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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss KSC75 is a great choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with good overall sound quality and a comfortable clip-on form. However, they are wired and have an open enclosure that doesn't isolate noise well, making them less suited for noisy environments. On the other hand, the Sony Linkbuds are more expensive but offer wireless convenience, better soundstage, and features such as an app equalizer and virtual surround. They are more versatile for calls, meetings, and use during exercise due to their sweatproof design, but they might not provide the same sound quality for music as the KSC75. 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
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
8.3
6.6
The Koss KSC75 is very good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
6.4
5.5
The Koss KSC75 is only fair for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.8
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
TV and Video
7.7
5.4
The Koss KSC75 is good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Koss KSC75 does not have a battery. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$178
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Koss KSC75 has a price of $20 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
5.6
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Koss KSC75 has poor build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.5
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds and Koss KSC75 are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Koss KSC75 and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Koss KSC75 and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss KSC75 | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2005 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 5.7/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 45.3 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
Get a great deal on the Koss KSC75 or the Sony Linkbuds
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.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
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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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