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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Airpods Max offer superior noise isolation and are ideal for air travel due to active noise cancellation, delivering a quiet listening environment. They are wireless with integrated controls, optimized for both Android and Apple devices, and come with a microphone suitable for calls. However, they are heavier and more expensive. In contrast, the Koss Porta Pro are lightweight, foldable for greater portability, and cost significantly less, while still offering good sound quality and an open design which provides a more natural soundstage. They don't have noise cancellation and aren't the best choice for noisy environments, but are ideal if you're looking for an affordable, high-quality option for at-home use or for environments without a lot of background noise. 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 Max
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
6.4
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
4.3
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
6.8
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
2.5
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$49
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Koss Porta Pro
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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 Max or the Koss Porta Pro
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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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