When comparing Sennheiser HD 650 vs Koss PortaPro, the Slant community recommends Sennheiser HD 650 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Sennheiser HD 650 is ranked 10th while Koss PortaPro is ranked 14th. The most important reason people chose Sennheiser HD 650 is:
The sound signature is near neutral but with a little emphasis on the lower frequencies. The bass is slightly forward with good punch and tightness. Explosions will have good rumble, without overpowering the other frequencies. The mids are warm and clear, adding extra body to the sound. Game dialogue will be easy to hear. Highs have good clarity, but are not forward in any way, so harshness is minimized.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Tight and punchy bass, clear with natural mids and highs
The sound signature is near neutral but with a little emphasis on the lower frequencies. The bass is slightly forward with good punch and tightness. Explosions will have good rumble, without overpowering the other frequencies.
The mids are warm and clear, adding extra body to the sound. Game dialogue will be easy to hear.
Highs have good clarity, but are not forward in any way, so harshness is minimized.
Pro Lightweight and comfortable with a near neutral sound signature
The H650 is popular for its near neutral sound, which makes it quite versatile. The headphones can give a great casual listening, gaming, and movie watching experience yet are accurate enough for pro audio mixing. They are also lightweight and comfortable so you won't have any issues wearing them for hours.
Pro Comfortable even when used for hours straight
Clamping force is not too tight. The ear pads and headband feature memory foam which are covered by velour material. The pads feel really soft on the head and allow airflow for minimized heat build-up/sweat.
The headband also features similar cushioning materials and minimizes pressure spots on the head.
Pro Decent soundstage
The open ear cup design allows the sound to blend with your surroundings, giving it a natural width. It will also be easier to identify the direction of sounds, which can really help immersion.
Pro Lightweight for full-sized headphones
The HD-650s do not feel heavy at all. They are usable for long music listening, movie or gaming sessions without feeling pain or strain on their head and neck.
Pro Headphone cable can easily be replaced
While the cable connectors are proprietary, they can easily be removed from the ear cups with a firm pull. The popularity of these headphones means that there are a lot of aftermarket cables that can be bought.
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.
Cons
Con Sound leak can be a distraction for others
The open design means that a lot of sound can leak out the ear cups. Other people in your immediate vicinity will be able to hear your music, movie or game, which can be annoying for them.
Con Requires a headphone amp for optimal sound
Plugging these directly to your computer or phone will most likely result in audio that is lacking in volume or may sound too thin. To get the best listening experience, you will need to run these with a capable headphone amp.
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.