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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality, especially for music, the Etymotic ER2SE is a strong choice, and its excellent noise isolation is advantageous for quieter environments. However, they come with a higher price tag, and they aren't as comfortable for long periods. Their closed, stemless earbud design is compact but not suited for exercise, and their built-in controls are limited. The Sony MDR-ZX110, on the other hand, is budget-friendly and foldable for better portability, though it offers poorer overall sound quality, comfort, and noise isolation. The MDR-ZX110 is not as durable as the Etymotic ER2SE and lacks features like a detachable cable and active noise cancelling. Both options have a wired connection and are subpar choices for gaming or TV due to latency, and neither is sweatproof or dustproof for rugged outdoor activities. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- 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 Etymotic ER2SE.
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is good.
Phone Calls
4.9
3.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
6.9
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Cost
$100
$10
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.2
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER2SE to be only fair for gaming, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $10 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | July 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 3.9/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 119.9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
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 Etymotic ER2SE or the Sony MDR-ZX110
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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