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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for wireless convenience with active noise cancelling for a quieter listening experience, especially during air travel or exercise, the JBL Live Free NC+ would be a better choice, as they also provide fair portability and good music quality for their price. However, if budget is your main concern and you prefer a wired connection which can offer excellent TV and video experience without worrying about battery life, then the Sony MDREX15AP might be more suitable for you, as they are much less expensive and offer very good comfort. Keep in mind that the JBL earbuds have additional features like app equalization, sweatproof certification, and a built-in microphone which the Sony lacks, making them more versatile for different uses such as calls, meetings, and exercise. 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 Free NC+
- 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
5.8
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
3.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
5.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$20
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
7.0
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Sony MDREX15AP are both good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Sony MDREX15AP both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 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 | 7/10 | 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 | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
Sony MDREX15AP
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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 JBL Live Free NC+ 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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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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