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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro headphones provide an open design for natural sound and comfort, which might be preferable if you're listening in quiet environments and value sound leakage for awareness. They come with a microphone, making them suitable for calls, while their bulkier on-ear style may be less portable. On the other hand, the KZ ZSN Pro earbuds offer a closed design for better noise isolation, with a stemless in-ear fit that's more compact for travel. They lack a mic but are said to offer balanced audio, especially if you purchase additional cables. Considering budget, the KZ ZSN Pro may be more cost-effective if you're looking for a lower-priced option with the flexibility to enhance audio quality. Choose the Koss Porta Pros if you prioritize comfort and mic availability, and consider the KZ ZSN Pros for portability and noise isolation, especially if you're willing to invest in alternate cables for potential audio improvements. 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 Koss Porta Pro
- Very good for music
Advantages of the KZ ZSN Pro
- The KZ ZSN Pro has no clear advantages over the Koss Porta Pro.
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.7
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro is good.
Phone Calls
4.3
3.1
The Koss Porta Pro and KZ ZSN Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Koss Porta Pro is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
4.9
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The KZ ZSN Pro and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the KZ ZSN Pro is somewhat better.
Cost
$49
$21
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the KZ ZSN Pro costs $21.
Build Quality
6.0
9.0
The KZ ZSN Pro has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.4
6.0
The Koss Porta Pro and KZ ZSN Pro are both only fair for gaming.
TV and Video
7.6
7.4
The Koss Porta Pro and KZ ZSN Pro are both good for TV and video.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the KZ ZSN Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | KZ ZSN Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $21 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | KZ | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | March 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 3.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
KZ ZSN Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
PrimeAudio
David Becker | 2019
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the KZ ZSN Pro
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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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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