Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
All
MDR-EX15LP
reviews

Manufacturer details
- Driver Unit: 9 mm dynamic driver
- Magnet Type: Neodymium
- Frequency Response: 8 Hz – 22 kHz
- Impedance: 16 Ω (at 1 kHz)
- Maximum Input Power / Capacity: 100 mW
- Weight: 3 g
- Closed Type: Yes
- Cord Length: 1.2 m (approx. 3.94 ft)
- Plug: Gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini (3.5 mm)
- Earbuds Included: Sizes S ×2, M ×2, L ×2
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
Select products
WH-CH720N
- Positioning: A budget-friendly noise-cancelling option built for everyday portability.
- Description: Offers active noise cancellation and wireless operation with a design that emphasizes ease of use and portability. The simpler technology and affordable build cater to users with modest budgets and daily commuting needs.
WH-1000XM6
- Positioning: A mid-tier wireless headphone combining advanced noise control with a streamlined design.
- Description: Features smart sensor integration and enhanced digital noise cancellation that adapts to ambient conditions, ensuring a balanced sound profile in varied settings. Compared to the CH720N and XM5 models, it strikes a middle ground by offering improved connectivity and performance.
WH-1000XM5
- Positioning: A premium flagship wireless headphone known for top-notch noise cancellation and sound accuracy.
- Description: Delivers advanced noise cancellation paired with refined acoustic tuning and robust digital processing for an immersive listening experience. When compared with the XM6, it offers a broader soundstage and a more established build quality.
MDR-MV1
- Positioning: A professional-grade headphone designed for high-fidelity listening and studio applications.
- Description: Uses a focus on precise audio reproduction and accurate frequency response, supported by technologies that emphasize clarity and neutral tuning. Relative to the consumer-focused wireless models, its design and performance are tailored for users who require technical accuracy for critical listening in controlled environments.
MDR-Z1R
- Positioning: A high-end audiophile headphone that emphasizes superior build materials and uncompromising sound quality.
- Description: Uses high-resolution drivers and premium construction to deliver detailed and dynamic sound reproduction, ideal for immersive listening sessions. Compared with the more casual and wireless offerings, it stands out with sonic precision and a focus on luxury performance.
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Used
Sony
What if you spend more?
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Offers excellent midrange resolution, highlighting subtle details in instruments
- Features a safe yet exciting U-shaped tuning suitable for all genres
- Presents a dynamic and exciting sound signature, clear vocal performances, and a resolving staging performance
- The included cable is of high quality and features interchangeable plugs
- Has great audio reproduction accuracy and consistent audio delivery
Product Considerations
- The upper treble may be a little exaggerated for some listeners
- The shell is larger than average for a universal IEM, which may cause fit issues for some
- Stock ear tips are just okay
- Bass resolution could be better
- Does not have an integrated microphone, so a standalone mic is needed to take calls
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. Monarch MKII: The MKIII has increased richness in its midrange and an upper treble exaggeration, offering a slightly U-shaped signature compared to the MkII's balanced profile
- Vs. Symphonium Helios: MkIII's midbass body contrasts Helios' dipped lower mids, MkIII has better overall resolution, but a more exaggerated treble
- Vs. 64 Audio U4s: The MkIII is better tuned compared to the U4s, with the U4s having a thicker midrange and weightier timbre
- Vs. MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK: The THIEAUDIO have a more detailed treble range
- Vs. MOONDROP Blessing 3: The THIEAUDIO have a more elevated bass range
- Vs. TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED: The THIEAUDIO do a better job blocking out external noise and leak less audio
Takeaway: The Monarch MKIII is a well-tuned IEM that is great for all kinds of music and has excellent technical performance. If one is looking for a high-end IEM with a versatile sound, this could be a great choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- Agreeable, natural sonic signature
- Sounds very good, feels tough, and comes with most of the accessories needed
- Precision-milled housings follow the company’s IE 900, IE 200, and IE 300 models, shape wise, and therefore comfort wise
- A well-engineered product that sounds excellent
- Measured performance closely aligns with a headphone preference curve, so it sounds excellent
Product Considerations
- Basic silicone eartips that don’t fit everyone
- The MMCX connector is an atypical version that will not work with most other cables
- The texture of the AMLOY-ZR01 finish is not everyone's favorite to wear
- Treble is a bit subdued with cymbals resolving reasonably well, but way behind the IE 900
- Stock tips that come with Sennheiser's earphones are poorly designed; the silicone lacks rigidity to the point of which it more often than not collapses against the ear when one inserts the IEMs, thus making a proper seal very difficult to achieve
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs IE 900: The easier-to-drive IE 900 have a tighter, less thumpy low end and a leaner midrange, which results in better separation between the two, and also in better midrange resolution and clarity
- Vs IE 900: The IE 900 also have a much superior (perceived) treble extension and resolution, and a much wider soundstage
- Vs Final E5000: The final E5000 offer fuller voices, more bass, but less treble than the IE 600, and a narrower stage
