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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For immersive music listening, the Apple AirPods Max offers a superior experience with high sound quality and active noise cancelling, ideal for a focused and private listening environment, especially during air travel where its higher noise isolation and comfort can be of value. However, they are significantly heavier than the Koss Porta Pro, are pricier, and less portable. The Koss Porta Pro, while offering good sound quality with more openness due to its on-ear design, might lack in noise isolation, and isn't suitable for exercise as it lacks water and dust resistance. If budget is a concern and you need something lightweight and foldable for on-the-go use without active noise cancelling, the Koss Porta Pro with its inline mic would be a practical choice. 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 (with mic)
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max 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 (with mic) is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
6.6
6.1
The Apple Airpods Max and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both only fair for phone calls.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $60 | ||
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 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | In-Line | |
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 (with mic)
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Dig into reviews and images
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 (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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Why trust us
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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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