An old-school series of everyday headphones, which includes exclusively vacuum earbuds with a strong L-plug, an optional microphone and a set of interchangeable headsets. Representatives of the MDR-EX series attract buyers with an old-school approach to design (cable connection only, hardcore only) and affordable prices. As sales statistics show, it is these headphones that most smartphone owners prefer.


The price range in this family is quite wide, and the sound quality varies accordingly. Younger models like MDR-EX255AP or MDR-EX15LP play very aggressively and vividly, the frequency balance is shifted a little towards the bass, for $10 the detail is simply gorgeous. For a reason, they have been included in the TOP 5 most popular vacuum plugs with a wired connection for many years. Usually, only Xiaomi Piston and the legendary Panasonic RP-HJE125 are above them.

Also on the market you can find more status models MDR-EX650AP and MDR-EX450AP with good passive noise insulation, enlarged 12 mm dynamic drivers and brass caps. Their responsiveness in the bass register is better than that of the same Sony MDR-EX255AP, the sensitivity is higher, and the sound quality is more interesting. But not enough to justify the almost 10-fold difference in price. Therefore, in the top sales of the MDR-EX series, such mid-level models are in the second or third roles and are not seriously considered by most buyers.