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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize listening to music, the Koss KSC75 may offer better sound quality, but lacks a microphone for calls. The Apple Earpods still provide decent music quality, include a microphone with good quality for calls and meetings, and their smaller form factor makes them more portable. Both devices offer an open design, which doesn't isolate noise well, meaning they won't be ideal for noisy environments. The Earpods' built-in controls offer convenience, which the Koss lacks. If you frequently exercise or travel, neither are rated very highly, so you might consider other options for those specific activities. 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 Earpods
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Koss KSC75
- Very good for music
Key differences
Gaming
8.3
6.4
The Apple Earpods is very good for gaming, while the Koss KSC75 is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.0
4.8
The Apple Earpods is very good for phone calls, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Build Quality
7.6
5.6
The Apple Earpods has good build quality, while the Koss KSC75 has poor build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
8.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Koss KSC75 to be very good for music, while the Apple Earpods is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4
7.5
The Koss KSC75 and Apple Earpods are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.4
7.7
The Koss KSC75 and Apple Earpods are both good for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Apple Earpods and Koss KSC75 are both poor for noise reduction.
Cost
$20
$20
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the Koss KSC75 costs $20.
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How the Apple Earpods and the Koss KSC75 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Earpods | Koss KSC75 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | January 1, 2005 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 45.3 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Earpods
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Michael Andronico | May 2023
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
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 Earpods 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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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.
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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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