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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro with a mic offers great value for a tight budget, and its microphone makes it suitable for calls, while Sennheiser HD800S provides an exceptional audio experience, especially for critical listening. If portability and communication are key, go with Koss. However, for home listening, where sound quality is paramount, the Sennheiser HD800S, despite its higher price, may bring greater satisfaction. The Sennheisers are not as suited for mobile use and lack a microphone, making them less versatile but superior for audiophiles seeking high-fidelity sound. 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 (with mic)
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.2
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good.
Gaming
8.2
7.5
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Sennheiser HD800S is good.
Phone Calls
6.1
5.0
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
8.1
The Sennheiser HD800S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good.
Cost
$60
$1,380
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has a price of $60 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,380.
Build Quality
6.0
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro (with mic) | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $1,380 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 371.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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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 HD800S
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | March 2023
"The cans offer stellar sound quality, comfort, and good maintenance options—so they're an easy recommendation if you have the cash and the need for the last headphones you'll buy for years."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) or the Sennheiser HD800S
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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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.
Jason Lew
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.
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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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