s just enough mid-bass to keep it from sounding dull, but it rolls off considerably before that.

Some people out there will be turned off by this type of portrayal, but I personally really enjoyed it. Yes, the sub-bass is almost laughably absent.

Overall, the bass is there and you can hear it, but barely.

It’s almost relaxed to a fault. If you’re a bass head, I’d probably just run in the opposite direction.

If you’re a recovering bass head like me and your tastes have shifted a little, you may really enjoy it.

Its treble and mid-range are both pretty flat as well, but nothing really stands out. This can be both a blessing and a curse.

The KSC75 is a sound signature best suited for observation.

I tend to really hone in on music because it’s given almost free reign to be exactly what it is – good or bad.

KPH30i

The KPH30i is a little less neutral and more fun-sounding than the KSC75.

Its bass has a bit of a rise around 100-200Hz, and you’ll find it perfect for pretty much all genres.

It sounds neither too rolled off nor too boosted.

There’s a bump around 2kHz which gives life to vocals and instruments, but it’s not too in your face or obvious sounding even despite being more forward than that of the KSC75.

The 75 is sort of like a subtle rise, whereas the 30i is a bump.

Think of it like cocaine. You know, because it’s a bu… never mind.

Anyway, what about the Porta Pro?

Koss Porta Pro

The Porta Pro is most definitely 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.

It 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.

Still,

I find it mostly enjoyable but you will certainly notice it more than the 30i’s kind of gradual rise in that same 100-200Hz area.

The Porta Pro, like the 30i, also has the 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 KPH30i 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. – 1 hr.

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 why I mostly don’t even listen to it anymore.

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 auricles and it’s just awful.

The Porta Pro is definitely 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 of the fact that 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’s is completely straight, and the KSC75 is like a cross between the 2.

The Porta Pro is definitely the most retro-looking out of these, as the 30i resembles a fairly utilitarian design, both in look and functionality.

The headband adjustments are fairly straightforward, while the Porta Pro’s is somewhat unique.

Place your thumbs on the 2 plastic pieces on either side and push up to open the headband.

The Porta Pro also tries to be cool with the “Comfort Zone” thing, but I find it almost entirely useless as mentioned in the official review. Because ’80s, man.

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 digs into the top of your melon 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.

Enough of all that,

what about Soundstage and Genre?

Soundstage & Genre

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 got exactly that. Pretty neat for it being a cheap on-ear headphone.

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 music types.

The Porta Pro will show its minor flaw in that the mid-bass can sometimes sound a bit over-exaggerated with certain genres.

For instance,

John Coltrane’s saxophone may sound a bit shouty and over the top, with the mid-bass bordering on chaotic. It’s subtle, but definitely noticeable; especially with certain 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 really 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.

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,

I could never own one because of the comfort.

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.

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 like it is with mine.

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 beautifully done 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, but it’s a minor nitpick. The mid-range here is similar to that of the 30i. Non-fatiguing treble.

#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 flips 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.

If you love what I do here and want to support the blog and channel in a more personal way, check me out on Patreon and discover all the value I have to offer you.

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

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

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22 comments

Prabin July 21, 2021 - 2:27 am

I love my kph30i. And I love you too. Best wishes. Hope this website and your channel grow a lot! ❤️

Reply
Stuart Charles Black July 21, 2021 - 12:44 pm

Thanks Prabin love you too lol! ?

Reply
JulioCG July 24, 2021 - 3:09 am

I got the 30i thanks to your advice and I have exactly 0 regrets, my man! Always appreciate your reviews, cheers!

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Stuart Charles Black July 24, 2021 - 1:37 pm

Hey man thank you for the kind word! Appreciate you stopping by. Reach out any time!
-Stu

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K.I.A. August 2, 2021 - 9:05 pm

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.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black August 3, 2021 - 2:38 pm

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.

Reply
Justin April 4, 2022 - 4:06 pm

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

Reply
Stuart Charles Black April 5, 2022 - 7:53 pm

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.

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Kyle August 3, 2021 - 1:09 pm

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!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black August 3, 2021 - 2:05 pm

Thanks man! Glad it helped 🙂 GET PUMPED!!

Reply
Andrew Woodford August 15, 2021 - 10:26 pm

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

Reply
Stuart Charles Black August 16, 2021 - 3:50 pm

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

Reply
Molly Grace Moloney August 18, 2021 - 9:39 pm

This was a super helpful article! Thank you!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black August 19, 2021 - 1:32 pm

My pleasure, Molly! 🙂

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Sunny Salunkhe December 29, 2021 - 8:42 am

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?

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 29, 2021 - 6:22 pm

Hey Sunny! No, I have not.

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Neva June 30, 2023 - 12:37 pm

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)?

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Stuart Charles Black July 1, 2023 - 11:03 am

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.

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Neva August 3, 2023 - 11:58 pm

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?

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Stuart Charles Black August 5, 2023 - 8:04 pm

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

Reply
Hayrullah Yelseli August 29, 2023 - 4:09 am

Hello,Have you tried ktx pro1t? can you compare

Reply
Stuart Charles Black August 29, 2023 - 5:07 pm

Hey Hayrullah,

No I have not! Is that new or old?

Reply

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