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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you value wireless convenience and features like active noise cancelling, sweat resistance, and a secure fit for exercise, consider the Jabra Elite 4, which also offers very good noise isolation for air travel. However, if budget is a primary concern and you're fine with a wired connection, the Sony MDREX15AP provides a very good comfort level and excellent performance for TV and video content. Keep in mind, the Sony's overall sound quality is poorer, and it lacks modern features such as app customization, dustproof certification, and a built-in mic for calls. Choose the Jabra Elite 4 for a versatile and durable wireless experience at a higher cost, or the Sony MDREX15AP for a basic, budget-friendly wired option with a specific strength in TV/video audio clarity. 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 Jabra Elite 4
- Very good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very 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
6.6
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the Jabra Elite 4 is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the Jabra Elite 4 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.8
3.5
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
5.4
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
6.0
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Jabra Elite 4 is only fair.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Jabra Elite 4 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$100
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Jabra Elite 4 has a price of $100 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Jabra Elite 4 has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
7.0
7.0
The Jabra Elite 4 and Sony MDREX15AP are both good for noise reduction.
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How the Jabra Elite 4 and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Jabra Elite 4 | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Jabra | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.6/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.8/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 21 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.6 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Jabra Elite 4
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Jabra Elite 4 is a good midrange option with solid isolation and aptX codec for Android. It sounds consumer friendly from the box and the app has some EQ to adjust to taste. Some included luxuries include multipoint, sidetone, and Spotify Tap"
Sony MDREX15AP
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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 Jabra Elite 4 or the Sony MDREX15AP
About Jabra
Jabra is a subsidiary of GN Store Nord, a 150-year-old Danish company that specializes in the manufacturing of hearing aids, headsets and earphones. Jabra has a focus on fit and comfort and quality control over everything else. According to Peter Karstromer, Jabras CEO, they “design and engineer technology that frees people to work, live and communicate how and where they want to, equipping them with the tools to live their life to a new rhythm”.
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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