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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X offers superior overall sound quality and soundstage, making them ideal for immersive music and TV experiences. However, their larger size, weight, and closed design mean they're less portable and may be less comfortable over long periods. The Koss Porta Pro, with its mic and lightweight on-ear open design, provides good sound quality for calls and is more portable, but has lower noise isolation due to its open design. Consider the ATH M40X if sound quality for music and video is a priority and the Porta Pro for convenience in calls and portability. 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 M40X
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica ATH M40X is somewhat better.
Cost
$99
$60
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
8.2
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both very good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $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 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 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 | 8.2/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
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 M40X 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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