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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Koss Porta Pro and the Sony Linkbuds depends on what you value most. The Porta Pro is a budget-friendly option with good overall sound quality and is great for music listening, but they are wired and not suitable for exercise or travel due to poor noise isolation. On the other hand, the Linkbuds cost more but offer wireless convenience, better build quality, and are optimized for calls and meetings with a higher quality microphone. If call quality and wireless functionality are less important than cost and music listening experience, you may prefer the Porta Pro. 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 Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.2
6.6
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
6.4
5.5
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
5.4
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$178
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
6.0
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Koss Porta Pro and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
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 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Sony Linkbuds
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Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the Sony Linkbuds
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
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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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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.
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