Sony MDR-1000X Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Ambient Sound Touch Sensor High Resolution Audio Headphones - Beige

After having tried the Bose QC35's and returning them because of the terrible sound quality, Bluetooth connection and general heaviness of the headphones, I decided to pre-order the MDR-1000X's. They were around €70 more expensive but they've been so worth it!Amazing noise canceling, definitely on par with the QC35's (who's noise canceling was the one very impressive thing about them). I'm not in a position to compare the NC on these two pairs but they both seem quite similar to me.The sound quality is excellent on the MDR-1000x. I use an equalizer on my phone which seems to work much better on these than on the Bose headphones (nothing could improve the dull audio on those!) and the Bluetooth connection is unbelievably solid; It rarely, if ever cuts out. The build quality is also quite good, maybe not as good as the QC35's though, they feel ever so slightly more fragile.My only real minuses are in the fit and the touchpad. It can be a little hard to get comfortable in these every now and then. A lot of fiddling is required to get them to sit just right, the ear pads might not be soft enough for some and they can easily get very hot on my head, but they are large, cushioned over-ears after all.The touch pad is generally quite responsive, most of the problems I've had with it are actually issues with my Android phone + Spotify that regularly refuses to respond to commands, so that's not an issue with the headphones per-say. Supposedly the controls are much more reliable on iOS though. Swiping for volume and seeking tracks always works well but double tapping for play/pause often doesn't work if you do it too fast and I'll regularly have to try it again, but double tap much slower and right in the center of the earcup to get it to pause. It's just a little fiddly.The ambient sound modes are a blessing and the quick touch on the right earcup to let the outside world in is just genius!The buttons on the left cup can be quite easy to press accidentally when taking the headphones on and off but it's not a major issue. Once you learn where the three buttons are you're good to go!They're nice and light, easy to use and with great sound quality suitable for everyone's tastes, solid Bluetooth connection and build quality too, I'd have no problem recommending them as the best wireless NC Headphones out there right now.

After 3 months of research I ended up buying these headphones. Close contender was the Bose QC35ii but the features and amazon price tag of £179 made it a no brainer. The price has gone up since I purchased.Material Quality 9/10: Looks and feels like a high end productColour: Preferred black over beige but the black one was full priceConstruction: 9/10: Works well, sturdy an fits very well. I have a small head and it does feel a bit tight but I am getting used to it even with my glasses on.Connectivity: 10/10: Had no issues connecting to my iphone. Straight forward and worked instantly.Noise cancelling: 10/10: I am somewhat surprised how effective the noise cancelling is. I have tried these in the gym and with the music on it cuts out almost all external sound. For the first time I was able to sleep while flying! Noise cancelling worked like a treat!Sound level: 9/10: Once the noise cancelling is active, I only need the sound up to 3/4 of the max volume and that’s loud enough for me.Weight: 6/10: Slight bulky for my liking but it compensates with good sound quality.Size: 6/10: Slightly on the large front but it fits well so I am happy to compromiseTouch control: 7/10: it works well once you know exactly how to swipe up/down, left/right.Sound quality 9/10: It’s almost perfect; it all depends on the quality of the track you are listening to. I have heard some real crisp music with these headphones! They have set the standard very high for these headphones especially for “Bluetooth Headphones”. I was never a fan of Bluetooth headphones till I tried these on. Plenty of Bass!Voice calls: Have not triedComfort: 8/10: I think I need to get used to them a bit more as I am conscious of the size and weight.Gym use: 4/10 because the leather rims get soaked, not ideal but these are designed for business travel in mind and not the gymnasium. If you are thinking of doing cardio or jogging with these on, then I wouldn’t recommend them purely because they are likely to come lose and you may have to readjust constantly.Battery life 9/10: I haven’t tested this yet in one stretch but I have been using it couple of hours a day and the battery is still high after two weeks of use (excluding weekends).Charge time: I haven’t charged it since charging it for the first time.I used the BOSE IE2 prior to the Sony one’s at the gym and went back to them for one day as I didn’t want any sweat on my Sony headphones and the BOSE pair they felt like a cheap pair of headphones!For £179, definitely worth every penny!

Pros:1. There is a touch pad you can swipe or tap to play/pause/forward/backward/volume up & down, it's super handy.2. The noise canceling is amazing.Cons:1. Sound Quality: Maybe I had too much expectation for this but it sounds average at best. Bass is weak, fidelity is low, sounds muffled. A lof of the details are lost even if the volume is high. I thought it was just bluetooth compressed signal compromising sound quality so I used the included wire connection instead and it STILL sounded bad.2. Comfortability: Not terribly comfortable to wear because it's quite tight.Conclusion (TLDR):Sound quality is subpar but super convenient.