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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
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
6.4
The Koss KSC75 is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
7.5
The Koss KSC75 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.7
The Koss KSC75 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
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
5.6
The JBL Live Buds 3 has very 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 JBL Live Buds 3 is good.
Phone Calls
5.2
4.8
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Koss KSC75 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the Koss KSC75 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 3 | Koss KSC75 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | January 1, 2005 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 45.3 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
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 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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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.
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.
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