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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 more spacious sound with its open-back design, suitable for home use where noise leakage isn't an issue, but provides minimal isolation from external noise. It's lightweight and foldable, enhancing portability. On the other hand, the Sennheiser HD 400S, with its closed-back design, better isolates listening and reduces sound leakage, making it more versatile for use in public settings or while traveling. They also include a microphone, which is great for calls, and they are noted for higher comfort level. If you prioritize immersive open-back sound and portability at a lower price, then the Porta Pro may be the better choice. For a more isolated listening experience, versatile use, and integrated microphone with a slightly higher price point, consider the HD 400S. 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 Sennheiser HD 400S
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.1
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Gaming
6.4
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sennheiser HD 400S is somewhat better.
Build Quality
6.0
8.5
The Sennheiser HD 400S has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.6
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for TV and video.
Cost
$49
$50
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $50.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
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 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 213 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."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the Sennheiser HD 400S
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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