Sony ZX Series MDRZX110/BLK

Sony ZX Series MDRZX110 BLK Overview

Few audio producers can match Sony's strengths in terms of brand awareness and market reach. Sony is one of just a few firms in India that can sell thousands of headphones using a brand name that has been painstakingly built up over decades. This is due to a large portfolio that spans multiple price ranges, starting at Rs. 590 and up to Rs. 41,990.

The Rs. 990 MDR-ZX110 is one of Sony's most popular on-ear models, as well as one of its cheapest. The ZX110 is a budget champion and one of India's best-selling personal audio devices, with Sony's distinctive design. Is Sony capable of delivering on such a tight budget?

Image credit: sony.com

Sony ZX Series MDRZX110/BLK Design, Specifications and Comfort 

From afar, the Sony MDR-ZX110 appears posh and expensive, with a blend of matte and gloss finishes on the body that looks more quality than anything else we've seen at this price. Up close, though, it appears to be entirely budget. The plastic is thin and bendy, and it does not appear or feel like it can withstand a lot of damage, so it should be handled with care.

 

The ear cups twist inwards into the headband of this headset, which is a fairly interesting folding mechanism. When not in use, this makes the MDR-ZX110 a little simpler to store. The Sony MDR-ZX110 also boasts 30mm dynamic drivers with a frequency response range of 12-22,000Hz, a 24Ohms impedance, and a sensitivity rating of 98dB. Although the MDR-ZX110 lacks an inbuilt mic and remote control, Sony offers a virtually comparable variant, the MDR-ZX110AP, for Rs. 700 extra.

 

The ear cups contain only a smidgeon of cushioning, but it's enough for an acceptable on-ear fit. Although the headband is not cushioned, it is well-designed and feels secure and pleasant when worn. The MDR-ZX110 also boasts a robust, durable cable that appears to be capable of withstanding a lot of abuse. The 1.2m cable divides into two distinct and relatively flat wires beyond the Y-splitter, which aren't nearly as strong as the lower part. The cable's shape and thickness make it slightly tangle-resistant and tremendously noise-resistant. Apart from the flimsiness, we like how the Sony MDR-ZX110 looks and feels in general.

image credit: sony.com

 

 

Sony ZX Series MDRZX110/BLK Performance 

We completed the majority of our testing with an Android smartphone because the Sony MDR-ZX110 is an entry-level on-ear headset. We also tested it with a Windows laptop and our Fiio X1 high-resolution audio player. Somnambulist by BT, To U by Skrillex and Diplo, and Circles by Passenger were the review's focus tunes.
 
Starting with the bass-heavy Somnambulist, we discovered that the Sony MDR-ZX110 produced a meaty sound with a strong focus on low-end assault. The bass might be overbearing at times, but because to the loose fit, it's typically within control. The audio character has been tweaked to emphasize the lows, resulting in a very warm sound. This can be seen in the lower-mid ranges as well, but there is a noticeable sensitivity loss as the frequency range progresses.

Next, we played To U, which, although being a dubstep tune, has a lot of mid-range and depth to offer. While the Sony headset excels in low-end quality, it falters as it progresses up the spectrum. Even at this price, the result is a sound that isn't nearly as wide and detailed as we'd like. At this budget, other items like the Sennheiser HD180 provide more detail, so the MDR-ZX110 isn't something we'd suggest if you're searching for acoustic clarity.

Finally, with Circles, we kept our eyes and ears peeled for imagery and soundstaging opportunities. While the Sony's sound has a rich and forceful presentation, it lacks openness and breadth. Instead of being adequately spaced out, the sound stage feels limited and localised. The MDR-ZX110, on the other hand, does a good job of making your music immersive and engaging, especially if you prefer bassy and aggressive headphones.

 

 

Final Verdict

The Sony MDR-ZX110 may look fine and maintain the customary Sony style, but it lacks the build quality that has made Sony a popular headphone option. It has a cheap feel to it, and during our time with the review unit, we were always concerned about damage. It does, however, provide an immersive, rich sound that excels at handling bass. Detail and clarity lose a little, but at this price, bass heads won't have much to complain about. The Sony MDR-ZX110 should be on your wish list if you're seeking for a set of on-ears with strong assault and drive for around Rs. 1,000.

 

Pros and Cons of Sony ZX Series MDRZX110/BLK 

Pros

• On-ear design that is both comfortable and stylish
• Excellent low-end responsiveness
• Strong cable
• The sound is rich and lively.

 

Cons

• Mids and highs are weak.
• Flimsy Build