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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE excels in sound quality and noise isolation, offering a more detailed and clear listening experience, which is great for critical listening in quiet environments. However, they might be less comfortable for long sessions and are not suited for exercise due to their fit and lack of sweatproof features. The Koss Porta Pro, conversely, are more suitable for casual listening, offer open and natural sound due to their open-back design, and are more comfortable for extended use. They are also more portable with a foldable design but provide less noise isolation, making them less ideal for noisy environments. If budget is a concern and you prioritize comfort and portability for everyday use, the Koss Porta Pro could be a better choice. If sound quality and noise isolation are paramount and you can stretch your budget, the Etymotic ER2SE may be the better option. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- The Koss Porta Pro has no clear advantages over the Etymotic ER2SE.
Key differences
Music
8.8
8.2
The Etymotic ER2SE and Koss Porta Pro are both very good for music, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
4.9
4.3
The Etymotic ER2SE and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
6.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Cost
$100
$49
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.2
6.4
The Koss Porta Pro and Etymotic ER2SE are both only fair for gaming.
TV and Video
7.8
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE and Koss Porta Pro are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
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 Etymotic ER2SE or the Koss Porta Pro
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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