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ATH M20X
Company ProductName Specs




Porta Pro
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

The Audio Technica ATH M20X headphones are better for an immersive music-listening experience with their higher overall sound quality and good noise isolation; however, they're less comfortable and portable than the Koss Porta Pro. The Porta Pro are on-ear with open backs, offering a more breathable fit which might be preferable for longer listening sessions, but they let more ambient noise in. If you need something for on-the-go, Porta Pro is lighter and foldable, making them easier to carry. Neither has a built-in microphone, so for calls and meetings, you'll need an external solution. Choose M20X for sound isolation and superior music immersion or Porta Pro for comfort and portability. 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
  • The Audio Technica ATH M20X has no clear advantages over the Koss Porta Pro.
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
  • Very good for music

Key differences

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Music

7.6
ATH M20X
Porta Pro
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.

Noise Reduction

6.0
ATH M20X
Porta Pro
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.

Build Quality

6.9
ATH M20X
Porta Pro
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Koss Porta Pro both have only fair build quality, though the Audio Technica ATH M20X has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities

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Gaming

6.2
ATH M20X
Porta Pro
6.4
The Koss Porta Pro and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both only fair for gaming.

Phone Calls

4.3
ATH M20X
Porta Pro
4.3
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

6.7
ATH M20X
Porta Pro
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks.

TV and Video

7.6
ATH M20X
Porta Pro
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both good for TV and video.

Cost

$49
ATH M20X
Porta Pro
$49
Product imageProduct image

$0

$10

$20

$30

$40

$50

The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.

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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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Audio Technica ATH M20XKoss Porta Pro
Audio Technica ATH M20XKoss Porta Pro

GENERAL

Price
$49
$49
Brand
Audio TechnicaKoss
Release Date
January 1, 2014January 1, 1984
Form Factor
HeadphonesHeadphones
Connectivity
WiredWired

SOUND

Music Score
7.6/108.3/10
Phone Calls Score
4.4/104.3/10
Gaming Score
6.2/106.4/10
TV and Video Score
7.7/107.7/10
Exercise Score
4.1/104.2/10

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoNo
Noise Reduction Score
6/102.5/10
Virtual Surround
NoN/A

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
6.9/106/10
Comfort score
5.8/107/10
Weight (headset or single earbud)
190 Grams63.5 Grams
Waterproof Rating
00
Dustproof Rating
00

Shopping

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Audio Technica ATH M20X

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Dig into reviews and images

Soundguys

Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."

Koss Porta Pro

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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."

Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Koss Porta Pro

About Audio Technica

Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.

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.

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Why trust us

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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.

By the numbers

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
117,500
Recommendations made
17,625
Consumer hours saved

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.

Luis Torres

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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