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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're seeking versatility and advanced features, the JBL Live Buds 3, which are wireless with active noise cancelling, a smart charging case, touch controls, and optimized for both Android and Apple, could be for you, though they come at a premium price. They're well-suited for exercise and travel, with good noise isolation and sweatproof certification, but may not be the best for gaming or watching TV due to likely latency issues. Alternatively, the Sony MDR-ZX110 headphones are much less expensive, wired, and foldable for easy transport, but they lack many of the modern features found in the JBLs, such as app customization and wireless capabilities, and offer lower sound and build quality without noise cancelling. If cost is a major factor and you need a simple, no-frills option, the Sonys may suffice, but for a comprehensive, high-quality audio experience, you might find the JBLs to be a better investment. 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 JBL Live Buds 3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Buds 3.
Key differences
Phone Calls
5.2
3.0
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
4.3
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
6.9
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Sony MDR-ZX110 does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$10
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Buds 3 has a price of $216 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
Build Quality
8.5
6.0
The JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
7.6
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both good for music.
Gaming
5.4
5.9
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and JBL Live Buds 3 are both poor for gaming.
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How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 3 | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $10 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | July 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 3.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 119.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Sony MDR-ZX110
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Dig into reviews and images
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 JBL Live Buds 3 or the Sony MDR-ZX110
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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
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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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