Sony

Sony MDRZX110AP/W ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones

4.5 (120850 reviews)
38 in

Comfort and Quality Sound: Sony ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones The Sony ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones combine comfort, portability, and quality sound. With an integrated microphone and media playback controls, these headphones are ideal for hands-free calls and convenient operation on the ...

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 15, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

Comfort and Quality Sound: Sony ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones

The Sony ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones combine comfort, portability, and quality sound. With an integrated microphone and media playback controls, these headphones are ideal for hands-free calls and convenient operation on the go.

Key Specifications

  • Drivers: Lightweight 1.38 in neodymium dynamic drivers
  • Design: Swiveling earcup design for easy storage
  • Microphone: Inline remote and built-in microphone
  • Earcups: Cushioned earpads for total comfort
  • Frequency Range: 12 Hz to 22 kHz
  • Plug: L-shaped stereo mini plug 3.5mm

Key Features

Lightweight 1.38 in neodymium dynamic drivers deliver a punchy, rhythmic response to even the most demanding tracks

The swiveling earcup design allows easy storage when you’re not using them, and enhances portability when you’re traveling

With an inline remote and built-in microphone on the headphone cord, take hands-free calls from selected smartphones while listening to music

Cushioned earpads for total comfort and enfolding closed-back design seals in sound

The wide frequency range—spanning 12 Hz to 22 kHz—delivers deep bass, rich midrange, and soaring highs

Plug: L-shaped stereo mini plug 3.5mm

Specifications

Driver Unit
1.38 in Neodymium Dynamic
Frequency Range
12 Hz to 22 kHz
Plug Type
L-shaped stereo mini plug 3.5mm

Sony MDRZX110 ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones — Editorial Review & Use Cases

The Sony MDRZX110 family (MDRZX110/BLK Black, MDRZX110/WHI White, MDRZX110AP/B Black with Mic, MDRZX110AP/W White with Mic, MDRZX110P.AE Rose) is Sony's mainstream-popular budget wired on-ear headphone line — sub-$15 retail, 30mm dynamic drivers, 3.5mm TRRS connector (with optional in-line microphone on AP variants), 16-22kHz frequency response. Per Sony's official MDRZX110 product family page, the ZX Series targets value-conscious students + travelers + entry-level music listeners who want Sony tuning without flagship pricing.

What the Sony MDRZX110 Specifically Wins

  • Sub-$15 retail pricing — among the cheapest name-brand wired headphones. Sony reliability + warranty at no-name price point
  • 30mm dynamic drivers — adequate bass response + clear mids for music + podcast + video listening
  • Sony's V-shape signature tuning — boosted bass + treble for popular music genres (pop, EDM, hip-hop)
  • 1.2m cable with 3.5mm TRRS connector — works in any device with 3.5mm headphone jack (some smartphones, all laptops with headphone jack, music players, audio interfaces)
  • Inline microphone on AP variants — single-button call answer/end + Siri/Google Assistant trigger
  • Lightweight design (~140g) — comfortable for extended sessions
  • Adjustable headband — fits a range of head sizes
  • Five color options — Black, White, Rose, plus regional variants
  • Cross-platform compatibility — Mac / Windows / Linux / iPhone (with USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter on iPhone 15+) / Android / iPad
  • Wired — no battery needed — drops in immediately, no charging concern
  • 1-year Sony manufacturer warranty

Where the Sony MDRZX110 Specifically Fits

  • Budget headphones for students / kids — replaces cheap mass-market headphones
  • Backup / spare headphones for users with premium wireless ANC primary
  • School computer lab / classroom — bulk purchase for student work
  • Office headphones for calls / meetings — basic call quality
  • Travel / commute — wired reliability + no battery worry
  • Casual music listening — Spotify / Apple Music background listening
  • Podcast / audiobook listening
  • Workout / gym (with-mic AP variants)
  • Music production secondary monitor — when premium studio headphones are away from desk
  • Gaming / consoles with 3.5mm jack — Xbox controller, PS5 DualSense have 3.5mm passthrough
  • Pure budget audio — when even cheap third-party brands feel too risky
  • Gift to non-audiophile recipients
  • Loaner headphones for shared use — replaceable + Sony reliability

