Short answer: the KZ EDX. It ranks #319 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $15.99; the Sony MDR-EX15LP ranks #351, rated 3.5/5, at $11.99. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The case for the Sony MDR-EX15LP: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 68, a strong result for such an inexpensive in-ear, with the midrange from 1 to 10 kHz within half a decibel of the Harman target. Watch for: A 7.2 dB dip near 11.9 kHz and air about 3 dB below target take some sparkle off cymbals.
Buy the KZ EDX. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $4 saving on the Sony MDR-EX15LP is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KZ EDX | Sony MDR-EX15LP | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15.99 | $11.99 |
| Ranked | #319 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #351 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 14 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 68 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.96 dB standard deviation | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.41 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 9mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 23 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (3 g) per earbud |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for KZ EDX:
- Tin HiFi C1 vs KZ EDX
- KZ EDX vs TANGZU Wan’er S.G
- KZ EDX vs TRN MT1
- TRN MT1 vs Sony MDR-EX15LP
- CCA Polaris vs Sony MDR-EX15LP
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
KZ EDX: $15.99 Amazon eBay
Full KZ EDX review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.96 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 14 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.41 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony MDR-EX15LP: $11.99 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 68, a strong result for such an inexpensive in-ear, with the midrange from 1 to 10 kHz within half a decibel of the Harman target. Bass runs about 4.7 dB above target, giving pop and hip hop a full, punchy low end. At 16 ohms, 100 dB/mW and 3 g per earbud it is light and easy to drive from a phone, and it rates above the KZ ATE and the HIFIMAN RE400.
Cons: A 7.2 dB dip near 11.9 kHz and air about 3 dB below target take some sparkle off cymbals. The TRN MT1 and the TANGZU Wan’er S.G both rate higher at a similar low price.
Full Sony MDR-EX15LP review and specifications →
| Released | 2013 (13 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 9mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (3 g) per earbud |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -1.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 214 Hz | -3.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,261 Hz | +4.4 dB | 1.08 |
| Peak | 696 Hz | +3.0 dB | 0.85 |
| Peak | 119 Hz | -1.4 dB | 1.73 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,346 Hz | -1.1 dB | 2.02 |
| Peak | 2,190 Hz | +1.1 dB | 2.86 |
| Peak | 6,044 Hz | +1.3 dB | 5.44 |
| Peak | 1,228 Hz | -0.4 dB | 3.91 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons