How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a familiar on-ear headphone with a closed-back design and punchy bass for music on the go, choose Sony ZX Series; if you need an open-ear set that keeps you aware of your surroundings while staying comfortable for hours, choose Avantree Resolve -3.5mm.
• Sony ZX Series – biggest strength: A closed-back on-ear design with 30 mm dynamic drivers, a wide 12 Hz–22 kHz range, cushioned earpads, swiveling earcups, and an inline mic and remote on a 1.2 m tangle-resistant cable.
• Sony ZX Series – biggest trade-off: It's a wired-only, on-ear headphone, so it seals sound in and blocks some of your surroundings — not ideal if you need to stay aware of what's happening around you.
• Avantree Resolve -3.5mm – biggest strength: An open-ear earhook design that rests outside your ears, comes in a Small & Large size set, and includes full inline controls and a built-in mic for calls.
• Avantree Resolve -3.5mm – biggest trade-off: Its open-ear nature means lighter bass by design, and the 3.5 mm AUX plug won't work with Lightning or USB-C-only devices.
• Who each is for: Sony ZX Series suits listeners who want an enclosed, music-first experience at a desk, on a commute, or on a flight. Avantree Resolve -3.5mm suits people who want comfort and awareness all day — at the office, walking the dog, or listening at home without tuning the world out.
The Sony ZX Series (model MDR-ZX110AP, white) is a wired on-ear headphone built around a simple idea: seal in the sound and make it easy to carry. The closed-back, cushioned earpads create an enclosed listening space, which is exactly what you want when the goal is to focus on music rather than the room around you. Its 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers are tuned for a punchy, rhythmic response, and the stated 12 Hz to 22 kHz frequency range means the design reaches down for deep bass while still covering rich mids and clear highs. If your playlists lean on bass-heavy tracks, this is the kind of tuning that keeps them lively.
Who should buy it: Someone who wants one wired headphone for music, podcasts, and the occasional call, values a closed-back design for a more private listen, and likes the idea of folding earcups for travel. It's also a sensible pick if you already have a device with a standard 3.5 mm jack and don't want to think about charging anything.
Who should skip it: If you need to hear traffic, coworkers, or a doorbell while you listen, the sealed on-ear design works against you. And if your phone is USB-C or Lightning only, you'll need an adapter, because this is a straight 3.5 mm wired headphone with no wireless mode.
Avantree Resolve -3.5mm: Who It's For
The Avantree Resolve -3.5mm flips the whole approach. Instead of sitting on or in your ears, it rests lightly against the outside of them, held in place by an earhook that loops around each ear. That open-ear design is the entire point: you hear your music, podcast, or call privately, yet you also hear your surroundings at the same time. There's no plug jammed into your ear canal, so there's no pressure or pain building up over a long day. If you've ever pulled out regular earbuds after two hours because your ears ached, this is the design meant to fix that.
The Resolve-SET is genuinely thoughtful about fit. It ships with two sizes: Small-Medium for ear lengths under 2.5 inches and Large for ear lengths over 2.5 inches. That means one purchase can cover different people in a household — a nice option for sharing with family or friends. The earhook holds the earpieces firmly over your external ears so they stay put as you move around, which makes them a reasonable companion for walking, light outdoor use, or moving between rooms at home.
Who should buy it: Office workers, walkers, dog owners, and anyone who wants background audio with full awareness of their environment. It also suits people with sensitive ear canals, and households that want one set that fits both small and large ears.
Who should skip it: If deep bass is your priority, or if your device only has USB-C or Lightning, this isn't the right version for you.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for bass and a music-first listen → Sony ZX Series. The closed-back design and 12 Hz–22 kHz range are built for a fuller, punchier sound.
• Best for staying aware of your surroundings → Avantree Resolve -3.5mm. Open-ear design lets ambient sound in by design.
• Best for all-day comfort without ear-canal pressure → Avantree Resolve -3.5mm. It never goes inside your ear.
• Best for travel and packing → Sony ZX Series. The swiveling earcups fold for easier storage.
• Best for sharing between different people → Avantree Resolve -3.5mm. The Small & Large size set covers a wider range of ears.
• Best for a private, sealed listen → Sony ZX Series. The enfolding closed-back design seals sound in.
• Best for the widest device compatibility → Sony ZX Series. Its 3.5 mm L-shaped plug fits standard jacks, and it works with selected smartphones for calls; the Resolve also uses 3.5 mm AUX but is explicitly not compatible with Lightning or USB-C ports.
• Best for outdoor awareness and light activity → Avantree Resolve -3.5mm. The earhook keeps the earpieces in place as you move.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: do you want to shut the world out, or keep it in? If you want a private, bass-forward, music-first headphone that folds up for travel, I'd buy the Sony ZX Series. If you want all-day comfort, awareness of your surroundings, and a set that fits different ears in the same house, I'd buy the Avantree Resolve -3.5mm. Neither is universally better — they solve opposite problems. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches how you actually listen.
Yes, in my opinion. The Sony's closed-back, on-ear design and 12 Hz–22 kHz range are aimed at deep bass and a punchy response. Avantree states the open-ear Resolve has lighter bass by design, though its sound stays clear and balanced.
No. This version uses a 3.5 mm AUX plug and is not compatible with Lightning or USB-C ports. It works with devices that have a standard 3.5 mm audio jack, like older smartphones, laptops, PCs, and some tablets.
The Avantree Resolve -3.5mm is the more comfortable option for long sessions, because its open-ear earhook design never enters your ear canal, so there's no pressure or pain. The Sony ZX Series uses cushioned on-ear pads that are comfortable but do press against your ears.
Yes. The Sony ZX Series has an inline remote and built-in microphone for hands-free calls on selected smartphones. The Avantree Resolve -3.5mm has a built-in inline microphone plus in-line controls for answering and rejecting calls.
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