Sony MDREX15AP In-Ear Earbud Headphones with Mic, Black (MDREX15AP/B)

> MUSIC QUALITY – The sound-quality of music using the Sony MDREX15LP earbuds is very good – with typical (mediocre) earbud base. That’s just a matter of physics, earbud drivers are simply too small to produce good base. "Base boosted" earbuds produce louder base (which smothers the high- and mid-tones), but "loud" (lacking any detail) is not the same thing as "good"). Suggestion, use the earbuds when you are out, but purchase a Sony ZX headphone set for listening to music at home -- and enjoy the base.> VOICE QUALITY – Clean, clear and crisp in the voice-range, without fiddling with an equalizer – largely because the base is poor. So, these (or similar) earbuds are clearly the choice for listening to audiobooks, podcasts, talking on your phone, etc. Listening to music, with base-rich music, with Sony MDREX15LP earbuds , can be very enjoyable -- but Sony ZX headphones produce far superior base than any brand of earbuds, at any price.> Loud vs efficient. Sony MDREX15LP earbuds are very efficient --- the volume is "loud" at low volume settings -- not TOO loud, there is plenty of room for adjustment. But, louder than many other earbuds and louder than most headsets, at the same volume settings. Practically speaking, "efficient" means that the earbuds do not drain the battery on your battery-operated device as quickly. "Efficient" is a good thing. Also, if you pay attention, you can usually lower the volume, and the sound quality will be just as good -- and your battery will last longer. Always play music at the lowest setting that you can hear well. Or you can crank up the volume and plan on being deaf by the time you are 50 --- 40 if you use garbage "base-boosted" earbuds.> EXERCISE, ETC – Stays in place better than most earbuds. But, if you engage in strenuous exercise, consider Panasonic ErgoFit, which fit deeper in your ear. The down side of the Panasonic ErgoFit is that they fit so securely that it is difficult to get them out of your ear quickly, to answer a phone, etc. In fact, the Panasonics originally came witha little "piggy-tail" tab for extracting the earbuds.> SYMMETRY – The Sony MDREX15L are close to being bilaterally symmetrical – It doesn’t really matter if you put the put the left earbud in your right ear, etc. However, the Panasonic ErgoFit are not, they fit deeper into the ear, and are shaped differently to match your right and left ear canals. It can take a while to get used to inserting the right Ergofit earbud into your right ear, and the left into the left.> ISOLATION – All truly in-the-ear earbuds, with cup-shaped rubber cushions, are good at reducing outside noise, better than headphones – often good enough for air travel (depending on the aircraft and the location of your seat). Many earbud brands claim to feature “noise cancellation” but do not actually have any noise cancellation circuitry. Passive isolation (such as provided by the Sony MDREX15LP earbuds), is NOT noise cancellation. Feedback reduction (on wi-fi earbuds with microphones) is often called noise "cancellation", but isn't. Beware that while true noise cancellation works moderately well for aircraft engines (and similar sounds), it doesn’t work at all for screaming children or random noise. If your earbuds feel loose in your ear, you may need to install large cushions on the earbuds, to get them to seal in your ear canal good enough to provide good isolation.> COMFORT – The secret to comfort when using earbuds is to use the smallest cushions which work for you. Three sets, small, medium, and large are included with the Sony MDREX15LP earbuds. You might be most comfortable with smaller cushions. It a can also take a while to build up tolerance. So, if earbuds hurt your ears, build up slowly wearing them a little longer each day. It can take weeks to get to the point that you can wear them all day long without pain. Changing, or replacing, earbud cushions is easy -- just pull the cushion off, and push the new one (or cleaned one) back on.> PLUG – The plug is angled, at 90 degrees, unfortunately. If you pull on the cord, you won't easily pull the plug out the socket, but you will put on strain on the cord (where the cord attaches to the plug), and potential damage it. In my experience, this is how most headphones fail. UPDATE -- I've owned about 20 sets of Sony MDREX15LP earbuds over the past 5 years and never experienced this kind of failure --- I don't know what Sony did to fix the problem. My Senegal parrot is now the main cause of failure of my earbuds --- but that's a different story. So, I change my recommendation; I prefer the right-angle plugs since they are no longer a source of failure.> PACKAGING – The Sony MDREX15LP earbuds that I purchased came in wonderful frustration–free packaging — in a small plastic bag in a small easy-to-open cardboard box. But, I can’t promise that you won’t get a horrible retail anti-theft pack. Amzn used to promote and feature frustration-free packaging -- but, sadly, doesn't anymore. Update, every set (20 sets) of Sony MDREX15LP earbuds that I've purchased from Amazon over the past 5 years has been in "frustration free packaging". Thumbs up for both Sony and Amazon.> SLEEPING – The Sony MDREX15L don’t stick out as far as some other brands, and so, may be more comfortable when resting with your head to the side (or inside a helmet). Panasonic ErgoFit fit deeper in the ear, and are a little more comfortable in such situations. APTEK offers a nice earbud set for sleeping that is even smaller–but the cushion is built-in, so you can’t choose the cushion size. However, even with the APTEKs, I cannot comfortably sleep with an earbud in the ear that is on the pillow. My solution – I just use one earbud in the ear that is NOT on the pillow. In fact, I recycle earbud sets where one earbud has failed, by cutting the failed earbud off, and using the working earbud, shifting the earbud from ear to ear if I change sides.> TIP – CLEANING EARBUDS – The build up of earwax is a serious problem. It can actually muffle and distort or block the sound, and when it gets that bad, effective cleaning is difficult or impossible. The best and simplest strategy is to take a look at your earbuds every few days, and vigorously scratch/flick the open hole of the cushion several times. That breaks loose the wax into flakes, which you can then just blow away. Wiping (such as with a Q-tip) doesn’t work so well (unless you take the cushions off, clean them, and reinstall them), because wiping with a Q-tip may just grind wax into the little screen in front of the speakers, which is then impossible to clean. Caveat, Sony MDREX15L earbud cup-cushions are a slightly different shape from other brands, with a smaller hole, and seems to collect less earwax -- even so, regularly checking and clearing earwax is a good thing to do. If you purchase the Panasonic Ergofits it becomes more important to monitor them for earwax buildup.UNDOCUMENTED FEATURE: On the model without the microphone ONLY -- there is a little slider, just above the Y-split of the cord. If you slide the slider up to the earbuds themselves, and install the earbuds on your head, with the slider (and earbuds) on the back of your neck, your earbuds will stay in place (hang from your neck), even if you take the earbuds out of your ears. The model with the microphone does NOT have this feature.

