When comparing Koss PortaPro vs Grado Prestige Series SR80e, the Slant community recommends Koss PortaPro for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Koss PortaPro is ranked 14th while Grado Prestige Series SR80e is ranked 32nd. 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
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
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 Fun sounding with extended bass and highs along with warm mids
The highs are quite forward which brings out a lot of detail from the music. The mids, while not upfront, have nice presence and body to the music. The bass has good impact and is well-defined.
The SR80e works best for rock, country or live music, but can also perform well for classical music, EDM and similar genres.
Pro Open back design results in good sound stage
Th ear cups sport an open-back design, with mesh as the only covering on the driver. This gives a good sound stage which, while not very wide, is enough to give a feeling that the sound is coming from some distance away instead of just from beside your ears. This gives the music a more natural feel.
Pro Cable feels high quality
The cable is fairly long, thick and has a good weight to it. This is reassuring, as it means the cable will not break easily.
Pro Hand assembled in America
Grado Labs first started in the 50's, and to this day still hand craft all their products in their Brooklyn plant.
Pro Very light
The headband is only a piece of leather with a very thin metal sheet inside to give it structure, along with thin metal rods as gimbals for the plastic ear cups. Not only is it light, it's also quite portable too.
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 Highs can sound piercing/harsh
Some users may find the highs to be too much. This is especially true if used with music that have a lot of high frequency sounds or effects like cymbals for example.
Con On ear design can be uncomfortable
The SR80e's ear cups sit on top of the user's ears with just a thin foam piece acting as cushion. This can result in an uncomfortable listening experience, especially when worn for extended periods.
Con May feel flimsy/cheap
These sound great, but build quality might not be up to par with the sound. The headband is very thin while the ear cups are mostly made of plastic. If you are looking for headphones that look and feel premium then these may not be for you.
Con Open-back design leaks a lot of sound
These headphones leak a lot of sound which means that other people near you can easily hear what you are listening to. These are not the best to use if you are in a place where silence is important.
Con Cable is non-removable
The cable is long, thick and non-removable, which makes it quite difficult to manage.
Con Very bulky plug
The 3.5mm plug is very large, and if you use a case on your phone, you won't be able to fit it in all the way. This can make the headphones sound off, or not produce any sound at all.
Con Barebones accessories
There is no included case, no in-line remote, and no microphone.