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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR earbuds offer greater noise isolation and are more portable due to their smaller size compared to the Koss Porta Pro headphones, which may be critical for air travel or in noisy environments. However, they are more expensive and less comfortable for extended use. The Koss Porta Pro, on the other hand, provides better sound quality and a more comfortable fit, which could make them ideal for prolonged listening sessions at home or the office. Additionally, these headphones come with a microphone for calls and meetings, which the Etymotic lacks, and they are more suitable for gaming and TV due to their open design. Keep in mind, the Porta Pro is less isolating from ambient noise and not as compact as earbuds. 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 ER4XR
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is poor.
Cost
$234
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Etymotic ER4XR are both very good for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
6.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair.
TV and Video
7.4
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
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 | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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 Etymotic ER4XR or the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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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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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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