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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering your preferences, if you value wireless convenience and active noise cancellation for on-the-go use, the JBL Live Pro 2 are a better choice as they offer these features along with a higher score in noise isolation and use during exercise. However, if you prioritize overall sound quality and enjoy the natural soundstage of open-back design, the Koss Porta Pro would be more suitable. The JBLs may fit better for calls and travel with their integrated mic and portability, whereas the Koss provides a more immersive music and TV experience but lacks features like a microphone and active noise cancelling. Keep in mind that the Koss Porta Pro are an on-ear, wired headphone which may be less convenient than the truly wireless JBL Live Pro 2, but they do come at a more affordable price point. 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 Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.9
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
5.3
6.4
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
4.3
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Pro 2 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.5
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The JBL Live Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
8.3 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery.
Cost
$90
$49
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Live Pro 2 has a price of $90 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
7.0
6.0
The JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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How the JBL Live Pro 2 and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Pro 2 | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$90 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 8.3 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.8 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.8 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
JBL Live Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Koss Porta Pro
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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 Pro 2 or the Koss Porta Pro
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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