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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for superior sound quality and a stellar microphone for calls and gaming, the EPOS PC38X is the right choice, as it excels in these areas along with music listening. However, this comes with a higher price, and they are not suited for exercises, as they are poor in noise isolation and portability. In contrast, the Sony MDREX15AP is much more affordable but does not match the EPOS's performance in sound quality or microphone capabilities. It is compact and more portable, making it a decent option for casual listening and use on the go. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- The Sony MDREX15AP has no clear advantages over the EPOS PC38X.
Key differences
Music
9.5
8.3
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Sony MDREX15AP is very good.
Gaming
10.0
6.7
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
10.0
3.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
5.4
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Cost
$139
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
9.0
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP and EPOS PC38X are both excellent for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The EPOS PC38X and Sony MDREX15AP both have very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Sony MDREX15AP
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Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the EPOS PC38X or the Sony MDREX15AP
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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