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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 excel in sound quality and are more affordable, but they may let in outside noise and leak sound. They're lightweight but not as sturdy as some might prefer, and they lack modern features like a built-in microphone for calls. The Sony WH-CH520, being over-ear and closed-back, offer better noise isolation and a solid build quality. They come with a microphone and have a more contemporary look, but they are slightly more expensive and heavier. If you prioritize sound and value, the Koss Porta Pro is a good choice, whereas if you need better isolation and features for calls, the Sony WH-CH520 might suit you better. 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 Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
Gaming
6.4
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
6.0
7.0
The Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Cost
$49
$50
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $50.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 147.41 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-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the Sony WH-CH520
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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