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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you appreciate better overall sound quality and use your headphones for music and gaming, the Koss Porta Pro would be a great choice, though they have an open enclosure type which means they leak sound and offer less noise isolation. However, they're rated higher for comfort and have a microphone for calls, which the Sony MDR-ZX110 lacks. Alternatively, if you're on a budget and prefer headphones that are more closed off from external sounds, and you don't mind sacrificing some sound quality and comfort, the Sony MDR-ZX110 could be the better option. Both options are wired and similar in terms of lacking water resistance and active noise cancelling. 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 (with mic)
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the Koss Porta Pro (with mic).
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is good.
Gaming
8.2
5.9
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.1
3.0
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
4.3
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) 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 (with mic) are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Cost
$60
$10
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has a price of $60 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
6.0
6.0
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Sony MDR-ZX110 both have only fair build quality.
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How the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro (with mic) | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $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 | 6.2/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 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 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
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 | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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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 (with mic) 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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