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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your main concern, the Koss Porta Pro generally offers a richer audio experience with a wider soundstage, suited for various genres of music. However, they have an open-back design that lets sound in and out, so they might not be ideal in noisy environments. The Steelseries TUSQ is tailored towards gamers with emphasis on spatial cues and may be more practical for gaming due to better noise isolation and mic clarity; they may also be more durable for everyday use. Consider the Koss if you prioritize musicality and are okay with less isolation, or the Steelseries if you need a gaming-focused earbud with a robust build. 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 music
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Phone Calls
6.1
5.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
4.7
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) is poor.
Cost
$60
$40
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has a price of $60 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $40.
Build Quality
6.0
8.0
The Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.2
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
7.6
7.3
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Steelseries TUSQ are both good for TV and video.
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How the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro (with mic) | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $40 | ||
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 | 6.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 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 | In-Line | Boom | |
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."
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 (with mic) 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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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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