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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for an affordable option primarily for music listening in quiet environments, the Koss KSC75 will deliver good sound quality with an open design that's not ideal for noisy places. The Sony WF1000XM4, on the other hand, is a premium product with features like active noise cancelling, wireless capabilities, an app with equalizer settings, and better build quality. Sony's earbuds provide excellent sound and are versatile for various situations including calls, meetings, and air travel, but come at a higher price. The choice depends on your budget and whether you need advanced features like noise cancellation and wireless use. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.3
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Koss KSC75 is very good.
Gaming
6.4
5.6
The Koss KSC75 is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.8
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.5
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss KSC75 is good.
TV and Video
7.7
6.0
The Koss KSC75 is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Koss KSC75 does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$220
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Koss KSC75 has a price of $20 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Build Quality
5.6
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality, while the Koss KSC75 has poor build quality.
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How the Koss KSC75 and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss KSC75 | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2005 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 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 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 5.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 45.3 Grams | 6.5 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 WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Koss KSC75 or the Sony WF1000XM4
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
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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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