The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality for music is your priority and you prefer the convenience of wireless technology, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is the better choice; they also offer active noise cancellation for quieter listening environments. However, they are more costly and their battery life is limited, requiring frequent charging. Conversely, the Koss KSC75, while significantly less expensive and featuring an open design that provides a more natural soundstage, lack a built-in microphone, making them less suitable for calls, and they are wired, meaning they might not be as convenient for on-the-go activities. The Koss are also lighter and may be a better option if you're looking for a basic and reliable headphone for TV and gaming. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Koss KSC75
Very good for music
Good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.5/10
8.3/10
The Koss KSC75 is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is good.
Gaming
5.3/10
6.4/10
The Koss KSC75 is only fair for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6/10
7.5/10
The Koss KSC75 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
6.0/10
7.7/10
The Koss KSC75 is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
2.5/10
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Koss KSC75 does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has a price of $259 and the Koss KSC75 costs $20.
Build Quality
8.9/10
5.6/10
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has very good build quality, while the Koss KSC75 has poor build quality.
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
"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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 or the Koss KSC75
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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
125,600
Recommendations made
18,840
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.