One of the areas of Sony is high-quality sound, and a lot of work has been done here. For modern models of headphones, the main priorities were chosen: wireless, compression algorithms with preserving the quality, intelligent noise reduction, high autonomy. At the moment, the company on the market represents both budget and flagship solutions. After reviewing user reviews, expert comments, I made a rating of the best Sony headphones of the year.
Best Sony Wireless Headphones
Sony WH-CH500
Opens our rating full-size closed headphones Sony WH-C500. They have a stylish Japanese design, made in three colors. Build quality is high, they do not creak when worn. Weight - only 140 g: they are almost not felt on the head. The design feature of the cups allows them to rotate in two axes for ease of wearing. The sound is answered by 30 mm speakers with a standard (for their level) frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with pronounced bass and detailed clear sound. Like most modern headphones, the WH-CH500 supports NFC for quick pairing with the phone. Bluetooth 4.2 confidently keeps the connection up to 10 meters, has the support of many profiles. There are calls in hands-free mode, voice assistant. This allows you to chat with friends without even having to get your phone out of your pocket or bag. Press and hold the play button on the headphones to activate the voice assistant on your Android or iOS device, or to make hands-free calls through the high-quality built-in microphone. The battery life declared by the manufacturer is 20 hours; according to the experience of the owners, even slightly underestimated. With a daily three-hour use per week, it is unlikely that the battery can be planted. There is no support for fast charging, so from 0 to 100% the headphones will charge 4.5 hours.
Benefits:
- Low price.
- High autonomy.
- NFC technology.
- Beautiful design.
Disadvantages:
- The glossy surface of the earphone cups is highly scratched.
- Poor insulation.
- No charge level indicator.
- Fixed ear pads.
The WH-CH500 model with modern functions that are necessary for the user is a Bluetooth connection, NFS support, and hands-free function. They surpass their competitors in sound quality, but they have not the best noise reduction. I didn’t like the fact that it is impossible to change the ear pads that wear out over time, there is no indication of the battery charge, so you need to monitor its level. Price - . On the Yandex portal. Market 82% of buyers recommend this product.
Sony WI-C400
Sony WI-C400 wireless earphones-earphones are equipped with the necessary set of functions with a weight of only 35 g. The model is available in 4 colors, they look pretty good. The sound is answered by 9 mm speakers with a frequency range of 8-22000Hz. Headphones support NFC for quick pairing with the phone.Bluetooth 4.2 works up to 10 meters away. There is a hands-free calling function, a voice assistant. When the headphones are synchronized with your smartphone, you will be notified of incoming messages and calls by vibration. I want to note the convenient control: with the buttons you can start or stop playback, skip tracks, adjust the volume. They allow you to activate the voice assistant functions, make calls in hands-free mode. The battery life declared by the manufacturer is 20 hours. There is no support for fast charging, as in the Sony WH-CH500: from 0 to 100%, the headphones will charge for 4 .5 hours.
Benefits:
- Compactness, light weight.
- Vibration function for calls and notifications.
- Convenient management.
- Good autonomy.
- Shows and says battery percentage.
Disadvantages:
- Often after six months of use, the right earphone malfunctions.
- Thin wire that breaks easily.
- Poor quality spoken microphone.
These headphones are suitable for sports: they are lightweight, have good sound and noise isolation, vibration signal. I want to note a good Bluetooth connection, which does not interrupt when running. But in the rain it is better not to wear them, as there is no protection against moisture. This model has a useful feature that the WH-CH500 does not have - it is an indicator of the battery level, which was so lacking. Price - . On the Yandex. Market 76% of buyers recommend this product.
