It is a popular time for wireless headphones, and many listeners want to find the best headphones for their dollar. A lot of music lovers have turned to the Sony XB950N1 Headphones to fill the bill, but are they the right product for you? We launched a Sony XB950N1 review to take a closer look at these popular headphones and compare them alongside a few competitors.
Overall Pricing of the Headphones in This Review
We located the Sony XB950N1 product available for about $180 during our Sony XB950N1 review. This was close to some similar competitors’ prices. The most expensive headphones we reviewed were the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones at about $350. These headphones offer a bit more innovation than the Sony XB950N1, such as augmented reality apps.
The cheapest headphones we looked at were the JBL E55BT Over-Ear Wireless Headphones at around $95. This product lacked some of the features that were standard in more expensive headphones, like noise cancellation features.
Our Sony XB950N1 Review
The Sony XB950N1 Headphones are wireless noise-canceling headphones. These headphones are well-renowned for their extra bass feature. Listeners have full control over the boost setting, from the -10, all the way up to 10—all controlled via their downloadable app.
The XB950N1 Headphones come in both black and green options with over-sized over-the-ear cups. The ear cups also provide the perfect amount of cushion thanks to their comfortable earpad material.
The power button is located on the exterior of the left ear cup alongside a bass-effect button and a noise-cancellation button. The volume control is found on the right ear cup that works in tandem with the master volume on your audio device. The volume control handles track playback, as well as call volume.
Go Wired or Wireless
These wireless headphones are complemented by an audio cable that can be attached if you prefer wired listening. Connecting the cable un-pairs the headphones from their Bluetooth connection.
Noise Canceling
These headphones feature top-of-the-line noise cancelation technology. If you don’t care for noise canceling, you might consider the Sony XB950N1 Headphones—they have all of the same features, minus noise canceling (and their color scheme is a little nicer, in my opinion).
Battery Life
The batteries last up to a surprising 22 hours of use, even with noise canceling turned on. They take up to 4 hours to fully-charge.
Frequency Response
These closed back headphones have a 1.57-inch dome driver unit, with a frequency response of 20hz – 20khz—allowing for a wide range of bass and treble. (Frequency response measures the range of frequencies or tones an audio component can reproduce).
The low number, in this case, 20hz, is the lowest reproducible frequency. Comparative to high-end headphones, 20 Hz is a very low number that means the headphones can produce low bass frequencies.
Ease of Use [4 Stars]
The headphones come with an app called Sony Headphones Connect. The Sony Headphones App offers fine adjustments to the sound of your audio that goes beyond the physical controls located on the product. It also allows you to check your battery life and other useful information.
If you are a tech-savvy listener, the app interface is very user friendly and allows you to adjust your product quickly and easily. The Sony Headphones Connect app allows the user to choose among several different listening options: club, arena, concert hall, or outdoor stage settings.
There is also a manual sliding scale bass boost meter that goes from negative ten to ten, based on your preference. This same screen on the app is where you have the option to toggle the noise-canceling function between on and off.
Setup [4 Stars]
One touch pairing keeps Bluetooth connections as simple as pushing a button, and selecting the headphones from your device.
If you prefer a wired connection, these headphones also come with a wire. Simply plug them in!
Build Quality and Design [4 Stars]
These headsets are well designed with plenty of padding. The ear cups swivel for flat storage, and they are aesthetically pleasing
Warranty [3 Stars]
This product comes with a limited one-year warranty.
Pros
- Noise Canceling
- User-friendly app with many extra EQ and volume options
- Extremely comfortable ear cups
- Very powerful and high-quality bass response
Cons
- Heavy headband compared to other headphones
Price [$]
How It Compares to Other Headphones
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones
The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones are headphones with a high-quality sound and advanced wireless acoustics. This pair of headphones utilizes Bluetooth aptX, which sends purer audio over the wireless connection by reducing the audio file size without affecting quality.
The headphones’ drive units feature an award-winning design by using a diaphragm found in house speakers or loudspeakers to increase sound quality. The Bowers & Wilkins company is known for its loudspeakers, and they simply incorporated the technology into their P5 Wireless Headphones.
Ease of Use [4 Stars]
Bowers & Wilkins have created the P5 Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones for easy use, with a three-button design that allows you to pause your music, change and skip tracks, and take phone calls. In addition to the ergonomic features, the battery can last up to 17 hours meaning there is less time that users have to spend recharging or replacing batteries.
