Grado GW100x vs Sony MDR-ZX310AP: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Grado GW100x vs Sony MDR-ZX310AP, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

On-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Grado GW100x leads on 6 of 6 measures.

Grado GW100x
Sony MDR-ZX310AP

HearWiki score

Sound

8.5

Battery

8.0

Calls

6.0

Value

7.5

Price (USD)

$280

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

GW100x2022
MDR-ZX310APYear unknown

Specifications

GW100xMDR-ZX310AP

Type: On-Ear; On-Ear
Price (USD): $280; -
HearWiki score: 78; Not scored
Released: 2022; -
Driver: 44 mm dynamic; 30 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 44 mm; 30 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 10 Hz - 24 kHz
Impedance: 38 Ω; 24 Ω
Sensitivity: 99.8 dB/mW; 98 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.2; -
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive; -
Multipoint pairing: Yes; -
Wireless range: 10 m; -
Battery life: 46 h; -
Full charge time: 120 min; -
Active noise cancelling: No; -
ANC type: none; -
Transparency mode: No; -
Companion app: No; -
Custom EQ: No; -
Wear detection: No; -
Controls: touch; -
Weight: 188 g; 125 g
Water resistance: none; -
USB-C: Yes; -
Connector: 3.5 mm; -
Microphones: 1; 1
Microphone type: -; electret
Mic sensitivity: -42 dBV; -

Specification comparison of Grado GW100x vs Sony MDR-ZX310AP
Spec	Grado GW100x	Sony MDR-ZX310AP
Type	On-Ear	On-Ear
Price (USD)	$280	-
HearWiki score	78 / 100 Great	Not scored
Released	2022	-
Audio
Driver	44 mm dynamic	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	44 mm	30 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	10 Hz - 24 kHz
Impedance	38 Ω	24 Ω
Sensitivity	99.8 dB/mW	98 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.2	-
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive	-
Multipoint pairing	Yes	-
Wireless range	10 m	-
Battery
Battery life	46 h	-
Full charge time	120 min	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	-
ANC type	none	-
Transparency mode	No	-
Companion app	No	-
Custom EQ	No	-
Wear detection	No	-
Controls	touch	-
Design
Weight	188 g	125 g
Water resistance	none	-
USB-C	Yes	-
Connector	3.5 mm	-
Calls
Microphones	1	1
Microphone type	-	electret
Mic sensitivity	-42 dBV	-

What reviewers said

Grado GW100x

The Grado GW100x are open-back wireless on-ear headphones that prioritize sound quality above all, delivering detailed audio through their large 44mm drivers. With an impressive 46-hour battery life and support for aptX Adaptive, they are a strong choice for audiophiles who value stamina and performance. However, they come with a bare-bones feature set, lacking ANC, app support, and any EQ customization, which may deter users seeking modern conveniences.

Pro:Excellent sound quality for wireless headphones
Pro:Long 46-hour battery life
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable design

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:Minimal features with no app support or EQ
Con:Open-back design leaks sound and lets in ambient noise

Sony MDR-ZX310AP

No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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