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Updated April 11, 2024· Prices updated 24 hours ago
If budget is a top concern and you prefer wired over wireless, the Sony MDR-ZX110 could be the better choice for you, but keep in mind they have poor comfort, mic and build quality, which may affect long-term use. On the other hand, the Sony WH-CH520 is wireless, has a better comfort rating, superior microphone quality for calls, and supports virtual surround sound, improving your experience for gaming and TV. Although it costs more, the WH-CH520 has longer battery life and provides more modern features such as app equalization and control customization. If you often travel or exercise with your headphones, the WH-CH520's active noise cancelling and better build could be beneficial, but if portability is a priority, the foldable design of the MDR-ZX110 might suit you better. Give Feedback
At the time of writing the Sony MDR-ZX110 cost $10 and the Sony WH-CH520 cost $45. The Sony WH-CH520 has dropped in price by $5.
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-CH520.
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.9
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.0
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.3
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
TV and Video
6.9
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
4.6
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Sony WH-CH520 are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The Sony MDR-ZX110 does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$10
$40
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Sony MDR-ZX110 has a price of $10 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
6.0
7.0
The Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.6
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Sony WH-CH520 are both good for music.
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How the Sony MDR-ZX110 and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
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Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony MDR-ZX110 | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$10 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2015 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 3.9/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 119.9 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
Sony WH-CH520
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
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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
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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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