Koss KSC75 vs Moondrop Old Fashioned: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Moondrop Old Fashioned comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 80. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Moondrop Old Fashioned - Outstanding overall at around $23.

On-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Neither pulls ahead overall - they trade wins across the measures.

Koss KSC75
Moondrop Old Fashioned

HearWiki score

Sound

7.3

7.2

Value

9.8

9.5

Price (USD)

$25

$23

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Moondrop Old Fashioned is 22 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 22 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

KSC752004
Old Fashioned202622 yr newer

Specifications

KSC75Old Fashioned

Type: On-Ear; On-Ear
Price (USD): $25; $23
HearWiki score: 70; 80
Released: 2004; 2026
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: dynamic; 3× 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: -; 40 mm
Drivers per side: -; 3
Frequency response: -; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 60 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 101 dB/mW; 109 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: No; No
Controls: -; buttons
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: -; No
Connector: -; 3.5 mm

Specification comparison of Koss KSC75 vs Moondrop Old Fashioned
Spec	Koss KSC75	Moondrop Old Fashioned
Type	On-Ear	On-Ear
Price (USD)	$25	$23
HearWiki score	70 / 100 Good	80 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2004	2026
Audio
Driver	dynamic	3× 40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	-	40 mm
Drivers per side	-	3
Frequency response	-	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	60 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	101 dB/mW	109 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	No
Controls	-	buttons
Design
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	-	No
Connector	-	3.5 mm

What reviewers said

Koss KSC75

The Koss KSC75 is a budget-friendly on-ear headphone that punches above its price with a balanced, open soundstage and impressive instrument clarity. Its featherlight clip-on design offers excellent comfort, though it lacks bass depth and does little to block outside noise. Built with a flimsy frame and no extra features, it's a niche pick for critical listening rather than everyday versatility. Its true appeal lies in delivering solid audio performance for a very low cost, making it a standout value among entry-level options.

Pro:Excellent value for the price
Pro:Open, airy sound with good separation
Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable

Con:Weak bass response
Con:Flaky build quality
Con:Poor noise isolation

Moondrop Old Fashioned

The Moondrop Old Fashioned is a budget-friendly, semi-open on-ear headphone with a triple 40mm dynamic driver setup that delivers clear, well-tuned sound with a focus on vocals. It's easy to drive and comfortable for casual listening, though its open design means noticeable sound leakage and a significant roll-off in sub-bass frequencies. Overall, it offers strong value for its price, especially for those who prioritize midrange clarity over deep bass.

Pro:Excellent tuning and vocal clarity for the price
Pro:Comfortable fit for extended listening sessions
Pro:Easy to drive with any device thanks to high sensitivity

Con:Very limited sub-bass response with roll-off below 100 Hz
Con:Semi-open design leads to sound leakage and poor isolation
Con:Modest technical performance compared to pricier models

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparison Koss KSC75 Moondrop Old Fashioned