In the 1950s, when rock ‘n’ roll was sweeping the nation but headphones were still largely reserved for communication purposes, Koss came along and changed everything by making the first stereo headphones designed specifically for personal music consumption. Since then, the company has continued to bring listeners closer to the music they love, and among their most popular releases was 1984’s Porta Pro. An instant hit for its portable, on-ear design and warm, smooth, detailed sound, it’s still considered one of the best values in entry-level headphones to this day. And now, it’s getting an update in the Massdrop x Koss Porta Pro X: more modern and more durable, with the same light, take-me-anywhere build backed by Koss’s lifetime warranty.
Weighing in at just 2 ounces, these headphones are great for anyone who wants the convenience of earbuds but doesn’t like the feeling of wearing something in their ears. Plus, they can fold in several different configurations and lock for secure, compact carry in the included pouch. Engineered for durability, the Porta Pro X has a thicker cable with strain relief on the connector and a more robust “Y” split—common points of failure on the Porta Pro. And since this new model is meant to pair with a smartphone, something the original never was, it features a noise-cancelling inline microphone that won’t compromise the audio performance. The single-button control lets you skip tracks, make calls, and activate voice commands. Meanwhile, the sleek, subdued midnight-blue colorway lets you tune in without standing out.
The Porta Pro X’s adjustable temporal pads relieve pressure on the ears to keep you comfortable, while its lightweight, open-air cushions allow you to stay aware of your surroundings without affecting sound quality. Finally, the oxygen-free copper voice coils and dynamic elements provide a wide frequency response with rich bass.
If we were to write a history of audio companies in the US, Koss would land on the first page. Not only did the Milwaukee, Wisconsin–based company make the world’s first stereo headphone, the SP/3, in 1958, it’s also responsible for the first self-energizing electrostatic headphone, the first dynamic headphone to deliver all 10 audible octaves, a standard-setting infrared wireless headphone, and a series of memorable, zeitgeisty ads to go along with them. Over the years, Koss headphones have made it onto Air Force One, into the Smithsonian, and onto the heads of such music icons as Neil Diamond, Tony Bennett, and Pete Fountain. Founder John C. Koss was inducted into the Audio Hall of Fame in 1979 and the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame in 2000. Made in collaboration with his son, John Koss Jr., the Porta Pro X represents a continuation of this tradition of innovation, all for the love of music.
We get it. Sometimes what you ordered just doesn’t work out. If that’s the case for you, don’t fret! All customers (both US and international) may return this item in new, unused condition within 30 days of delivery.
Estimated ship date is Dec 11, 2024 PT.
Payment will be collected at checkout. Cancellations are accepted up to 2 hours after checkout for in-stock items, or up until pre-order ships.