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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If your priority is overall sound quality and features like active noise cancelling, app customization, and wireless functionality, opt for the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2). They offer better sound for music and are suited for a variety of uses including exercise, calls, and watching TV. However, if budget is a concern and you don't need wireless capabilities or active noise cancelling, the Sony MDREX15AP provides good comfort and excellent TV and video sound quality at a lower price. The Sonys lack modern features such as app equalization and low latency mode, making the "Nothing" earbuds more suitable for a tech-savvy user. 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.0
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
Gaming
8.5
6.7
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.9
3.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.1
5.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
8.0
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good.
Noise Reduction
8.0
7.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony MDREX15AP is good.
Battery
6.7 Hours
N/A
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$149
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has a price of $149 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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How the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | "Nothing" Brand | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.9/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.9/10 | 4.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.7 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3. | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8/10 | 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 | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.4 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) or the Sony MDREX15AP
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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