Sony has always created stellar headphones ever since they debuted decades ago. To this day, many critics and everyday users alike praise their products for the sheer number of features, top-quality sounds, ergonomic access, and elegant designs. But, they have another type of headphones up their sleeves: noise-cancelling headphones. Sure, there are huge number of devices capable of silencing ambient sounds, but are Sony noise cancelling headphones good? Let us discover.

The Beauty of Sony’s Noise-Cancelling Technology 

To put it simply, yes, Sony noise cancelling headphones are good… VERY good. If you have not read our different top 5 headphone lists, we always included the Sony WH series in – not because we are biased towards Sony, but for the simple fact that the brand is highly exceptional when it comes to making ideal noise-cancelling headphones.

Even their older ones like the WH-H900N and the MDR-1000X are still relevant to this day because of how effective their noise cancelling is. Sure, the later ones have perfected the technology but the predecessors still live up to today’s standards – which is something not a substantial amount of brands can achieve.

Whether you are an audiophile or not, you got to appreciate the unpretentious performance of their noise-cancelling technology.

The Right Ratio 

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One of the most common issues of noise-cancelling headphones is how muffled the sound becomes. Sure, your headphones may have blocked out the background noises but what is the point if you can barely hear the goodness of your music? Fortunately, this is not the case of the Sony headphones. Instead, they worked hard to achieve what other brands cannot do: achieving the right ratio between noise cancellation and overall sound quality.

We never thought we would see the day that someone could do this but here we are, living in the current year where people can fly drones for recreational purposes and young adults able to marry their anime pillows. For music enthusiasts, Sony’s noise-cancelling technology is one of the best in the world.

You might be thinking we are overacting with the whole Sony feature but we cannot help but find the greatness of these headphones versus other brands.

We will break down the main areas as to why Sony’s headphones are so good.

The Features 

When you think of Sony noise-cancelling, you think of features. And for Sony, they do not shy away from these perks. In fact, they will absolutely make sure you get your money’s worth.

Especially with the WH series, you get a ton of exclusive features that make listening not only special, but make you look good while listening too. Not only is it superior in sound quality, it oozes with fashion too.

The most common features found in a Sony NC headphones are top-quality earpads, great DAC chip, and buttonless sound controls.

Earpads usually irritate your ears after hours of listening, especially for cheap ones. For Sony, it always feels like you have a pair of pillows in between your head.

The DAC sound is responsible for causing the headphones to give off clear sound quality while under noise-cancelling.

Best of all, the buttonless sound controls give a minimalist touch to the headphones. How do you adjust then? With hand gestures over the earpieces, of course. These include auto lower volume, hands-free calling, swiping to change music and tapping to pause or play.

Professional Design 

Even at such a low asking price, Sony headphones always have a very professional design. They may look similar but the WH series are the same when it comes to high-quality materials. The frames are light enough for your head to bear, the earpads are fluffy enough and the adjustments are adequate.

Overall, the design looks so professional.

Amazing Battery Life and Distance 

Another crucial aspect of a Sony NC headphones is the battery life and its distance from the host device. Fortunately, the least number of hours that the cheapest Sony NC headphones have is 20 hours. The maximum being 48 hours (without noise-cancelling).

Straying as far as 15 m while maintaining strong receptions is also achievable thanks to Sony’s strong receptions, giving you more reason to choose this over other available headphones.

Price 

Noise cancelling headphones are among one of the most expensive types of ear devices but for Sony, it is an exception. If you compare Sony’s prices versus competitors like Bose, JBL and Sennheiser, you can obviously see the difference. Sony is always the leader when it comes to high-value headphones with top-quality features.

No Other Like It 

Sony noise cancelling headphones are an exception since they bring out the best of headphones. Sure, there may be some minor issues such as textures and weight but those are forgivable. We highly recommend buying Sony headphones for the price in exchange to the consistent features they offer.

The post Are Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones Good? appeared first on I-MEGO.

