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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize affordability and a retro design with good music quality, the Koss Porta Pro with mic is a solid pick, though they offer minimal noise isolation and are not ideal for exercise or air travel. In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is significantly pricier, but provides excellent noise cancellation, superior build quality, and is optimized for comfortable long-term wear, making them well-suited for air travel and focused listening environments. The Sonys also have a range of modern features like app-based customization and active noise cancelling, which the Koss lacks. Choose Koss for budget-friendliness and openness, or Sony for premium noise-isolating features and robust design. 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
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
8.2
5.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.1
5.5
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
6.0
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
5.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has a price of $60 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 (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.2
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both very good for music.
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How the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro (with mic) | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $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 | 6.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 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 | In-Line | Integrated | |
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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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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 (with mic) 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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