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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR earbuds offer excellent noise isolation and build quality, making them ideal for immersive listening experiences and air travel. They have a premium price, and their design is more suited for in-ear comfort but may not be as comfortable for everyone. For a much lower cost, the Koss KSC75 headphones provide a more open soundstage and generally are felt to be quite comfortable due to their clip-on design. However, they have less effective noise isolation, which could be an issue in noisy environments, and a lower build quality. Both options offer good sound quality, so your choice may hinge on the importance of noise isolation versus openness and comfort, combined with the price difference. 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 Etymotic ER4XR
- The Etymotic ER4XR has no clear advantages over the Koss KSC75.
Advantages of the Koss KSC75
- The Koss KSC75 has no clear advantages over the Etymotic ER4XR.
Key differences
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Cost
$234
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Koss KSC75 costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
5.6
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Koss KSC75 has poor build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
8.3
The Koss KSC75 and Etymotic ER4XR are both very good for music.
Gaming
6.2
6.4
The Koss KSC75 and Etymotic ER4XR are both only fair for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.7
4.8
The Koss KSC75 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.5
The Koss KSC75 and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.4
7.7
The Koss KSC75 and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Koss KSC75 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Koss KSC75 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | January 1, 2005 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 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 | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 45.3 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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 Etymotic ER4XR or the Koss KSC75
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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