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Updated January 10, 2024·
To decide between the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Koss Porta Pro, consider how you'll be using them. The Pi5 S2 are wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, offering a more isolated listening experience suitable for noisy environments or travel. They'll provide modern features like Bluetooth connectivity and a compact form for convenience. On the other hand, the Koss Porta Pro are wired on-ear headphones known for their classic design and strong audio performance at a lower price point. They lack noise cancellation and wireless capabilities but are often praised for comfort and their unique retro aesthetic. If portability and modern features like noise cancellation are priorities, choose the Pi5 S2. For a budget-friendly option with reliable sound quality and you don't mind wires, go for the Porta Pro. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.7
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
6.4
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
4.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery.
Cost
$181
$49
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
8.9
6.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Koss Porta Pro
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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