Short answer: the Sony MDR-EX15LP. It ranks #351 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $11.99; the Panasonic RP-HJE120 ranks #445, rated 1.3/5, at $10.99. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The Sony MDR-EX15LP is the better-sounding choice. 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.
Why pick the Panasonic RP-HJE120: It is a very cheap wired earphone with a 9 mm dynamic driver, 16 ohm impedance and 95 dB/mW sensitivity, so it plays loud from any phone or laptop. The tradeoff: That bass boost spills into the low mids, which are 4.8 dB over target, so vocals and instruments sound thick and muddy.
Buy the Sony MDR-EX15LP. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1 with the Panasonic RP-HJE120 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony MDR-EX15LP | Panasonic RP-HJE120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $11.99 | $10.99 |
| Ranked | #351 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #445 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 40 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation | 4.26 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 9mm dynamic | 1 x 9mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 95 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0 lbs (3 g) per earbud | - |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sony MDR-EX15LP compares with other leading options:
- CCA Polaris vs Sony MDR-EX15LP
- KZ EDX vs Sony MDR-EX15LP
- TRN MT1 vs Sony MDR-EX15LP
- TRN MT1 vs Panasonic RP-HJE120
- KZ ATE vs Panasonic RP-HJE120
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
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
Panasonic RP-HJE120: $10.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: It is a very cheap wired earphone with a 9 mm dynamic driver, 16 ohm impedance and 95 dB/mW sensitivity, so it plays loud from any phone or laptop. Bass is lifted about 8 dB over target in oratory1990’s measurement and sub-bass is up 2.3 dB, which suits listeners who simply want a big, thumpy low end.
Cons: That bass boost spills into the low mids, which are 4.8 dB over target, so vocals and instruments sound thick and muddy. Treble is rolled off by about 2.2 dB and air by 4.3 dB, with an 8.7 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals lack sparkle. The preference score of 40 is the lowest among its rivals, and each of those rivals has a higher rating, including the TRN MT1 at a similar cost.
Full Panasonic RP-HJE120 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.26 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 9mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 40 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 95 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.5 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 | +6.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 69 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.19 |
| Peak | 8,905 Hz | +6.2 dB | 1.77 |
| Peak | 127 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.23 |
| Peak | 1,128 Hz | +5.1 dB | 0.41 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,414 Hz | -3.7 dB | 5.69 |
| Peak | 3,853 Hz | +2.0 dB | 3.18 |
| Peak | 2,384 Hz | -0.9 dB | 2.73 |
| Peak | 6,454 Hz | +1.0 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons