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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize cost and enjoy an open design with a wider soundstage for music, go for the Koss Porta Pro. They are lightweight and foldable, offering clear sound quality but minimal noise isolation and no wireless capability. Consider your budget, need for wireless convenience, sound preferences, and where you'll be using them most. 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
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
6.6
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Gaming
6.4
5.4
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.8
The Marshall Major IV and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro and Marshall Major IV are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Koss Porta Pro is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
5.7
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.6
The Marshall Major IV and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
80.0 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
Build Quality
6.0
8.5
The Marshall Major IV has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Marshall Major IV compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Marshall Major IV |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Marshall | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 80 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 165 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Marshall Major IV
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Marshall Major IV shares quite a bit in common with its predecessor, but a key upgrade appears to be softer ear cushions. They make upgrading worth it. As a set of basic wired or wireless headphones the Major IV ticks most boxes by remaining easy to use, and fairly comfortable (at least, as on-ear headphones go)."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the Marshall Major IV
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
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.
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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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