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 10, 2024·
If you're seeking exceptional music listening quality and have a dedicated amplifier, the HifiMan Sundara headphones, with their open-back design, will offer a more immersive sound but lack portability and are not suited for exercise or noisy environments. On the other hand, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds are budget-friendly, highly portable, and provide a closed design for better noise isolation, making them suitable for travel and exercise but with lower overall sound quality. Keep in mind, the Sonys also have a built-in microphone, which the HifiMans lack, making them a more practical choice for calls. 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 Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
9.3
8.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Sony MDREX15AP is very good.
Phone Calls
4.9
3.5
The HifiMan Sundara and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the HifiMan Sundara is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
5.4
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the HifiMan Sundara is very good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Cost
$279
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
7.2
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Sundara to be good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Build Quality
8.2
8.0
The HifiMan Sundara and Sony MDREX15AP both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HifiMan Sundara and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 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) | 394.6 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Sundara
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
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 Sundara 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
