A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're seeking the highest sound quality and have a dedicated amplifier, the HifiMan Edition XS, with its excellent overall sound and planar magnetic drivers, is superior for music and TV. However, these over-ear, open-enclosed headphones are large, not portable, don't isolate noise well, and lack a microphone, making them unsuitable for calls and traveling. Conversely, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds are budget-friendly, closed-enclosure for better noise isolation, highly portable, and offer very good comfort with decent sound for calls and everyday use. The Sonys have a built-in mic but don't match the HifiMan's audio fidelity and are not recommended for high-fidelity listening experiences. 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 HifiMan Edition XS
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- The Sony MDREX15AP has no clear advantages over the HifiMan Edition XS.
Key differences
Music
8.8
8.3
The HifiMan Edition XS and Sony MDREX15AP are both very good for music, though the HifiMan Edition XS is somewhat better.
Gaming
7.4
6.7
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.0
3.5
The HifiMan Edition XS and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the HifiMan Edition XS is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
5.4
The HifiMan Edition XS 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 HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Cost
$269
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
TV and Video
9.5
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Edition XS to be best in class for TV and video, while the Sony MDREX15AP is excellent.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The HifiMan Edition XS and Sony MDREX15AP both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 4.6/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Edition XS
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Sony MDREX15AP
See more
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 HifiMan Edition XS or the Sony MDREX15AP
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
