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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X offers a 'Very Good' overall sound quality, better for music with a 'Good' score compared to the Sony MDR-ZX110's 'Good' sound quality score, and is suitable for TV and video with a 'Good' score; however, they're noted for 'Poor' comfort and lack wireless capabilities. The Sony MDR-ZX110 has a 'Fair' sound quality rating and might not be as immersive, but it is more portable due to being lighter and foldable, which might be better if you're on the go. Neither have particularly standout features for calls, meetings, or games, and both lack active noise cancelling, so if you're in noisy environments often or need a reliable microphone, you may want to consider other options. 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the Audio Technica ATH M20X.
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.3
3.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the Audio Technica ATH M20X is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
4.3
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
6.9
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Cost
$49
$5
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $5.
Build Quality
6.9
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Sony MDR-ZX110 both have only fair build quality, though the Audio Technica ATH M20X has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.6
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both good for music.
Gaming
6.2
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audio Technica ATH M20X to be only fair for gaming, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $5 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | July 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 3.9/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 119.9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Sony MDR-ZX110
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Audio.org
Audio.org | December 2022
"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 Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Sony MDR-ZX110
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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.
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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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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.
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