The [amazon link=”a” title= Sony WH-1000XM2″ link_icon=”none” /] is one of the brand’s top-selling headphones with the best value. It is also highly regarded as one of the best over-ear noise cancelling headphones in the current market thanks to its stylistic sound details and confident lows. It is a testament to everyone that you do not need to spend on a high budget to achieve studio quality headphones. Let us find out why the WH-1000XM2 is such a crowd favorite.

Features 

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The XM2 is a much-improved version over the H900N and the XM1. Sony managed to fix most of the nooks and crannies from the previous headphones and improved them on the XM2. While it still does have some hiccups, it is still an overall great pair of headphones that succeed in high-quality sounds at a sensible price.

The most prominent feature in the XM2 is the Quick Attention Mode. Basically, it means you can lower your sound volume by just placing your hand on the right earpiece. Covering it will automatically decrease the volume, which is great for when someone is talking to you or something else grabbed your attention. It makes a great feature too especially if you are listening to your favorite music while working and then suddenly someone wants to talk to you. Say goodbye to removing your headphones completely.

Another main feature here is the return of the touch sensors – the control panel of your music and calls. While it has better placement of the controls, it does have some slight issues when it comes to issuing the gesture; a hit or miss where the headphones may or may not register the hand gesture you are doing. However, if it does work and if you are used to some missed out areas, it is such a breeze.

The award-winning noise cancellation is back and better than ever. It is much improved over the WH-H900N noise cancelling thanks to a quieter activation and better silence technology within it.

And lastly, there is the custom configuration settings using the Headphones Connect app. Here, you can adjust the sound mode of your headphones, letting you adapt to the environment or situation such as when you are in a car, within a theater or open-ended room, or outdoors. It’s fun to fiddle with, but the features are hardly ever helpful for wherever you are in.

Design 

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The WH-1000XM2 is, hands down, one of the best-looking headphones from Sony. You can tell from afar that it is a high-quality pair of headphones, but what nobody knows is that it is much cheaper than its competition. It is also a lighter edition over the first XM series yet still heavier than the XM3. The whole build is strong too, but do be careful not to let it drop or else it will significantly affect its wireless prowess.

Sony lets you choose multiple colors for it, but arguably, the beige, gold and black editions definitely look sleek and professional.

Comfort 

They used the same materials from the MDR-1000X – the frames, the earpads, even the sound technology, but only slightly better. Although, the headband does look more gun metal than its predecessors and its earpad cushioning is slightly rougher. We do like the gun metal finish but the cushioning may be subjective. Personally, we did like its rough texture though.

Noise Cancellation 

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There is nothing much to tell about the noise cancellation except that it is superb – even better than the MDR-1000X and the WH-H900N. You can feel the complete silence once you activate its noise cancelling feature and no matter where you go, there is little to no background noise. You may end up in a busy rush hour in New York City or within your grandfather’s garden, but the result always stays the same.

This is noise-cancelling at its finest and it is one of the best features of the WH-1000XM2.

Sound Quality 

The WH-1000XM2 is only just a tad bit better than its predecessors. Technically, the older ones are already good and you know what they say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And in the case of the XM2, Sony carried out almost the same sound quality from the previous editions.

What is added here is the sound pressure optimizer which is very helpful if you are traveling by air or if you are in a high-pressure area including high mountains or deep caves.

Overall, we got nothing to complain about.

Battery Life 

Its maximum lifespan is 20 hours but you can surely increase it up to 38 hours as long as noise cancelling is off. The maximum charging time is 4 hours but 10 minutes of charging will net you an hour of audio playback.

Overall 

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The less said, the better. Why? Because the godly performance of the Sony WH-1000XM2 will explain to you everything as to why everyone loves it.

The post Sony WH-1000XM2 Review appeared first on I-MEGO.

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Who is It For? 

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Noise cancelling headphones are certainly for anybody who is a music enthusiast. No, you do not need to be an audiophile in order to appreciate the greatness of a noise cancelling headphones, but rather you need to know what it does.

Noise cancelling headphones are for people who want to listen to their playlists and savor the sounds of their favorite videos. Who do you appreciate music and videos more? With the help of silent backgrounds, of course. Thanks to the ability of noise cancelling headphones, you can now finally listen to whatever medium you want without the hassle of ambient noises including crowds of people, the echoes of distant construction workers and even nature herself.

