A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X, being more expensive, offers better overall sound quality, a higher comfort level, a top-tier microphone, more substantial build quality, and exceptional performance for gaming and calls, which justifies its higher price if these aspects are important to you. However, the Koss Porta Pro, despite being less costly and with lower scores in sound quality and comfort, still provides good value and decent performance for casual listening and TV with the added benefit of being more portable due to its foldable design. Neither has wireless capabilities or active noise cancelling, so if those features are important, you might want to look into other options. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- The Koss Porta Pro has no clear advantages over the EPOS PC38X.
Key differences
Music
9.5
8.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Koss Porta Pro is very good.
Gaming
10.0
6.4
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
10.0
4.3
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
6.8
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
TV and Video
9.0
7.6
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro is good.
Cost
$139
$49
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
8.5
6.0
The EPOS PC38X has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The EPOS PC38X and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the EPOS PC38X and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Koss Porta Pro
See more
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 EPOS PC38X or the Koss Porta Pro
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