Sony WH-CH700N
The WH-CH700N noise canceling headphones are designed for extended listening on the go. Intelligent Noise Canceling (AINC) adapts to the environment so you can enjoy your favorite songs perfectly heard on the go. There is no such feature in either the WI-C400 or the WH-CH500. AINC analyzes background sounds and adjusts their intensity for optimal listening on airplanes and other noisy environments. Press and hold the button to activate this function. NFC technology simplifies setup. To quickly connect and start streaming Bluetooth content right away, simply touch your NFC-enabled device to the N-tag on the case. 40 mm speakers with a frequency range of 20-20000Hz are responsible for the sound. Bluetooth 4.1 works up to 10 meters away, although previous models have Bluetooth 4.2. DSEE digital sound enhancement technology accurately restores all sound details, thus producing high quality sound close to the original recording. You can customize the sound of your headphones using the free Sony Headphones Connect app for Android and iOS. Virtual Surround Sound (VPT) technology delivers an incredible listening experience that mimics the sound of a club, concert hall, or outdoor venue. Battery life claimed by the manufacturer is 35 hours. In this model, if fast charging technology. If, nevertheless, the battery charge is not enough, you can connect headphones via a standard mini jack 3.5 mm. Cable - 1.2 m, included in the delivery set.
Benefits:
- Intelligent Noise Reduction (AINC).
- Free Sony Headphones Connect app for Android and iOS.
- High autonomy - up to 35 hours.
- Fast charge technology.
- Possibility to connect via mini jack 3.5 mm.
- Battery charge indicator.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
- Ears often sweat, ear pads fit very tightly.
- Dull sound when using the microphone.
- Noise reduction is incomplete.
The popular model from Sony with Intelligent Noise Canceling. If you use them in the subway, you will still hear extraneous noise. The volume and quality of the microphone will not be enough, the sound is indistinct, dull. There are no questions about autonomy: the headphones can work up to 35 hours. When the battery runs out, you can recharge it quickly with the quick charge feature not available on the WI-C400 and WH-CH500. A big plus is the ability to connect via mini jack 3,5 mm, a cable of 1.2 m is included in the package. Price - . On the Yandex. Market 88% of buyers recommend this product.
Sony WF-1000XM3
WF-1000XM3 Wireless Headphones with New Noise Canceling thanks to the HD QN1e Processor. It filters out more noise at almost all frequencies, uses less power, has digital noise cancellation, 24-bit audio processing, and a digital-to-analog converter with amplifier. Two microphones - external and internal, so it captures a maximum of extraneous noise - from conversation in transport to the hum of the office and city streets. Responsible for the sound are tiny 6 mm speakers with a frequency range of 20-20000Hz. Bluetooth version 5.0 works at a distance of up to 10 meters, the Sony WH-CH700N uses the older Bluetooth 4.1 technology. New Bluetooth chip and optimized antenna design provide a stable connection for hours of wireless streaming.
DSEE HX digital sound enhancement technology upscales compressed digital music files to sound closer to high-resolution audio. Fully charged earbuds last up to 6 hours with noise canceling on, and a convenient charging case lets you recharge them three times on the go during the day, giving you up to 24 hours of listening time. With the noise canceling system turned off, the earbuds work for 8 hours on a full charge with the ability to recharge the earbuds three times from the charging case, i.e. up to 32 hours of music playback. Fast charging technology is provided, for example, after 10 minutes fast charging, you can listen to your favorite music for 90 minutes. The earbuds can be easily stowed away in the charging case thanks to the built-in magnets, and the case can be quickly charged via the USB-C cable. The WF-1000XM3 noise canceling headphones use the innovative SENSE ENGINE ™ technology, a range of intelligent features that enhance your listening experience.
The Sony Headphones Connect app has an intelligent adaptive sound control function. It automatically detects what you are doing (driving, walking down the street, or waiting in line) and adjusts the surround sound settings according to the situation. You can change the settings yourself. The headphones are equipped with a “hands free” function and a voice assistant Google Assistant4.
Benefits:
- Ergonomic and modern design.
- Good sound quality.
- Bluetooth version 5.0.
- Advanced HD processor QN1e.
- DSEE HX digital sound enhancement technology.
- High autonomy, fast charging.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
- Extra large headphone case.
- There is no charge / discharge indicator of the case itself.
- The sound during conversations in the headset mode is of poor quality.
- Communication is often interrupted when talking through headphones.
A very interesting model with a wide range of various technologies and functions for improving sound quality, noise cancellation and communication quality, which are not available in the WH-CH700N and WH-CH500. I have no complaints about sound and noise cancellation, everything is fine here thanks to the QN1e HD processor and DSEE HX technology, but the speaker quality during a conversation is low, the connection is often broken when talking with the interlocutor - this is the biggest drawback. I did not like the headphone case: it is very large, about 2 times larger than that of AirPods, made of low quality plastic, very prone to scratches. Price - ... On the Yandex. Market 69% of buyers recommend this product.
