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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Sony MDR ZX600 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£60Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR ZX600 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony MDR ZX600
6.0/10

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

80%

5.5

Technical score

20%

8.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 59% of headphones
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 59%
5.5

Technical score

Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components

52%

6.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 72%
8.1

User score

User score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 72% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

7.1

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–²Better than 72%
  • sony-mdr-zx600
sony-mdr-zx600
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony MDR ZX600

Technical score
Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components:

52%

6.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.5
User score
User score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 72% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

7.1

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.1
Popularity
Popularity
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 65% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR ZX600 has a popularity score of 7.1 points, which is higher than that of 65.4% of products in this category.
7.1
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
6 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 6 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 84.5% of headphones and equal to 1.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
170 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 170 g, lighter than 64.1% of headphones and equal to 1.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
5.3
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 5.3, higher clamp force than 72.3% of headphones and equal to 6.5% of headphones.
Show more

Sony MDR ZX600 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 12 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (6 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    6 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 22% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (170 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    170 g vs 218 g
  • 5,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 2 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 14 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (124 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    124 dB vs 110 dB
  • 22% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (170 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    170 g vs 218 g
  • 12 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (6 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    6 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 5,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 2 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 14 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (124 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    124 dB vs 110 dB
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 30 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    30 mm vs 60 mm
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 11 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (33 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    33 mm vs 44 mm
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (5.3 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    5.3 vs 4.3
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 30 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    30 mm vs 60 mm
  • 11 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (33 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    33 mm vs 44 mm
  • 1 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (5.3 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    5.3 vs 4.3
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    April 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

7.0
TechManZ
≈ estimated
13/11/2017
Long-term review · four years of ownership and gym use
Verdict
Sony MDR-ZX600 is dated, with good bass, but only worth buying cheaply given its plastic build and discomfort.
9.0
Zaxper
≈ estimated
22/01/2015
Hands-on review · long-term ownership
Verdict
Sony MDR-ZX600 delivers excellent sound and comfort for under a hundred, but weak headband stitching is its main flaw.
9.0
learn.
≈ estimated
22/07/2012
Hands-on review · one week of use and sound tests
Verdict
Sony MDR-ZX600 is well built and comfortable, with punchy sound that is a strong pick for bass-focused listening at this price.
8.0
learn.
≈ estimated
02/07/2012
First impressions · unboxing and quick sound test
Verdict
Sony MDR-ZX600 is quite good for the price, though a longer test is still to come.
9.0
OAWALKER
≈ estimated
12/06/2013
First look · unboxing and first listen
Verdict
Sony MDR-ZX600 is definitely worth buying for stylish, comfortable headphones with clear sound and strong bass.
Overview video
Overview video
Overview video
Hands-on video, no verdict

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony MDR ZX600

  • Good sound quality with rich bass and clear mids for the price
  • Stylish and attractive design with multiple color options
  • Affordable price offering great value for money
  • Lightweight and compact build (170g)
  • Comfortable ear pads and secure fit for many users
  • Flat, tangle-resistant cable is durable and convenient
  • Ear cups swivel and fold flat for improved portability

What customers don't like about Sony MDR ZX600

  • Lack of padding on the headband can cause discomfort during long sessions
  • Materials can feel thin or cheap, especially on the headband and ear pads
  • Prone to creaking noises from the plastic construction
  • Ear pads may flake or wear out after extended daily use
  • High frequencies lack sparkle or detail compared to premium models
  • Some users find the sound slightly 'muffled' or 'muddy' at high volumes
  • Single-button remote lacks volume control or track skipping on some versions

Verdict

The Sony MDR-ZX600 is a pair of lightweight, on-ear wired headphones featuring 40mm neodymium drivers that deliver a wide frequency response of 6 Hz to 25,000 Hz with a sensitivity of 104 dB/mW and 40-ohm impedance. Known for their stylish design with aluminium accents, these closed-back dynamic headphones use a 1.2m tangle-resistant flat cord and swivel-fold earcups for improved portability. The main pros include clear high-quality sound, durable build quality, and comfortable padded earcups at an affordable price point. However, notable cons include occasional sound leakage at high volumes, a lack of in-line volume controls, and potential discomfort or warmth during extended listening sessions.

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