Sony MDR-EX15 VS HiFiMAN Bolt

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Sony MDR-EX15 and HiFiMAN Bolt are 1DD in-ear monitors. Sony MDR-EX15 costs $10 while HiFiMAN Bolt costs $10. Sony MDR-EX15 holds a decisive 1.3-point edge in reviewer scores (3.3 vs 2). Sony MDR-EX15 has significantly better mids with a 3-point edge, Sony MDR-EX15 has significantly better treble with a 3-point edge, Sony MDR-EX15 has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge and Sony MDR-EX15 has significantly better details with a 2-point edge.

Insights

Metric Sony MDR-EX15 HiFiMAN Bolt
Bass 3 3
Mids 4 1
Treble 4 1
Details 4 2
Imaging 3 3
Dynamics 3 2
Tonality 3.7 1.7
Technicalities 3.3 2.3
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Sony MDR-EX15 and HiFiMAN Bolt reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Sony MDR-EX15 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision

Average Reviewer Score:

3.3

Very Poor

HiFiMAN Bolt Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Super* Review Precogvision

Average Reviewer Score:

2

Very Negative

Reviews Comparison

Sony MDR-EX15 reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 3.3 Reviewer Score
D+ Tuning
D Tech
Surprisingly well extended in the treble if not a little strident and forward in the lower-treble.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: D Mids: C- Treble: C- Dynamics: D Details: C- Imaging: D

HiFiMAN Bolt reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 2 Reviewer Score
E Tuning
E+ Tech
Literally gas station pickup tier.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: D Mids: E- Treble: E- Dynamics: E+ Details: E+ Imaging: D

HiFiMAN Bolt (more reviews)

HiFiMAN Bolt reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 2* * score rescaled + normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Sony MDR-EX15 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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HiFiMAN Bolt User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Sony MDR-EX15 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

3.4

Gaming Grade

D

HiFiMAN Bolt Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

2.1

Gaming Grade

E+

Sony MDR-EX15 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

D+
  • Uneven emphasis across the spectrum keeps the presentation unsettled and awkward. Acoustic instruments lose their natural body.

Average Technical Grade

D
  • Details smear quickly, leaving the presentation cramped and low on definition. You'll notice smearing on even moderately layered songs.
Bass D
It hints at bass presence but never quite delivers satisfying punch. Percussion lacks a satisfying weight.
Mids C-
It delivers a workable midrange that could benefit from smoother transitions. Timbre isn't quite convincing yet.
Treble C-
Expect serviceable treble that keeps detail audible without much polish. It keeps the highs audible without elegance.
Dynamics D
Dynamics sound noticeably compressed, muting contrast between quiet and loud. Transients feel blunted and slow.
Details C-
The presentation is fine for casual listening but leaves refinement on the table. There's some grain on quieter elements.
Imaging D
Stereo cues appear but wobble, leaving the panorama feeling imprecise. Center image lacks solidity.
Gaming D
Compromised imaging significantly impacts gameplay awareness. Directional cues often lack accuracy or consistency.

HiFiMAN Bolt Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

E
  • It feels tonally jarring, swinging between piercing treble and bloated bass with no cohesion. It feels chaotic regardless of genre.

Average Technical Grade

E+
  • Everything sounds flat and suffocated, with even elementary passages losing definition and energy. Expect little in the way of micro-details.
Bass D
Expect a restrained low end that prioritizes cleanliness over excitement. Impact comes across soft and restrained.
Mids E-
Everything in the mid band sounds muted, as if it’s playing from another room. Songs feel like they're missing their core.
Treble E-
The top end feels muffled, with air and shimmer barely audible. Ambient reverb tails are chopped short.
Dynamics E+
Dynamic range feels limited, smearing micro-contrast and transient attack. Soft details are smoothed into the background.
Details E+
Noticeably blurred presentation that smears background elements and hides micro-details. Ambient cues are fuzzy and distant.
Imaging D
Stereo cues appear but wobble, leaving the panorama feeling imprecise. Center image lacks solidity.
Gaming E+
Compromised imaging significantly impacts gameplay awareness. Directional cues often lack accuracy or consistency.

Sony MDR-EX15 User Reviews

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HiFiMAN Bolt User Reviews

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