A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X offers superior sound quality and noise isolation, making it a good choice for immersive listening experiences. They are closed-back, over-ear headphones, provide better sound leakage prevention, and have a longer cable, which could be beneficial for home use. However, they are not as comfortable for long listening sessions and are bulkier, which affects portability. The Koss Porta Pro, on the other hand, feature a microphone, are more comfortable and portable due to their lightweight, open-back, on-ear design, and foldability. They are a better fit for calls and meetings, gaming, and use during exercise or travel. Plus, their open design generally offers a more natural soundstage. Both have wires and do not support wireless listening. The Koss Porta Pro is slightly more expensive than the Audio Technica ATH M20X, but if the microphone and portability are important for you, they might justify the higher price. 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
- The Audio Technica ATH M20X has no clear advantages over the Koss Porta Pro (with mic).
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
7.6
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is poor.
Cost
$49
$60
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
6.9
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) both have only fair build quality, though the Audio Technica ATH M20X has somewhat better build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.6
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both good for TV and video.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
See more
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 Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Koss Porta Pro
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Sennheiser CX300S
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Sennheiser HD 400S
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro (with mic) vs. Soundcore Life Q20
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro (with mic) vs. JBL Live Free NC+
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro (with mic) vs. JBL Tune Flex
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
127,700
Recommendations made
19,155
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
