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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and seamless integration with Apple devices, the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) could be a better choice, but they are more expensive and offer lower noise isolation. On the other hand, the Koss Porta Pro headphones, which are significantly less costly, provide a more immersive soundstage and are suitable for detailed listening experiences like gaming and watching videos, although they lack wireless capabilities and are not as portable as the Airpods. Neither offers active noise canceling, and they both have a similar microphone quality, so call quality will be comparable between the two. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Gaming
4.8
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
6.1
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both only fair for phone calls, though the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
6.8
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair.
TV and Video
5.4
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Battery
4.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery.
Cost
$89
$60
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
7.6
6.0
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (2nd generation) | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | In-Line | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
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Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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Headphones.com
Sebastian Taboada | February 2022
"It’s clear to see why these have been such a popular choice amongst listeners for nearly four decades. It’s a charming pair of headphones that delivers a truly enjoyable listening experience and one that I think punches well above its weight."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Koss
Koss is an American headphone manufacturer established in 1953. In 1958, they created the first set of stereophones, that is headphones with stereo sound, and in 1984 they released the world-famous Porta Pro, a set of on-ear headphones that has remained essentially unchanged for more than 30 years and that is still made, sold and loved by many audio enthusiasts around the world today.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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