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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prefer wireless convenience and are willing to invest more, the Grado GT220 earbuds offer better overall sound quality and built-in controls. They're ideal for listening to music and have a premium build. However, for activities like gaming or watching TV, these may not be optimal due to poorer performance in these areas. The Sony MDREX15AP earbuds, while wired and more budget-friendly, excel in providing a great experience for TV and video. They have very good comfort but lack in sound quality for calls and meetings. If you frequently exercise, neither of these might be the best as their use during exercise scores are only fair for Grado and poor for Sony. The Grado has a moderate battery life and offers features like wireless charging, while the Sony being wired, doesn't require charging but limits mobility. 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 Grado GT220
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
3.5
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
5.4
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
5.5
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
8.8
8.0
The Grado GT220 and Sony MDREX15AP both have very good build quality, though the Grado GT220 has somewhat better build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
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 Grado GT220 or the Sony MDREX15AP
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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