Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.0/5 (#45 and #46 of 134 over-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($77.09 vs $78), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the Sony MDR-ZX310: A preference score of 82 is strong for a budget headphone, and the response stays within 2.4 dB of the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement. The catch: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 17.5 dB under target, so deep bass is effectively missing, and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is also 2.2 dB low.
Why pick the Yamaha RH5Ma: A preference score of 82 with extra bass, 2.5 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz, gives a warm, punchy sound with a bit of body in the low mids. The tradeoff: Treble is about 5.6 dB above target, with a peak near 8.9 dB at 8.4 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance can be sharp.
Buy the Sony MDR-ZX310 or the Yamaha RH5Ma on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony MDR-ZX310 | Yamaha RH5Ma | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $77.09 | $78.00 |
| Ranked | #45 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #46 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.35 dB standard deviation | 2.44 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 24 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 98 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (125 g) | 0.4 lbs (163 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sony MDR-ZX310 compares with other leading options:
- Mackie MC-250 vs Sony MDR-ZX310
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
- AKG K612 Pro vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
- AKG K612 Pro vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Philips SHP9500
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Sony MDR-ZX310: $77.09 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 82 is strong for a budget headphone, and the response stays within 2.4 dB of the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement. Midrange tracks target closely, within about 1 dB, for natural vocals. At 125 g with 24 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity, it is light and runs loud from any phone, and the closed back blocks some noise.
Cons: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 17.5 dB under target, so deep bass is effectively missing, and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is also 2.2 dB low. A dip of nearly 11 dB near 11 kHz and weak treble make music sound dull and closed in. Choose the Sony MDR-7506 for a similar rating with a brighter, more detailed sound.
Full Sony MDR-ZX310 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.35 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 24 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (125 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 724 Hz | -2.8 dB | 1.72 |
| Peak | 96 Hz | -3.6 dB | 1.74 |
| Peak | 6,049 Hz | +3.8 dB | 4.85 |
| Peak | 8,517 Hz | +3.2 dB | 1.24 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,404 Hz | +2.7 dB | 4.42 |
| Peak | 1,831 Hz | -2.5 dB | 4.16 |
| Peak | 3,462 Hz | -1.9 dB | 4.76 |
| Peak | 4,584 Hz | +1.8 dB | 5.09 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha RH5Ma: $78.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 82 with extra bass, 2.5 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz, gives a warm, punchy sound with a bit of body in the low mids. At 163 g with 32 ohms and 98 dB/mW, it is light, closed-back and easy to drive from a phone or laptop.
Cons: Treble is about 5.6 dB above target, with a peak near 8.9 dB at 8.4 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance can be sharp. A 7.5 dB dip near 4.3 kHz recesses vocal presence, and sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 4.6 dB low. The deviation of 2.4 dB is among the least even in its group.
Full Yamaha RH5Ma review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.44 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (163 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.8 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 77 Hz | -5.9 dB | 0.62 |
| Peak | 863 Hz | +4.6 dB | 2.37 |
| Peak | 8,259 Hz | -4.7 dB | 2.01 |
| Peak | 2,447 Hz | +2.1 dB | 2.39 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,968 Hz | -3.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,244 Hz | +2.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 444 Hz | -1.8 dB | 4.31 |
| Peak | 329 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.10 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples