When comparing Koss PortaPro vs Sennheiser HD 202 II, the Slant community recommends Koss PortaPro for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones around $50?” Koss PortaPro is ranked 1st while Sennheiser HD 202 II is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Koss PortaPro is:
The drivers may be small and thin, but there is good bass presence.. The mid-range may not be the most detailed, but there is a smoothness to it that gives the sound a warm and pleasing quality. There is a slight roll-off to the high frequencies yet detail and extension is still good . Overall, these headphones can give a fun listening experience that can work well with all genres of music.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Full and warm sound despite the small size
The drivers may be small and thin, but there is good bass presence.. The mid-range may not be the most detailed, but there is a smoothness to it that gives the sound a warm and pleasing quality. There is a slight roll-off to the high frequencies yet detail and extension is still good . Overall, these headphones can give a fun listening experience that can work well with all genres of music.
Pro Lifetime warranty
Koss provides a lifetime warranty for these headphones.
Pro Can be folded down to a very compact size
The ear cups can be folded into the headband. This further reduces its already slim design into something that is much more compact. When folded down, these headphones can easily fit in small bags.
Pro Can accommodate a wide range of head sizes
The headband can easily be adjusted to fit a user's head. The assembly features sliding metal pieces which can easily be set to fit small to large heads.
Pro ComfortZone system allows extra fit customization
Aside from headband adjustment, users can also adjust the clamping force of the ear cups using the Comfort Zone system. This changes how secure the ear cups attach to the headband, which results in either a loose or tight clamp.
Pro Can turn heads due to their retro design
These are eye-catching headphones because of their retro design. The unusual shape of the driver case and the blue accents definitely make these look unique.
Pro Has a durable and reliable feel
These headphones may look thin and flimsy, but are actually much more durable than their look suggests. The headband is made out of metal and can take some flex without snapping. The plastics used also exude a quality feel.
Pro Carrying pouch makes these easy to travel with
When used on the go, these headphones get extra protection from the included carrying pouch. This pouch looks simple and is made out of pleather, which should protect these headphones from scratches.
Pro Good sounding bass with okay detail on the highs and mids
As expected of their price, these headphones are not able to deliver a lot of detail, clarity or accuracy in terms of the sound but they're still quite fun to listen to. There is a slight accentuation on the bass which gives it oomph and presence but is not overpowering. Mids on these headphones are recessed, but are still able to present a good rendering of vocals and guitars. The highs are not very detailed, which means that you will miss some of the more intricate sounds from the music, but they are good enough that the overall sound does not come off as too muddy.
Pro Decent all-plastic build quality
Although it's made entirely of plastic, it does not feel cheap at all. The plastics used are of good quality. They can take a significant amount of flex with no signs of breaking.
Pro Can isolate sound well
With the closed back design, very minimal sound can seep into your music. Likewise, sound leakage is kept to a minimum so you won't be disturbing others near you with your music.
Pro Comfortable to wear for hours straight
The 202 II's are really light so you can wear these headphones for longer periods without neck fatigue.
Cons
Con Danger for hair
Hair tends to get snagged on the metal headband which can get quite uncomfortable.
Con Not much power to the sound
If you are looking for headphones that offer a lot of thump and a lot of detail then these are not for you. The headphone drivers are too small for big and detail-rich sound.
Con Ear cup height adjustment is quite limited
The ear cups are attached to a fixed head band, with a ball socket as the connection. Users then move the ear cups up and down the stationary head band. Available adjustment is quite limited though, so these headphones may not be suitable for individuals with bigger sized heads.
Con Very long, fixed cable
The cable is around 10 feet long. While this can be a good thing for certain uses, the long cable can get tangled up pretty easily and can get quite difficult to manage if you decide to take these on the go. The included cable organizer can help mitigate the problem, but some might find it fiddly to use.
Con Ear cups are quite small
Despite being labeled as over-ear headphones, the cups are actually quite small. If you have larger ears, it is possible that these will fit a little too tightly, if not rest on your ears completely, which you may find uncomfortable.
Con Strong clamping force may cause discomfort
These press down on the head pretty tight, which some might find uncomfortable. With regular use and some stretching of the headband however, it is possible that the clamping force will loosen up over time, resulting in a much more comfortable fit.
