Sony

Sony MDRZX110/BLK ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones Black

38 in

A wide 12 Hz to 22 kHz frequency range paired with 1.38-inch neodymium drivers gives these featherlight Sony on-ears a punchy, bass-forward sound for everyday listening on the go

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Aug 28, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change — details.

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Overview

The Sony MDR-ZX110 belongs to the brand's long-running ZX Series, a line built around simplicity and portability rather than flagship features. These are wired on-ear headphones with a closed-back design, and the appeal is easy to summarize: 1.38-inch neodymium dynamic drivers that reach from 12 Hz all the way up to 22 kHz, promising deep bass, a rich midrange, and clear highs across a broad slice of the audible spectrum. Sony describes the sound as punchy and rhythmic, which points to a tuning aimed at casual, everyday listening rather than clinical studio reference. With a low 24-ohm impedance, they're an easy match for phones, tablets, and laptops without a separate amplifier. Anyone shopping for a straightforward, no-frills pair for commuting or general use is squarely the intended audience.

Construction leans toward lightweight travel. The earcups swivel flat, which makes the headphones simpler to tuck into a bag and a bit more forgiving to carry around. Cushioned earpads and the enfolding closed-back shells are meant to seal in sound and keep things comfortable over longer stretches. The connection is a fixed 3.94-foot cord terminating in an L-shaped 3.5mm stereo mini plug, a detail that tends to reduce strain where the cable meets a device. There's no wireless option, no inline controls listed, and no detachable cable here, so ownership is about as plug-and-play as it gets. For listeners who want an uncomplicated wired pair that folds down and slips into a jacket pocket, the ZX110 covers the basics.

Key Features

Lightweight 1.38 in neodymium dynamic drivers deliver a punchy, rhythmic response to even the most demanding tracks. Driver Unit: Dome type.Specific uses for product : Travel

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

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. Impedance (Ohm) 24 ohm (1KHz). Cord Length 3.94 ft

Specifications

Brand
Sony
Model Number
MDRZX110/BLK
Driver Unit
1.38 in neodymium dynamic, Dome type
Frequency Range
12 Hz to 22 kHz
Impedance
24 ohm (1KHz)
Plug Type
L-shaped stereo mini plug 3.5mm
Cord Length
3.94 ft
Earcup Design
Swiveling, Closed-back
Comfort Features
Cushioned earpads

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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Frequently Asked Questions

These headphones feature lightweight 1.38-inch neodymium dynamic drivers that deliver a punchy, rhythmic response across a wide frequency range of 12 Hz to 22 kHz, providing deep bass, rich midrange, and soaring highs.
Yes, the Sony MDRZX110/BLK headphones are designed with cushioned earpads to ensure total comfort, making them suitable for extended listening sessions.
The swiveling earcup design allows for easy storage when not in use, and enhances portability, making them convenient for travel.
The enfolding closed-back design of these headphones is intended to seal in sound, which helps in minimizing sound leakage and external distractions, contributing to a more immersive listening experience.
The Sony MDRZX110/BLK headphones come with an L-shaped stereo mini plug that is 3.5mm, designed for broad compatibility with many audio devices.
The cord length for these headphones is 3.94 feet, offering a balance between freedom of movement and managing cable clutter.