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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prefer wireless convenience for on-the-go use and don't mind sacrificing some sound quality and comfort, the JBL 510BT might be the better choice, especially since they offer active noise cancelling which can be beneficial during air travel and have better portability due to being foldable. However, if audio fidelity and a more natural soundstage are priorities for you and you don't mind a wired connection, the Koss Porta Pro with a microphone could provide a better listening experience for music and gaming, albeit with less effective noise isolation and not suited for exercise due to lack of sweat resistance. 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 JBL 510BT
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.2
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the JBL 510BT is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
TV and Video
5.5
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good for TV and video, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The JBL 510BT and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both poor for noise reduction, though the JBL 510BT is somewhat better.
Battery
38.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL 510BT has 38 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery.
Cost
$30
$60
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL 510BT has a price of $30 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
6.5
6.0
The JBL 510BT and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) both have only fair build quality, though the JBL 510BT has somewhat better build quality.
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How the JBL 510BT and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL 510BT | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2021 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.2/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 38 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 158.7 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | In-Line | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
JBL 510BT
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | September 2023
"The JBL Tune 510BT is affordable and compact, making it a great companion for a commute, so long as you don't need active noise canceling. If you wear glasses or have ear piercings, the on-ear design might not be comfortable, since the ear cups will squish your ears."
Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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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 JBL 510BT or the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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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