Explored budget wired headphones, finding their bass to be reminiscent of the 'affordable audio' range
The Sony MDR-ZX110 headphones are an inexpensive pair of wired pair eyewear that offer a simple, analog sound experience. With a price tag of $12.99 / £15, they are a budget-friendly option for those who only have a few notes to spare.
The MDR-ZX110 are not a good-looking, robustly built pair of beats, nor are they jam-packed full of features. They only feature being wired headphones. However, they are surprisingly comfortable for on-ear headphones, despite their odd sizing, which may not suit those with larger heads.
The plastic they're made from feels cheap and flimsy, and the headphones rattle a lot as you handle them. The ear cups are a bit stingy in terms of padding and have wrinkled, puckered leatherette covers. But for the price, these are minor inconveniences.
When it comes to sound quality, the MDR-ZX110 perform better at the warmer end of the spectrum. Vocal-heavy tracks like Hunger by Florence + the Machine are handled well, with a lot of body for vocals, piano, and strings. The Sony MDR-ZX110 also handle clean slabs of melodic synth well, providing ample bass and competent balance between bass and harmonic tones.
However, in some tracks, the MDR-ZX110 have a definite pinch in the lower high-end, causing certain elements to feel more muffled. This is particularly noticeable in electronic tracks like York by Christian Löffler, where the bass felt a bit distant in the mix.
The MDR-ZX110 avoid overdriving the treble, preventing elements like thumping toms and thrumming guitars from sounding overly bright. But this also means that they perform less well in the higher frequencies, occasionally causing a cotton wool stuffiness in the ears that suggests missing frequencies higher up.
In terms of durability, the MDR-ZX110 are less vulnerable to developing faults due to fewer points of failure compared to feature-packed modern headphones. They may not be the most robust pair of beats, but for the price, they should last long enough for those who are careful with their gear.
In conclusion, for $12.99 / £15, the MDR-ZX110 are a pair of headphones that sound pretty reasonable. They may not be the most stylish or feature-rich, but for those on a tight budget, they offer a decent listening experience, especially for vocal-heavy tracks and melodic synth. The MDR-ZX110 are a budget-friendly option for those who only have a few notes to spare.
