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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise cancelling, wireless connectivity, and a comfortable over-ear design for longer listening sessions like air travel, the JBL Live 770NC would suit you better, despite being more expensive. However, if you're looking for something more compact, budget-friendly, and suited for wired audio experiences with a strong performance for TV and video, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds might be the choice for you. The JBLs are more suited for those looking for additional features such as a built-in equalizer app, virtual surround, and sweatproof certification, but if simplicity and cost are your main concerns, the Sonys are a compelling option. 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 JBL Live 770NC
Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
Very good for music
Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.4/10
8.3/10
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the JBL Live 770NC is good.
Gaming
5.6/10
6.7/10
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2/10
3.5/10
The JBL Live 770NC and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live 770NC is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.8/10
9.3/10
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Battery
76.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live 770NC has 76 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$130
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Live 770NC has a price of $130 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
"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 JBL Live 770NC or the Sony MDREX15AP
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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