Rating: 
Summary: Best "Earbud" style headphones on the market
Review: I have always liked the idea of the "earbud" style of headphones, but I don't like wearing them for more than 30 minutes, because they start to hurt my ears. True, this may be a small price to pay for Apple's Earbuds, which tout superior sound quality, but I just can't take the pain. Koss delivers the same frequency response (20-20k), with lower impedence.Koss has innovated this area of the market with The Plug. You do need to practice and experiment with these before they will fit properly, but once in, the sound is amazing. I get similar performance to my Koss TD/65 headphones. The bass is rich, the overall quality is excellent, and they are super-comfortable. I have used them for 2 hours plus, and the only time I had discomfort was when one wasn't seated properly. I agree, that you need to smush the plugs between your fingers and then quickly insert them into your ears and hold them there for a few seconds for a good fit. You'll know it when you get it, because it won't feel like they're falling out immediately.
Rating: 
Summary: More annoying than enjoyable
Review: I bought these headphones hoping to find great sound quality for a low price. I reasoned that if the speaker was ported directly into my ear canal, I would not lose any sound to the surroundings (as in open-ear designs). This turned out to be true, they offer excellent isolation, and I hear all the nuances of the music. Unfortunately, the size of the drivers negates any advantage that the isolation offers. The small surface area of the speakers makes the music sound very papery. The sound quality is definitely an improvement over the stock headphones packaged with most music devices, but it still sounds cheap and unappealing. Many reviews emphasize the importance of proper insertion, and I agree. Improper insertion yields horrible sound. My problem with these headphones is exacerbated by their tricky insertion. It usually took at least 2 tries to place them properly. I don't want to screw around trying put a pair of headphones on, I just want to listen. I would not recommend this product to people who have difficulty with the foam earplugs available at concerts. The thing that annoyed me the most about these headphones was something that I did not expect. The headphones seal your ear canal from the outside air, creating two separate areas. A slight movement of the headphones in your ear causes the speaker diaphragm to move in or out due to the difference in air pressure. This produces an extremely irritating "crinkle" noise, as if someone were crumpling cellophane. This was the most annoying thing in the world, and it happened *all the time* The positives:
Small, Blocks outside sounds, Pretty good bass. The Negatives:
So-so sound quality, Difficult to insert, Aggravating crinkle. These headphones are more trouble than they are worth. If you are usually satisfied with stock headphones, you might like this set. If you find the stock set lacking, spend the extra 5-10 dollars and get a much better-sounding pair.
Rating:
Summary: very disappointed!!!
Review: well, in Asia somehow we use earbuds a lot more than headphones. I don't know why, but one thing I can say for sure is that earbuds CAN sound as good as full priced, high model headphones. Anyway i have owned a lot of different brand name earbuds so far, and my bottom line is the sennheiser 400, and 500 were the best for the same price level. I bought this Koss earbuds after reading good reviews here, but I think they probably didn't compare them with the ones from Sennheiser's. Loudnesswise it's as loud, powerful, but don't have sophisticated sound (well separated) like Senn. I only listen classical music, usually vocal, and with that type of music the difference is so clear. It felt as if I shifted from "stereo radio" to "mono radio" after getting used to the Senn earbuds. But like other reviewers said, I agree that it's loud enough. (just as much as Sennheiser...)
Readers might think I'm too partical to Senn, but don't get me wrong, I love Koss Portapro. They are very good quality headphones, and I have been always happy with their performance.
And also, it's too much hassle compared to regular earbuds when you first wear them and adjust well to your ear canal.
Rating: 
Summary: excellent
Review: these headphones are the greatest for the price. pros--
GREAT BASS! makes up for the not so good treble
noise-canceling saves you eardrum
cheap cons--if you don't know how to put them in, then they wont stay in. they are like foam ear plugs. twist them in your fingers and quickly stick them in your ear and hold them there for about 5 sec. takes time to get used to. they can make your ears a bit sore. can fall out easily, if touched too much because of the cons, I gave it 4 instead of 5. but don't get me wrong, they are great. definately worth your $$$$$
Rating:
Summary: Great earphones - READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!!
