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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If sound quality is a priority for you, the Etymotic ER4XR offers better overall sound and excellent noise isolation, making them ideal for immersive music listening and situations where you want to block out background noise. However, they have a higher price and their in-ear comfort and portability are not as good as the Sony MDREX15AP. The Sony's are more affordable and comfortable for long periods, with very good sound quality for their price, and they're highly portable, but they don't isolate noise as well. The Etymotic also has a detachable cable which can be useful for durability. If you’re looking for high fidelity audio and can handle a snug fit, go for the Etymotic, but if you're budget-conscious and prefer comfort, the Sony earbuds are a practical choice. 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 ER4XR
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.7
3.5
The Etymotic ER4XR and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Etymotic ER4XR is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
5.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
7.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony MDREX15AP is good.
Cost
$234
$20
$0
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$100
$150
$200
$250
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$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP and Etymotic ER4XR are both very good for music.
Gaming
6.2
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP and Etymotic ER4XR are both only fair for gaming.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 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 ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
Sony MDREX15AP
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Dig into reviews and images
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 ER4XR 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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