When the battery dies, there is an included USB cable that allows you to keep listening. Your purchase also includes a universal audio cable and quick start guide.
Setup [3 Stars]
The P5 product powers on using the combined power/Bluetooth button. Hold the button until the power light comes on and begins pulse with blue light. By pressing the power/Bluetooth button again and holding it for two seconds, you can enter pair mode.
From there, you can establish a connection with your chosen device. Your connection will be confirmed by a flashing Bluetooth indicator and a confirmation audio tone. You are now ready to enjoy your favorite tracks.
Build Quality and Design [4 Stars]
The P5 Wireless Headphones are made of aluminum for extended durability and longevity. The comfortable padding is covered with soft leather for a high-quality design and build.
Warranty [4 Stars]
Bowers & Wilkins backs their product with a limited two-year warranty.
Pros
- Removable, noise-isolation ear pads
- Bluetooth aptX 4.1 audio streaming
- Long battery life
- Stylish and durable build
Cons
- Connectivity issues sometimes surface
- Slightly more expensive than the Sony XB950N1
Price [$$]
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Bose is well known for its noise-cancellation capabilities, and the QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are no exception. They offer three levels of noise cancellation and Bose AR; an augmented reality platform for audio. The platform combines the headphones to mobile apps.
The Bose Connect app is designed to control your headphone’s capabilities, and enhanced augmented reality apps are available on your iPhone or iPad. The headphones’ features can be used with Amazon Alexa for voice-enabled operation.
Ease of Use [3 Stars]
The Bose Connect app is designed to give users complete and simple control over their QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones. Through the app you can share music, manage your connections, manage software updates, and perform many other tasks.
Setup [3 Stars]
Preparing to use your new headphones will require pairing a Bluetooth device, identifying your connected devices, connecting to a device you previously paired, and switching between devices when necessary.
Additional features, such as Google Assistant or Alexa will will require additional steps to setup, and potentially busting out the user manual (or just watching a quick YouTube video).
There may be a slight learning curve to using Music Share and the Bose Connect app, but it’s nothing too complicated.
Build Quality and Design [4 Stars]
Like the Sony XB950N1 Headphones, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are constructed largely of plastic, though this does keep the weight down significantly. Their design is more than comfortable, great for long plane rides.
Warranty [3 Stars]
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones come with a limited one-year warranty.
Pros
- Three levels of high-end noise cancellation
- Google Assistant and Alexa-enabled for voice control
- Easier Bluetooth pairing than some competitors
Cons
- Higher price point than the others on this list
- Short warranty for an expensive product
Price [$$$]
JBL E55BT Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Black
The JBL E55BT Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Black is a product from JBL’s value series and represents the least expensive end of our spectrum of products.
For under $100 the headphones offer respectable sound and sharp appearance.
The battery life of the JBL E55BT is a bonus at up to 20 hours, and its connection and reliability are consistently dependable.
The headphones have a detachable cable with a one-button remote for wired listening. No carrying case is included.
Ease of Use [4 Stars]
Choose between wireless or wired operation. The Bluetooth connection is consistently dependable, and a wired remote control is easy to use. The E55BT product features music controls on the right ear cup. There is also a built-in microphone for phone calls.
Setup [5 Stars]
To prepare your headphones for use, turn the product on. When you start the headphones for the first time, they’ll be ready to pair with your device. You can then connect to your preferred device. Nothing too complicated with these headphones—that said, it does lack some features that the others have.
Build Quality and Design [3.5 Stars]
These headphones feature a primarily plastic design, but that it is expected for the price of the product. They are durable and comfortable.
Warranty [3 Stars]
These headphones have a limited one-year warranty.
Pros
- Very affordable price tag
- Respectable sound for the investment
- Reliable connectivity
Cons
- Fewer features than other competitors
Price [$]
Sony XB950N1 Review | Our Conclusion
The Sony XB950N1
At the conclusion of our Sony XB950N1 review, we gave these Sony headphones 4 out of 5 stars. If you love bass, like we do, these headphones offer great sound at a fair price. The plastic construction is not our favorite, but it is not uncommon among similar headphones.
Especially for the price, the Sony XB950N1 are a great pair of headphones.
Our No Budget Option: the Bose QuietComfort 35 II
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones have quite a bit more to offer than the Sony XB950N1s, but they come at about 3 times the price.
If cost isn’t a huge concern for you, these headphones make a great option, especially if you find yourself on planes often.
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