Sony Headphones Review – The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
The fifth-generation version of Sony’s noise-cancelling headphones looks a bit different than the previous version but they sound as excellent. The headphones are lightweight, comfortable, and come with a variety of features that include Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also have wear detection, and AI-powered DSEE Extreme upscaling audio.
The ANC is very powerful and reduces train noise to a low rumble. The pass-through option lets you to hear outside sounds when needed.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony’s headphones are consistently among the best noise cancelling over ear headphones in the market in the field of noise cancelling. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s are the same, providing one of the most satisfying experiences we’ve had using noise cancelling headphones in recent years. When you put on a pair and activating noise cancellation is like stepping into a vast cone of silence: Engine sounds, the whir of HVAC systems, the creaking metal, best noise cancelling over ear headphones even neighboring conversations are muted to an incredible degree.
The XM5s also excel on the audio aspect. Their expansive soundstage allows all elements of a song to breathe and shine. On Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy for example, the drums pound with a satisfying amount of power and weight, while soaring vocals harmonise throughout the mix.
Other features that make the XM5s stand out are their smart interactions with your smartphone. They can detect when they’re being removed from your head and stop music, they’ll notice that you’re driving on a noisy road and automatically lower the noise cancelling level and connect to two devices simultaneously to switch between them, depending on what you need urgently.
The WH-1000XM5s are also very eco-friendly. The WH-1000XM5s consist of recycled plastics, acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. Their headband is made from premium fabric. They come with a collapsible carrying case that folds to form a small pouch, and a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm accessory cable to listen in a passive mode. The ear cups are also removable for easy washing. The XM5s come with a rechargeable battery which provides up to 20-hours of playing time. They come with a rapid charging system that can charge twice as fast as traditional USB headphones.
2. Bose QuietComfort 35
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 with their comfortable fit with a balanced sound profile and ANC technology that blocks a significant amount of background noise They are more adaptable than the Audio-Technica ATHDR9BT Wireless Headphones. The bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones headphones also have longer battery life of 20 hours and require less time to charge, and can be used in conjunction with a phone when the battery is dead and makes them a good option for those looking for headphones that can serve as commuting headphones or travel headphones.
These premium Bose headphone have a dedicated Google Assistant button, which activates the assistant to play music, answer questions and read notifications on your smartphone. They have outstanding noise cancellation capabilities, and although they are getting a bit long in the tooth by 2020 standards (and have successors to their sibling line, the QC35) However, you can still get great bargains on the headphones.
The QC35s, along with other Bose ANC headsets, do excellent job of blocking out ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has also improved over ear noise cancelling headphones the years. They’re not the most effective ANC headphone on the market particularly when compared to more recent competitors. Audiophiles will want to consider other options for better sound.
As with the Sonys, the QC35s can connect to two devices at once and “audio share” one of them with a person who is a friend. This is great if you’re looking to listen to music in one ear while conversing with someone else. They are also popular among frequent flyers and feature that classic Bose design that a lot of people adore. SlickWraps or Skin Sticker covers with decals are available at a reasonable cost when you wish to personalize your QC35s.
3. Sony WH-1000XM4
The WH-1000XM4s made by Sony don’t change much in terms of comfort or aesthetics, but their noise cancelling technology is a completely new beast. Sony has replaced the old system-on chip (SoC) for a brand new one, which it claims allows it to more accurately detect and respond to ambient sound in real-time, and reduce the mid- and high-frequency sound with its Dual beats noise cancelling over ear headphones Sensor technology.
Two feedforward microphones in each earcup capture ambient sound. This is then processed by the QN1 noise cancelling processor to reduce it quickly without affecting the quality of your audio. The result is a level of noise reduction that rivals the best headphones at this price point.
There’s a sensitivity dial that allows you to alter the noise cancellation to fit your needs. If you’re in a public space for instance you may want some ambient sound to filter through and at home, you’ll want a more secluded listening experience. This feature also uses geo-location to automatically apply the right setting based on where you’re heading.
The WH-1000XM4s can be used for hands-free calls and come with an impressive 30 hours of battery life, along with fast charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s also feature a robust Bluetooth connection that supports multipoint and NFC support. In my testing I discovered that a quick remastering of Paul McCartney’s Flaming pie sounded lively and clear, while rough mixes and recordings from the home also sounded crisp.
To get the most value out of these headphones, you’ll need download the companion Sony Headphones Connect app. You can adjust the EQ and enjoy features that make it easy such as Bluetooth multipoint. Additionally, it unlocks cool new stuff, like Sony’s 360 Reality Audio immersive sound mastering process.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N headphones make a excellent choice if you’re looking to buy headphones that provide excellent active noise cancellation for affordable prices. They improve on their predecessor that was the 710N Wireless, with more efficient ANC performance and a better sound quality. The 710N Wireless is also equipped with a slimmer design with battery lasting up to 35 hours.
However, if you’re looking for top-of-the-line features such as LDAC bluetooth over ear headphones noise cancelling support and Smart Listening with voice assistant integration, these headphones aren’t suitable for you. They also do not come with a carrying case or auto-pause feature, best noise cancelling over ear headphones and the earcups can’t fold, which may make them tough to travel with.
The build quality of the WH-CH720N is decent however, it’s not as great as a 1000XM5. The headband and earcups made of plastic. They’re lightweight and comfortable for long periods of time, however, they aren’t built to withstand heavy use or even a few falls on hard surfaces. The design is also somewhat bulky, and the earcups can creak when you move your head. The controls are easy to use, though, with tactile buttons that offer an excellent click-based feedback. The ANC can be switched on and off by a single push of the power switch. Pressing and holding the button activates Sony’s Adaptive audio Control. This feature allows you to select a preset audio profile based on how you’re using the headphones (e.g., “Staying at Work” or “Running”) or your current location (with your phone granted permission to determine this).
The WH-CH720N wireless noise cancelling headphones are one of the most affordable models on the market. For the money you get top ANC with a great sound, lightweight comfort and up to 35 hours of battery life. These headphones are worth checking if you commute frequently.
5. Earfun Air Pro
Earfun’s headsets and earbuds are known for offering great value, and the Air Pro is no exception. They are perfect for music and calls and their ANC technology blocks out a large amount of noise, without making your ears feel uncomfortable. They also come with numerous features that you can find in headphones that cost nearly twice as more.
The earbuds are emphasized in the bass range, which creates a rumble in most tracks. The lead vocals and instruments remain clear and bright. This makes them perfect for a variety of music. However, they might sound a bit stuttery to some. They have a very consistent frequency response, so they sound the same regardless of what you are listening to.
We played Missy Elliott’s Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds embraced the track’s bassy opening with zeal and energy. Stormzy’s Vossi Bop was a similarly agile listen with the treble playing off the various layered vocals and drums.
Voice quality is excellent even in noisy surroundings. The earbuds come with the most recent Qualcomm chip that ensures background noises, clicks, and other distractions are kept to the bare minimum. This is the case even when talking next to London Underground during rush hour.
The Bluetooth connectivity of the earbuds are also excellent, with a small number of issues we encountered during our testing. They connect quickly and with low latency to iOS and Android devices. They are also IPX5 water-resistant, so they’re fine for rain and workouts – although you shouldn’t put them in water. They come with a case that can hold two quarters and two quarters of charges. This is ideal for traveling.