It is a choice for introverted people since your focus diverts to the music you are listening to instead of your surroundings. This is also great for people who just want to relax while on a bus or train on their way home or simply stay in one room where it is just you and the sounds you love to listen to.

The Difference Between Standard Headphones and Noise Cancelling Headphones 

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There is a huge difference between the standard to the NC type. The most prominent is, of course, the amount of background noises. If you use a generic pair of headphones, you can still hear your surroundings, even if you set the volume to maximum. However, even then, the maximum volume may tear the sound quality and cause ear pollution to you due to the lackluster sound frequencies.

But with noise cancelling headphones, all you need to do is activate the noise cancel feature and before you know it, the ambient emissions around you are either minimized or gone for good.

Another contrasting aspect is the price. You can buy a decent pair of headphones for just $4 but for NC headphones, it will cost you around $80 up to $500, depending on the brand and quality. Should you even spend that much? Yes, but only if you have the extra money to do so and if you want high-quality listening sessions.

Extra Features are Always a Plus 

Another good aspect of noise cancelling headphones are extra perks. Surely you did not think that high asking price is only for the cancelling aspect, right? NC headphones always come with features including wireless capabilities, optimization, digital configuration settings, quick charging, and hands-free calling.

Not every NC headphones is one and the same; Bose has different features than Sony while Sennheiser offers a variety versus Pioneer. It can be anything, but what counts is if the features meet your preferences. Do you like ambient seclusions? Would you like a robust variety of sound modes? How about a separate app that lets you change the settings on the fly? Would you prefer a quick-charging headphones or one with a braided cable? All these add up to the worthiness of your budget.

Better Music Experience 

It really does not matter if you listen to Rap, Rock, Pop, Alternative, EDM or even meme music; what matters is that NC headphones simply make the experience much better. Sure, they are quite pricey but they last for a prolonged time.

NC headphones also make great use of diverse frequency ranges in order to achieve clear music even at the loudest or softest volume.

Just Because It’s Noise Cancelling Doesn’t Mean It’s Quality 

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Much like any product, there are some bad noise-cancelling headphones too.

“But how do I know if it is bad,” you may ask? It is simple: if the noise-cancelling feature barely does its job, then it is a no-go. What is the point of paying $200 when the quality is the same as one that only costs $30?

If you can barely hear the background noises, that is decent enough. Case in point, the WH-H900N from Sony. It may not be the best in noise-cancelling but it has enough juice to make you forget about the world outside of your own music as long as you are on the right amount of volume.

 Definitely Worth It 

It really does not matter which brand you choose. What matters is that the quality is good. Make sure you do your research before you buy NC headphones without thinking. Remember that not all of these are created equal. Some are cheaper but with more features, some are overpriced just because of the brand name. Be a smart buyer.

The post Are Noise Cancelling Headphones Worth It? appeared first on I-MEGO.

Winner of multiple awards including best wireless headphones in 2019, the [amazon link=”B07GDR2LYK” title=”Sony WH-1000XM3″ link_icon=”none” /] is an ideal pair of headphones that is incomparable in terms of price to quality. With stellar noise-cancelling, top-notch sounds, multiple frequencies and one of the most accurate voice controls ever, the WH-1000XM3 is anything but mediocre. Let us take a look at how good this premium Sony headphones is.

Features  

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As Sony’s flagship high-end headphones, the WH-1000XM3 is a much-enhanced version of the WH-1000XM2 and the WH-H900N.

Perhaps the biggest change in the XM3 is the transfer from digital amplification to analog amplification. Sony established a new form of technology wherein they combined noise-cancelling, DAC and an analog amplifier in a lightform chip inside the headphones. Enter the QN1 chip.

In simpler forms, the XM3 is much improved in every single way, from voice controls to frequency range, and especially the microphone. The mic has always been an issue with its previous entries since the old microphones always sound so muffled and echoed. It came to a surprise when Sony fixed the issue and now the mic sounds like it came from a studio.

