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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you're on a strict budget and primarily need headphones for casual music listening, the Sony MDR-ZX110, being less expensive and foldable with good music quality, can suffice. However, the TUSQ, with a replaceable boom mic, offers better mic and build quality, making it suitable for gaming and clear calls. If portability and gaming are priorities, despite a higher price, the Steelseries TUSQ would be a better choice due to their better durability, comfort, and built-in controls. Neither are optimal for exercise or travel due to poor noise isolation and portability, respectively. 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 Sony MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the Steelseries TUSQ.
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
5.9
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.0
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the Steelseries TUSQ is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Cost
$10
$40
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Sony MDR-ZX110 has a price of $10 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $40.
Build Quality
6.0
8.0
The Steelseries TUSQ has very 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 Steelseries TUSQ are both good for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.3
4.7
The Steelseries TUSQ and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
6.9
7.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Steelseries TUSQ to be good for TV and video, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair.
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How the Sony MDR-ZX110 and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony MDR-ZX110 | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$10 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2015 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.9/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 3.9/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 119.9 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
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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.
About Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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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