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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality for music and a wide soundstage for a more immersive experience, the Koss KSC75 would be a better choice, though they are open-back and don't isolate noise well, which might not be ideal in noisy environments. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more affordable and portable option with closed-backs that provide better noise isolation and are optimized for calls and TV, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds would suit you, but they might not be as comfortable for extended use due to their in-ear design. The Koss have a clip-on style for a secure fit during active use, whereas the Sonys are more traditional earbuds. Neither are wireless, so consider this if you need mobility. 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
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.8/10
3.5/10
The Koss KSC75 and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Koss KSC75 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.5/10
5.4/10
The Koss KSC75 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
7.7/10
9.3/10
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Koss KSC75 is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
7.0/10
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Cost
$20
$10
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Koss KSC75 has a price of $20 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $10.
Build Quality
5.6/10
8.0/10
The Sony MDREX15AP 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."
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the Koss KSC75 or the Sony MDREX15AP
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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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.