Add to Chrome
Add to Edge
Add to Firefox
Add to Opera
Add to Brave
Add to SafariWhen comparing Sennheiser CX 300 II vs Sony MDR XB50AP, the Slant community recommends Sennheiser CX 300 II for most people. In the question“What are the best earbuds around $50?” Sennheiser CX 300 II is ranked 1st while Sony MDR XB50AP is ranked 4th. The most important reason people chose Sennheiser CX 300 II is:
The bass is the highlight of the sound signature. It goes deep and has very good punch too, yet at the same time stays fairly controlled. The mids are present and quite smooth, though not too forward. The highs do not stand out as amazing, though the level of detail is fairly good. Overall, a very good sounding pair of in-ear headphones which bass lovers will find to be quite enjoyable.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Fun sounding with deep and punchy bass, smooth and full mids as well as good detail from the highs
The bass is the highlight of the sound signature. It goes deep and has very good punch too, yet at the same time stays fairly controlled. The mids are present and quite smooth, though not too forward.
The highs do not stand out as amazing, though the level of detail is fairly good.
Overall, a very good sounding pair of in-ear headphones which bass lovers will find to be quite enjoyable.
Pro Cable feels reliable
The headphone cable feels high quality and does not seem like it would break easily. They are also fairly flexible so they should not be too prone to tangles. The strain relief on the connection points of the cable to the earpiece keeps it from detaching easily when yanked.
Pro Fit and isolation can be customized
The CX 300 II come with 3 sets of ear tips in small, medium and large sizes. These are easily interchangeable so you will have some options when it comes to fitting these headphones.
Pro Great low end complemented by clear mids and fairly good highs
The low frequencies are what stand out from the sound signature. Bass goes pretty low and with good punch too. Also, the full deep end bass is achieved without muddying up the mids. The mids are smooth and clear, allowing vocals and guitars to be clearly heard. The highs are present, though slightly recessed, giving these headphones an overall warm sound.
Pro Cable does not tangle easily
The XB50AP's cable is flat and fairly thick, yet flexible. The cable does not tangle easily even when chucked into a bag or pocket.
Pro Light weight and soft ear tips make these comfortable to wear
The XB50AP is fairly lightweight. Combined with the high quality ear tips that are soft and flexible, there is not much pressure in the ear canal, making them great for wearing for straight periods of time.
Pro In line remote allows for convenient smart device control
There is a single button remote control which allows you to answer/end calls as well as pause/play tracks. This minimizes the need for you to pull out your phone or media player to do these functions.
Cons
Con Microphonics can be distracting
If you wear these in-ears while walking around, the movement of the cable can be clearly heard in the earpiece (called microphonics), which can be quite distracting.
Con No in-line controls or mic
You will have to pull out your phone when answering calls or changing music tracks when using these in-ears.
Con Earpieces are quite bulky
The earpieces are quite big and stick out of the ears a bit. It is possible that you will find these to be straining on your ears. Also, these can hurt when you are lying down on your side with these on.
Con Microphonics can be distracting
It produces noise when the cable moves around while you're wearing them or when it rubs against your clothes. This can be quite distracting, especially if you like to focus on your music.
Con Treble can sound recessed
While the bass in these headphones is powerful and full, the treble has taken a bit of a step back. While there is a good level of clarity on the high frequencies, these do not have the airiness and sparkle that more detail oriented headphones have.
