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Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize modern features such as wireless connectivity, active noise cancelling, and app customization, the JBL Live Buds 3 are the better choice for you despite their higher price. However, if you prefer open-back headphones with a reputation for great value and sound quality and don't mind using a wired connection, the Koss KSC75 would be a great budget-friendly option. The JBLs are suited for exercise and travel with sweatproof certification, while the Koss may offer a more natural sound due to their open enclosure but lack features like a microphone and controls for calls and music. The JBL earbuds also boast a smart charging case with a touch display, which the Koss lacks. 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 JBL Live Buds 3
Very good for exercise
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
Gaming
5.4/10
6.4/10
The Koss KSC75 is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9/10
7.5/10
The Koss KSC75 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6/10
7.7/10
The Koss KSC75 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
2.5/10
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Koss KSC75 does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Buds 3 has a price of $216 and the Koss KSC75 costs $20.
Build Quality
8.5/10
5.6/10
The JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality, while the Koss KSC75 has poor build quality.
"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 JBL Live Buds 3 or the Koss KSC75
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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