The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're seeking excellent music quality and don't mind investing, the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is a premium option with superior sound, especially a best-in-class soundstage, and high build quality, but requires an amplifier for optimal performance. It's large, open-back, and not suited for exercise, travel, or noisy environments due to poor noise isolation and lack of portability. The Sony MDR-ZX110 is a budget-friendly, portable choice, with fair sound quality suitable for casual listening. It’s on-ear, closed-back, more suitable for use on the go, and has a foldable design, but offers poor comfort and is not optimized for high-quality audio experiences. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audeze LCD 2 Classic
Excellent for music
Good for gaming
Very good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the Audeze LCD 2 Classic.
Key differences
Music
9.2/10
7.6/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is good.
Gaming
7.3/10
5.9/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.8/10
3.0/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7/10
4.3/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
TV and Video
8.6/10
6.9/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good for TV and video, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
5.3/10
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Cost
$799
$10
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
Build Quality
10.0/10
6.0/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
"These headphones outdo rival planar magnetic headphones, especially in terms of dynamics. Compared to the Hifiman Ananda or the Hifiman Edition XS there is noticeably more slam in the sound, particularly in the bass. The LCD-2C gives you a fantastic sense of quiet dynamics with crystalline precision. This is evident also in our clinical tests, where it’s just easier to understand spoken text at very low volumes."
"My opinion about Sony MDR ZX110 is they are the best budget headphones of Sony with top-class sound. Clear vocals, great bass, and balanced sound with low sound distortion. The treble could be sharper, but it's ok. 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers give clear and precise audio, and an inline remote with a mic give decent call quality. Closed-Back Design also helps to improve sound performance."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Sony MDR-ZX110
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
126,500
Recommendations made
18,975
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.