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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value wireless convenience and modern features like noise cancellation, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 may justify its higher price, especially since it also supports high-quality audio codecs and is sweat resistant, making it suitable for active users. However, if budget is a concern and you prefer a more open and natural sound—especially for listening at home—the Koss Porta Pro would be a solid choice, offering good sound quality at a significantly lower cost, though lacking the modern features, wireless functionality, and noise isolation of the PI7. 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 PI7
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
6.4
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.1
4.3
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$49
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
8.9
6.0
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 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) | 7 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
Koss Porta Pro
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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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7 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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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
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.
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