A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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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 offering more spacious sound but less noise isolation, making them better suited for quiet environments where you want to remain aware of your surroundings. They are also more portable, lightweight, and have a foldable design. The Rode NTH-100 are closed-back over-ear headphones, which provide better noise isolation, making them a clever choice for louder environments and air travel. They are sturdier and have a longer cable but are heavier and less compact. If you want a budget-friendly option for casual listening in a quiet place, go with the Koss Porta Pro. If you need better isolation, durability, and prefer over-ear comfort, particularly in noisier settings, and don't mind spending more, then the Rode NTH-100 would be a better choice. 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
- The Koss Porta Pro has no clear advantages over the Rode NTH-100.
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.3
4.8
The Rode NTH-100 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Rode NTH-100 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
7.6
The Rode NTH-100 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Rode NTH-100 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the Rode NTH-100 is somewhat better.
Cost
$49
$149
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
Build Quality
6.0
8.5
The Rode NTH-100 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.2
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro and Rode NTH-100 are both very good for music.
Gaming
6.4
6.5
The Rode NTH-100 and Koss Porta Pro are both only fair for gaming.
TV and Video
7.6
7.7
The Rode NTH-100 and Koss Porta Pro are both good for TV and video.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Rode NTH-100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Rode NTH-100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | March 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof 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."
Rode NTH-100
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Kizito Katawonga | March 2023
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the Rode NTH-100
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.
About Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
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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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