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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Sony MDR XB30EX Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£25Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR XB30EX Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony MDR XB30EX
5.9/10

Overall score

Score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Score components

80%

5.4

Technical score

20%

8.2

User score

â–¼Worse than 67% of headphones
7.1

Value for money

Value for money
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Score components

70%

5.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 67%
5.4

Technical score

Technical score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 81%
8.2

User score

User score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 74% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

7.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–²Better than 74%
  • sony-mdr-xb30ex
sony-mdr-xb30ex
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony MDR XB30EX

Technical score
Technical score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components:

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.4
User score
User score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 74% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

7.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.2
Popularity
Popularity
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 66% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR XB30EX has a popularity score of 7.2 points, which is higher than that of 66.5% of products in this category.
7.2
Value for money
Value for money
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Score components:

70%

5.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.1
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
13.5 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 13.5 mm, smaller driver size than 85% of headphones and equal to 0.6% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
4 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 4 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 97.2% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
8 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 8 g, lighter than 97.2% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Sony MDR XB30EX vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 96.3% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    8 g vs 218 g
  • 14 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (4 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    4 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 3.6x cheaper
    Sony MDR XB30EX is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£25 vs £90).
    £25 vs £90
  • 15 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (125 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    125 dB vs 110 dB
  • 3.6x cheaper
    Sony MDR XB30EX is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£25 vs £90).
    £25 vs £90
  • 96.3% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    8 g vs 218 g
  • 14 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (4 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    4 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 15 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (125 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    125 dB vs 110 dB
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 26.5 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (13.5 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    13.5 mm vs 40 mm
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 1.7% worse value for money
    Sony MDR XB30EX has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.15 vs 7.3).
    7.15 vs 7.27
  • 1.7% worse value for money
    Sony MDR XB30EX has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.15 vs 7.3).
    7.15 vs 7.27
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 26.5 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (13.5 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    13.5 mm vs 40 mm
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0
Tech chase
≈ estimated
13/08/2015
Hands-on review · gym use and bass sound
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB30EX is a good pick for bass lovers and gym workouts thanks to strong bass, but not for clear, detailed sound.
9.0
Abhishek T
≈ estimated
03/02/2015
Hands-on review · 1.5 weeks of daily use
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB30EX is a personal favourite for bass lovers thanks to strong bass and good build, though not for audiophiles.
7.0
Geekyranjit
≈ estimated
31/08/2013
Hands-on review · about a week of use
Verdict
The Sony MDR-XB30EX is enjoyable for bass lovers and casual listeners, but not for purists or vocal-heavy music.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony MDR XB30EX

  • Powerful, deep, and clear bass performance due to the 13.5 mm drivers
  • Impressive build quality with a strong, durable, and tangle-free serrated cord
  • Comfortable and secure fit, suitable for long listening sessions or physical activity
  • Effective passive noise isolation provided by a solid acoustic seal
  • Wide frequency response range (4Hz - 24kHz) offering a full and filling soundstage
  • Comes with practical accessories including a carrying case and multiple earbud sizes

What customers don't like about Sony MDR XB30EX

  • Lacks an in-line microphone, making it unsuitable for hands-free calling
  • Treble response can be weak or feel 'dead' compared to the dominant low end
  • Overpowering bass may occasionally muffle vocals or mid-range clarity
  • The L-shaped plug may feel slightly fragile to some users
  • Initially unbalanced sound signature that may require a 'burn-in' period or EQ adjustments

Verdict

The Sony MDR-XB30EX is an in-ear headphone featuring 13.5mm neodymium dome drivers and an Advanced Direct Vibe Structure designed specifically to produce intense, deep bass across a wide frequency response of 4 Hz to 24,000 Hz. With a sensitivity of 105 dB/mW and an impedance of 16 ohms, these 8g lightweight earbuds are built for high-output performance and include four sizes of hybrid silicone tips for noise isolation. Key advantages include a durable, tangle-free serrated 1.2m flat cord and a gold-plated L-shaped plug that enhances longevity for mobile use. However, notable drawbacks include the absence of an inline microphone for calls and a sound profile where the powerful bass can sometimes overpower vocals and high frequencies, potentially lacking clarity for critical listeners.

Compare Sony MDR XB30EX with other products in the Headphones category

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