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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica M50x offers a closed-back design which is better for passive noise isolation and a more private listening experience; it's suitable if you need to focus or if you're in noisy environments but might have a tighter fit. They're foldable, have a detachable cable, and offer better build quality. On the other hand, the Koss KSC75 has an open-back design which generally provides a more natural soundstage and is often considered more comfortable because it doesn't create a seal around your ears, but they offer less noise isolation. They are lighter, portable, and their clip-on design stays in place during physical activity. The M50x might be better for critical listening and studio work due to their sound quality, while the KSC75 is a good fit if you're looking for affordability, comfort during extended use, and don't require noise isolation. 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 M50x
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Koss KSC75
- The Koss KSC75 has no clear advantages over the Audio Technica M50x.
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
7.5
The Koss KSC75 and Audio Technica M50x are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Koss KSC75 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Audio Technica M50x and Koss KSC75 are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
Cost
$149
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the Koss KSC75 costs $20.
Build Quality
8.5
5.6
The Audio Technica M50x has very good build quality, while the Koss KSC75 has poor build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.5
8.3
The Audio Technica M50x and Koss KSC75 are both very good for music.
Gaming
6.3
6.4
The Koss KSC75 and Audio Technica M50x are both only fair for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.4
4.8
The Koss KSC75 and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
7.8
7.7
The Audio Technica M50x and Koss KSC75 are both good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the Koss KSC75 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | Koss KSC75 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | January 1, 2005 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 45.3 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica M50x
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"Good sound is timeless. It doesn’t matter that a number of years have passed since the ATH-M50x came out because it still works well. Since this wired headset doesn’t rely on batteries or Bluetooth technology, it’s bound to outlast its wireless counterparts. The no-nonsense performance, fit, and comfort of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x make it worth picking up."
Koss KSC75
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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 Audio Technica M50x or the Koss KSC75
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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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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