The Sony WH-XB910N function an inexpensive different to the flagship WH-1000XM4. That is evident from the near-identical design, battery life, and have set, which incorporates proprietary applied sciences like 360 Actuality Audio, Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE), and Equalizer. Throw lively noise cancellation and adjustable ambient listening into the combination, and one would swear there was no distinction between the WH-XB910N and Sony’s Mark 4 headphones, however there are appreciable variations once you dig a bit deeper.
These headphones lack huge brother’s smarts and sonic precision. Weaker lively noise cancellation (ANC) and name high quality additionally distinguish the 2 fashions. The WH-CB910N received’t change any of Sony’s top-of-the-line wi-fi headphones. Nonetheless, that isn’t the actual query. It’s whether or not the WH-XB910N are ok to interchange your present mid-range ANC headphones.
Learn our full evaluation of the Sony WH-XB910N to get the total breakdown.
Sony WH-XB910N availability and value
The Sony WH-XB910N initially launched at $249, however they underwent a value drop and could be bought for $150 at main on-line retailers (Amazon (opens in new tab), Greatest Purchase (opens in new tab)) or instantly from Sony. Three colours can be found: Black, Blue and Grey. Contained in the field is a carrying case, plug adapter, USB-C charging cable, working directions, reference information, and a guaranty card.
For comparability, these headphones are cheaper than ANC heavyweights just like the Bose 700 ($379) and Sony WH-1000XM4 ($349), however costlier than our present mid-range favourite, the Cleer Enduro ANC ($129). In case you’re considering of constructing the transition to one thing really wi-fi, take a look at our rating of the finest noise-cancelling earbuds.
Make sure to bookmark our headphone offers web page for the newest gross sales.
Sony WH-XB910N design and luxury
The WH-XB910N efficiently replicates the Mark collection’ silhouette; it is stylish and minimalist. They give the impression of being sharp from afar and mix in with a number of the market’s different premium picks. On the identical time, they really feel flimsy and low cost as a result of all-plastic building. One thing else these cans lack is detailing. Small particulars like slim buttons and rose-gold accents gave the WH-1000XM4 some finesse. The WH-XB910N underwhelms with massive buttons and an embossed, mild grey brand.
Sony’s carrying case can also be primary. Construct high quality is first rate, and the within leaves sufficient room to retailer the headphones and all bundled equipment. It’s simply that the WH-1000XM4 case has more room and comes with a mesh pocket on the again to move different stuff.
At 8.8 ounces, the WH-XB910N weigh virtually the identical because the WH-1000XM4 (8.9 ounces), which is mild. Sporting them across the neck or atop the top received’t weigh you down. The plush padding on each ear cups and the scarf grants nice consolation. Match isn’t a problem both for the reason that headphones mildew properly across the cranium and the extenders have a number of settings to accommodate completely different head sizes.
Sony WH-XB910N controls and digital assistant
Sony created a user-friendly management scheme that’s straightforward to recollect and helps a full suite of media controls. The appropriate ear cup accepts swipes and multi-tap gestures to allow playback, name administration and quantity. To swipe left/proper for monitor navigation or up/down for quantity is tremendous handy, particularly when the contact panel registers enter so precisely. On the left earcup are buttons for energy/ pairing and listening mode activation. Every one produces stable tactility to make sure customers instructions are met.
If solely my voice assistant expertise was as satisfying. To name it a nightmare can be an understatement. Even after I accomplished the setup processes for each, Alexa and Google Assistant integration didn’t work. To make use of the digital assistant, you have to place the characteristic on the native setting within the companion app and manually activate it (faucet and maintain on the best ear cup). When the characteristic does work, the mics do an OK job of decoding voice instructions that Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri and Bixby register.
Not having auto-detect to pause music when taking off the headphones is a bummer.
Moreover, there are some bugs that Sony forgot to flush out. One which stands out is the digital assistant not executing instructions when utilizing the Sony Headphones Join app.
Sony WH-XB910N audio high quality
The hallmark of Sony headphones is sound high quality, extra particularly, bass. Not solely does it are available in abundance on the WH-XB910N, due to Additional Bass expertise, however Sony additionally added their spatial audio and upscaling options to make music livelier and extra engrossing.
The emphasised low finish is immediately felt on bass-heavy tracks like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” It’s solely pure to be pulled in by the infectious bassline and snare drums from the beginning. There was extra to understand upon additional listening, particularly the clean-sounding adlibs and cymbals, which have been pronounced and blended effectively over the report’s funky manufacturing.
I discovered the channel separation excellent on instrumental recordings. A report like John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme, Pt. 1” captured the essence of a stay efficiency on the Blue Word, feeding my left ear soulful trumpet play and the best ear tingy hi-hats concurrently.
