Koss KPH40 vs Koss KSC75

Short answer: the Koss KSC75, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.8/5 for sound quality (#116 and #115 of 134 over-ear headphones), and the Koss KSC75 costs $19.99 against $32.99 for the Koss KPH40, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 134 over-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Koss KPH30i instead, ranked #67 at $23.99.

The case for the Koss KPH40: It is one of the cheapest options in its class, and the open-back design gives a more airy, spacious feel than most closed budget headsets. The catch: Sub-bass rolls off about 7 dB below target under 60 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass lack rumble.

What the Koss KSC75 does well: An extremely low cost and a featherweight 0.1 lbs (43 g) clip-on design make it easy to carry and wear for long stretches. The tradeoff: Sub-bass is about 17 dB below target under 60 Hz, so there is almost no rumble and bass-heavy music sounds thin.

Buy the Koss KSC75. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $13 less than the Koss KPH40.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Headphone Comparisons

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Koss KPH40:

• Koss KPH30i vs Koss KPH40
• HyperX Cloud II vs Koss KPH40
• Koss KPH40 vs Koss Porta Pro
• Koss KPH40 vs Razer BlackShark V2 X
• Koss KSC75 vs Koss Porta Pro

Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Headphones In Full

Koss KPH40: $32.99 Amazon eBay

Pros: It is one of the cheapest options in its class, and the open-back design gives a more airy, spacious feel than most closed budget headsets. Bass between 60 and 200 Hz sits about 2 dB above target and the lower mids are slightly full, which suits a warm, relaxed listener. Sensitivity of 101 dB at 60 ohms means a phone can drive it.

Cons: Sub-bass rolls off about 7 dB below target under 60 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass lack rumble. A 14.5 dB dip near 4.4 kHz makes vocals and instrument detail sound distant, and treble is about 4 dB low overall, so the sound is dark and muffled. Open backs also leak sound and offer no isolation.

Full Koss KPH40 review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.35 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	60 ohms
Sensitivity	101 dB SPL/1mW
Tonal Tilt	-1.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+7.5 dB	0.70
Peak	79 Hz	-7.6 dB	0.37
Peak	3,725 Hz	+4.9 dB	3.94
Peak	614 Hz	+1.5 dB	2.05
Peak	37 Hz	+3.9 dB	1.16
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+1.9 dB	0.70
Peak	7,429 Hz	+4.0 dB	0.78
Peak	5,445 Hz	-7.7 dB	4.24
Peak	1,941 Hz	-2.0 dB	2.35
Peak	1,012 Hz	+0.3 dB	1.84

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Koss KPH40 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Koss KPH40 vs HyperX Cloud II
  • Koss KPH40 vs Koss Porta Pro
  • Koss KPH40 vs Razer BlackShark V2 X
  • Koss KPH40 vs Koss KPH30i

Koss KSC75: $19.99 Amazon eBay

Pros: An extremely low cost and a featherweight 43 g clip-on design make it easy to carry and wear for long stretches. The midrange is close to target, with the low mids within 0.2 dB, so voices sound natural, and the slightly lifted treble of about 2 to 3 dB adds clarity. The open back gives an airy sound, and 101 dB sensitivity at 60 ohms works from a phone.

Cons: Sub-bass is about 17 dB below target under 60 Hz, so there is almost no rumble and bass-heavy music sounds thin. Bass in the 60 to 200 Hz range is also about 2 dB low, and a 4 dB peak near 5.3 kHz can add some edge. The open design leaks sound and gives no noise isolation.

Full Koss KSC75 review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.33 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 35mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	60 ohms
Sensitivity	101 dB SPL/1mW
Tonal Tilt	+1.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.1 lbs (43 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+6.2 dB	0.70
Peak	610 Hz	+2.2 dB	0.63
Peak	2,358 Hz	-3.4 dB	1.92
Peak	169 Hz	-2.3 dB	0.77
Peak	74 Hz	+2.0 dB	2.94
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-3.0 dB	0.70
Peak	4,033 Hz	+3.3 dB	5.88
Peak	5,191 Hz	-3.4 dB	5.53
Peak	7,220 Hz	-1.5 dB	2.25
Peak	4,517 Hz	+0.7 dB	4.34

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Koss KSC75 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Koss KSC75 vs Koss Porta Pro
  • Koss KSC75 vs Koss KPH30i