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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss KSC75 are budget clip-on open headphones with good overall sound quality, making them suitable for music listening in quiet environments. However, their open design doesn't block out noise, which can be an issue in noisy settings or for those who need privacy. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II earbuds are high-end with excellent sound quality and better sound isolation due to their closed design, making them a versatile choice for different environments. Despite the higher cost, they have a more robust build and a design that supports replaceable cables. If cost isn't a limiting factor and sound isolation, build quality, and longevity are priorities, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II could be a better choice. However, if you're looking for a more affordable option with respectable sound that doesn't require sound isolation, the Koss KSC75 may be more appropriate. 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
- The Koss KSC75 has no clear advantages over the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II.
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.3
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Koss KSC75 is very good.
TV and Video
7.7
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Koss KSC75 is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the Koss KSC75 is poor.
Cost
$20
$999
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Koss KSC75 has a price of $20 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
5.6
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the Koss KSC75 has poor build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.4
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Koss KSC75 are both only fair for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.8
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Koss KSC75 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.5
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Koss KSC75 are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Koss KSC75 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss KSC75 | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2005 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 5.7/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 45.3 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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Dig into reviews and images
Audiophile On
Audiophile On | August 2021
"No other earphone I have listened to in the past 12 months has given me as much joy as the Thieaduio Monarch MKII. One of those IEMs will make you question where we can go from here. The sound is jaw-dropping, leaving you wanting more and more. It makes you want to run through your entire music library and reevaluate. It makes you not feel bad about paying full price for them, especially in a hobby where buyers' remorse is genuine. For me, it's top tier, rivaled by a few but not surpassed."
Get a great deal on the Koss KSC75 or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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 Thieaudio
Thieaudio is the in-house brand of Linsoul Audio, a Chinese earbud and headphone retailer specializing in what the community lovingly calls Chi-fi, that is high fidelity brands out of China. Thieaudio was established in 2019 as the creative engineering branch of Linsoul. As of today, they market three different lines of earbuds, Voyager, Legacy and the extremely well-received Monarch.
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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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