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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X, being more expensive, offers excellent overall sound quality, a better soundstage for immersive experiences, and high mic quality, making it a strong choice for gaming and calls. Its build quality is superior to the Koss Porta Pro, which is more affordable, portable, and foldable, suitable for listening to music on the go. However, both have minimal noise isolation due to their open designs. If budget is a concern and casual listening is the primary use, Koss may suffice, but for serious gaming, calls, and higher audio fidelity, the EPOS PC38X stands out despite its higher price. 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 (with mic)
- The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) is very good.
Gaming
10.0
8.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good.
Phone Calls
10.0
6.1
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
6.8
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair.
TV and Video
9.0
7.6
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good.
Cost
$125
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $125 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
8.5
6.0
The EPOS PC38X has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The EPOS PC38X and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$125 | $60 | ||
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 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 8.2/10 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | In-Line | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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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 (with mic)
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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 EPOS PC38X or the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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.
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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.
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.
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