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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Koss Porta Pro Ktc Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£45Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Koss Porta Pro Ktc Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Koss Porta Pro Ktc
6.0/10

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

80%

5.5

Technical score

20%

8.0

User score

â–¼Worse than 64% of headphones
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 59%
5.5

Technical score

Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

52%

5.0

Sound

20%

5.4

Features

10%

8.7

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

7.9

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 76%
8.0

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

7.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 60%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Koss Porta Pro Ktc

Technical score
Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components:

52%

5.0

Sound

20%

5.4

Features

10%

8.7

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

7.9

Calls & Controls

5.5
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

7.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.0
Popularity
Popularity
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 69% of models
Popularity:
Koss Porta Pro Ktc has a popularity score of 7.4 points, which is higher than that of 69.1% of products in this category.
7.4
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
15 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 15 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 58.3% of headphones and equal to 5.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
yes
This pair of headphones supports a noise-canceling microphone. 61.1% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
yes
This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode. 75.2% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Koss
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
67 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 67 g, lighter than 80.3% of headphones and equal to 0.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
1.9
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 1.9, lower clamp force than 96.3% of headphones.
Show more

Koss Porta Pro Ktc vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 69.3% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (67 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    67 g vs 218 g
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 2.4 lower clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a lower clamp force than the average pair of headphones (1.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    1.9 vs 4.3
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 5,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 69.3% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (67 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    67 g vs 218 g
  • 2.4 lower clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a lower clamp force than the average pair of headphones (1.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    1.9 vs 4.3
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 5,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 3 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (15 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    15 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    February 2012
    2012 vs 2016
  • 1 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 1 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    February 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
UtmostCoin Reviews | Quality Over Hype
≈ estimated
15/08/2022
Full review · fit, sound and variant comparison
Verdict
Koss Porta Pro KTC punches well above its price, though the clamp is strong and the sound is warm.
9.0
InnerFidelity
≈ estimated
14/09/2011
Hands-on review · sound, comfort and durability
Verdict
Koss Porta Pro KTC has a dated design and some flaws, but it is highly recommended and very hard to beat for the money.
Not graded
Overview video
Overview video
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

cnet.com
08/11/2012
Hands-on test · iPhone remote
Verdict
The Koss Porta Pro KTC is light and affordable, with clean, well-balanced sound and an iPhone remote, but it plays quieter than similar street headphones.
R
rtings.com
31/08/2018
Summary of the review
Koss Porta Pro KTC Headphones Review CNET
cultofmac.com
30/03/2012
Hands-on review · Retro iPhone headphones
Verdict
The Koss PortaPro KTC is very comfortable and sounds great with an iPhone mic and remote, but its folding and carry pouch are its weak points.
lesnumeriques.com
22/04/2014
Lab test · Retro on-ear
Verdict
The Koss Porta Pro KTC is a rugged, lively on-ear with generous bass, but it blocks almost no outside noise and its headband pinches.
O
on-mag.fr
17/01/2011
Summary of the review
Koss PortaPro Review: The Eternal and Timeless Stereophone (Featuring KTC Variant Features)
(Translated)Show original
stereo-head.it
18/06/2013
Hands-on test · Vintage on-ear
Verdict
The Koss Porta Pro is a comfortable, light on-ear with good value for money that sounds best from portable players and phones, but its looks and build are weak.
R
rtings.com
31/08/2018
Summary of the review
Koss Porta Pro KTC Headphones Review - RTINGS.com
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Koss Porta Pro Ktc

  • Retains the legendary warm, balanced sound and punchy bass of the original Porta Pro
  • Koss Touch Control (KTC) adds convenient inline remote and microphone for iPhone/iPad users
  • Extremely lightweight and comfortable for long listening sessions
  • Highly portable, collapsible design includes a carrying pouch
  • Adjustable 'ComfortZone' settings allow users to customize the temporal pressure
  • Excellent value for money, often outperforming much more expensive budget headphones
  • Replaceable foam ear pads are widely available and affordable

What customers don't like about Koss Porta Pro Ktc

  • KTC remote and microphone features have limited or no compatibility with non-Apple devices
  • Flimsy, mostly-plastic build quality can feel cheap and fragile
  • Open-back design results in significant sound leakage and zero noise isolation
  • Retro styling is polarizing and can look dated to some users
  • The metal headband mechanism is known to frequently catch and pull hair
  • Buttons on the inline remote can feel similar, making them difficult to distinguish by touch
  • Included soft carrying pouch provides minimal physical protection

Verdict

The Koss Porta Pro KTC is a lightweight, semi-open on-ear headphone featuring 60-ohm dynamic drivers that deliver a wide frequency response of 15–25,000 Hz and a sensitivity of 101 dB SPL. It distinguishes itself from the classic model with the Koss Touch Control (KTC) in-line remote and microphone optimized for iOS devices, alongside a straight 3.5mm plug designed to fit recessed jacks. Main characteristics include the iconic 1984 retro collapsible design, multi-pivoting earplates, and the unique 'Comfort Zone' temporal pads that allow users to adjust pressure between the ears and temples. The primary pros are its warm, bass-rich sound signature, exceptional portability for travel, and long-term wearing comfort. However, notable cons include a lack of noise isolation due to the open-back design, significant sound leakage at higher volumes, and a thin headband that can frequently snag or pull hair.

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