A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for high-fidelity music listening at home, the Philips Fidelio X2HR with its open-back design provides an immersive soundstage, but it's not ideal for exercise or noisy environments due to poor noise isolation and a bulky form. The Sony MDREX15AP earbuds are more portable, budget-friendly, and better suited for casual use, including travel and exercise, although they deliver lower overall sound quality. Choose the Philips if you prioritize audio quality and a spacious listening experience and don't mind the higher cost and open design, or go with the Sony if portability, affordability, and closed-back noise isolation are more important for your everyday use. 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
9.3
8.3
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Sony MDREX15AP is very good.
Phone Calls
5.0
3.5
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Philips Fidelio X2HR is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
5.4
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Cost
$140
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has a price of $140 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.0
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips Fidelio X2HR to be good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
TV and Video
8.8
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony MDREX15AP to be excellent for TV and video, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good.
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How the Philips Fidelio X2HR and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Philips Fidelio X2HR | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$140 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Philips | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2014 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 390 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Dig into reviews and images
Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
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 Philips Fidelio X2HR or the Sony MDREX15AP
About Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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.
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