The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss KSC75 are clip-on, open-back headphones with no wireless capabilities, offering good sound quality and a wide soundstage at a budget-friendly price, but are less suitable for noisy environments due to their open design and lack of noise isolation. They are also not optimal for exercise due to the lack of sweat resistance. The Sony WF1000XM3 are wireless, noise-cancelling earbuds, providing better privacy and immersion, good for travel and offices due to their active noise cancelling and closed design, with features like an app with equalizer settings and touch controls, but they are more expensive. 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 WF1000XM3
Very good for phone calls
Very good for air travel
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.3/10
7.5/10
The Koss KSC75 is very good for music, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is good.
Gaming
6.4/10
5.6/10
The Koss KSC75 is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.8/10
8.2/10
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.5/10
8.7/10
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss KSC75 is good.
TV and Video
7.7/10
5.7/10
The Koss KSC75 is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
8.3/10
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The Koss KSC75 does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$180
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Koss KSC75 has a price of $20 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
Build Quality
5.6/10
9.0/10
The Sony WF1000XM3 has excellent 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."
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the Koss KSC75 or the Sony WF1000XM3
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
127,700
Recommendations made
19,155
Consumer hours saved
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.