Headphones Review: Powerful Bass and Great Noise Cancelling

Are you a fan of music and want to enjoy it to the fullest? Then you might want to consider getting the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones. These headphones are known for their powerful bass and great noise-cancelling capabilities, making them a popular choice among music lovers. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones and provide you with a comprehensive review of their features and performance.

Overview of the Sony MDR-XB950N1 Headphones

The Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones are wireless headphones that come with a noise-cancelling feature. They are designed to provide you with an immersive audio experience, with powerful bass and clear sound quality. The headphones are made of high-quality materials and have a sleek and stylish design.

Design and Build Quality

The Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones have a sleek and modern design that is both stylish and functional. The over-ear cups are made of soft and comfortable material that fits snugly over your ears, providing excellent noise isolation. The headband is adjustable, with a soft cushion that rests comfortably on your head, making these headphones suitable for extended periods of use.

The ear cups are foldable, which makes them easy to store and transport. The headphones come with a carrying pouch that you can use to protect them when not in use. The headphones have a sturdy and durable build quality, which makes them suitable for daily use.

The headphones are available in two color options: black and green. The black version has a matte finish that gives it a sophisticated and classy look, while the green version has a glossy finish that gives it a more youthful and trendy appearance.

Sound Quality

The Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones are designed to deliver powerful and dynamic bass that is perfect for music lovers who enjoy a deep and rich sound. The 40mm dynamic drivers deliver clear and crisp audio, with a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz.

The headphones have an extra bass feature that enhances the low-end frequencies, providing a thumping and resonating bass that is perfect for bass-heavy music genres like hip-hop and EDM. The bass is well-balanced and does not overpower the mids and highs, which allows for a well-rounded and enjoyable listening experience.

The noise-cancelling feature on the headphones is also impressive, providing excellent isolation from external noise. The noise-cancellation can be adjusted to three levels, allowing you to customize the level of noise-cancellation to suit your environment.

Noise Cancelling Feature

The Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones come with an active noise-cancelling feature that is designed to block out external noise, providing a more immersive listening experience. The headphones have microphones that detect external noise and then produce an opposite sound wave that cancels out the external noise.

The noise-cancelling feature on the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones is adjustable, with three levels of noise-cancellation to choose from. The first level is suitable for quiet environments, such as an office or library, and provides minimal noise-cancellation. The second level is ideal for noisy environments, such as a train or airplanes, and provides moderate noise-cancellation. The third level provides maximum noise-cancellation and is perfect for extremely noisy environments, such as construction sites or busy streets.

The noise-cancelling feature on the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones is effective, providing excellent isolation from external noise, especially at the highest level of noise-cancellation. The headphones also have a feature called Ambient Sound, which allows you to hear external sound while still wearing the headphones, making it safer to use them in certain environments.

Battery Life

The Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones have a rechargeable battery that provides up to 22 hours of playback time with the noise-cancelling feature turned on, and up to 32 hours of playback time with the noise-cancelling feature turned off. The battery life is impressive, providing long hours of listening time without the need for frequent charging.

The headphones also have a quick charge feature that allows you to charge them for just 10 minutes and get up to 60 minutes of playback time, which is convenient for when you need to use them in a hurry.

The headphones come with a micro-USB charging cable, which you can use to charge them using a USB port on your computer or a USB wall adapter. The headphones also have an LED indicator that shows you the battery level and charging status.

Connectivity

The Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones have Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to connect them to your smartphone, tablet, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device. The headphones have NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, which makes it easy to pair them with your device by simply touching your device to the headphones.

The headphones also have a wired option, with a detachable cable that you can use to connect them to your device using a 3.5mm audio jack. The headphones also come with an airplane adapter, which allows you to use them on a plane with the airplane’s entertainment system.

The Bluetooth connectivity on the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones is reliable, with a strong connection and minimize dropouts. The headphones also have a feature called Multi-Point, which allows you to connect them to two devices simultaneously, such as your smartphone and laptop, and switch between them seamlessly.

Specification of Sony MDR-XB950N1 Headphones

SpecificationDetails
TypeOver-ear wireless headphones
Driver Unit40mm dynamic
Frequency Response20Hz – 20,000Hz
Impedance47 ohms
Sensitivity102dB/mW
Battery LifeUp to 22 hours (with noise-cancelling on)
Charging TimeApprox. 7 hours (full charge)
Bluetooth Version4.1
Bluetooth RangeApprox. 30ft (10m)
NFCYes
Weight9.2 oz (without cable)
Color OptionsBlack, green
Noise-cancellingYes, with adjustable levels
App ControlSony Headphones Connect app
MicrophoneBuilt-in
Warranty1 year limited

Pros and Cons of the Sony MDR-XB950N1 Headphones

Pros:

  • Powerful bass and clear sound quality
  • Effective noise-cancelling feature
  • Long battery life with quick charge feature
  • Comfortable and durable design
  • Wireless connectivity with a built-in microphone

Cons:

  • Expensive compared to other headphones in the same category
  • A bulky design may not be suitable for all users
  • Limited color options

Conclusion

Overall, the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones are an excellent choice for music lovers who want to enjoy powerful bass and great noise-cancelling capabilities. They are well-built and durable, with a comfortable design and a long battery life. While they may be more expensive than other headphones in the same category, their sound quality and features make them a worthy investment.

FAQs

Q. Are the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones suitable for outdoor use?

A. Yes, the headphones have an ambient sound mode that allows you to hear your surroundings without taking off the headphones, making them suitable for outdoor use.

Q. Can I use the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones for gaming?

A. Yes, the headphones have a low-latency mode that makes them suitable for gaming.

Q. How do I connect the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones to my devices?

A. The headphones use Bluetooth to connect to your devices. Simply turn on the Bluetooth on your device and pair it with the headphones.

Q. Can I use the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones with non-Bluetooth devices?

A. Yes, the headphones come with a 3.5mm audio cable that allows you to connect them to non-Bluetooth devices.

Q. How do I activate the noise-cancelling feature on the Sony MDR-XB950N1 headphones?

A. Simply press the noise-cancelling button on the headphones to activate the feature. You can also adjust the level of noise-cancellation using the Sony Headphones Connect app.