Wireless Noise Cancelling: Sennheiser PXC-550 vs. Sony MDR1000X
#61
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The 1000X has been my travel headphone for the last 6 months or so - no wear or tear, scratch, crack or anything.
I haven't heard the QC35, but sound quality-wise the 1000X runs circles around the QC15 and the NC is also better on the Sony. I read that the QC35 is an improvement over the QC15.
I haven't heard the QC35, but sound quality-wise the 1000X runs circles around the QC15 and the NC is also better on the Sony. I read that the QC35 is an improvement over the QC15.
#62
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Does WH-1000XM2 suffer same behavior as 1000X where if not connected to a Bluetooth source, NC is not available? Sometimes I just want peace and quiet without having to listen to any music.
#63
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01NBJW3T5/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510620688&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=3.5+mm+right+ang le+adapter&dpPl=1&dpID=41K6ThqwQ8L&ref=plSrch
#66
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2 suggestions:
(1) Audio Technica ATH-M50x w/ Brooklyn Labs wireless adapter. Hugely popular studio monitors, with a 3rd party bluetooth 4.x wireless adapter. The adapter has signal noise ratio of 80dB which isnt fantastic, but keep in mind the listening source and environment - phone + noisy train/plane/city - and its a non issue. Doesnt have noise cancellation but with over-ear design it muffles exterior sound enough. Bottom line is that the actual use-case listening experience is very good. Both can be purchased for roughly ~$150 from Amazon.
(2) Wait on your purchase. Why wireless headphones took a while to take off was limitations of technology. The bandwidth and implementation wasnt good until BT 4.x, AptX codec, etc. Connection quality and audio quality was rubbish before that. Thing is, Bluetooth 5 just came out , implemented in recent phones like Samsung S8, iPhone 8, etc. The next generation of BT 5 headphones should be a leap forward in terms of range and bandwidth for higher audio quality. That's what I'm waiting for.
(1) Audio Technica ATH-M50x w/ Brooklyn Labs wireless adapter. Hugely popular studio monitors, with a 3rd party bluetooth 4.x wireless adapter. The adapter has signal noise ratio of 80dB which isnt fantastic, but keep in mind the listening source and environment - phone + noisy train/plane/city - and its a non issue. Doesnt have noise cancellation but with over-ear design it muffles exterior sound enough. Bottom line is that the actual use-case listening experience is very good. Both can be purchased for roughly ~$150 from Amazon.
(2) Wait on your purchase. Why wireless headphones took a while to take off was limitations of technology. The bandwidth and implementation wasnt good until BT 4.x, AptX codec, etc. Connection quality and audio quality was rubbish before that. Thing is, Bluetooth 5 just came out , implemented in recent phones like Samsung S8, iPhone 8, etc. The next generation of BT 5 headphones should be a leap forward in terms of range and bandwidth for higher audio quality. That's what I'm waiting for.
Last edited by deniah; Nov 20, 2017 at 9:56 am
#68
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To be perfectly honest I couldn't really tell the difference between the two headsets but hey.. shiney and new.
Kurt
#69
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This is incredibly helpful OP. I've been reading reviews for months about headphones in advance of my new years trip. My regular over the ears have been functional, but it's time to invest in some ANC. This is the most extensive and helpful review yet. I had already decided the Bose weren't a good chose because sound quality is important to me (I even have the perfect test song for lows, highs and mids). I was leaning toward the Sony's but didn't feel good about it. I feel GREAT about it now, and am off to find the best price. Thank you for your diligence.
#70
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This is incredibly helpful OP. I've been reading reviews for months about headphones in advance of my new years trip. My regular over the ears have been functional, but it's time to invest in some ANC. This is the most extensive and helpful review yet. I had already decided the Bose weren't a good chose because sound quality is important to me (I even have the perfect test song for lows, highs and mids). I was leaning toward the Sony's but didn't feel good about it. I feel GREAT about it now, and am off to find the best price. Thank you for your diligence.
As you're shopping, please note that my OP (and my subsequent updates) are all about models that were available in late 2016 (and the Sony MDR1000X in particular). Sony has since come out with an updated version of the same headphones which others have added some thoughts about within this thread.
I personally am still using the "original" MDR1000X I purchased last year. Still like them, expect them to last quite a while longer, and haven't really looked at others since then.