Polk cans?

[nadams]

Anyone think that Polk should put their speaker-building expertise towared a pair of headphones? Idea just struck me as I was looking through my Crutchfield and spotted the Bose cans.

*shrugs*

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

been discussed before, and everyone pretty much didnt like the idea ;)

[nadams]

Ah, must've missed that topic.

I think it makes more sense than a $600 clockradio, but whatever :D

[Shizelbs]

The high quality headphone market is pretty small. Furthermore, making a profit in it would be pretty hard I imagine. Also, I doubt there is much room for another high quality headphone manufacturer, not that Bose counts as one.

[Airplay355]

apparently there was room for another wave radio type thing manufacturer

[Shizelbs]

Clock radios ain't exactly hifi neither though.

[Airplay355]

true....i wonder if they will sell alot of those

[shack]

It's probably different technology. Grado, Sennheiser, Etymotic, Beyerdynamic, AKG, Koss, etc... don't make speakers. Must be a reason.

[George Grand]

Koss used to make some speakers during their headphone heyday in the 70's. They also made one of the first digital surround processors. And that's a fact Jack.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[RuSsMaN]

The old Koss speakers were fairly large. Haven't seen any in quite some time, so I can't recall exactly what a driver compliment was.

Cheers,
Russ

[George Grand]

A good driver compliment would be, "Hey baby, love your surrounds!"

C-O-M-P-L-E-M-E-N-T is a kind of arrangement. There's your grammatical thing for the day.

Rome

[RuSsMaN]

Thanks ahole.

[michael_w]

My guess is that it wouldn't work... I think people either think that $35 sony headphones are the best or they go all out with fancy Grado's or something.

[mulveling]

I hope they don't - 'cause I would be compelled to buy them out of sheer curiosity - and I already have way too damn many expensive headphones: Sennheiser HD650, HD600, Grado HP-1000, AKG K340, ....

The headphone market does seem pretty polarized into 2 groups:
99.99%: These people don't give a damn about headphones as long as they emit noise of some sort.
0.01%: These people (me included) are weird and care way to damn much about some lousy headphones.

BTW, I believe Grado also made some speakers a long time ago.

BTW2... the $30 Koss PortaPros totally embarrass the $150 Bose Triports, lol :D

[audiobliss]

I personally wouldn't mind some Polk headphones.


Originally posted by mulveling
BTW2... the $30 Koss PortaPros totally embarrass the $150 Bose Triports, lol :D

Hmm...I really like my triports, but I'm interested in these Koss. You got a link?

EDIT: Where did you find them for $30? I found them at Target - for $50.

[mulveling]

Originally posted by audiobliss
I personally wouldn't mind some Polk headphones.




Hmm...I really like my triports, but I'm interested in these Koss. You got a link?

EDIT: Where did you find them for $30? I found them at Target - for $50.
Sorry, I should have been more specific...
The KossPorta Pro2 is available exclusively from CircuitCity for $30 (sometimes on sale for less):
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Koss-Portable-Stereo-Headphones-PORTAPRO2-/sem/rpsm/oid/90572/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
The PortaPro2 is the same as the original PortaPro with a less adjustable headband and a different color scheme.

It's not a guarantee that you'll like the PortaPros better for sound and/or comfort, but in my brief session with the Triports and my 2 days with the PortaPros (going off memory here), I prefer the Koss regardless of price. The Triports were "tinny" and the Koss are a bit bass-y compared to my reference cans. The PortaPro sound could be characterized as "fun", and IMO it's a great match for slightly bass shy portables like an unequalized ipod.

[audiobliss]

Sweet, that sounds great - I like bass! :D

I'll hafta run to a CC here one day and check 'em out, as I've taped my triports together in two places (due to my stupidity, not Bose's lack of cratmanship).

EDIT: Have you had any experience with the $50 PortaPro headphones? If so, how would you compare them?

Thanks!

[audiobliss]

AND....did you happen to submit a review on yours on CC's website? If so, I think I found it! :p

(Bottom of the page.)
http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/90572/rpem/ccd/productDetailReview.do#tabs

[Toxis]

Technics RP-DH1200 studio headphones. Can be had for $110 on the 'bay. Takes the bose, wipes it's ass with them, then throws them in the gutter laughing. But then again, earbuds do the same thing IMO. God I hate the triports.

[mulveling]

Originally posted by audiobliss
AND....did you happen to submit a review on yours on CC's website? If so, I think I found it! :p

(Bottom of the page.)
http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/90572/rpem/ccd/productDetailReview.do#tabs
LOL, actually I'd never even seen that review before, but I can see how one would think I wrote it :D Except the part about $200 cans - the absolute best $200 cans (AKG K340, Senn HD580) surely beat out PortaPros IMO, but then PP's put up a better fight than anything in their price ballpark and can take down more expensive cans. And of course the 'fun factor' and portability of the PP is a big advantage besides its sound quality. Also, the best $$$ cans are usually hard to drive which makes the PP a better match with portable sources (unless you got a $$$ headphone amplifier ;)).

Unfortunately I have not heard the original PortaPros, but both versions use the same drivers and form factor, and user reports on head-fi.org generally indicate that the sound quality is the same - only difference is looks, ergonomics, price, and availability.

Just to reiterate, they're definately worth a shot and I highly recommend them as perhaps the best headphone bargain in the sub-$100 range!

[audiobliss]

Awesome. Thanks for your comments. I think I like the original ($50 one) because it comes with some sort of carrying case, so the 'site says. I just might have to find these and see what they're all about. Fitting on my head versus my ears is kind of intriguing.

The only experience I've had with Koss has been my UR-20s; needless to say, that wasn't too good. Sounds like these would be better, though.

Thanks!