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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro are on-ear, open-back headphones that offer good sound quality, are highly portable, comfortable, and exceptionally budget-friendly, making them suitable for casual music listening at home. However, they lack a microphone, have minimal noise isolation and are not designed for exercise or noisy environments. In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are premium, over-ear headphones with excellent noise cancellation, superior comfort, longer battery life, and additional features like an app with equalizer settings and a microphone for calls. They are ideal for travel, exercise, and a variety of listening situations, but come at a much higher price. Choose the Koss if you want affordability and don't need isolation or tech features, or the Sony for the best all-around performance and features if the price isn't a deterrent. 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
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.4
5.6
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
6.0
The Koss Porta Pro and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Koss Porta Pro is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
5.8
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$398
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
Build Quality
6.0
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 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 Sony WH-1000XM5 are both very good for music.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
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 | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 249.4 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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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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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