Short answer: the Koss Porta Pro, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #126 of 134 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.4/5, at $32.99; the Razer BlackShark V2 X ranks #134, rated 1.0/5, and costs $34.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 134 over-ear headphones, and the Koss KPH30i, ranked #67 at $23.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The Koss Porta Pro is the better-sounding choice. A very cheap, lightweight open-back design dating from 1984. The catch: A 16.8 dB dip near 3.6 kHz hollows out vocals and instrument detail, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 6 dB low.
The case for the Razer BlackShark V2 X: A built-in microphone makes it usable for voice chat without a separate headset. Watch for: Crinacle’s measurement gives a Harman score of just 1, so the tonal balance is a long way from what most listeners prefer.
Buy the Koss Porta Pro. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Razer BlackShark V2 X and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Koss Porta Pro | Razer BlackShark V2 X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $32.99 | $34.99 |
| Ranked | #126 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #134 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 46 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 1 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.55 dB standard deviation | 5.39 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.50 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -2.96 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 60 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB SPL/1mW | 100 dB SPL/mW |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Weight | - | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Koss Porta Pro:
- Koss KPH40 vs Koss Porta Pro
- Koss KSC75 vs Koss Porta Pro
- Koss KPH40 vs Razer BlackShark V2 X
- HyperX Cloud II vs Sennheiser HD 450BT
- AKG K72 vs AKG K92
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Koss Porta Pro: $32.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A very cheap, lightweight open-back design dating from 1984. At 60 ohms and 101 dB sensitivity it runs easily from a phone. The warm tilt and a mild 2.6 dB bass lift suit listeners who like a relaxed, bassy sound.
Cons: A 16.8 dB dip near 3.6 kHz hollows out vocals and instrument detail, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 6 dB low. Sub-bass below 60 Hz sits about 6 dB under target. The open back leaks sound and provides no isolation, and the HyperX Cloud Alpha is rated clearly higher at a similar price.
Full Koss Porta Pro review and specifications →
| Released | 1984 (42 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.55 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 46 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB SPL/1mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.50 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +9.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | -8.7 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 3,336 Hz | +4.3 dB | 4.55 |
| Peak | 8,898 Hz | +5.8 dB | 2.75 |
| Peak | 6,711 Hz | +4.5 dB | 4.32 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +4.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,725 Hz | -3.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 1,892 Hz | -1.6 dB | 2.53 |
| Peak | 658 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.45 |
| Peak | 2,756 Hz | +1.5 dB | 4.62 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Razer BlackShark V2 X: $34.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A built-in microphone makes it usable for voice chat without a separate headset. The 32 ohm impedance suits PC, console and phone outputs with no amp needed, and the closed back keeps game audio from leaking into the room. At 240 g with 50 mm drivers it is a straightforward wired gaming option at a low price.
Cons: Crinacle’s measurement gives a Harman score of just 1, so the tonal balance is a long way from what most listeners prefer. The response is uneven, with a deviation of about 5.4 dB and a warm tilt, which tends to cloud vocals and detail in music. It is better suited to casual gaming and chat than to critical listening.
Full Razer BlackShark V2 X review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 5.39 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 1 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.96 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 158 Hz | -13.0 dB | 0.91 |
| Peak | 825 Hz | +8.9 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 7,600 Hz | +3.5 dB | 3.10 |
| Peak | 808 Hz | -10.8 dB | 0.68 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 312 Hz | +3.1 dB | 3.28 |
| Peak | 477 Hz | -1.6 dB | 2.83 |
| Peak | 4,275 Hz | +1.7 dB | 4.98 |
| Peak | 216 Hz | -1.8 dB | 3.70 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons