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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize modern features such as wireless connectivity, active noise cancelling, and sweatproof certification, the JBL Live Buds 3 would serve you well, especially for exercise or air travel due to their very good noise isolation and secure fit. However, they may not be the best choice for watching TV or gaming due to poor scores in those areas. On the other hand, the Koss Porta Pro, while more affordable, offers a very good listening experience for music and gaming but lacks modern amenities like wireless operation and active noise cancelling. It's also not ideal for exercise or travel due to the poor noise isolation and durability. The choice depends on whether you value advanced features and portability over affordability and performance in specific areas like gaming and casual listening. 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 Live Buds 3
- Very good for exercise
- Very 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
Gaming
5.4
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Buds 3 has a price of $216 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
8.5
6.0
The JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Koss Porta Pro (with mic) to be very good for music, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is good.
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How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 3 | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | In-Line | |
Shopping
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 JBL Live Buds 3 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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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
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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.
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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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