As someone who values great sound quality and comfort, the Sony Wired Earbuds have truly impressed me. Whether I’m listening to music, taking calls, or tuning into podcasts, these earbuds offer a fantastic audio experience for an affordable price. After using them for several weeks, here’s my detailed review:Sound Quality:When it comes to audio performance, the Sony Wired Earbuds deliver excellent sound quality for their price range. The sound is clear, balanced, and rich, with decent bass and crisp highs. Whether you’re listening to pop, rock, or podcasts, the audio remains sharp and immersive. It’s not the deepest bass you’ll ever hear, but it’s more than sufficient for casual listeners and everyday use. I was especially impressed by the clarity during phone calls—the mic picks up voice well, making it great for hands-free conversations.Comfort & Fit:The earbuds come with multiple ear tip sizes, which ensures a snug and comfortable fit. I have worn them for extended periods, and they never felt uncomfortable or too tight. The soft silicone tips help with passive noise isolation, so you can enjoy your music without being distracted by outside sounds. I’ve used these earbuds during long walks and workouts, and they’ve stayed in place without any issues. They’re lightweight and ergonomic, making them ideal for daily use or on-the-go listening.Build Quality & Durability:The build quality of these Sony wired earbuds is solid for the price. The cables are reinforced to prevent tangling, and they feel reasonably durable. The earbud housing is compact and made of a sturdy plastic material that holds up well to regular use. I’ve dropped them a few times, and they’ve remained intact, showing no signs of wear or damage. The inline mic and remote are convenient for adjusting volume or taking calls, and they feel responsive without any annoying lag or unresponsiveness.Ease of Use:These earbuds are incredibly easy to use, with a simple 3.5mm jack that plugs into any compatible device, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. No need for Bluetooth pairing or charging; you just plug them in and start listening. The inline controls make it easy to pause/play music, adjust the volume, or take calls with just a few clicks. The setup is quick, and you can rely on them to work seamlessly with any device that has a headphone jack.Noise Isolation & Sound Isolation:While these aren’t active noise-canceling earbuds, they do a great job of blocking out ambient noise due to their in-ear design. The silicone tips create a decent seal in the ear, providing passive noise isolation that helps you enjoy your music without distractions. They won’t block out all external noise like high-end noise-canceling models, but for everyday use, they’re more than sufficient.Value for Money:For the price, the Sony Wired Earbuds offer exceptional value. They provide clear, high-quality sound, a comfortable fit, and durability without the hefty price tag of premium earbuds. If you’re looking for affordable earbuds for everyday listening or casual use, these are an excellent choice. They deliver much more than you would expect for the price point, making them a great budget-friendly option for anyone who wants reliable sound quality without breaking the bank.Conclusion:Overall, the Sony Wired Earbuds are a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a budget-friendly pair of earbuds that offer clear sound, comfort, and ease of use. Whether you’re listening to music, taking calls, or just need a reliable set of earbuds for everyday activities, these deliver excellent performance. They’re durable, comfortable, and sound great for their price, making them a great option for casual listeners or anyone who needs an affordable, quality earbud option.

They honestly have good quality audio, definitely for the price. Only problem is one ear bud fails after a few months (I've been through probably 5 or 6 of them, they all fail the same way). They're still good while they last though which is why I've bought 5 or 6 of them lol.Definitely worth it if you need a cheap pair in a rush for traveling etc. And they're unironically perfect for work or anything where you'd only keep one earbud in, because even after one fails you can still use the other side for like a year+.

I use both the mic and no mic versions. My old ones have been used so much the Sony decal is gone on both sides. I had to search for them to find out what brand they were to order more. They don't have the imaging or solid bass of my Klipsch S4 buds but they don't require any special HP amp either.The largest ear piece seems to improve the sound for me - an older guy. The new ones needed to be broken in for a couple hours while they sound like a blown speaker. They will sound great after that.The stereo (no mic) version is good for cheap MP3 players or kids chromebooks. Highly recommended when they are 2 for $15.

I don't always need wireless earbuds, and they have to be recharged quite often, so these come in handy when I'm just sitting around. Great fit and sound. Highly recommended. Great value for the money.