Sony WH-1000XM3
In this model, the active noise canceling system is implemented with tight-fitting ear pads and a noise canceling HD-processor QN1, almost like in the Sony WF-1000XM3 model. Now music playback will not be affected by processor performance. The headphones use LDAC technology, which transmits approximately three times more data (with a maximum transfer rate of 990 Kbps) compared to traditional Bluetooth wireless solutions. With it, you can enjoy music with quality that is as close as possible to audio with a wired connection.
The built-in amplifier integrated into the QN1 HD noise-canceling processor has the best signal-to-noise ratio in its category, low distortion level for portable devices, and high-quality sound. Thanks to the powerful 40 mm speakers with LCD diffusers, the headphones provide impressive bass and can play the full frequency range up to 40 kHz. Such a high indicator is not even in the WF-1000XM3 and WH-CH700N. SENSE ENGINE's automatic sound tuning with Smart Listening automatically determines what you are doing - whether you are traveling in a vehicle, walking or waiting. It adjusts the volume of the surround sound as needed. And with the quick attention function, you can communicate without removing the headphones: touch your body with your hand to decrease the volume, and talk.
SENSE ENGINE technology allows you to turn music on and off with one touch. You can install the Sony I Headphones Connect application: you can use the functions of the equalizer, Smart Listening, control the surround sound parameters and volume. The headphones feature hands free, voice assistant Google Assistant4. Very soft ear cushions made of polyurethane foam evenly distribute the pressure, tightly fit to the ears. Ergonomic design provides even more comfort with increased space between the speaker and ear.
The battery lasts for as much as 30 hours of work. In just 10 minutes You can get a charge for 5 hours of operation through an AC adapter, which is purchased separately. In the Sony WF-1000XM3, 10 minutes of fast charging provides 90 minutes of music playback. Connection via mini jack 3,5 mm is possible, cable 1.2 m is included in the delivery.
Benefits:
- QN1 HD processor.
- Great fast charge.
- High autonomy.
- Compactness and convenience.
- Sound quality.
- Smart Listening Technology.
- Possibility of wired connection.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
- With a wired connection, the noise reduction function must be turned on manually.
- In the cold, the touch control panel starts to slow down, it works late.
- In summer, your ears sweat a lot when wearing headphones.
- Leatherette ear pads.
An excellent headphone model with excellent sound, the introduction of new technologies and the availability of modern functions and accessories. In terms of sound quality, everything suits me, but I do not fully understand how in headphones in light frost it can slow down touch control so much. Ear pads are made of leatherette of poor quality. Already for these 2 shortcomings you need to reduce the price. I believe that the price is clearly overpriced, there is no point in overpaying for this model. It is better to take Sony WF-1000XM3, which are not inferior in level and quality of sound, but they are cheaper. On the Yandex portal. Market 74% of buyers recommend this product.
Best Sony Wired Headphones
Sony MDR-XB50AP
XB50AP wired in-ear headphones are available in several colors and operate in the 4-24000 Hz range with a sensitivity of up to 106 dB and a nominal impedance of 40 Ohms. The model has neodymium speakers with a diameter of 12 mm for a powerful balanced sound. The device uses EXTRA BASS technology for club sound. Headphones are compatible with smartphones, come with a built-in remote control and a microphone. They are connected via a standard mini jack 3.5 mm jack. The cord length is 1.2 m. The set includes 4 pairs of interchangeable ear pads, a headphone case.
Benefits:
- Affordable price.
- Beautiful view.
- A quality wire that does not get tangled.
- They sit well in the ears, do not fall out.
- Good sound.
Disadvantages:
- From long listening to music, ears begin to get tired.
- Very strong bass. Although for some it will be a plus.
- The back of the earphone is scratched quickly.
- The headset is low.
