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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize top-notch sound quality and have the budget for a premium option, the Audeze Maxwell may be the right choice - they offer high-fidelity audio with a planar driver technology and come with features like noise cancellation and a premium built-in microphone. However, if you're looking for a budget-friendly option that still provides good sound quality, the Koss Porta Pro with a mic might suit you well; they're known for their value and portability, although they don't offer noise cancellation and have a more basic in-line mic compared to the Audeze Maxwell. Keep in mind, the open design of the Koss Porta Pro may leak more sound and provide less isolation from external 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 Audeze Maxwell
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
- The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Gaming
9.0
8.2
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good.
Phone Calls
8.7
6.1
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
6.8
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair.
TV and Video
8.9
7.6
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.4
8.2
The Audeze Maxwell and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both very good for music.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | In-Line | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audeze Maxwell
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
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 Audeze Maxwell or the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
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
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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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