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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your top priority for music, the Koss Porta Pro offers slightly better performance for music listening. However, if you frequently use headphones for calls or gaming, the Porta Pro also comes with a mic which could be beneficial for these activities. The Audio Technica ATH M30X provides better noise isolation, making them preferable for noisy environments or air travel, but they lack a built-in microphone. Regarding comfort, both are quite comparable, but the Porta Pro is significantly lighter and more portable, which could be advantageous for on-the-go use. Neither has wireless capability, so consider if this is a dealbreaker. The Porta Pro has an open design that can leak sound and let in ambient noise, so if you need privacy and don't want to disturb others, the closed design of the ATH M30X is a better 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 Audio Technica ATH M30X
- Good for air travel
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 M30X is good.
Gaming
6.6
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X 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 M30X is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is poor.
Cost
$89
$60
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
7.2
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
6.8
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.9
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $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 | 7.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 7.2/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
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 Audio Technica ATH M30X 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.
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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
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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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