Alex Bracetti/CNN Underscored
Headphones are an funding. The pricier they’re, the extra feature-filled and premium they’re, as demonstrated by upmarket fashions just like the category-leading Sony WH-1000XM5. However not all of us have $400 to splurge on Sony headphones. Fortunately, you don’t must go broke to get Sony sound. Take the $20 Sony ZX Sequence, for instance.
Are these a super-cheap various to Sony’s flagship noise-canceling headphones? Completely not. The ZX sequence doesn’t have lively noise cancellation or any of the bells and whistles featured on most model choices priced above $50. They’re additionally wired.
So what precisely makes these $20 headphones particular? I needed to hear for myself, and what I heard was participating sound with deep bass and dynamic frequency vary that many reasonably priced choices fail to match. Let me inform you why the Sony ZX headphones are my favourite finances headphones.
These wired headphones are a terrific worth for model fanatics that need wealthy bass-heavy sound at an unbeatable worth.
Alex Bracetti/CNN Underscored
An Amazon advert on Fb launched me to the product. Sony headphones for beneath $20 sound like a steal, so I reached out to the corporate and was despatched the MDR-ZX110AP (with mic) in black.
My experiences with Sony headphones have been satisfying. I’m in settlement with our editors in regards to the WH-1000XM5 being the perfect over-ear headphones total. The not too long ago launched $150 Sony WH-CH720N are additionally good and ship near-flagship sound and noise cancellation for a cut price. Now, I can add the ZX Sequence to the corporate’s checklist of high performers.
The MDR-ZX110AP received’t blow you away with hair-raising bass or immersive audio like Sony’s dearer fashions. Nevertheless, they sound superior to most sub-$100 wired headphones.
Sound is flat proper out of the field, however well-balanced. The emphasised low-end provides music an lively presence. I used to be rocking out to Kool & The Gang’s “Hollywood Swinging” and liked the reverberation that got here from the funky bass line. It was impactful and didn’t bloat up the soundscape. The guitar strums had a pleasant impact to them. Horns had been vibrant. Even the shouting vocals on the hook sounded clear sufficient to listen to the totally different background harmonies.
Sound high quality was nice on Apple Music and Spotify, however the headphones couldn’t deal with Tidal’s hi-res recordings. MQA tracks (Grasp High quality Authenticated) engineered for prime decision appeared like commonplace tracks on Spotify. Pairing the MDR-ZX110AP with a transportable DAC (digital-to-analog converter) boosted efficiency on all streaming companies. Readability and quantity elevated, and particulars had been extra clear on MQA tracks. My alternative of DAC was the Questyle M15 for its moveable comfort and excellent Hello-Fi audio on cell units, although the headphones will work with any DAC.
Alex Bracetti/CNN Underscored
The controls are primary, with a multifunctional button module constructed into the wire. A single press will play/pause music or reply/decline calls, whereas a double press skips a observe and triple press performs the earlier observe. Holding down the button permits the digital assistant. You learn that appropriately: These headphones work with Siri or Google Assistant. That is the primary cause for getting the mic model. I examined the characteristic on my MacBook Professional and OnePlus 11 and each Apple and Google’s AI bots executed voice instructions with ease.
Consolation was satisfactory. There isn’t a lot padding on the earcups or headband, however what’s there offers sufficient cushioning to put on the headphones sporadically all through the day. I like that the ear pads may be swapped out for third-party pads. You’ll wish to hold these bookmarked in case Sony’s pads begin to deteriorate otherwise you wish to customise the MDR-ZX110AP’s look; black headphones with white earpads are trendy.
Alex Bracetti/CNN Underscored
On-ear headphones have a poor repute in terms of noise isolation. By design, they don’t cowl all the ear, leaving room for exterior sounds to enter your music. The MDR-ZX110AP don’t fully block out noise, however they don’t let in an entire lot both. I didn’t hear a lot ambient noise when listening to music on my balcony. Conversations close to the pool space had been principally silent. Often, I’d hear a canine barking from one other balcony or some minor development within the backyard, however nothing too distracting.
I might nitpick a number of different issues in regards to the MDR-ZX110AP, from a budget plastic design to the dearth of a carrying bag. These are unfair criticisms when factoring in worth. What I’ll complain about is wire sturdiness. It’s not horrible, nevertheless it might have been executed higher. The underside half is dual-wired, then it splits someplace within the center to hook up with every earcup. One tough yank will rip them out.
Apart from that, the MDR-ZX110AP show their value, which is increased than their MSRP implies. Connecting them to an reasonably priced DAC is a sensible resolution for audiophiles wanting extra sound from these cans with out breaking the financial institution. Merely said, they’re spectacular headphones that serve effectively as a backup pair when your main wi-fi headphones break or want recharging.
