Short answer: the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.1/5 for sound quality (#1138 and #1149 of 1291 in-ear headphones), and the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless costs $170.95 against $253.87 for the Sony MDR-EX800ST, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 1291 in-ear headphones; for better sound, the Truthear Nova ranks #2 at $169.99.
Why pick the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless: Supports aptX and aptX Adaptive along with AAC and SBC, so it streams well from Qualcomm based Android phones. The catch: An 11.4 dB treble peak near 10.2 kHz makes cymbals and sibilance sharp and fatiguing, while a 6.6 dB shortfall from 3 to 6 kHz hollows out vocals.
Why pick the Sony MDR-EX800ST: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. The catch: Presence sits about 7.9 dB low with an 11.8 dB dip near 3.7 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Buy the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $82.92 less than the Sony MDR-EX800ST.
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Supports aptX and aptX Adaptive along with AAC and SBC, so it streams well from Qualcomm based Android phones.
Amazon $170.95 eBay
Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.
Amazon $253.87 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless | Sony MDR-EX800ST | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $170.95 | $253.87 |
| Ranked | #1138 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #1149 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | - |
| Harman Preference Score | 51 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 50 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.86 dB standard deviation | 4.07 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.76 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.37 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 53 Hz (-8.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 7mm dynamic | 1 x 16mm dynamic |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6 g) per earbud | 0 lbs (7 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 3Hz - 28kHz |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | - |
| Impedance | - | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 108 dB/mW |
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