A new feature included in the XM3 is the Atmospheric Pressure Optimizer: which is just a fancy term for flight mode – great for traveling abroad. What it does is it tweaks the frequencies and microphone sensitivity in order to make the performance better even at the highest altitudes it can muster. However, do re-optimize the headphones once again when you finally make it back on land or else you might just complain why the sounds are suddenly softer.

Another exclusive feature is the configuration via the Headphones Connect app on the Play Store or App Store. It allows you to adjust how much noise-canceling you need in specific activities or if you want to enable or disable the auto-off feature.

The battery life has also gotten quite an improvement too, especially with its recharging capabilities. You can now charge the headphones for 10 minutes and get 7 hours worth of audio playback already. However, fully charging the battery can take around 2 to 3 hours, which gives you around 30 hours of battery life. The quicker battery charge is due to the transfer from Micro USB to USB Type-C.

Design 

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The overall design of the WH-1000XM3 barely changed since it treats itself as a slightly improved version of the XM2. Most of the outer designs still remain the same: the no-button controls, the hands-free calls, the adjustments and all that. But what they made better is the frame weight and the earpads. The frame itself is now much lighter and the pads have a “fuller” feeling – surrounding your whole ears without feeling clamped.

As usual, you can choose multiple colors but we will leave the color preference up to you.

Comfort 

Just as we said previously, the XM3 has a lighter feeling, solving the issues that the XM2 and H900N had. This is also perhaps one of the most comfortable headphones ever made not just from Sony, but for headphones as a whole – especially for the non-audiophile type. Speaking of which, this makes a great starter audiophile headphones too, especially if you think you have the same appreciation of the little details from music and sounds.

Having this in between your ears feels so natural even if you are wearing it for hours. The best part is the earpads themselves since they feel like pillows. Bring that along with the light frames and you have yourself a convenient pair of headphones that will be your best buddy wherever you go.

Noise Cancellation 

Learning from the mistakes they made with the WH-H900N, Sony’s latest WH-1000XM3 is finally the ideal noise-cancelling headphones we hoped for all these years. No matter where you are, its analog noise-cancellation feature definitely blocks out background noises at around 90 to 95%. That makes it great to have whether you are traveling for long hours or just sit at home and relax as you savor the music.

Sound Quality 

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The sound is spacious, the vocals and acoustics are clear and the bass has the right boom. The XM3 boasts an amazing quality that would make any other competing brands green with envy. There is no loss in directness, the instruments sound like you are in a studio and the frequency has a wide range from low to high.

Battery Life 

As usual, the battery can last up to 30 hours. The difference here is that charging is now much quicker from XM2’s 3 hours to just 2 hours with the XM3. That means you can charge your headphones for just 10 minutes and get 5 hours of audio playback immediately.

Overall 

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We do not need to extend further at how good the Sony WH-1000XM3. If you have the budget, just buy it. No discussion.

The post Sony WH-1000XM3 Review appeared first on I-MEGO.

The Sony WH-H900N is packed with cool features including noise cancellation, booming sound quality and good battery life. However, is it worth your money? That is what we are here for.

Features

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If there is anything that the WH-H900N is best at, it is the abundance in features. Just take a look at how many it includes:

High-resolution audio lets you experience digital music in a heightened experience as long as you are connected via a cable. It uses an enhanced integration for crisp and clear audio quality.

It uses a transmission called LDAC: a Sony-exclusive audio technically which, according to the official page, is “Unlike other Bluetooth compatible coding technologies such as SBC, it operates without any down-conversion of the Hi-Res Audio content*1, and allows approximately three times more data*2 than those other technologies to be transmitted over a Bluetooth wireless network with unprecedented sound quality, by means of efficient coding and optimized packetization.“

Noise cancelling is also added to the earphones in order for you to enjoy audio without the worries of background noises whether you are inside a public library or in a crowded train. Basically it blocks low-frequency noises outside the earphones, making your listening sessions more enjoyable.

If you need a quick call or someone is calling you, the headphones include a hands-free calling mode with just one touch.

