A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and have a high budget, Sennheiser HD800S over-ear headphones offer excellent sound with a best-in-class soundstage, but they have an open design that doesn't isolate noise well and are bulky. They're great for critical listening but unsuitable for exercise, noisy environments, or commuting. However, if you want something more affordable and portable, Sony MDREX15AP earbuds are a good choice. While their sound quality is less impressive, they are convenient for on-the-go use and offer sufficient noise isolation for everyday activities, although they may not be the best for TV and video due to fair soundstage quality. The Sennheisers also require a dedicated amplifier for optimal performance, so consider that extra investment as well. 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 Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- The Sony MDREX15AP has no clear advantages over the Sennheiser HD800S.
Key differences
Music
9.9
8.3
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Sony MDREX15AP is very good.
Gaming
7.5
6.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.0
3.5
The Sennheiser HD800S and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Sennheiser HD800S is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
5.4
The Sennheiser HD800S is very 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 Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Cost
$1,390
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Sennheiser HD800S has a price of $1,390 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
TV and Video
9.7
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser HD800S to be best in class for TV and video, while the Sony MDREX15AP is excellent.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Sennheiser HD800S and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sennheiser HD800S | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,390 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2015 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.7/10 | 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 | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 371.9 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sennheiser HD800S
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | March 2023
"The cans offer stellar sound quality, comfort, and good maintenance options—so they're an easy recommendation if you have the cash and the need for the last headphones you'll buy for years."
Sony MDREX15AP
See more
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 Sennheiser HD800S or the Sony MDREX15AP
About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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.
Featured in
