A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro are open-back, on-ear headphones with a long history and a budget-friendly price; they excel in natural sound quality with a wide soundstage, making them good for music listening at home. However, they lack noise isolation due to their design, aren't suitable for noisy environments, and can't be used for wireless listening. On the other hand, the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) earbuds are a modern, midrange option with closed-back design, providing better noise isolation, and they come with features such as active noise cancelling, a built-in mic with good quality, and a more portable, sweatproof build suitable for exercise and commuting. They also have a longer battery life with the convenience of a charging case and wireless charging, making them a versatile choice for a variety of situations including calls, gaming, and TV, particularly with their low latency mode. If you're on a tighter budget and primarily interested in audio quality for music at home, the Koss Porta Pro might be the choice for you, but if you value modern features, versatility, and portability, the "Nothing" Ear (2) could be worth the extra cost. 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.0
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
Gaming
6.4
8.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
7.9
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
9.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.7 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery. The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$149
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) costs $149.
Build Quality
6.0
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
TV and Video
7.6
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) to be very good for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro is good.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Koss Porta Pro and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | March 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3. | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 4.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Koss Porta Pro
See more
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."
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Koss Porta Pro vs. Audio Technica ATH M20X
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro vs. Sennheiser CX300S
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro vs. Sennheiser HD 400S
VS
Compare "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) vs. Audio Technica M50x
VS
Compare "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) vs. Rode NTH-100
VS
Compare "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) vs. Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
127,700
Recommendations made
19,155
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
