The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're prioritizing sound quality for activities like gaming and TV, and you don't mind spending more, the HyperX Cloud II is a superior choice because of its excellent mic quality, better build quality, and good sound for music and calls. It's ideal for extended use due to its comfort but is not suitable for exercising and lacks portability. On the other hand, if you need something very portable, more affordable for listening to audiobooks or podcasts, and don't need a microphone, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds can be a good fit despite their overall poor sound quality. However, keep in mind, they aren't designed for high-movement activities and don't offer features like sweat resistance. 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 HyperX Cloud II
Good for phone calls
Very good for gaming
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
Very good for music
Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.7/10
8.3/10
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
Gaming
8.6/10
6.7/10
The HyperX Cloud II is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.5/10
3.5/10
The HyperX Cloud II is good for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0/10
5.4/10
The HyperX Cloud II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
7.6/10
9.3/10
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0/10
7.0/10
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the HyperX Cloud II is only fair.
Cost
$64
$20
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The HyperX Cloud II has a price of $64 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.0/10
The HyperX Cloud II has best in class build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
"My overall impression of the HyperX Cloud II gaming headset is overwhelmingly positive. In my opinion, this is one of the best mid-priced gaming headsets currently on the market.Solid sound quality, superior comfort, and a sleek, lightweight design – this headset delivers all of the important aspects that a gaming headset should."
"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 HyperX Cloud II or the Sony MDREX15AP
About HyperX
Starting originally as a high-performance and gaming line of memory modules within Kingston and later acquired by HP, HyperX is a dedicated esports and gaming division focused on developing peripherals, microphones and headsets. Providing budget-friendly, comfortable and highly functional products, HyperX has become the go-to for many gamers around the world, resulting in sales of over 20 million headsets throughout the years.
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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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.