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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize noise isolation and plan to use your device for air travel, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones, with active noise cancelling and a comfortable over-ear form, would be a better choice, despite being higher in price. Alternatively, if you're looking for something more affordable for casual use, especially for TV and video with excellent sound quality given the budget price, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds would suit you well. Keep in mind the Sony earbuds won't provide the same level of noise isolation, and lack modern features like wireless connectivity and app-based customization that you find in the Skullcandy headphones. 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 Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.7
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
5.6
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Phone Calls
5.3
3.5
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
5.4
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
5.8
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.7
7.0
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony MDREX15AP is good.
Battery
23.0 Hours
N/A
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$135
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a price of $135 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
The Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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How the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Hesh ANC | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$135 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 23 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.6 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
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 Skullcandy Hesh ANC or the Sony MDREX15AP
About Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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