Short answer: the Sony MDR-EX15LP. It ranks #777 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $9.99; the Tangzu Xue Tao ranks #925, rated 3.3/5, at $9.99. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
What the Sony MDR-EX15LP does well: 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 Tangzu Xue Tao: A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 65 against the Harman target. The catch: Treble about 4 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, which can sound dull or veiled next to brighter headphones.
Buy the Sony MDR-EX15LP. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Tangzu Xue Tao at the same price, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
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.
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A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 65 against the Harman target.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony MDR-EX15LP | Tangzu Xue Tao | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | 9.99 |
| Ranked | #777 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #925 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 65 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation | 2.36 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.04 (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 (+1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 9mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm glass-centered PET-edged diaphragm dynamic driver |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 18.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 109 dB |
| Weight | 0 lbs (3 g) per earbud | - |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20,000Hz |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Sony MDR-EX15LP from audioamigo, hobbytalk, ianfann, superreview and yoshiultra; the Tangzu Xue Tao from aftersound, atechreviews, bassaudio, csi-zone, jaytiss and soundignity, all via squig.link.
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