Sony MDR-EX650AP – Review

Sony MDR-EX650AP

Sony MDR-EX650AP

| 12 mm Driver | Neodymium Magnet |



? We have finished the Sony MDR-EX650AP review, a budget Sony headphone with a huge 12mm dynamic driver, neodymium magnets and heavy duty brass construction.

The Sony MDR-EX650AP belong to the EX line of Sony in-ear headphones among which you can find the:

We have reviewed many other Sony headphones like the Sony MH1 LiveSound, Sony MDR-XB50AP, Sony MDR-EX800stSony MDR-EX15LP and there are many shared specs among these models and the Sony MDR-EX650AP which features neodymium magnets and very large dynamic drivers (12 mm to be more specific). Some other tech specs of the Sony MDR-EX650AP include a very broad frequency response of 5-28000Hz, a sensitivity of 107dB/mW and a maximum power capacity of 100mW.

The Sony MDR-EX650AP durability is solid with their highly robust brass housings but also combines some plastic sections with it to maintain a fairly light overall weight. The nozzles are angled to provide a deeper and tighter fit.

The cables are well built and have a textured rubberized finish which add anti-tangling capabilities and also give them a better strain resistance and, supposedly, reduced friction microphonics than a standard cable. The 3.5mm plug has a 90 degree angle and a top metal plate that shares the same design, color and finish of the earpieces. The Sony MDR-EX650AP has an inline microphone and a 1-button remote control that allows you to skip songs, answer/reject calls and even control volume if customized with their Android app; you can read more about the button customization app later on this review.

The Sony MDR-EX650 can be purchased with or without an inline microphone, an useful info: Sony labels as “Sony MDR-EX650AP” to the model that includes the inline microphone/1-button control and calls “Sony MDR-EX650” to the version without mic/control; the mic-less version usually is found at a slightly lower price.

The Sony MDR-EX650AP is compatible with Android and Apple devices.

You can buy the Sony MDR-EX650 in:

FIND ALL: Earphones Scores Compared

MORE: In-Ear Headphones Reviews

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Sony Headphones Reviews

SEE ALSO: Headphones Technical Specifications


OC

Operation & Control

The Sony MDR-EX650AP’s 1-button control functions can be customized on Android devices thanks to the free Sony SmartKey app; the app has been downloaded over 1 million times and has a rating of 4.0. The button’s default functions of the Sony MDR-EX650AP are the following: Music:

  • Single press: Play/pause (default function)
  • 2x press: Next track (default function)
  • 3x press: Previous track (default function)

Call:

  • A single press: Answer/reject call (default function)

IDLE:





  • A single press: Start music player (default function)
  • 2x press: No action (default function)
  • 3x press: No action (default function)

With the Sony SmartKey app you can customize any of the just mentioned button functions and modify them. The custom functions available to choose from are:

  • Redial last number
  • Start music player
  • Volume up
  • Volume down
  • Voice command
  • Voice searh
  • No action

An example of a customization could be:

  • 2x press (music): Volume up (a double press of the button,while using the music player, will now increase the volume by 1 step instead of skipping songs)
  • 3x press (music): Next song (a triple press of the button, while using the music player, will now skip to the next track instead of going to the previous track)

Sony MDR-EX650AP - Review

Tests & Scores

W

Weight

Sony MDR-EX650AP weight in Ounces and Sony MDR-EX650AP weight in grams.

MORE: In-Ear Headphones Weight Comparison

SEE ALSO: Earphones Size Comparison


A

Accessories & Packaging

The Sony MDR-EX650AP unboxing results in a total of 4 pair of silicone eartips, a cable winder and a soft carrying pouch which is very well built. The packaging is a mediumly sized box with a transparent plastic front cover.

gramophone-256609/10

Sony MDR-EX650AP - Accessories
Sony MDR-EX650AP – Accessories

B

Bass & Sub Bass

The 12mm dynamic drivers and strong neodymium magnets plus the bass performances that we have seen during our reviews of other Sony headphones with similar specs sets the field for a positive bass forecast. During our soundtests and right out of the box the Sony MDR-EX650AP showed an exceptional bass response with strong mid-bass punch and very deep sub-bass. These earphones will never lack bass and will be able to provide an ultra fun bass response. No music genre will demand more bass than what the Sony MDR-EX650AP can provide.

Applying an EQ there is a crazy amount of added punch and depth, surely not something that they needed but this EQ bump will make them even basshead worthy. Do not expect a rumble and impact as what can be achieved by amplifying but do feel safe that they will respond with an outstanding unamped performance like few ones can reach.

