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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro headphones offer better overall sound quality and are suitable for music listening, with a good soundstage. They have an open enclosure which provides a more natural sound atmosphere but offers less noise isolation. Their on-ear, foldable design, and lightweight make them portable and comfortable for long listening sessions, though they might not be the best for exercise or travel due to poor noise isolation and no sweatproof or dustproof features. On the other hand, the Sony MDR-ZX110 is a more budget-friendly option, with a closed enclosure that provides better passive noise isolation, making them a bit more versatile for various environments, although the comfort and sound quality may not match the Koss Porta Pro. Neither model supports wireless connectivity, app customization, or active noise cancelling, and both have a similar cable length without the option for a detachable cable. Choose the Koss Porta Pro if sound quality and comfort are your priorities and you typically listen in quiet environments. Opt for the Sony MDR-ZX110 if you're looking for a more affordable, closed-back headphone that offers better noise isolation for use in noisier environments. 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 Koss Porta Pro
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the Koss Porta Pro.
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is good.
Phone Calls
4.3
3.0
The Koss Porta Pro and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the Koss Porta Pro is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
4.3
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
6.9
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Cost
$49
$10
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.4
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Koss Porta Pro to be only fair for gaming, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Build Quality
6.0
6.0
The Koss Porta Pro and Sony MDR-ZX110 both have only fair build quality.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $10 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | July 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 119.9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Koss Porta Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphones.com
Sebastian Taboada | February 2022
"It’s clear to see why these have been such a popular choice amongst listeners for nearly four decades. It’s a charming pair of headphones that delivers a truly enjoyable listening experience and one that I think punches well above its weight."
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 Koss Porta Pro or the Sony MDR-ZX110
About Koss
Koss is an American headphone manufacturer established in 1953. In 1958, they created the first set of stereophones, that is headphones with stereo sound, and in 1984 they released the world-famous Porta Pro, a set of on-ear headphones that has remained essentially unchanged for more than 30 years and that is still made, sold and loved by many audio enthusiasts around the world today.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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