Review: I concur with the last two reviewers - you must use "The Plug" correctly to realize how good they are. You must squeeze the foam between your thumb and forefinger while rolling back and forth. This will make it long and thin; then QUICKLY insert firmly in your ear and hold a few seconds until the foam expands. The result is a secure fit and the bass is amazing! There is no obvious distortion and you will probably have to turn the volume down and turn off any bass boost (which is only there to compensate for the lousy base on regular ear buds). I wear mine while exercising and they stay put. Do youself a favor and get a pair - they are a steal!
Rating: 
Summary: Very uncomfortable
Review: Well the poor design on these headphones provide a very uncomfortable fit. I'm 17, have average if not large ears but maybe my ear canal is smaller than average, my friends too? Because neither of us could get it comfortable in our easily. I tried for 20 minutes until my ear was raw trying to roll the big foam up and place it in my ear, and each time the foam uncompressed it would slide out of my ear. I managed once to successfully place it in my ear, but soon realized that more than 10 seconds to put a headphone in is ridiculous. Please do not go this route if you are searching for budget noise-cancelling headphones, i did and regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Earphones
Review: These are very good earphones. they have good sound, and feel nice, nicer than normal earbuds. my only complaint is that the cord is a bit small, but i solved this with a simple cord extender. other than that, A++
Rating: 
Summary: Good isolation, average sound
Review: I read a lot of reviews of these headphones so I decided to check out how they really are.
Usability:
1. I had absolutely no problem with the earphones staying in my ears. If you just push them in then you'll definitely see them fall out at some point. However, if you squeeze the foam from all directions and then quickly push in, then they should stay.
2. The isolation from the ambient noise is decent.
3. The cord is in my opinion very flimsy. With normal use I would not expect the earbuds to survive more then two months.
Sound:
1. The quality of the sound strongly depends on the way the earbuds are placed in your ears.
2. The quality of sound is average. Comparing to other headphones in the same price range it is probably slightly above average. The bass sounds unnatural similarly as the demo speakers in any electronic shop with the subwoofer level cranked up too high. Generally the sound is slightly muffled and cold. Piano sound slightly plastic.
If you one of these people who don't really believe that there is much difference between the quality of sound of Grados and average Sony reference headphones then these headphones will sound great. However, if you more picky about sound look elsewhere. If you are looking for something better sounding in the same price range check out Koss KSC50 (they have their own set of problems in terms of usability but sound much, much better then these). Don't buy any sub 20$ Sony headphones because all I have ever tried sound very cheap, much worse then any Koss headphones at the same price (with Sony you have to pay a lot for quality).
I am returning mine today because I really don't think they are worth my 20$.
Rating:
Summary: Works Great! Less Filling?
Review: OK, the deal is that I was looking for earbud headphones that I could wear while riding my motorcycle long distance on the highway. Most earbuds are useless because at high speed the wind noise drowns out everything. In fact, wind noise is so bad that I normally have to wear earplugs.
Enter the Koss earbuds.
First, the sound. *Great* sound, very accurate with excellent range. Headphones aren't worth it if the sound does not satisfy.
These *more than* satisfy.
Second, the applicability to the task.
The earplugs supplied with the earbuds are darn good and will work for most applications. I decided that I wanted something even more custom, so I cut up some of my normal motorcycle-riding foam plugs and fitted them over the earphones. The result is excellent. Even at 80 mph I get good sound with comfort and acceptable windnoise reduction.
If you want absolute noise isolation plus sound, I recommend you get large-size soft foam earplugs. Drill out a hollow shaft through the center. To do this, heat up a 3/32" drill bit, force it through one end and then twist repeatedly to cut out a shaft. Press the earplugs over the small tube on the earphone, then apply the earplugs according to the instructions on the earplug package.
*Purchasing Note*
I was suspicious of the Circuit City pickup option, but tried it anyway. I was *very* pleased. Circuit City confirmed the purchase within 20 minutes, and I picked up the headphones the same evening.
Rating:
Summary: Can't live without it
Review: I just wanted to say that I have used Koss "plugs" for some time now and they are terrific.
I use them everywhere and they really block out most of the noise (if inserted properly). It takes some getting used to and you don't want to share earbuds w/ someone else (because you stick it into your ear cannal). I have no problem putting them into my ear or removing them. It does however have to be squished into the ear, so some people cannot get used to this idea. However, that is how it blocks outside sound. Try twisting while inserting. That's my 2 cents.
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