Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation Sony noise cancelling headphones are a little different from the previous model but sound just as great. The headphones are light and comfortable, and feature a variety of features that include Speak-to-Chat mode and Quick Attention mode. They also come with wear detection, and AI-powered DSEE Extreme upscaling audio.

The ANC is powerful, reducing train noise to an ambient rumble. The option to pass through lets you hear outside sounds if needed.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are consistently among the best in the industry in terms of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH-1000XM5s is not an exception, providing one of the most satisfying experiences we've had using noise cancelling headphones in recent years. When you put on your headphones and enable noise cancellation, it's like walking into a cone of silence. Engine sounds, HVAC systems, creaking metal, and even conversations with neighbors all go out of the window.

The XM5s also stand out on the audio front with a wide soundstage capable of giving all elements of a track space to breathe and shine. For instance, on Billie Eilish's Bad Guy, the drums are pounding with a satisfying force and heft as soaring vocals harmonise across the mix.

The XM5s also stand out because of their smart interaction with your smart device. They will detect when they are removed from the head and pause the music. They can also detect that you are driving on a noisy highway and automatically lower the noise cancellation level.

The WH-1000XM5s have also a low environmental impact. The WH-1000XM5s consist from recycled plastics and acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene. The headband is constructed of premium fabric. They also come with a collapsible carrying case that folds to form a small pouch, and a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm aux cable for listening in a passive mode. The earcups are washable and removable for easy cleaning. The XM5s run on rechargeable batteries that provide up to 20 hours of playtime on full charge. They're also equipped with an adaptive fast charging system that charges twice the speed of traditional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more versatile than the Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT beats studio3 wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones headphones thanks to their incredibly comfortable fit, a well-balanced sound profile, and ANC feature that blocks a lot of background noise. The bose over ear noise cancelling headphones (Click on www.nanacademy.co.kr) headphones also come with a longer 20-hour battery life and take less time to charge, and can be wired with a phone even when the battery is dead and makes them a good option for those looking for headphones that can function as commuting headphones or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones have a dedicated button that activates Google Assistant, which will play music as well as answer trivia questions and even read your phone notifications. These headphones are incredibly quiet with excellent noise cancellation capabilities. They're a bit old-fashioned in comparison to the standards of 2020 however, you can enjoy amazing bargains.

The QC35s, along with other Bose ANC headsets, do a good job at blocking out ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has also improved over the years. They're not the top ANC headphone out there particularly when compared to more recent competitors. Audiophiles may want to look elsewhere for better audio quality.

The QC35s also have the ability to connect to two devices at the same time, and can "audio share" with a person. This is great if you'd like to listen to music while talking with another person. These headphones are popular with frequent flyers and have that classic Bose design that a lot of people adore. SlickWraps or Skin Sticker covers for decals are available for purchase at a reasonable price when you wish to personalize your QC35s.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH1000XM4s offer nothing in the way of aesthetic or comfort changes from the M3s, however its noise cancelling is an entirely new beast. The company has replaced the old system-on chip (SoC) with a new one that it claims will allow it to detect and react more accurately to ambient audio in real-time while reducing mid- and high-frequency noises thanks to its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones inside each earcup record ambient sound. This is then processed by QN1 noise cancelling processor to reduce it quickly without impacting the quality of your audio. The result is an incredibly amazing level of noise reduction that is able to compete with the top headphones at this price.

There's a sensitivity dial which allows you to adjust the noise cancellation to meet your preferences. If you're out in public for instance, you might want some ambient sound to be filtered through and at home, you'll want a more secluded listening experience. This feature also uses geo-location to automatically select the appropriate setting depending on where you're going.

The WH-1000XM4s can be utilized for hands-free calls and have a whopping 30 hours of battery life, with quick charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s come with a robust Bluetooth connection with multipoint and NFC support. In my tests, bose over ear noise cancelling headphones a quick remaster of Paul McCartney's Flaming Pie was clear and vibrant as well as rough mixes and recordings made at home sounded crisp and full.

To get the most out of these headphones, you'll need download the companion Sony Headphones Connect app. You can adjust the EQ and take advantage of convenience features such as Bluetooth multipoint. It also unlocks cool new stuff, like Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive sound mastering process.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

If you're looking for a pair of headphones that offer excellent active noise cancelling at cost-effective prices, the Sony WH-CH720N are a great choice. They are a step up from their predecessor model, the 710N Wireless, with a higher ANC performance and better audio quality. They also come with an elongated design and up to 35 hours of battery life.

These headphones are not for you if you expect top-of-the-line features like LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening, which integrates voice assistants. Also, they do not come with a carrying case or auto-pause feature, and the earcups aren't foldable which could make them tough to carry around.

The WH-CH720N's build quality 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 won't hold up to the rigors of use or even a few tumbles on hard surfaces. The design is bulky, and the earcups squeak when you move them. The controls are simple to use with tactile buttons which provide a excellent clicky feedback. The ANC can be turned on and off by pressing the power switch. Pressing and holding the button triggers Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature lets you select a preset profile based on the location you are in or how you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N is among the best-value headphones for wireless noise cancelling headphones on the market. It offers excellent ANC for the price, a lightweight design, and up to 35-hour battery life. If you're a frequent commuter, these headphones are worth considering.

5. Earfun Air Pro

Earfun's earbuds and headsets are well-known for offering great value, and the Air Pro is no exception. They're great for calls and exciting for music, while their ANC blocks a good amount of noise without making you feel like your ears are suffocated. They also have numerous features you can find on competing headphones that cost twice or more.

The earbuds have an overemphasized bass range which adds rumble and punch to the majority of tracks, while keeping lead vocals and instruments bright and clear. This makes them suitable for a wide range of music, even though they might sound a bit too loud for certain. They have a uniform frequency response, meaning that they sound exactly the same no matter what you are listening to.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds took to the track's bassy opening with zeal and energy. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar agile sound with the treble accentuating the vocals and the percussion.

The quality of voice is superb even in noisy surroundings. The earbuds feature the latest Qualcomm chip, which ensures that background noises, clicks and other distractions are kept at low levels. This is true even when you are talking to London Underground during rush hour.

The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also very good, with little to no issues during our tests. They connect quickly and with low latency to iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, which means you can use them in exercise or rain. However they shouldn't be submerged in water. They also come with a portable case that holds two and a half charge that are great for travelling.