We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want to revive or upgrade a pair of large, round-cup over-ear headphones you already own, choose BRAINWAVZ XL; if you need a complete, ready-to-go noise-cancelling headphone for commuting and travel, choose SONY MDR-ZX110NC. They aren't really rivals — one is a set of replacement earpads, the other is a finished wired headphone — so the right pick comes down to what you actually need.
• BRAINWAVZ XL — biggest strength: XL-size memory foam pads with a large mounting flap that fit a long list of round-cup headphones, so you can bring worn-out cans back to life.
• BRAINWAVZ XL — biggest trade-off: It's not a headphone. You need an existing compatible pair, and you have to fit the pads yourself.
• SONY MDR-ZX110NC — biggest strength: Active noise cancellation that Sony says cuts ambient noise by up to 95%, plus up to 80 hours of playback from a single AAA battery.
• SONY MDR-ZX110NC — biggest trade-off: It's a renewed on-ear model with a fixed 4 ft cable, so it's less of an upgrade project and more of a self-contained commuter tool.
• Who each is for: Tinkerers and owners of large over-ear headphones → BRAINWAVZ XL. Travelers who just want to block out noise → SONY MDR-ZX110NC.
The BRAINWAVZ XL is a replacement earpad set, not a headphone. It's built around high-grade memory foam wrapped in protein PU leather, and it's sized "XL" — thicker and larger than most stock pads. That matters if your current headphones have flattened, cracked or uncomfortable cushions. Swapping pads is one of the cheapest, most noticeable comfort upgrades you can make, and these are designed to be durable and long-lasting, hand-made and individually checked before packing. Brainwavz even positions them as better quality than a lot of the stock pads that ship on high-end headphones — a bold claim, but the material spec backs the intent.
The real selling point is fit range. The large mounting flap on the rear is designed to work across many different pad-mounting systems, and Brainwavz lists compatibility with a wide spread of round-cup models: AKG K550/K553/K612/K712/Q701/K7XX, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x-style cups like the ATH-900X and ATH-AD series, Beyerdynamic DT770/DT880/DT990, HiFiMan HE4XX and HE-560, plus Superlux HD668B/HD681, Samson SR850, Monoprice M1060, JVC HA-RX700 and more. If your headphones are on that list, these pads are a natural fit.
Who should buy it: anyone with a compatible large over-ear headphone whose pads are worn, or anyone who wants a thicker, plusher, more isolating feel without buying new headphones. Who should skip it: people who don't own a matching pair, anyone who wants a plug-and-play headphone, and owners of small on-ear or uniquely shaped cups that aren't in the compatibility list. The item measures roughly 4.33 x 1.18 x 4.33 inches, so it's genuinely a large round pad — check your cup size before ordering.
The SONY MDR-ZX110NC is a finished, wired on-ear headphone with active noise cancellation. Sony's signal processing is designed to reduce ambient noise from offices, planes and trains by up to 95%, which is the headline feature. It runs on a single AAA battery and Sony rates playback at up to 80 hours — that's a genuinely long stretch, and it means you're not charging nightly. If the battery dies, you can still use it as a standard wired headphone, which is a smart fallback for a travel pair.
The audio side uses 30mm dynamic drivers with neodymium magnets for a full frequency response, and the ear cushions are pressure-relieving for longer sessions. The earcups swivel and fold compact, so it packs down easily. Connectivity is a 3.5mm jack with a gold-plated L-shaped plug and a 4 ft cord — the L-shape is a small but practical detail that reduces strain at the socket on a phone or laptop.
One important note: this is sold as a renewed premium unit, which means it's a refurbished item rather than brand new, and it carries a 1-year warranty. That's worth weighing if you prefer factory-sealed gear. Who should buy it: commuters, students, flyers and anyone who wants one self-contained headphone that quiets the world without fuss. Who should skip it: people who want wireless, anyone who dislikes on-ear pressure, and buyers who specifically want new rather than renewed.
• Best for reviving old headphones → BRAINWAVZ XL. If you already own compatible cans, new pads are the cheapest way to transform comfort.
• Best for noise cancellation → SONY MDR-ZX110NC. Active noise cancellation rated to cut up to 95% of ambient noise is something the pads simply can't offer.
• Best for battery life → SONY MDR-ZX110NC. Up to 80 hours on one AAA, and it still works passively when the battery runs out.
• Best for comfort on large over-ears → BRAINWAVZ XL. Memory foam, XL thickness and PU leather are aimed squarely at long-session comfort.
• Best for travel and portability → SONY MDR-ZX110NC. Swiveling, folding earcups and a 4 ft cable make it the grab-and-go option.
• Best for setup simplicity → SONY MDR-ZX110NC. It works out of the box; the pads require you to remove and refit them.
• Best for material upgrade feel → BRAINWAVZ XL. A thicker, plusher pad can feel like a step up from thin stock foam.
• Best for buyers who want one complete product → SONY MDR-ZX110NC. The BRAINWAVZ XL only makes sense if you already have headphones to put it on.
In my opinion, these two don't compete head-to-head — they solve different problems. If you already own a compatible large over-ear headphone and its pads are tired, I'd buy the BRAINWAVZ XL, because refreshed memory foam is the most direct comfort upgrade for the money. If you need one finished headphone that cancels noise on a commute and runs for ages on a AAA, I'd buy the SONY MDR-ZX110NC instead. Match the pick to your situation, and check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
FAQ
Just earpads. It's a replacement/upgrade set of memory foam pads for compatible large round-cup over-ear headphones — you need an existing pair to use them.
Yes. Sony states it can be used as standard headphones without the battery, so you're not stranded when the AAA runs out.
Sony rates playback at up to 80 hours from a single AAA battery, which is a long runtime for a noise-cancelling wired headphone.
Only if your model has large round cups and is on the compatibility list. The pads measure about 4.33 x 1.18 x 4.33 inches with a large rear mounting flap, so check your cup size first.
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