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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless freedom and active noise cancelling for distractions-free listening, go for the JBL Live Free NC+; they're also suitable for exercise given they're sweatproof and have a secure fit. On the other hand, if you're on a tight budget and don't mind a wired connection, Sony MDR-ZX110 might serve you well for casual listening. The JBL has better overall sound quality and is good for calls and meetings, but if you won't use the wireless and noise-cancelling features often, you might not find the extra cost justified. The JBL is also better fitted for air travel with its compact, portable design. However, remember that the Sony's on-ear form may not be as comfortable for long periods compared to the in-ear JBL. 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 Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.6
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
5.9
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.6
3.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
4.3
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
6.9
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
5.3
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDR-ZX110 does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$10
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
Build Quality
8.5
6.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $10 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | July 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 3.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | 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 | 7.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 119.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
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 Free NC+ 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 Chowdhury
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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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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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