Sony EX Series MDREX15AP/L

The Sony MDREX15AP has a 4.3-star average from 28,360 reviews, but our database puts its sound quality at the 8th percentile, one of the worst we've seen. The music score of 10.3 out of 100 is a real letdown. It's cheap at USD 13, but you're paying for the Sony name, not the audio.

Let's talk about that sound score first, because it's the headline here and it's not pretty. At the 8th percentile, the MDREX15AP is one of the worst-sounding earbuds we've tracked. The 9mm dynamic driver pushes out audio, but the music score of 10.3 out of 100 means it's muddy, thin, and completely outclassed by even modest wireless buds. The 16Ω impedance makes it easy to drive from a phone or laptop, which is nice, but that just means you get to hear the mediocre tuning more clearly.

The mic is a bit better, sitting at the 40th percentile. For calls, the score is 17.9 out of 100, which is still rough but at least functional. The 1.2m cable is standard and the 3.5mm jack means no dongle needed for most older devices. Battery isn't a factor since it's wired, but our database still ranks it at the 45th percentile for the category, which is a weird artifact of comparing wired and wireless products. The connectivity score of 13th percentile reflects the fact that a wired connection is simple but also limiting in 2024.

Stacked against the competition, the MDREX15AP looks rough. The Soundcore P31i and TOZO Crystal Pods are both wireless, sound better, and cost only slightly more in most markets. The Anker Space A40 is in a different league entirely, with ANC and far superior audio, though it costs more. The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro is the premium option here and absolutely destroys the Sony in every performance metric. The Baseus Bass BP1 Pro is another budget wireless pick that outclasses the MDREX15AP on sound and convenience. The only thing the Sony has going for it is the wired connection, which some people still prefer for zero latency and no charging. But when the sound is this weak, that's a thin silver lining.

The price is all over the map depending on where you shop. In the US, you can grab these for USD 13, which is about as cheap as wired earbuds get. In Canada, they're CAD 25, and in Brazil, BRL 298, which feels steep for what you're getting. The EUR listings are the interesting part: EUR 24 to EUR 27 across two stores in Spain and France. That EUR 3 spread isn't huge, but if you're in Europe, the EUR 24 listing is the better deal. Even at the lowest price, though, the value proposition is shaky. You're paying for the Sony name and a mic, not for good sound. There are plenty of budget wireless buds that sound better, even if they cost a bit more.

The Sony MDREX15AP is a budget wired in-ear that gets one thing right: people seem to buy a lot of them. With over 28,000 reviews averaging 4.3 stars, the social proof sits at the 81st percentile, which is genuinely impressive for a cheap pair of earbuds. But our database doesn't care about popularity contests, and the performance scores tell a rougher story. The sound quality lands at the 8th percentile, which puts it near the bottom of the charts for audio. The overall score of 27.9 out of 100 is a blunt reminder that a high review count doesn't always mean a great product.

You get a 9mm dynamic driver, a 1.2m cable, an in-line mic, and a 3.5mm jack. The frequency response claims 8Hz to 22kHz, which sounds wide on paper, but the actual listening experience is where things fall apart. The music score of 10.3 out of 100 is the weakest area by a mile. If you just need something that makes sound for a video call or a podcast, it'll technically work. If you care about how your music sounds, keep walking.

If you care about music at all, skip these. The sound quality at the 8th percentile and music score of 10.3 out of 100 are dealbreakers. The comfort is also a weak spot at the 28th percentile, so long listening sessions will get uncomfortable. And if you're used to wireless buds, the wired connection at the 13th percentile for connectivity will feel like a step backward. Anyone who values audio quality, comfort, or modern convenience should look elsewhere.

The Sony MDREX15AP is a relic. It's a wired earbud with a mic that sells on brand recognition and not much else. The 4.3-star average from 28,360 reviews suggests a lot of people bought these and didn't hate them, but our data shows the sound quality is near the bottom of the barrel. At USD 13, it's a throwaway purchase for a spare pair or a kid's school bag. At EUR 27 or BRL 298, it's a bad deal. If you need a mic for calls and don't care about music, it's passable. For anything else, spend a little more and get something that doesn't sound like a tin can.