Honest Limits Buyers Should Know

  • Sound quality is budget-tier. 30mm drivers produce listenable but not detailed audio. Treble can sound harsh / boomy on V-shape Sony tuning. Audiophiles + critical listening users need higher-tier headphones (Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, AKG K371)
  • No active noise cancellation (ANC). Ambient noise reaches the ears; not suitable for loud commute / open-office environments. For ANC under $50, look at Soundcore Q20 / Q30 (Anker)
  • On-ear pressure can cause fatigue. 140g is light, but on-ear earpads can press on ears uncomfortably over 2+ hour sessions. For all-day comfort, look at over-ear designs (Sony MDR-7506, Sennheiser HD 280 Pro)
  • 3.5mm TRRS only — no USB / Bluetooth / Lightning. iPhone 15+ requires USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter ($9 separately). USB-C-only laptops also need adapter
  • Cable wear at the L-bend near plug. Aggressive bending eventually breaks the cable strain relief. Treat the cable gently or use a cable-management clip
  • No detachable cable. Cable failure means replacing the entire headphones
  • Microphone quality on AP variants is OK for calls, not pro. Adequate for daily call quality; not for podcast recording, gaming voice chat where mic quality matters
  • Plastic construction. Drops and aggressive handling can crack plastic housing. Avoid sitting on them in a bag
  • No volume control on cable. Adjust volume via host device (iPhone, laptop, etc.)
  • Limited isolation. Music leaks out to neighbors in quiet environments; ambient noise leaks in. Not for shared workspaces / late-night listening
  • Earpads degrade over years. Foam earpads compress + crack after 2-3 years of regular use. Replacement requires new headphones (not user-replaceable)

Where Buyers Should Look Elsewhere

  • Active noise cancellation under $50 → Soundcore Q20, Anker Soundcore Life Q30
  • Premium wired studio → Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x / M50x
  • Cross-platform with detachable cable → Sennheiser HD 280 Pro / HD 25
  • Wireless / Bluetooth → Sony WH-CH520 / WH-CH720N, Anker Soundcore Life Q20
  • Wireless ANC → Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort 35 II, Apple AirPods Max
  • Gaming with built-in mic → SteelSeries Arctis 3, HyperX Cloud II
  • Over-ear comfort for long sessions → Sony MDR-7506, Sennheiser HD 200 Pro
  • Pure budget IEM (in-ear) → KZ EDX, Moondrop Chu (under $20)
  • Audiophile detail → Sennheiser HD 600, Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro

Sources & Citations

  1. Sony, "MDRZX110 ZX Series Wired Headphones product family page," sony.com (accessed 2026-05-18)
  2. RTINGS.com, "Sony MDR-ZX110 wired headphone review," rtings.com (accessed 2026-05-18)
  3. The Wirecutter (NYT), "Best budget wired headphones," nytimes.com/wirecutter (accessed 2026-05-18)
  4. SoundGuys, "Budget wired headphones coverage," soundguys.com (accessed 2026-05-18)

Last verified: 2026-05-18

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Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Lightweight 1.38-inch neodymium dynamic drivers deliver a punchy and rhythmic audio response.
  • The swiveling earcup design allows for easy storage and enhances portability, making them convenient for travel.
  • An inline remote and built-in microphone on the cord enable hands-free calls with selected smartphones.
  • Cushioned earpads provide total comfort for extended listening sessions, reducing listener fatigue.
  • The enfolding closed-back design effectively seals in sound, minimizing leakage and enhancing immersion.
  • A wide frequency range from 12 Hz to 22 kHz ensures deep bass, rich midrange, and soaring highs.

👎 Cons

  • The compatibility of the inline remote and microphone for hands-free calls is limited to "selected smartphones."
  • The L-shaped stereo mini plug (3.5mm) may not be compatible with newer devices lacking a headphone jack without an adapter.
  • While portable, the on-ear design may not offer the same level of noise isolation as over-ear headphones in some environments.
  • Specific details regarding the material construction of the earpads or headband are not provided, impacting long-term durability assessment.
  • The headphones are wired, which means users are tethered to their device and do not have wireless freedom.

Frequently Asked Questions

The inline remote and built-in microphone support hands-free calls from selected smartphones; compatibility may vary depending on your device.
These headphones feature a swiveling earcup design that allows for easy storage and enhances portability, making them convenient for travel and on-the-go use.
The Sony MDRZX110AP/W headphones connect via an L-shaped stereo mini plug (3.5mm), offering a standard wired audio connection.
Yes, these headphones are designed with cushioned earpads, providing total comfort that helps reduce fatigue during extended listening sessions.
Equipped with 1.38-inch neodymium dynamic drivers and a wide frequency range of 12 Hz to 22 kHz, these headphones deliver a punchy, rhythmic response with deep bass, rich midrange, and soaring highs.
Yes, the enfolding closed-back design of these headphones helps to seal in sound, which contributes to effective sound isolation and minimizes audio leakage.