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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats EP offers a slightly richer overall sound and provides better build quality compared to the Koss Porta Pro, making them a good choice if sound and durability are your top priorities. However, they come at a higher price and their on-ear design with closed enclosure might not be as comfortable for extended listening sessions. The Koss Porta Pro are more budget-friendly with an open enclosure design, which usually results in a more natural soundstage; they're also lighter and foldable, enhancing portability. For casual use, including walking or commuting where you want some environmental awareness, the Porta Pro may be preferable, but they might not isolate noise as well as the Beats EP, making them less ideal for noisy environments. Neither has a microphone or Bluetooth connectivity, so they're best suited for listening to music or audio content rather than taking calls or gaming. 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 Beats EP
- The Beats EP has no clear advantages over the Koss Porta Pro.
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- The Koss Porta Pro has no clear advantages over the Beats EP.
Key differences
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats EP and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats EP is somewhat better.
Cost
$100
$49
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
8.0
6.0
The Beats EP has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro and Beats EP are both very good for music.
Gaming
6.3
6.4
The Koss Porta Pro and Beats EP are both only fair for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.2
4.3
The Koss Porta Pro and Beats EP are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro and Beats EP are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.6
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro and Beats EP are both good for TV and video.
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How the Beats EP and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | 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 | 4.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 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 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
Koss Porta Pro
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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 Beats EP or the Koss Porta Pro
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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