Short answer: the TRN MT1. It ranks #341 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $13.95; 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.
What the TRN MT1 does well: A preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement is a strong result for one of the cheapest in-ears around. The catch: A 10.4 dB peak near 11.9 kHz in hobbyist measurements on squig.link can make cymbals sound tizzy and fatiguing at volume, with a 6 dB dip at 6.5 kHz just below it.
Why pick 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 TRN MT1. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1.96 with the Sony MDR-EX15LP does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| TRN MT1 | Sony MDR-EX15LP | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $13.95 | $11.99 |
| Ranked | #341 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #351 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 68 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.46 dB standard deviation | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 9mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 22 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB | 100 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (3 g) per earbud |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How TRN MT1 compares with other leading options:
- KZ EDX vs TRN MT1
- TANGZU Wan’er S.G vs TRN MT1
- KZ ZST vs TRN MT1
- TRN MT1 vs Panasonic RP-HJE120
- 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
TRN MT1: $13.95 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: A preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement is a strong result for one of the cheapest in-ears around. Sub-bass is on target down to 30 Hz with bass 2.5 dB above, so it has satisfying punch, and the single 10 mm dynamic driver runs loud from any phone at 22 ohms and 106 dB. An inline microphone handles calls.
Cons: A 10.4 dB peak near 11.9 kHz in hobbyist measurements on squig.link can make cymbals sound tizzy and fatiguing at volume, with a 6 dB dip at 6.5 kHz just below it. The CCA CRA and TANGZU Wan’er S.G are rated higher for only a few dollars more.
Full TRN MT1 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.46 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.6 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 | +0.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 838 Hz | +4.1 dB | 0.67 |
| Peak | 9,762 Hz | +6.7 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 156 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.78 |
| Peak | 3,174 Hz | -6.2 dB | 0.55 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -7.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,444 Hz | +3.5 dB | 3.06 |
| Peak | 4,523 Hz | -6.4 dB | 2.49 |
| Peak | 6,251 Hz | +3.6 dB | 0.84 |
| Peak | 2,461 Hz | -2.8 dB | 4.84 |
- 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