Sony MDR-XB50AP

| 12 mm Driver | Neodymium Magnet |

? Sony has lots of earphones in the market, the XB line means Extra Bass and as you may already imagine this line is  bass orientated. And usually the line delivers what they promise…. Bass!

an accessible price but with a beefy 12mm dynamic driver and a neodymium magnet

The Sony MDR-XB50AP is kind of in the middle of the line of the XB models, with an accessible price but with a beefy 12mm dynamic driver and a neodymium magnet. You will not get some of the premium options that some of the EX models offer, with the MDR-XB50AP you will have to accept a non detachable cables and no hard case included. You do get an inline microphone and one-button control as well as a nice soft fabric carrying pouch.

Moreover, top of the line usually comes in a conservative black color only, the MDR-XB50AP being thought to a more massive public comes in 5 different color options (with matching cable colors): black, white, blue, yellow and red. Construction quality the Sony MDR-XB50AP is not the toughest on the market, the earpieces although seeming metal they are made of plastic.

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Sony MDR-XB50AP - Review

Tests & Scores

Weight

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Accessories & Packaging

Out of the box you get a soft velvety pouch and 3 pairs of silicon eartips. Everything is packed in a clean and small packaging.

^8_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

The Sony MDR-XB50AP has a delightful bass, deep and punchy. The bass and sub-bass that you get from the 12mm dynamic driver is outstanding, fun and punchy bass will never lack when you listen music with this ones.

you will be amazed with what this mid line iem can deliver

Sub-bass gets really deep and if you are into equalizing and amplifying you will see that the MDR-XB50AP respond amazingly well.

When pushing them for extreme bass you will be amazed with what this mid line iem can deliver and if you know what you are doing you can get the Sony MDR-XB50AP almost to the bass and sub-bass level of the Sony MDR-7550/800st. Of course, we are speaking of correctly equalizing and amplifying in a basshead style. Sony has decided to rate the maximum power handling of the Sony MDR-XB50AP to 100mW, instead these earphones can handle monstrous quantity of power. Basshead EQed and amplified with a Fiio E12 on high gain and bass boost switch ON, the MDR-XB50AP can handle up to 65% of maximum power on the Fiio E12. That’s an insane quantity of power! At the same time they are not difficult to drive, you can use your normal phone or computer with no problem at all.

^8.75_/10

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Mids & Vocals

Mids are recessed mostly on the middle mids and lower mids frequencies consequence of mid-bass being too boosted and bleeding into mid frequencies. Higher mids are better defined and not as recessed. Mids might be recessed but not excessively, just enough to make them not fatiguing nor harsh, anyway the MDR-XB50AP wouldn’t be the ideal choice to whom prefers to emphasize mids and vocals on their listening sessions.

^7_/10

Highs & Treble

The highs of the Sony MDR-XB50AP are present but still there are non piercing peaks or sibilance. There is a V-shaped sound signature coming from the XB50AP. Treble sensitive people but who still enjoy slight highs details might be happy with the Sony MDR-XB50AP.

^7_/10

Sound Leak

The sound that leaks out of these earphones is very low, almost non existent. So, it is a perfect companion if you intend to use it at libraries or want to keep private what you are listening to.

^9.5_/10

Sound Isolation

The Sony MDR-XB50AP do a pretty good job blocking outside noises. Sound surrounding you will get noticeably reduced.

^8_/10

Comfort

Although they may seem heavy because of its size, the MDR-XB50AP are comfortable with a solid fit that holds in place and not heavy at all. On the other side, they stick out of the ears quite a bit.

^8_/10

Response to Equalization

The MDR-XB50AP excel at the response to custom equalization, if you want to brighten up the sound you just need to eq up the higher frequencies and they will clear up and reveal detail. If you want extra bass impact, just emphasize frequencies below 80Hz and get ready to rumble! Mid can be brought forward a bit but not too much or you will start getting boxy mids and vocals.

^8.25_/10

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Scores

• Accessories - 8/10
  8/10
• Design - 9.5/10
  9.5/10
• Bass - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Mids - 7/10
  7/10
• Highs - 7/10
  7/10
• Sound Leak - 9.5/10
  9.5/10
• Sound Isolation - 8/10
  8/10
• Comfort - 8/10
  8/10
• Response to EQ - 8.25/10
  8.3/10
• Value for Money - 9.5/10
  9.5/10

Summary

AWARDS

Pros

• A top of the podium sub-bass basshead level, comparable to the Sony MDR-EX7550/800st
• Responds greatly to equalization
• Can handle extreme quantity of amplification power

Cons

• Not a good choice if you are looking for a flat sound signature

Conclusion

• The Sony MDR-XB50AP are an outstanding earphone with amazing potential, great sound, warm and punchy with a V-shape sound signature; the solely fact that you can get a sub-bass impact level below but in the category of the Sony MDR-EX7550-800ST but at a fraction of the price is reason enough to highly recommend this iem.

 

• Thanks to their strong bass and amplification response the Sony MDR-XB50AP have gained a place in the

Best Basshead Earphones Chart

• , the

Top Fun Sounding Earphones Chart

• and because of their overall performance they are now part of the

Editor's Picks Earphones Chart

.

8.4/10

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Sony MDR-XB50AP Frequency Response

2nd Sample

Sony MDR-XB50AP

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Photos

Sony MDR-XB50

8.3

SCORE

8.3/10