If you want a wired on-ear headset with a cushioned fit, adjustable metal headband, and call controls for cycling, choose Sony XB550AP; if you need a lighter, swivel-folding design with a tangle-free cord, choose Sony MDR-XB450AP. Neither is an open-ear headphone, so both cover the ears rather than leaving them open to traffic sounds.
Sony XB550AP vs Sony MDR-XB450AP at a Glance
• Sony XB550AP: 30 mm drivers, a stated 5–22,000 Hz response, cushioned ear pads, and an adjustable metal headband; its trade-off is a wired, on-ear design rather than an open-ear cycling style.
• Sony MDR-XB450AP: 30 mm drivers, a stated 5–22 kHz response, and a swivel design for portability; its trade-off is that its data sheet does not specify cushioned pads or an adjustable metal headband.
• Both are wired Sony Extra Bass headphones with an in-line microphone and remote functions for calls and listening controls.
• Choose the XB550AP if comfort features and a sturdier headband matter more; choose the XB450AP if you want a lighter, more portable on-ear option.
The Sony XB550AP is a wired, on-ear headset built around a 30 mm dynamic driver and a stated frequency response of 5–22,000 Hz. Sony’s Extra Bass approach emphasizes low frequencies, while the product description also characterizes the sound as balanced. That combination makes it a plausible fit for listeners who want bass-forward music without choosing a headset described only in terms of its low end.
The comfort and control details give this model a practical everyday role. Its soft cushioned ear pads and adjustable metal headband are intended to support longer listening sessions, while the in-line remote and microphone let you handle calls and change tracks without reaching for your phone. The cable is a Y-type design described as tangle-resistant. There is also a SmartKey app for customizing the in-line control functions on a smartphone.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-21 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip the XB550AP if you specifically want wireless listening, a swivel design for compact storage, or an open-ear style for cycling.
The Sony MDR-XB450AP is also a wired Extra Bass headset with 30 mm drivers and a stated 5–22 kHz frequency range. Its listed features include an acoustic bass booster, an in-line microphone, and volume control. It shares much of the XB550AP’s broad audio and call-control profile, but its design emphasis is portability: the headphones have a swivel design and a 1.2 m Y-type cord described as tangle-free.
That difference may matter if you plan to carry headphones in a bag or prefer not to add as much weight to your daily kit. The product is described as a lightweight on-ear design, and its SmartKey app offers customized in-line remote functions. Its listed color is blue.
This model can suit someone looking for with mic earphones for cycling in the sense of a wired headset with hands-free call capability—but it is not an earphone or an open-ear cycling device. The on-ear fit and cable remain relevant limitations outdoors. Also, the sheet identifies the product as an international version and notes that a U.S. warranty may not apply, so buyers should check the warranty terms that apply to their purchase.
Who should skip it: Skip the MDR-XB450AP if a cushioned-pad specification, an adjustable metal headband, or a clearly stated longer-listening comfort feature is essential to your choice.
• Best for cushioned ear pads → Sony XB550AP. Its supplied details explicitly call out soft cushioning, a useful distinction if you expect extended listening.
• Best for a lighter carry → Sony MDR-XB450AP. Its listed weight is 165 g, compared with 180 g for the XB550AP.
• Best for an adjustable metal headband → Sony XB550AP. That construction and adjustment are specified for this model; the XB450AP’s sheet does not list the same feature.
• Best for swivel-style portability → Sony MDR-XB450AP. Its swivel design is specifically intended to make the headset easier to pack and carry.
• Best for bass-focused listening with an in-line mic → Either model. Both list Extra Bass, 30 mm drivers, and a microphone on the cable.
• Best for customizing the inline controls → Either model. Both mention Sony’s SmartKey app for changing remote functions.
• Best for cable-focused convenience → A slight edge to the XB450AP. Its 1.2 m Y-type cable is described as tangle-free; the XB550AP’s Y-type cord is described as rugged and tangle-resistant.
• Best for cycling without covering the ears → Neither. Both are on-ear wired headphones, not open-ear designs. Consider whether that fit and a cable suit your route before choosing either.
Buying Considerations
The main decision is less about the shared driver size or broad frequency range and more about fit, portability, and how you plan to use the cable. Both models use wired connections and include an in-line mic, so neither gives you wireless freedom on a ride. If you want to keep your phone secured while moving, think through where the cord will sit and whether it will interfere with your clothing or gear.
The call and remote functions are useful, but they do not erase the practical limits of wired listening. The XB550AP specifies track changes and call handling; the XB450AP specifies hands-free calling and volume control. Both have a SmartKey app for customizing remote behavior. Check which controls matter to you, and verify smartphone compatibility and app support for your device before relying on a particular setup.
Finally, check the warranty information for the exact MDR-XB450AP listing you are considering. warranty coverage may not apply. If purchase cost will decide the comparison, check the current price on Amazon rather than assuming one model is less expensive.
In my opinion, I’d choose the Sony XB550AP for its cushioned ear pads, adjustable metal headband, and clearly described call and track controls. For cycling, I would use it only if an on-ear wired headset suits the route and I can remain attentive to my surroundings; it is not an open-ear option. I’d pick the MDR-XB450AP instead when its lower listed weight and swivel design are the more useful trade-offs.
Neither is an open-ear headphone: both are wired, on-ear designs. The XB550AP lists cushioned pads and an adjustable metal headband, while the XB450AP is lighter and has a swivel design. Consider traffic awareness and cable placement before using either while riding.
Yes. Both include an in-line microphone for calls, along with an in-line remote. The XB550AP lists call handling and track changes, while the XB450AP lists hands-free calling and volume control.
The MDR-XB450AP weighs 165 g, while the XB550AP weighs 180 g, and it has a swivel design intended for portability. The XB550AP instead lists cushioned pads and an adjustable metal headband.
No. Both are listed as wired headphones with a 3.5 mm jack. The supplied details do not describe a wireless listening mode for either model.
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