- Vs Meze ADVAR: The ADVAR's sound is taller than the IE 600, the latter has more width, and imaging is tight and well-produced in both IEMs, with the IE 600 edging out the ADVAR by the slightest of margins
Takeaway: The IE 600 is a great set of earphones that will appeal to listeners owing to their punchy tonality and is pretty much unparalleled in their class. With the IE 600, listeners get undistorted audio and great isolation, and durable materials that will always sound good.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- Very comfortable, suitable for long listening sessions and wearing in bed, due to its small size, lightweight design, and ergonomic shape
- Delivers a neutral and natural sound presentation, making it appropriate for stage and studio monitoring
- Excellent sound isolation, effectively blocking out external noise
- Good detail retrieval and resolution, presenting information accurately
Product Considerations
- May sound a bit boring or dull if one is looking for a more dynamic and engaging sound with more bass and treble emphasis
- The plastic build quality may not feel as premium as some other IEMs
- Requires a bit more power to drive it to sound best
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Mach 60 has a more neutral presentation, while ADV M512D is more elevated in the mids and treble and has more bass impact
- Mach 60 is more neutral and natural, while Unique Melody MEST delivers excellent detail and resolution
Takeaway: The Westone Mach 60 is a comfortable and well-built in-ear monitor that delivers a neutral and natural sound, great for musicians and audiophiles looking for an accurate representation of their music. It is a great tool as a stage monitor and comfortable for long listening sessions.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- Convincingly balanced sound performance with a slight bass emphasis
- A wide and deep soundstage
- High-quality build, using a titanium housing, making it feel robust
- Good clarity and sparkle in the highs, with a natural and airy treble that feels relaxed
- Comes with a decorative, braided balanced cable made of silver wire, with interchangeable ends
Product Considerations
- A larger earbud which may affect the fit for some users
- A slight emphasis in the bass area and a sober sound, which may be a matter of taste
- Semi-open design is less isolating
- High frequencies might be too elevated for some
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs FiiO FH5s: Better bass texture, transparency, resolution, and treble definition, and sounds more cohesive and balanced
- Vs FiiO FH7: Better design, a better carrying case, more accessories, better build quality, better refinement, more resolution, transparency, treble definition, dynamism, and a wider and deeper soundstage
- Vs Kinera Norn: Better mid-range definition, tonality, and transparency, the Norn has a more V-shaped sound signature with splashy and aggressive treble
Takeaway: The FiiO FH9 is a well-crafted IEM with a balanced sound signature and customizable options, making it enjoyable for a wide range of listeners. It has excellent detail retrieval and a wide soundstage that immerses the listener in the music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Very comfortable and lightweight (4.6 grams per bud), making them ideal for running, cycling, and gym activities
- Good sound quality for the price, especially in the mid to high frequency range, providing crisp, clean vocal performance and great detail
- Impressive battery life, with up to 11 hours of playback on a single charge
- Supports Bluetooth Multipoint, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices
- Includes ambient passthrough mode, allowing users to hear their surroundings
Product Considerations
- Does not have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Lacks high-resolution Bluetooth codec support (only AAC and SBC)
- Charging case has a low battery capacity, providing one additional charge
- Physical buttons require pushing the earbuds into the ears, which can be uncomfortable for some
- Some reviewers feel the plastic quality is not up to Sony's brand name standards
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. Sony WF-C500: The WF-C510 sounds much better, with more noticeable bass, clearer highs, and a more balanced sound
- Vs. Sony WF-C700N: The WF-C510 sounds a bit better, or at least comparable, and is less expensive, effectively being a WF-C700N without noise cancelling
- Vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: The WF-1000XM4 offers better bass, depth, clarity, and soundstage, but the WF-C510 is more compact and a good value for the price
- Vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds FE: The WF-C510 has much better battery life (11h vs 5.5h), but the Samsung counterpart offers better calls and ANC
Takeaway: The Sony WF-C510 earbuds are a solid, affordable option that provides good sound quality, comfort, and long battery life. They are perfect for everyday use and offer a user-friendly experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Impressive noise cancelling, on par with the more expensive LinkBuds S
- Good sound quality, especially after EQ adjustments in the Sony Headphones Connect app
- The Sony Headphones Connect app is excellent and allows for a lot of customization
- Decent mic quality for phone calls in quiet environments
- Comfortable and lightweight design, and small size
Product Considerations
- The active noise cancelling (ANC) is not effective, and barely noticeable
- Battery life takes a hit because of the noise cancelling, and the case only provides one additional charge
- Build is plasticky, and the case feels cheap
- Lacks features like wireless charging, in-ear wear detection, and Speak-to-Chat
- Sound quality is bassy out of the box, and treble response is restrained, some might find the sound dull
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The WF-C700N is a step up from the WF-C500, with active noise cancelling (ANC)
