Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
The fifth generation model of Sony's noise-cancelling headphones look a little different from the previous model but they're just as great. They're lightweight, comfortable and boast a range of features including Speak-to-Chat, Quick Attention mode wear detection, and AI-powered DSEE Extreme audio upscaling.
The ANC is powerful, reducing train noises to a background rumble. The option to pass through lets you hear outside sounds if needed.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's headphones are always among the top of the line in the business when it comes to noise cancelling. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s are the same. They provide one of the most enjoyable noise cancelling experiences we've ever had. When you put on your headphones and enable noise cancellation, it's like entering a world of silence. Engine sounds, HVAC systems, creaking metal, and even conversations with your neighbors all go out of the window.
The XM5s also shine on the audio aspect. Their wide soundstage allows the entire 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.
The XM5s are also notable because of their smart interaction with your smartphone. They can recognise when they're being removed from your head and stop music, they can detect that you're driving on a noisy road and automatically reduce the noise cancelling volume and connect with two devices at once to switch between them, depending on what you need urgently.
The WH-1000XM5s also are eco-friendly. The WH-1000XM5s consist of recycled plastics, acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. Their headband is made of premium fabric. They come with a collapsible case that can be folded into itself, forming the compact pouch. Also included is an 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable, so you can listen to music in passive mode. The earcups are removable for easy washing. Additionally, the XM5s are powered by rechargeable batteries that can provide up to 20 hours of playtime on a full charge. They're also equipped with an adaptive fast charging system that charges at twice the speed of conventional USB headphones.
2. Bose QuietComfort 35
The Bose QuietComfort 35 I/QC35 II Wireless, with their comfortable fit with a balanced sound profile and ANC technology that blocks out a great deal of background noise they are more versatile than the Audio-Technica Wireless Headphones ATH-DSR9BT. The Bose headphones also come with a longer 20-hour battery life, take less time to charge, and can be connected to a smartphone even when the battery is dead, making them a better choice for those who need headphones that can be used as commuting headphones, or travel headphones.
These premium Bose headphones come with a Google Assistant button, which will allow the assistant to play music, respond to questions, and read notifications from your smartphone. They are a great noise cancelling abilities, and while 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 find fantastic bargains on the headphones.
Like other Bose ANC headphones, the QC35s do an excellent job of blocking out background noise and noise reduction technology has advanced over the years. However they're not the most effective ANC headphones on the market in comparison to contemporary counterparts and audiophiles should look elsewhere for a better sound experience.
As with the Sonys the QC35s also connect to two devices simultaneously 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 another. They are popular with frequent flyers and feature that classic Bose design that a lot of people adore. SlickWraps or Skin Sticker decal covers are available at a reasonable cost when you wish to personalize your QC35s.
3. Sony WH-1000XM4
The WH-1000XM4s from Sony do not change much in terms of aesthetics or comfort, but their noise cancelling technology is a completely new beast. Sony has replaced the older system-on-chip (SoC) with a brand new one that, according to the company, will enable it to listen and respond more precisely to the ambient sound in real time, reducing high and mid-frequency noises with its Dual Noise sensor technology.
Two feedforward mics in each earcup capture ambient sounds, which are then processed by the QN1 noise-cancelling processor to reduce it as fast as is possible without affecting the quality of your music. The result is a level of noise reduction that is comparable to the best headphones at this price point.
There's even a sensitivity control which lets you alter the noise cancellation according to your requirements. You may, for instance prefer to listen to ambient sounds in public while at home, you may prefer a more closed off listening experience. This feature uses geo-location to determine the correct setting based on your destination.
The WH-1000XM4s are able to be used for hands-free calls and have a whopping 30 hours of battery life along with fast charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s also feature an impressive Bluetooth connection with multipoint and NFC support. In my tests I noticed that a quick restoration of Paul McCartney's Flaming pie sounded lively and clear as well as rough mixes and recordings from home also sounded crisp.
Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to get the most from these headphones. You can customize the EQ and enjoy features that make it easy such as Bluetooth multipoint. Additionally, it unlocks amazing new features, such as Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive sound mastering process.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are excellent choice if you're looking to purchase headphones that provide excellent active noise cancellation at affordable prices. They improve on their predecessor, the 710N Wireless, offering higher ANC performance and superior sound quality. The 710N Wireless is also equipped with an elongated design and battery life of up to 35 hours.
However, if you're expecting flagship-level features like LDAC Bluetooth support and Smart Listening with voice assistant integration these headphones aren't made for you. Also, they do not come with a carrying case or auto-pause feature, and the earcups can't fold, which may make them tough to travel with.
over the ear headphones noise cancelling of the WH-CH720N is decent but not as impressive as the 1000XM5. The earcups and the headband are made of plastic, which is light and comfortable to wear for long periods but will not stand up to the rigors of use or even a few tumbles on hard surfaces. The design is bulky, and the earcups rattle when you move. The controls are easy to use with tactile buttons which provide a excellent clicky feedback. The ANC can be switched on and off by pressing the power switch. Pressing and holding the button will activate Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature lets you select a preset audio profile depending on the way you're using the headphones (e.g., "Staying at Work" or "Running") or your current location (with your phone granted permission to decide this).
The WH-CH720N is one the best-value pairs of wireless noise cancelling headphones on the market. You get great ANC for the price, a lightweight design and up to 35-hour battery life. These headphones are worth a look for if you frequently commute.
5. Earfun Air Pro
The Air Pro is no different. Earfun headsets and earbuds are renowned for their high value. They are great for calling and music, and their ANC technology blocks out a large amount of noise, without making your ears feel uncomfortable. They also come with numerous features you can find on rival headphones that cost more or twice as much.
The earbuds have an overemphasized bass range which adds rumble and punch to most tracks while keeping the the lead vocals and instruments clear and present. This makes them ideal for a variety of content. However, they may sound a bit stuttery to some. Their frequency response is also very consistent, meaning that they sound the identical no matter what you're listening to.
We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds were enthralled by the track's booming intro with enthusiasm and enthusiasm. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar fluid sound and the treble was a highlight of the vocals and the percussion.
On the phone, voice quality is very good, even in noisy environments. The earbuds feature the most recent Qualcomm chip to ensure call clarity, with background noises and clicks being minimized, even when speaking next to the London Underground at rush hour.
The Bluetooth connectivity of the earbuds is excellent, with a small number of issues we encountered during our testing. They connect and pair quickly and with minimal latency on iOS and Android devices. They are also IPX5 water resistant, so they're fine for rain and workouts, but you shouldn't put them in water. They also come with a carry-on case that can hold two and a half charges that are great for travel.