When putting the Sony MDR-EX650AP through out our extreme basshead tests they handled 55% of the maximum power coming from a Fiio E12 amplifier while being set to high gain and bass boost turned on; a custom made basshead EQ was applied. These tests made them accomplish a massive increment of mid-bass punch and sub-bass depth with a basshead impact and rumble way above the KZ ATE, Xiaomi Mi Pro HD or KZ ZS6, substantially above the Monoprice 8320, Vots QT100, KZ ZS2, Elecom EHP-CA3580 or Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro and similar to the level provided by the Plextone X41M, and Senfer 4in1 but still were unable to dethrone the Sony MDR-EX800st and it’s humongous 16mm dynamic driver.

gramophone-256609/10

MORE: Earphones Amplification Power Comparison

MORE: Best Basshead Earphones

SEE ALSO: Best Fun Sounding Earphones Chart

Sony MDR-EX650AP
Sony MDR-EX650AP

M

Mids & Vocals

The Sony MDR-EX650AP mids have warm lower vocals but do not sound laid back nor distant despite some mid-bass bleed. Lower mids sound nice and smooth overall and higher mids are well resolved while not sounding harsh or fatiguing. With an EQ lower mids and lower vocals sound clearer and mid-bass bleed is reduced, higher mids sound crispier but can become a bit harshy at times.

gramophone-256608.75/10


H

Highs & Treble

The Sony MDR-EX650AP has highs with enough brightness and detail, normal listeners will be satisfied by their amount of detail and brightness. On the other hand, piercing highs peaks could be felt if ultra high pitch notes show up (like a very strong piccolo note). Hints of  sibilance are present but nothing too uncomfortable (weight your sibilance tolerance, though). An EQ adds a huge amount of brightness and added detail while sibilance and piercing highs become a bit stronger but, once again, nothing terrible.

gramophone-256608/10

Sony MDR-EX650AP
Sony MDR-EX650AP

SL

Sound Leak

The sound that leaks out of these Sony earphones is inline with most average earphones. They might not be the best choice for library usage but are absolutely usable in normal situations.

gramophone-256607/10

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU: Best In-Ear Headphones for Libraries


SI

Sound Isolation

Noise isolation is effective and slightly better than most average earphones. When moderate to low levels of volume are set the Sony MDR-EX650AP will still provide a noticeable level of isolation.

gramophone-256607.5/10


C

Comfort

The angled nozzles, small footprint and solid construction result in stupendous comfort that allows extra long listening sessions without a single pain or discomfort issue.

gramophone-256609/10


EQ

Response to Equalization

The response to almost every custom EQ that we applied was highly effective and presented important improvements with minor cons. Bass gained an astonishing amount of mid-bass punch and sub-bass depth that can make any basshead happy. Mids cleared up substantially and reduced mid-bass bleed with a small introduction of harhsy peaks at times. Highs obtained an important quantity of detail and brightness with a bit stronger piercing highs and sibilance presence.

gramophone-256609/10

MORE: Editor’s Picks Earphones Chart

MORE: Best Bang for the Buck Earphones


BUY IT AT: 

SEE ALSO: Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

Follow us:

    

Get the latest reviews on your favorite social network


Scores Scores

FIND ALL OUR: Earphones Reviews / In-Ear Headphones Reviews

MORE: Best Earphones Charts


 

Buy it from:

SEE ALSO: Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

Frequency Response (raw)

Sony MDR-EX650AP Frequency Response

Sony MDR-EX650AP - Frequency Response
Sony MDR-EX650AP – Frequency Response

2nd Sample

SONY MDR-EX650 frequency response curve
SONY MDR-EX650 frequency response curve

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU: Headphones Frequency Response Curves

SEE ALSO: KZ Headphones Frequency Response Curves


Sony MDR-EX650AP

Specifications

TypeDynamic
Driver Unit12mm
Sensitivity107dB/mW
Power Capacity100mW
Impedance16 ohms
Frequency Response5-28,000Hz
DiaphragmCCAW
MagnetNeodymium
CordY-type, round cord
Cord Length1.2m
PlugStereo mini plug
WeightApprox. 9g
Supplied Accessories4x Earphone tips; cable winder; soft carrying pouch

MORE: Single Dynamic Driver Earphones Reviews

SEE ALSO: Amazon Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

MORE:  Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals

SEE ALSO: Banggood Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals



SEE ALSO: Aliexpress Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals


Photos
DISCLAIMER
We highly discourage anyone from trying to apply our testings to your own earphones, the risk of damaging or permanently breaking your iems is absolutely probable to happen. With our standardized equalization and amplification tests we push the limits of the earphones to the extreme. If anyway you decide to do so, we cannot be held responsible of the damage done to your equipment. Do it at your own risk.

Sony MDR-EX650AP

8.6

SCORE

8.6/10