How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-04 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
One note before we dig in. If you are hunting wireless earbuds for DJ work, or the best ear clip headphones for DJ sets, neither of these is that product. This comparison is about a wired communication headset on one side and a pack of foam cushions on the other. Different jobs, different buyers.
• Koss Porta Pro Communication — biggest strength: a full on ear headset with a noise cancelling electret boom microphone, 60 ohm dynamic drivers, and a 15 Hz–25 kHz range, all in a foldable frame.
• Koss Porta Pro Communication — biggest trade-off: it is wired only, with a fixed 3.5 mm TRRS plug, so you are tethered to your desk phone, computer or gaming device.
• D & K Exclusives Replacement Foam Earpads — biggest strength: a 50-pack of stretchable 45 mm memory foam cushions that refresh worn pads and restore comfort on a long list of on ear models.
• D & K Exclusives Replacement Foam Earpads — biggest trade-off: they are a consumable accessory, not a headset. No drivers, no cable, no microphone. They only help if you already own a compatible headset.
• Who each pick is for: Koss if you need one complete, ready-to-use wired on ear headset with a mic; D & K Exclusives if you already have headsets and want to keep them comfortable, hygienic and in service.
This is the Porta Pro formula rebuilt as a communication tool. Koss took the familiar on ear design — lightweight, foldable, with ComfortZone temporal pads that sit against the side of your head — and added a flexible electret boom microphone. The result is a headset you can wear all day on calls without feeling like you have a brick clamped to your skull.
Who should buy it? Anyone whose day runs on voice: telehealth appointments, online teaching, call center shifts, office work, gaming squads. The foldable headband and included carrying case make it easy to toss in a bag between locations. It also suits people who want a retro look rather than a generic black plastic slab.
Who should skip it? If you need to walk around while talking, this is the wrong tool — it is wired, and the cable is the cable. If you already own a headset you love and only the pads are worn, buying a whole new headset is overkill. And if your device lacks a 3.5 mm TRRS jack, you will need to think about adapters before you commit.
D & K Exclusives Replacement Foam Earpads: Who It's For
These are the unglamorous hero of shared headset environments. A 50-pack of 45 mm (1.8 inch) foam cushions in black memory foam, stretchable enough to slip onto a wide range of on ear and over ear headsets. The compatibility list is specific: MDR-G45, MDR-222KD/PIN, PMX60, PMX100, PX100, PX20, HD15, HD36, HD56, plus other headphones with a similar ear cup diameter.
Two things make these worth owning. First, comfort. The foam is soft, lightweight and breathable, and the design goal is reducing ear fatigue and pressure during long listening sessions. If you wear a headset for a full shift, fresh foam changes the experience more than most people expect. Second, hygiene. In a call center, classroom or shared office, disposable covers mean each user gets a clean pad instead of inheriting someone else's.
The sound angle is worth stating plainly: the manufacturer claims the cushions minimize sound leakage and block ambient noise, which improves clarity on calls and music. That is a reasonable expectation from a snug foam seal, and it is most noticeable when your old pads are flattened and loose.
Who should skip it? Anyone expecting a sound upgrade from a headset with good pads already. Anyone whose ear cup diameter is not close to that 45 mm figure — measure before you order. And anyone who actually needs a microphone, because foam cannot fix that.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• You need to talk, not just listen → Koss Porta Pro Communication. It has the electret boom mic; the foam pads do not.
• You already own a compatible headset with worn pads → D & K Exclusives. Replacing pads is far less disruptive than replacing the whole unit.
• You want voice assistant wireless headphones for DJ prep or studio chat → neither. This Koss is wired, and the pads are not electronics. Look for a wireless model if freedom of movement is the priority.
• You run a shared workspace, classroom or call floor → D & K Exclusives. Fifty disposable covers solve hygiene and comfort in one purchase.
• You want a single headset for telehealth, teaching or gaming → Koss Porta Pro Communication. Foldable, cabled, mic included, ready out of the box.
• You care about audio range on a wired connection → Koss Porta Pro Communication, with its 15 Hz–25 kHz response and 60 ohm drivers.
• You want to reduce ear fatigue on gear you already own → D & K Exclusives. Soft, breathable foam, sized for extended wear.
• You are not sure which camp you are in → ask whether the missing piece is a microphone or a cushion. That single question settles it.
My Verdict
what is on ear headset
An on ear headset is one where the earpieces rest against the outer ear rather than surrounding it. The Koss Porta Pro Communication is exactly this type — on ear placement, rounded tip earpieces, with a headband and temporal pads for stability.
what is over ear headset
An over ear headset has cups that fully enclose the ear. The D & K Exclusives foam pads are listed as fitting both on ear and over ear stereo headphones and headsets, as long as the ear cup diameter is close to 45 mm.
how to wear one ear headset
A one ear headset leaves one ear open to your surroundings, which suits call centers and shared offices. With the Koss, the adjustable headband and ComfortZone pads let you position the earpiece comfortably; the boom mic stays near your mouth for voice pickup.
how to open headset ear
Replacing pads on most on ear headsets means gently stretching the old cushion off the cup and slipping the new one on. The D & K Exclusives pads are stretchable by design for exactly this, and the 50-pack means you can swap a set the moment it flattens.
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