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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
When deciding between the Apple AirPods Max and the Koss KSC75, consider the following: the AirPods Max offer active noise cancellation, wireless connectivity, and a built-in microphone, making them ideal for immersive listening and taking calls. They're designed for a premium listening experience with higher sound quality and additional features like spatial audio. The Koss KSC75, on the other hand, are affordable wired on-ear clip headphones known for their excellent value and surprisingly good sound quality for their price. They don't isolate sound as well, lack the features of the AirPods Max, and are better suited for casual listening or if you're on a budget. If the price isn't a concern and you're looking for the best features and sound isolation, the AirPods Max are the way to go; however, if you're cost-conscious or don't need wireless connectivity and noise cancellation, the Koss KSC75 are a solid choice. 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 Apple Airpods Max
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Koss KSC75
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.3
The Koss KSC75 is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
6.4
The Koss KSC75 is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
4.8
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
7.7
The Koss KSC75 is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
2.5
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Koss KSC75 does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Koss KSC75 costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
5.6
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Koss KSC75 has poor build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
7.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss KSC75 is good.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Koss KSC75 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Koss KSC75 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | January 1, 2005 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 45.3 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Koss KSC75
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Dig into reviews and images
InEar Fidelity
Crinacle | June 2022
"Let’s not insult the KSC75 by saying that it’s simply good for the price… because it’s far more than that. It basically has a monopoly at its asking price, and could still give modern budget headphones a run for their money 15 years after its release. The KSC75 is the world’s best not-headphone."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Koss KSC75
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
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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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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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