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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and are on a budget, the Koss KSC75 would be a preferable choice since they are noted for good overall sound and are significantly less expensive than the Marshall Major IV. However, they have an open design which doesn't isolate noise well, making them less ideal for noisy environments or air travel. The Marshall Major IV, on the other hand, has a closed design with better noise isolation, a built-in microphone, and is foldable which enhances portability. They also have a significant advantage in battery life for wireless use, with a feature of wireless charging, making them more convenient for extended use without worrying about cables. If you plan to use them for calls or video conferences, the Marshall's better microphone quality could be a deciding factor. 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 Koss KSC75
Very good for music
Good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.3/10
6.6/10
The Koss KSC75 is very good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Gaming
6.4/10
5.4/10
The Koss KSC75 is only fair for gaming, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Phone Calls
4.8/10
5.8/10
The Marshall Major IV and Koss KSC75 are both poor for phone calls, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.5/10
6.1/10
The Koss KSC75 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
TV and Video
7.7/10
5.7/10
The Koss KSC75 is good for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
5.6/10
The Marshall Major IV and Koss KSC75 are both poor for noise reduction, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
80.0 Hours
The Koss KSC75 does not have a battery. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Koss KSC75 has a price of $20 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
Build Quality
5.6/10
8.5/10
The Marshall Major IV 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."
"The Marshall Major IV shares quite a bit in common with its predecessor, but a key upgrade appears to be softer ear cushions. They make upgrading worth it. As a set of basic wired or wireless headphones the Major IV ticks most boxes by remaining easy to use, and fairly comfortable (at least, as on-ear headphones go)."
Get a great deal on the Koss KSC75 or the Marshall Major IV
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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