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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The JBL Tune Buds are wireless with decent sound quality, active noise cancellation, sweat and dust proofing, making them suitable for exercise and travel. The Koss Porta Pro, on the other hand, offers better overall sound quality and is good for gaming and music, but lacks modern wireless convenience and noise isolation due to its open design. The Tune Buds align with newer tech preferences like a built-in app equalizer and touch controls, while the Porta Pro's iconic design is more simplistic, favoring a wired connection and foldability for portability. Consider the JBLs for a wireless, exercise-friendly option with noise cancellation, or the Koss for superior sound in gaming and music with a classic, wired design. 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 Tune Buds
- 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
Music
6.2
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
TV and Video
6.1
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.7
2.5
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is poor.
Battery
10.4 Hours
N/A
The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery.
Build Quality
8.5
6.0
The JBL Tune Buds has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Cost
$60
$60
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The JBL Tune Buds has a price of $60 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
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How the JBL Tune Buds and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune Buds | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.6/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10.4 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | 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 | 6.8/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 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) | 10.8 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | In-Line | |
Shopping
JBL Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
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 Tune Buds 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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