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·
If you primarily listen to music, the Koss Porta Pro's open enclosure provides a wider soundstage for an immersive experience, but lacks noise isolation which can be problematic in noisy environments. For gaming and regular calls, the Steelseries TUSQ provides better microphone quality and a closed design for more noise isolation. If portability is key, both are similar, but the Koss Porta Pro is foldable. Neither have active noise cancelling or wireless capabilities, so for quiet listening or travel use, neither are ideal. For exercise, both score low; consider looking for sweatproof options if that's important. 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 Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Gaming
6.4
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Steelseries TUSQ is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
4.7
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ is only fair for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Build Quality
6.0
8.0
The Steelseries TUSQ 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
7.3
The Koss Porta Pro and Steelseries TUSQ are both good for TV and video.
Cost
$40
$42
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $40 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $42.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$40 | $42 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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