Show off your portable audio stuff! (56k warning)

[HulkSmashNow]

Perusing a Best Buy in Irving, Texas, I came across a strange sight on the DAP display table. A pair of Koss PortaPros on display hooked up to an Archos 5! They looked a little different from the PortaPros I'd seen on the Internets, but did somewhat resemble the 25th Anniversary Edition of the headphones.

I tried the PortaPros on and listened to a track from the Archos 5, and was amazed at high great these 'phones sounded. I knew the older versions were good, but these really blew me away.

I bought them and quickly hooked them up to my Sansa Clip+. Wow. I was already impressed by Koss following my KSC75 headband mod, but now I'm a real believer in just how truly great their headphones are.



The cable is short (which I like), cloth covered, and terminates in a short, straight plug. They're still equipped with the "ComfortZone" headband feature and fold up nicely to be stored. The included bag is a nice addition, but it is a little difficult to place the PortaPros in it and take them out. Can anyone else suggest a better carrying case?

Thanks and all the best.

[babya]

iPod nano:

[dfkt]

[winternoir]

that's a very nice action-packed long exposure photograph dfkt!

but... what happened to the clip in the middle?

[dfkt]

It decided to do a little spontaneous combustion... it got extremely hot without any reason and didn't stop even after I turned it off, so I desoldered the battery - but it was already too late, some circuitry was fried as well. I'm keeping it for spare parts.

The other Clip in the middle doesn't hold a lot of charge either, and is only 1GB. The one on the left is a 2GB... all 3 are Rockboxed v1. Now I'm patiently waiting for Rockbox for the Clip+.

[Weeze1990]

^ Pretty photography <3 I do like how the Clip+ comes in more pleasing colours than the original. Ima gonna get me a rouge coloured one.

[winternoir]

That's a scary thought, clips that spontaneously combust! We also have a clip, should I be worried?

I haven't rockboxed my v1 fuze yet, too scared to make the jump. Maybe after a stable version is released..

[dfkt]

Well, the spontaneous combustion part was a joke... but it did get maybe 60°C hot on the outside. I haven't heard a similar story from anybody else, so you and your family are safe.

[winternoir]

whew... got me there

[beteks]

Originally Posted by babya

iPod nano:

Lol there's no songs for it....

[aki]

iPlot w/o memory?

[dfkt]

Usually I'm a strong supporter of "EQ or GTFO" - but I have to say those two things synergize extremely well, even without EQ. The Hippo VB have maybe the deepest, most impactful sub-bass of all IEMs I know, without any midbass bloat or overly much veil. Exciting quality sound!

[irldave]

Originally Posted by dfkt

Usually I'm a strong supporter of "EQ or GTFO" - but I have to say those two things synergize extremely well, even without EQ. The Hippo VB have maybe the deepest, most impactful sub-bass of all IEMs I know, without any midbass bloat or overly much veil. Exciting quality sound!

How do the Hippos stack up again the x3is (r.i.p), since they've 'mylar drivers' and all? and how's the build quality?

[dfkt]

I'll have a review up on the front page soon. Build quality is much improved over the old sub-par stuff, and they're way more fun (i.e. loudness shaped) than the X3i... they're pretty similar to the UE11, frequency-response wise. Or like Atrios with more treble.

[jjrosaria]

nice pic dfkt.. Weird name of the IEM though, but it looks good

[irldave]

Originally Posted by dfkt

I'll have a review up on the front page soon. Build quality is much improved over the old sub-par stuff, and they're way more fun (i.e. loudness shaped) than the X3i... they're pretty similar to the UE11, frequency-response wise. Or like Atrios with more treble.

I'll definitely keep and eye out for the review.
Glad to hear build quality is up to scratch, thats what i really hated about crossroads products.

[dfkt]

...

[gregzx]

Woah!
Seems like you had the chance to audition some of *the best cans in the world*!
Are they really the best?
How are the HD 800? Better than the hd650?
And the ultrasones? Worth their incredibly high price tag?

[dfkt]

The HD800 are improved HD600... seems Sennheiser forgot they made the HD650 as well. HD800 have less bass and more treble than the HD650. They are maybe a bit more refined and precise than the HD650, but the HD650 just give a more satisfying overall sound, for my taste. For me, it's HD650 > HD800 > HD600.

The Edition 8 are a joke - they sound the same as the HFI-780, maybe just a tad brighter(!). Just because they're more shiny doesn't justify an additional EUR 1000,- price tag.

That might sound like I'm only jealous that I can't afford those phones - but really, I'm more happy with the ones I already got.

[WalkGood]

Very nice, must have been fun for sure