Sony MDR ZX110 vs MDR ZX310AP: Which Headphones Are Better?

If you are in a hurry! here is a quick comparison of Sony MDR ZX110 vs Sony MDR ZX310AP.

Model	Sony MDR ZX310AP	Sony MDR ZX110
Sound Output	Stereo	Stereo
Impedance	24 ohms	24 ohms
Weight	0.28 lb	0.26 lb
Foldable	Yes	Yes
Driver size	1.18 inches	1.18 inches
Color options	Black, Red, White	Black, Pink, White, Yellow
Microphone	Yes	No
Type of connector	3.5mm	3.5mm, 2.5mm
Power handling capacity	1000mW	1000mW
Rating
Price

If you are in a market for good headphones that come at a fraction of the price, Sony is the best way to start looking. Their MDR series is one of the most iconic headphones that Sony manufactures.

That’s probably just because of its attractive price, simplistic design, and decent sound quality. However, these headphones come in different variants, and choosing the best headphones can be challenging.

In this detailed review, we will put the Sony MDR zx310ap vs MDR zx110 head-to-head and find out which headphones are better.

Sony MDR zx110

The Sony MDR zx110 are simplistic stereo headphones that come in attractive color options such as red, black, white, pink, and yellow. Their iconic circular earcups look very easy to use due to their small size.

They weigh only 0.26lbs and feel very comfortable even for long listening sessions.

When it comes to sound quality, you cannot expect a premium sound. However, with its 1.18-inch driver, these headphones are enough to produce a decent sound quality. There is a good balance between the highs and mids but lacks bass and low tones.

The best thing about the Sony MDR zx110 is active noise reduction. You probably won’t expect such a feature, especially from budget headphones, but it is definitely a nice feature.

This feature blocks most of the ambient noise and improves sound quality.

Pros

• Active noise reduction
• Decent sound quality
• Compact design
• Many color options
• Comfortable fit

Cons

• Lack of bass

Sony MDR zx310ap

On the other hand, we have the new and improved Sony MDR zx310ap. These stereo headphones have the same circular shape design as previous models, but with a brushed metal finish, which looks absolutely gorgeous.

They come in three color options, black, white, or red, and they look great. The MDR zx310ap are wired headphones with a standard 3.5mm jack.

In terms of sound quality, they have a dynamic driver technology and 1.18- inch driver. They provide an acoustic seal and deliver a decent sound quality.

Pros

• Brushed metal design
• NFC
• Microphone
• Foldable earcups

Cons

• No considerable upgrade over its predecessor

Sony MDR zx310ap vs MDR zx110 Face-To-Face

Design

It is hard to notice the difference between the MDR zx310ap and the MDR zx110. They both have the same circular ear cup design with the logo on each side.

The earcups are made from memory foam that fits tightly around the ear without any discomfort. In terms of weight, the MDR zx310ap is heavier, but only 5 grams from 125g to 120g, which is barely noticeable.

They both have the same foldable ear cup design, which makes them very portable. One of the most significant differences is that the MDR zx110 comes with a carrying case, while the MDR zx310ap doesn’t have one in the box.

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Another thing important to note is that the cable is not detachable on both headphones, and the MDR-zx110 has a tangle free cable, which is a great feature to avoid frustration every time you want to listen to music. The cable also has a decent length of 1.2 meters for both headphones, but the MDR zx110 has 2.5 and 3.5mm connector type, whereas the MDRzx310ap only has a 3.5mm connector.

Overall, it is hard to determine the winner in terms of design since both headphones are identical.

Winner: Tie

Sound Quality

Sound quality is probably the most significant deciding factor when it comes to choosing your new headphones. This is the part where we see some differences between these two models.

First of all, both have a 30mm driver unit equipped with a neodymium magnet, which is lighter and more powerful than ferrite magnets, without using too much energy.

The most significant difference in terms of sound quality is the frequency range. The newer Sony MDR zx310ap can reach from 10Hz – 24000Hz, while the Sony MDR zx110 can have a narrower frequency response of 12Hz – 22000Hz.

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This is not a considerable difference, especially when you compare other sound characteristics like sound pressure level, 98dB/mW on both devices, and they both have 24 Ohms impedance.

In other words, they sound almost identical. The MDRzx310ap can reach slightly higher and lower notes and sound a bit sharper than the zx110.

Overall, they are not the best sounding headphones on the market, but they both have great sound balance through highs to lows and decent loudness.

Winner: Sony MDR zx310ap

Connectivity & Controls

Both headphones have wire buttons used for answering a call, skipping a song, or increasing volume. The in-line control panel is easily accessible, and you can push the controls without any difficulty.

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As we mentioned, they both come with a 3.5mm male port. Unfortunately, these headphones cannot be used wirelessly.

Winner: Tie

Stand Out Features Of Sony MDR ZX110

Good Value For Money

Since the Sony MDR zx110 is a bit older model in the MDR series, you can easily find them much cheaper than other recently released models. This means that you can save a lot of money by purchasing an old version of headphones with a minimal difference to the newer version.

Travel Bag

You might think that a travel bag is unnecessary if you are not traveling, but it is an excellent addition to keep your headphones in a safe box and avoid any kind of damage. The travel case is a nice addition to the Sony MDR zx110, and we would definitely want to see this accessory in other Sony models.

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Compact and Comfortable

The Sony MDR zx110 is probably one of the most comfortable and lightweight headphones on the market. They only weigh 120 grams, and since the ear pads are made from soft foam, you can wear them for a long time without any discomfort to your ears.

Stand Out Features Of Sony MDR ZX310AP

Wide Frequency Range

At first look, the MDR zx310ap might look like a pair of headphones that cannot deliver high-quality music, but they will definitely amaze you with the wide frequency range. Despite their small size, they can reach high notes and go as low as 10Hz without any distortion.

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Microphone

Fortunately, the in-line control panel on the Sony MDR zx310ap went back to the drawing board and got an entirely new redesign and a microphone upgrade. Now you can easily answer calls or access phone features with voice while wearing your Sony MDR zx310ap.

Let’s get one thing straight. The microphone doesn’t offer the best call quality, but it is an excellent addition to your headphones.

Which Is Better, Sony MDR ZX310AP or Sony MDR ZX110?

Choose the Sony MDR ZX310AP if:

• You want a microphone.
• You want a better frequency range.
• You want a brushed design.
• You want a better sound quality.

Choose the Sony MDR ZX110 if:

• You want more compact headphones.
• You want a carrying case.
• You want lighter headphones.
• You want more affordable headphones.

Overall, both headphones perform outstandingly, which is why they are the main choice for people that want a budget headphones that have a great sound and built quality.

When it comes to these two headphones, the differences are very minimal. Since there is no noticeable difference between them, you should go with the more affordable Sony MDR ZX110.