Another unique feature found in the WH-H900N is the music controls via touch sensors. This feature makes the whole headphone design look quite minimalist and “cleaner”, giving it a futuristic vibe. You can do this by tapping or swiping the ear cups, which makes it more convenient to do than memorizing where the Play, Rewind, Forward and Stop buttons are located.

Its battery life lasts up to 28 to 30 hours. You may either charge it with the battery pack included in the box or use separate alkaline batteries instead.

The earpads themselves are very comfortable, resulting in a pillow-like feel on your ears.

Design 

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The WH series is Sony’s most stylish headphones in their product line, and the WH-H900N is one of their most fashionable ones. There are no buttons found on the headphones since it utilizes touch sensors rather than a separate control panel. This gives the headphones a very minimalist and chic design that looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi film.

The earpads are quite large – much larger compared to other earphones within its price range. Whether this is good or bad for you, this is quite a plus for headphone designs, especially if you are the type that prefers style over substance.

You can choose between 6 colors but we will leave the palette reference up to you.

Comfort 

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In all honesty, it is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the ear pads themselves are very fluffy to the ears that feels oddly satisfying when you touch it. On the other hand, the frame is very stiff, which results in clamping in between your head. That causes a bit of compression in between your ears but if you are used to it, then this is no problem. But if that happens, you should just readjust the angles of the pads and everything will be fine since it’s really just a minor issue.

Noise Cancellation 

While it does pride itself as feature-heavy, the WH-H900N’s noise cancellation is just fair. Not too effective yet not to unreliable either. It’s just… okay. Well, it does work better on quieter areas but highly-crowded locations may test how much the headphones can cancel.

Sound Quality 

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But, while the WH-H900N noise cancellation feature may just be fairly decent, its sound quality and performance is spectacular. The bass is consistent, the treble is on par, the mid-range is very well-balanced. Its low frequency is good on its own but the high frequency sound will solely depend on the music you select.

For its price, it is quite impressive, especially if you compare it to its rivaling headphones from other brands today.

Battery Life 

One of the best perks of the WH-H900N is definitely the battery life. This pair of headphones can last up to 28 to 30 hours straight (with noise-cancelling), making roadtrips and commuting all the more tolerable. But if you don’t mind deactivating noise-cancelling, the WH-H900N can last up to exactly 48 hours.

The charging time is fairly quick of around 30 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes, but you also have the option to use disposable batteries too.

Overall 

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In summary, the WH-H900N is an excellent pair of headphones especially for one that costs less than $200. It may not be the most exemplary audiophile headphones right now, but if you like a no-fuss mid-range headphones that makes every travel and commuting sweeter, it is definitely a great deal.

The post Sony WH-H900N Review appeared first on I-MEGO.

The [amazon link=”B0756CYWWD” title=”Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II)” link_icon=”none” /] is a dream turned reality for people who need a reliable smart voice assistant feature that goes beyond hands-free calling. Also known as the QC35 II, this noise-cancelling headphones is one of the most incredibly balanced devices from Bose. So, is this worth your hard-earned money? Let us jump right ahead and take a look.

Features 

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The most highlighted feature in the QC35 II is the Assistant mode. Yes, it is the same Assistant found in Android smart phones that is there to compete against Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa. The Assistant is also the main hub of how everything comes into play for the QC35 II.

Another feature included here is the inclusion of the Bose Connect app for Android and iOS. It is in here that you can manage your Assistant, let you receive incoming events and notify you for messages and calls via headphone notifications.

So, how do you manage to read the text? You can let Assistant read the text for you. The Assistant will even ask you to reply to the message. To do so, all you need to do is voice out what you want to say and the Assistant will automatically type it out for you. It even confirms if your text is right.

One of the unique features of the QC35 II is its ability to link to two devices at the same time. This means you can connect it to your phone and your PC simultaneously, offering a unique experience where you can combine music from your phone and the games that you play on your PC.

