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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro offers a larger soundstage and is typically praised for music listening with an open enclosure that enhances the immersive experience but lacks noise isolation and is not suitable for noisy environments. The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic), on the other hand, provides a more compact form factor and better noise isolation due to its closed enclosure, making it more versatile for a variety of settings, including travel and exercise. It also includes a built-in microphone which is useful for calls. If budget is a concern and you need a microphone for calls or prefer earbuds for their portability and sound isolation, the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is a solid choice, but if you're focused on soundstage and open-back headphones for music, the Koss Porta Pro would be preferable despite the higher price. 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 (with Mic)
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.7
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.
Gaming
6.4
8.0
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is very good for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) 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 (with Mic) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is somewhat better.
Cost
$49
$24
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) costs $24.
Build Quality
6.0
9.0
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.6
7.4
The Koss Porta Pro and KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) are both good for TV and video.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $24 | ||
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 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
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 | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
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 (with Mic)
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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 (with Mic)
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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