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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a tight budget and need a portable solution with a wired connection, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds are very affordable, offering good sound for music and a very comfortable fit. However, they don't provide features like a microphone for calls or active noise cancelling, and they're not the best choice for exercise or noisy environments. In contrast, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones cost more but deliver improved overall sound quality and very good microphone quality, making them suitable for calls and meetings. They also offer active noise cancelling for better focus in noisy settings, are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, and provide a best-in-class comfort score, which may be important if you wear them for long periods. Additionally, their long battery life and wireless design make them convenient for TV and gaming, where a cable could be restrictive. Choose the MDREX15AP for a basic, cost-effective solution, or invest in the WH-CH520 for more features and better performance in a wider range of scenarios. 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
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.3
7.6
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
Gaming
6.7
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.5
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
9.3
8.2
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony WH-CH520 is very good.
Noise Reduction
7.0
4.6
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$40
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Sony MDREX15AP has a price of $20 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.0
7.0
The Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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How the Sony MDREX15AP and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony MDREX15AP | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2014 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 3.1 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Sony WH-CH520
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Sony MDREX15AP or the Sony WH-CH520
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
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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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