- The WF-C700N has comparable noise cancelling and sound quality to the LinkBuds S at a lower price
- The WF-C700N has less effective noise cancelling than the WF-1000XM4/XM5, whose noise cancelling and isolation performance is in a different class and handily reduces plane and bus engines well, alongside chatter and clinking glasses
- The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC outperform the WF-C700N for ANC
- The Sony WF-C700N has multi-device pairing, which the Beats cannot do, and more control via the Sony app with a comprehensive equalizer
- Voices sound more refined and dynamic coming through the Sony WF-C700N, in comparison to the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS
Takeaway: The Sony WF-C700N earbuds are a good value for people who want noise cancelling and good sound without paying a lot. The app is great and helps users make the earbuds sound just how they like them.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent active noise canceling (ANC) performance, considered among the best in the market
- Good sound quality with clarity, detail, soundstaging, bass impact, and extension, reviewers find the sound rich and detailed, especially with the LDAC codec
- Smaller and lighter design compared to previous models, like the XM4, leading to improved comfort
- Good battery life, with around 8 hours of playback with ANC on, and 24 hours total with the charging case
- Sony Headphones Connect app offers extensive customization options for sound and features
Product Considerations
- The glossy finish can make the buds slippery
- Some reviewers find taking the earbuds out of the case a bit awkward due to the glossy sides
- Volume control via repeated tapping can be uncomfortable
- The case is prone to scuffs
- Some users may find the default sound too bassy
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. AirPods Pro 2: WF-1000XM5 reduces noise better
- Vs. AirPods Pro 2: WF-1000XM5 has more comprehensive software controls
- Vs. AirPods Pro 2: AirPods Pro 2 have a more comfortable fit
- Vs. Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4: Sennheiser offers superior sound quality
- Vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Bose has slightly better noise cancelling
- Vs. WF-1000XM4: XM5 has improved sound quality with a wider soundstage
Takeaway: The WF-1000XM5 earbuds are a good choice for those who want great sound and top-notch noise canceling in a comfortable, smaller package. They are packed with features and offer a lot of customization, so users can enjoy their music in peace.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Offers Sony's noise-cancelling expertise at an affordable price point
- Comfortable and lightweight design
- Customizable sound through the Sony Sound Connect App, including EQ presets and a 'find your equalizer' feature
- Good voice call quality, even in windy conditions
- Decent battery life, with around 8.5 hours in the earbuds and over 21 hours in the case (with ANC on), plus a quick charge feature
Product Considerations
- Noise cancelling is subtle, not top-performing compared to more expensive models, and ambient pass-through has some noticeable white noise
- Sound quality out-of-the-box can be very bass-heavy or flat and may require EQ adjustments to suit individual preferences
- Lacks high-res codec support (aptX or LDAC)
- May not provide a secure fit for all users due to limited ear tip sizes and lack of fins or wings
- Some users have experienced issues with the earbuds remaining connected to their device even when placed in the charging case
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Sony LinkBuds Fit, noise cancelling is close, but ambient pass-through is clearer on the LinkBuds Fit, the LinkBuds Fit have better detail due to LDAC support
- Compared to the Apple AirPods, the WF-C710N offers similar sound quality with more bass and greater customization, plus potentially better noise cancelling, for less money
- Compared to the WF-C700N (predecessor), the WF-C710N has longer battery life, touch controls instead of physical buttons, and a more balanced sound
Takeaway: The Sony WF-C710N is a budget-friendly option that still delivers solid noise cancelling and a comfortable fit. The sound can be customized using the app, so it's worth a try for those who want good sound without spending a lot.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent active noise canceling (ANC) for a pair of wireless earbuds.
- Output closely follows our in-house target curve, at least until around 2kHz, and bass and mid-range sound are well represented, which makes for a very enjoyable sound.
- Offers stable connectivity and responsive touch controls.
- Highly customizable sound and quality of life experience through the headphones app.
- Comfortable and stable fit and are very portable, making them a solid choice for running or working out.
Product Considerations
- The battery is remarkably short in single cycle and total charge.
- The matte texture picks up dust, dirt, and grime very easily.
- The touch controls aren’t terribly sensitive to successive taps.
- The microphone doesn’t deal terribly well with external noise.
- Treble rolls off, which veils details in vocals and cymbals.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless, the LinkBuds S are closed-ear, have ANC, are more comfortable and stable, and have a more neutral and flat sound profile.
- Compared to the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless, the LinkBuds S are more comfortable and their ANC can block out significantly more ambient sound, the WF-1000XM4 are better built and have better overall battery life.
Takeaway: The Sony LinkBuds S are great because they sound good, cancel noise well, and fit comfortably. With the app, you can set them up just how the listener likes.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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