And Then Some Flaws

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While it does sound great and all, there are still some underlying issues that need to be addressed. One of which is the disability to manage your music unless you are connected to Spotify or YouTube Premium – a flaw that anybody with pre-downloaded songs in their music library will find as a major blow. Another case is the Assistant not being able to recognize your contacts’ surnames. So, if you have 3 contacts named “John”, you will just have to solve who’s who that texted you. Additionally, since the Assistant is Android-based, you may have a hard time dealing with the headphones if you are an Apple user – both the iPhone and Mac.

While the flaws may appear big, that still does not stray the fact that Bose made an effective pair of headphones that you can use as a smart buddy. You do not get to see that a lot in today’s headphone market.

Design 

We do appreciate the overall look of the QC35 II. It sports the classic design of the original 90’s model of the Bose headphones yet utilizes today’s modern smart Internet of Things.

The oblong earpads gives off the old-school Bose design and the contrasting textures of matte and gloss displays aesthetically pleasing visuals. The earpads are foldable too, making it very convenient to bring with you anywhere if you decide not to let it hang around your neck. It also comes with a handy bag too dedicated for the foldable earphones.

Comfort 

Bose definitely lives up to the “Comfort” in its model name. We have absolutely no complaints about it since it is quite light at 240 g even though it is quite large. The texture of the pads feels leathery but smooth and it is definitely soft to the touch for the ears. Thanks to the flexible frame, you can stop worrying about clamping in between your ears as you can go on for hours wearing this pair of headphones without an ounce of pain.

Sound Quality 

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While it may not be as powerful as you may hope it would be, it is quite soft… but in a good way. By soft, I mean it maintains a certain balance where you can enjoy your music at any volume without ever worrying about audio tearing. In other words, it is very well-balanced.

But, as part of its signature sound quality, the bass is unmatched and weighty – which makes listening to heavy songs like rap, rock and metal all the more immersive.

Another unique bit about its sound quality is its adaptive mode; making each song feel dynamic due to the headphones automatically adjusting itself to deliver music at its best. Whether you are listening to a classic Italian opera or a Billie Eilish playlist, listening is always a joy.

Noise Cancelling 

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Words cannot describe how silent the noise cancelling technology is. Truly, Bose lived up to the “quiet” in QuietComfort.

Battery Life 

You have a total of 20 hours battery life but it can extend up to 38 hours if you disable the noise cancelling mode. The charging only takes a while but not as fast as, let’s say, the Sony WH-1000XM3.

Overall 

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The key feature in the Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) is the added Assistant mode, but if you are just in it for the music, the sound quality is so exceptional that you wouldn’t even hesitate to buy it despite its asking price.

The post Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Review appeared first on I-MEGO.

After getting pressured from a heated competition with Sony, Bose decided to one-up their rival as the answer to the WH-1000XM3. Meet the [amazon link=”B07Q9MJKBV” title=”Bose Headphones 700″ link_icon=”none” /]: a premium high-quality pair of headphones that looks like it was designed for the future. Without a doubt, it is one of the best noise cancelling headphones right now, but is it worth your money? Read more about the details below.

Features 

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Since this is Bose’s premier headphones, of course they did not shy away with the features. From the moment you receive the product, you are introduced with an elegant bag that rests within the box. This is definitely one of the best-looking packaging for headphones and the bag inside feels more like a jewelry box. The faux-leather box contains the foldable headphones and a secret pocket for the charger and cable – making it more convenient for you to bring along all the accessories in just one bag.

The headphones also rely on the Bose Connect app (available for iOS and Android). Here, you can set-up your headphones with up to 10 different noise-cancelling modes. You don’t need to adjust the sound mode for your music since the 700 adapts to the songs. For example, if you are listening to EDM, the headphones will automatically increase the bass, and when you are listening to Latino, the acoustics heightens while treble goes lower. It’s a unique feature although the adjustments can be subjective for many people.

Another great feature is the highly flexible adjustments to the earcups. Thanks to its unorthodox design, you are able to turn the earpads in full 360 degrees. Adjusting the frames is smooth and the overall feel of the headphones is very light.

And, of course, let us not forget the most prominent feature in the 700: the Assistant. However, unlike the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, the Headphones 700 lets you choose between Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa (sorry, Siri). It’s all just preference and there are barely any differences but it’s in this personalization that makes the headphones more unique and catered to your liking.

