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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE offers better overall sound quality and noise isolation, recommended if you prioritize audio fidelity and a quieter listening environment. They're suitable for critical listening, but with a longer cable and no wireless option, they're not ideal for exercise. If you frequently make calls, the microphone quality is low. The Sony MDREX15AP, on the other hand, is more affordable with fair sound quality and is very comfortable, making it suitable for long listening sessions. They're more portable but offer less noise isolation and sound quality than the Etymotics. Neither is optimized for gaming or TV due to latency issues. Choose the Etymotic for sound quality and noise isolation, or the Sony for comfort and budget-friendliness. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.8
8.3
The Etymotic ER2SE and Sony MDREX15AP are both very good for music, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
4.9
3.5
The Etymotic ER2SE and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
5.4
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
7.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony MDREX15AP is good.
Cost
$100
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.2
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP and Etymotic ER2SE are both only fair for gaming.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.6/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
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 Etymotic ER2SE or the Sony MDREX15AP
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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