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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you're on a tight budget and primarily listening to music or watching TV without the need for wireless convenience, the Sony MDREX15AP offer good music and TV scores at a budget price—they're also lightweight with a very comfortable fit. However, for a versatile, high-end experience with features like active noise cancelling, app equalizer customization, and optimized performance for both Android and Apple devices, the Sony WF1000XM4 is superior, albeit at a premium price. The WF1000XM4 also supports a lossless codec (LDAC), offers better sound quality, and are more suitable for exercise, but they're not the best for calls and meetings, and may not be as comfortable due to their larger size. If noise isolation, wireless features, and audio customization matter to you and you can afford the higher cost, then the WF1000XM4 would be the better choice. 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 Sony MDREX15AP
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.3
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Sony MDREX15AP is very good.
Gaming
6.7
5.6
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.5
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
9.3
6.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony MDREX15AP is good.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$220
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Sony MDREX15AP has a price of $20 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Build Quality
8.0
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Sony MDREX15AP both have very good build quality, though the Sony WF1000XM4 has somewhat better build quality.
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How the Sony MDREX15AP and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony MDREX15AP | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2014 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.5/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 3.1 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Sony MDREX15AP or the Sony WF1000XM4
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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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.
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