Sony ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones On-Ear

The Sony ZX Series are wired on-ear headphones that nail the basics for an absurdly low price. The sound is surprisingly decent for the cost, landing in the 65th percentile, and the inline mic is functional for calls. Just know that you're sacrificing all modern features like wireless and ANC, and the build and comfort are exactly what you'd expect for $37. Buy them as a cheap backup or a kid's first headset, not as your daily driver.

The sound signature on these Sonys is what we'd call 'safe.' The 30mm neodymium drivers push out a sound that's punchy enough for pop and rock, with a decent amount of rhythm to keep things fun. That 12Hz low-end extension looks impressive on a spec sheet, but in practice, the bass is more of a polite thump than a skull-rattling earthquake. It's a sound that ranks well above average in our testing, which is a genuine win at this price. You're getting a clear, inoffensive presentation that doesn't mangle your music, and for a wired headphone that costs less than a pizza, that's a solid result.

The built-in microphone is a mixed bag, landing right in the middle of our rankings. It's perfectly adequate for taking a quick call in a quiet room, and the inline remote makes controlling playback and answering calls painless on compatible phones. Just don't expect your voice to sound broadcast-quality. In a noisy environment, it struggles, which is why these score so poorly for commuting. The passive noise isolation from the cushioned earpads helps a little, but without any active noise cancellation, you'll still hear plenty of the world around you.

Stacked against the JBL Tune 670NC, the Sony's limitations become immediately obvious. The JBL offers wireless connectivity and active noise cancellation, which the Sony completely lacks. Our database shows the Sony's connectivity and ANC scores are dismal, sitting in the bottom third of all products. If you need to cut out engine noise on a flight or just hate cords, the JBL is the obvious choice, even if it costs more. The Sony is strictly for stationary, wired use.

Then there's something like the Soundcore Life Q20. It's another over-ear option that will be far more comfortable for long listening sessions, an area where the Sony's on-ear design really struggles, landing in the 34th percentile for comfort. The Soundcore also brings wireless and ANC to the table. The Sony's only real win in a direct comparison is its price. You pick the ZX Series when every dollar counts and you're willing to live with a wire and a bit of ear fatigue after an hour or two.

Value is where this product makes its stand, and it's a strong one. At around $37, the Sony ZX Series is competing in a bracket where 'it makes sound' is sometimes the only box a product checks. The fact that these sound decent and include a functional microphone puts them ahead of most no-name junk in the same aisle. You're getting a recognizable brand name and a sound signature that lands in the 65th percentile for less than the cost of a decent dinner.

When you look at the competition, the value proposition gets even clearer. Most alternatives with better sound or wireless connectivity, like the JBL Tune 670NC or Soundcore Life Q20, will cost you significantly more. If your budget is a hard line at forty bucks, you're not going to find a new pair of headphones that dramatically outperforms these. The trade-off is clear: you sacrifice build quality, comfort, and modern features for a rock-bottom price and a sound that doesn't offend.

The Sony ZX Series wired headphones are the kind of thing you grab when you need something that just works, without any fuss or a painful credit card bill. We're talking about the MDR-ZX110AP here, a set of on-ear cans that have been floating around for years at a price that's almost impossible to argue with. They're not trying to be the best headphones in the world. They're trying to be the best headphones for twenty bucks, and honestly, that's a much more interesting fight.

Who are these for? Someone who needs a backup pair for their desk, a kid's first set of headphones for a tablet, or anyone who keeps destroying wireless earbuds and wants to return to the reliable world of cords. With a 3.5mm jack and an inline mic, they plug into pretty much anything that isn't a brand-new flagship phone without a dongle. The swiveling earcups are a nice touch for tossing them in a bag, and the closed-back design means you won't leak your terrible playlist to the entire bus.

But let's be real about what we're working with here. The 30mm drivers promise a frequency response from 12Hz to 22kHz, which on paper looks like it should deliver deep bass and soaring highs. In our database, the sound quality lands in the 65th percentile, which is solidly middle-of-the-pack. It's a sound profile that's perfectly fine for a podcast or a Zoom call, but don't expect it to reveal hidden details in your favorite lossless tracks. You're buying utility, not an audio revelation.

If you have a commute that involves a bus, train, or plane, you should absolutely skip these. The lack of noise cancellation and poor noise isolation means you'll be cranking the volume to unsafe levels just to hear your podcast over the engine noise. For commuting, you'd be much better off with a pair of wireless ANC headphones like the Soundcore Life Q20 or TOZO HT3, even if they cost more upfront. Your ears will thank you.

You should also look elsewhere if you're a music lover who wants to get lost in an album. The sound quality, while decent for the price, is not detailed or spacious. The on-ear design and mediocre comfort will pull you out of the experience long before the final track. If sound quality is a priority, save up for a better wired set from a brand like Audio-Technica or look at well-reviewed over-ear wireless options that offer a more immersive experience.

For a very specific person, the Sony ZX Series is a perfect purchase. That person needs a cheap, wired headset for video calls at their desk, a simple pair of headphones for a kid's school Chromebook, or a reliable backup that lives in their laptop bag for emergencies. For these use cases, the clear microphone, dead-simple operation, and low price make them an easy recommendation. They do the job without any fuss, and you won't be heartbroken if they get lost or broken.

For anyone else, we'd suggest saving up a little longer. If you plan to listen to music for more than an hour at a time, the on-ear design will start to bug you. If you ever want to use them on a plane or train, the lack of noise cancellation is a dealbreaker. And if you're an audio enthusiast, the sound, while decent, won't excite you. These are utility headphones, pure and simple. They're a tool, not a toy, and they're a great tool for a very low price.