Gaining a better really feel for bass, I performed Dr. Dre’s “Kush,” however was shocked by the diminished readability. The booming results and searing synths have been overkill and bloated up the vocals. Fortunately, Sony enables you to personalize sound by means of its Equalizer characteristic that drastically improves high quality. Switching to the Brilliant EQ offered probably the most well-rounded outcomes and saved bass tight and punchy.
You’re given eight different EQs to play with: Bass Enhance, Brilliant, Excited, Handbook, Mellow, Relaxed, Speech, Treble Enhance and Vocal. The choice to create your individual sound profile by manually adjusting the frequencies and bass is accessible as effectively. Not like the Mark collection, these presets don’t carry out so effectively on the WH-X910N. I counsel sticking with Brilliant.
Allow DSEE to extend the constancy on low-fi tracks and decrease background static. Sony’s 360 Actuality Audio will even make choose tracks from appropriate hi-res streaming companies (e.g., Tidal, Deezer) sound extra immersive, although Apple’s Spatial Audio is the higher answer for 3D listening.
Sony WH-XB910N lively noise cancellation
This isn’t Sony’s most interesting ANC outing. The noise neutralization on these cans is inferior to the Mark collection, in addition to prime rivals just like the Bose 700 and newcomers just like the Shure Aonic 40. You’ll get some quiet time, relying on the setting, however don’t anticipate full silence.
Working in my residence workplace, I may hear household chatter and my toddler’s tantrums from about 50 toes away. Different noises like doorbells and my mom-in-law’s iPhone speakerphone conversations have been additionally audible at a excessive degree, confirming the WH-XB910N’s wrestle with mid and excessive frequencies.
ANC fares higher open air. I loved interruption-free listening within the gazebo, blocking out distractions like automobiles pulling into the driveway and planes flying over the home. Wind resistance is perhaps the headphones’ finest under-the-radar characteristic. You’ll be able to allow the setting within the app to suppress whisking results created by gusty situations and dashing automobiles. It received’t fully cancel out these noises, however the distinction between having it on and off is large.
Ambient Sound is the superior characteristic. You get 20 adjustable ranges and full management over the quantity of exterior sound that comes by means of the mics. I may hear all the things round me clearly, from building work throughout the road to chats going down throughout the home. The characteristic is robust sufficient that you simply don’t need to allow the Deal with Voice setting to amplify folks’s vocals.
Sony WH-XB910N app and particular options
Noise cancellation and Sony sound are two unbelievable promoting factors, however so is entry to the Sony Headphones Join app. Receiving signature options like 360 Actuality Audio, ANC/Ambient Sound, Equalizer, and DSEE on the present value level of $150 is unbelievable.
A couple of different settings you’ll discover within the app are Computerized Energy Off, related machine administration, voice assistant choice, and Bluetooth Connection High quality to prioritize sound high quality or connectivity. The homescreen additionally greets you with a battery degree indicator and music participant.
Not all of Sony’s high-end options made the reduce. Lacking from the listing are LDAC, NC Optimizer, NFC, and good controls like Fast Consideration and Converse-to-Chat.
Sony WH-XB910N battery life
Cheap fashions with enough ANC playtime are laborious to return by. The WH-XB910N do not cheat you of lengthy battery life, producing as much as 30 hours with ANC on and 50 hours with ANC off. This crushes the 20 hours max provided by each the Bose 700 and AirPods Max, and is barely larger than the WH-100XM4 (the 30 hours Sony advertises falls quick by 3 hours).
My testing noticed the headphones faucet out across the 29-hour mark with ANC on, which was good for 2 weeks of leisure. Any worries of low battery life disappeared as soon as discovering a 10-minute fast cost may internet 4.5 hours of additional play.
Sony WH-XB910N name high quality and connectivity
The decision high quality on these cans is as poor because the WH-1000XM3. Muffling made it troublesome for folks to grasp the context of convos and the mics let in additional noise than they blocked out. My spouse may barely hear something I mentioned whereas strolling by means of the streets throughout rush hour. I assumed taking her name indoors would enhance issues, however there was nonetheless choppiness on my finish.
At the least connectivity was dependable. Bluetooth 5.2 prolonged wi-fi vary as much as 50 toes with out stuttering. Pairing was instantaneous on all platforms and single-click Google Quick Pair expedited the method on Android gadgets. Multipoint expertise (join to 2 gadgets concurrently) additionally operated higher than I assumed it might.
Backside line
Credit score Sony for its generosity. It didn’t have to provide us a lower-tier model of its flagship ANC headphones as a result of the WH-1000XM4 is generally flawless and value each penny. Nonetheless, we bought the WH-XB910N, a mannequin possessing most of the model’s prime options and flaws.
The professionals outweigh the cons and having this degree of sound for simply $150 is a cut price. If that isn’t satisfying sufficient, then contemplate the lower-priced and extra well-rounded Enduro ANC.