A good model that meets the indicator of "price - quality". They look good, have decent sound, but for me they have very strong bass. It’s not very convenient that the headset is lower than it should be, because of this you will not be clearly audible during a conversation. The rest are good headphones for . On the Yandex portal. Market 83% of buyers recommend this product.
Sony MDR-XB550AP
Headphones are made in 5 bright colors, they look very beautiful. Stylish design, compactness, light weight make them ideal for everyday wear. The closed design and soft, pleasant to the touch ear pads provide excellent sound insulation and do not cause discomfort even with prolonged listening. The device operates in the range of 5-22000 Hz with a sensitivity of up to 102 dB and a nominal impedance of 24 Ohms. In this important indicator they surpass Sony MDR-XB50AP. The model has speakers with a diameter of 30 mm for a powerful balanced sound. As in the previous model, EXTRA BASS technology for club sound is applied here. The headphones have a standard mini jack 3.5 mm jack, microphone and control button. The cord length is 1.2 m.
Benefits:
- Stylish design.
- Excellent soundproofing.
- Quality ear pads.
- Sensitive microphone.
- Flat non-tangled wire.
- High sound level.
Disadvantages:
- Any touches or blows are transmitted along the wire, it is very sensitive.
- If you do not remove them for more than 2 hours, then they begin to put pressure on the head.
- It takes a long time to adjust on the equalizer for yourself due to the large number of low frequencies.
- Short cable if connected to a computer.
Very good model, with almost no flaws. Headphones produce great sound, rich bass. If you are well versed in music, you will want to customize them for yourself, and for this you will have to dig into the equalizer for a long time. Manufacturers rarely supply good quality earplugs with low cost headphones, but Sony was not too lazy to do it: wearing them comfortably and conveniently, but after 2-3 hours they still begin to put pressure on the head, ears are a little sore. Price - . On the Yandex portal. Market 81% of buyers recommend this product.
Sony MDR-XB950AP
The full-size MDR-XB950AP earphones, like previous models, have an interesting modern design. The device operates in the range of 3–28000 Hz, which differs from the MDR-XB550AP, with a sensitivity of up to 106 dB and a nominal impedance of 40 Ohms. Powerful neodymium 40 mm speakers provide deep, balanced sound even at high volumes thanks to reliable earhooks. Oxygen-free copper voice coils provide 1000mW bass sound. An advanced direct vibration system creates an acoustically sealed space around the ears without “letting out” low frequencies. The bass sound is enhanced by the Bass Booster function: the sound is deep, balanced. The control of the range of reproduced frequencies is possible thanks to the figured ventilation openings. They are optimized for the passage of air flow created by low frequencies, so the bass is reproduced without distortion.
Headphones with a metal rim, padded back and ear-cushioned ear cushions provide comfort in any situation. The control panel is made of aluminum. This lightweight material guarantees a prestigious appearance and ease of use, while suppressing vibration and providing a deep, energetic sound. The 1.2 m cable is equipped with a convenient integrated remote control system and microphone. You can answer calls in headset mode at any time, as on Android, iPhone smartphones. At the other end of the wire is a standard mini jack 3.5 mm jack.
Benefits:
- Work in the high frequency range - up to 28000 Hz.
- 40 mm neodymium speakers.
- Bass Booster function.
- Great headset.
Disadvantages:
- Short cable if connected to a computer.
- The lack of volume buttons on the remote.
- Do not add up.
- Brushed metal cups scratch very quickly.
- There is no carrying case.
This model, like the previous one, is practically without flaws. It has a beautiful design, from the Sony MDR-XB550AP model it differs in the ability to work at higher frequencies (up to 28000 Hz) and the presence of the Bass Booster function, which significantly improves the sound. Among the shortcomings, I can single out the lack of volume buttons and the lack of a carrying case, these are useful "chips" that I would like to see in the headphones for . On the Yandex portal.Market 82% of buyers recommend this product.
