Apple EarPods (USB-C) vs Sony MDR-ZX110
Quick take: The Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $7 less.
| Spec | Apple EarPods (USB-C) | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$17 | ~$10 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wired & Studio | Wired & Studio |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | — | — |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | — | — |
| Codecs | — | — |
| Bluetooth | — | — |
| Multipoint | No | No |
| Driver Size | — | 30 mm |
| Weight | — | 120 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | No | No |
Pros & cons
Apple EarPods (USB-C)
- ✓Built-in DAC in the USB-C plug drives full volume
- ✓Inline mic beats most Bluetooth buds for calls
- ✓Seventeen dollars — effectively disposable without guilt
- ✓No tips to fuss with or lose
- ✓Open fit keeps traffic and coworkers audible
- ✓Works with any USB-C phone, iPad, or laptop
- ✗Bass is thin unless they happen to fit
- ✗Zero isolation on buses and planes
- ✗One-size fit is love-it-or-hate-it
- ✗Cable longevity is fine, not endless
- ✗USB-C only — older iPhones and jacks excluded
Sony MDR-ZX110
- ✓Absurd price-to-performance — regularly under $15 from a major brand
- ✓Warm, punchy bass and clear mids that beat everything else at this price
- ✓Very light at 120g with a fold-flat swivel design for travel
- ✓24-ohm impedance means full volume from any phone or laptop
- ✓Durable for the price — owners report years of daily abuse
- ✓Tangle-resistant 1.2m Y-cord with L-shaped plug
- ✗Thin on-ear pads get uncomfortable after an hour, especially on larger heads
- ✗Treble is rolled off and can sound harsh at high volume
- ✗No mic or inline remote (that's the ZX110AP variant)
- ✗Non-detachable cable — when it frays, the headphone is done
- ✗Essentially zero noise isolation