Sony MDR-7506
Many consider the Sony MDR-7506 the standard studio headphone. The company has been releasing them for 25 years. The legendary black model is distinguished by “monitor sound”. Smooth tonal bass without a tumbling, high detail sound in harmony with clear and open vocals. The midrange range sounds natural without whistling. Thanks to the inclined arrangement (at an angle of 15 degrees to the ear), the headphones create the effect of a good three-dimensional scene. A wide dynamic range of headphones (from 10 to 20,000 Hz) Sony allows you to enjoy music in any direction - from classical to "heavy" compositions. Noise isolation is made at a fairly high level due to a tight fit on the head. They do not “crush”, and the intricate design allows you to wear headphones as cups in and out. For the production of headband and bowls MDR 7506, Japanese developers used metal. Later the headband was covered in eco-leather, and the ear pads were covered with vinyl. The cup mounts to the headband are made of high quality plastic. The sensitivity of the headphones reaches 106 dB with a nominal impedance of 63 ohms. 3 m cable with a standard gold-plated mini jack 3.5 mm jack, 6.3 mm adapter included.
Benefits:
- Great sound.
- Very good noise isolation, noise reduction.
- Excellent quality for 25 years.
- The special arrangement of the earphone, which gives a special effect.
- Resistance 6 Ohms.
- Cable length - 3 m.
- 6.3 mm adapter included.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
- Ear pads wear out quickly, but they can be easily bought and replaced.
- A lot of fakes model.
These are almost perfect headphones. The model is devoid of flaws, I can highlight only minor flaws. For our region, the price is too high: not everyone will take headphones for . If you find such a model cheaper - this is another fake, it is difficult to find the original model. About a year later, ear pads are erased in the original, but new ones can be purchased. In all other respects, these are perfect headphones with chic sound, laconic design with first-class build quality. On the Yandex portal. Market 95% of buyers recommend this product. Neither Sony MDR-XB950AP, nor other competitors with all its sound quality improvements and technologies can compare with the sound quality of Sony MDR-7506.
Sony MDR-1AM2
Closes the rating Model MDR-1AM2 thanks to accurate sound transmission and clarity of sound in the entire range of reproduced frequencies continues to win the hearts of music lovers. Lightweight construction, soft ear pads provide comfortable listening for many hours. Made of synthetic leather, they provide comfortable listening for many hours, and a closed-type design reduces sound loss. The new lightweight 40mm HD speakers with aluminum-plated liquid crystal polymer diffuser provide crisp, vibrant sound, especially at mid and high frequencies. This allows you to enjoy vocals, provides accuracy and naturalness of sound transmission over the entire range of reproduced frequencies.
A special grille with a pattern corresponding to the Fibonacci sequence protects the speakers and reduces losses when playing high-resolution audio so that you can hear the finest details of the compositions. A 4.4 mm balanced connection cable preserves the clarity of studio sound. It completely separates the right and left channels thanks to an additional ground wire, reduces the level of crosstalk, improves sound quality. Four silver-plated oxygen-free copper cables reduce resistance and signal loss. This prevents distortion, enhances detail, and delivers clean high frequencies. Built-in remote and microphone allow you to answer calls, control music playback.
This model implements the effect of 360 Reality Audio, which makes the music live, creates the effect of presence. The device operates in the range of 3–100000 Hz. Even the Sony MDR-7506 legend does not have such an indicator, with a sensitivity of up to 98 dB and a nominal impedance of 16 ohms.The cable length is 1.2 m, which is not very practical: I would like a 3 m cable, like in the MDR-7506. At its end there is a standard 3.5 mm mini jack. Unlike the previous model, the package does not include a 6.3 mm adapter, but there is a carrying case. The cable has a built-in remote control and a microphone: you can answer calls, control music playback.
Benefits:
- Special wire design, high quality materials.
- 360 Reality Audio effect.
- It can operate in a high frequency range - up to 100,000 Hz.
- Convenient management.
- Great sound, build quality.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
- The cord is only 1.2 m.
- Non-folding headband, only cups can be folded.
- Flimsy construction, all key points are made of plastic.
A worthy model with excellent sound, capable of operating in very high frequency ranges (up to 100,000 Hz), the unique cable significantly improves sound quality along with the 360 Reality Audio effect. Price - ... I think there is no point in overpaying for this model: it is better to take the MDR-7506, which is cheaper, has a better assembly and a long (3 m) cable. The sound seemed to me a little bit in them, but better than in the MDR-1AM2. On the Yandex. Market 92% of buyers recommend this product.