Design 

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The Bose Headphones 700 is absolutely one of the most gorgeous-looking headphones to date. It has an unusual design; one that you do not get to see everyday in headphones: instead of hooking the frames on the earcups, the edges of the frames are outside of the earcups. Due to this inverted lollipop-like design, you are able to rotate the earcups to a full 360 degrees.

Also, there are no buttons on the surface of the earpads. Much like Sony’s WH-1000XM3, the Headphones 700 utilizes on touch sensors – which happen to be more responsive than Sony’s and who doesn’t like responsive sensors, right?

Comfort 

The Headphones 700 does not come short when it comes to the overall feel to it. The overall weight is light for anybody to carry and most of the surfaces are soft. Not squishy, but they do have a satisfying feel, especially with the headband itself (made of silicone). The earpads themselves are soft enough to get you wearing it for hours.

The best part about the earphones is that it just feels like it floats on your ears instead of something that clamps between your head. Yet, while it does feel light, it never seems to slide off your ears easily – making it convenient to use if you are going outside.

Sound Quality 

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The quality depends on the volume. While it is good, it is not exactly as mind-blowing as its direct competitor – the WH-1000XM3 from Sony. The quality of the sound may go from muffled and soft to crisp and clear. So, how do you maintain it? All you need to do is make sure that the volume is around 5 to 10. For some reason, Bose did not bother to optimize the sound quality if the volume is at 4 and below.

However, it makes up for the odd volume adjustments through its dynamic sound mode that adapts to whatever you are listening to.

Noise Cancelling 

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If there is anything better than its sound quality, it is the noise-cancelling feature. Personally, this is one of our highly reviewed noise-cancelling features due to the app’s perk of letting you adjust how much noise-cancelling you want. If you happen to be with someone and you need partial attention to know if they are talking to you, you have the option to minimize the noise-cancelling. And if you want to immerse in solitude, max out the noise cancelling to feel the complete silence.

Battery Life 

Its battery life can last up to 30 hours; up to 48 hours if you disable noise-cancelling. A full recharge will only take you about 2 to 3 hours but 10 minutes of recharging will net you 5 hours of audio playback.

Overall 

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If you need the most ideal type of headphones where noise cancelling is everything, then the Bose Headphones 700 suits you best. Its sound quality may just be good, but the extra features and superior noise-cancelling makes this a keeper.

The post Bose Headphones 700 Review appeared first on I-MEGO.

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Why Bose and Sony? 

There is no doubt that both Bose and Sony are among the powerhouses when it comes to high-quality headphones. Nobody else does it better than these two for the reasonable prices in exchange for juicy features and long-lasting builds.

Bose includes a great variety of noise-cancelling headphones such as the [amazon link=”B07Q9MJKBV” title=”Headphones 700″ link_icon=”none” /] and the [amazon link=”B0756CYWWD” title=”QuietComfort 35 II” link_icon=”none” /]. These are two of their highest-rated headphones thanks to the incomparable and award-winning noise-cancelling technology paired with smart features that make the headphones more than just listening to your playlists. Bose headphones may not be the cheapest but they are certainly worth the money for the features they include. Also, they are never overpriced for the sake of their own brand name. And right now, they are on top of their game.

On the other hand, you have Sony: a long-time brand that has been in the headphones scene for decades. Their recent releases, the WH series – specifically the [amazon link=”B074ZRG5MN” title=”WH-1000XM2″ link_icon=”none” /] and [amazon link=”B07GDR2LYK” title=”WH-1000XM3″ link_icon=”none” /] – are one of the most highly-praised noise cancelling headphones for quite a while and it does not look like they will go away anytime soon. If anything, they are beyond obsolete and are future-proof designs. Additionally, their prices are much cheaper versus Western brands like Beats and B&W. Now, they achieved the right formula of clear and crisp audio quality combined with stellar noise cancelling under a long lasting battery life.

Designs to Die For 

The best part of the Sony WH series and Bose noise cancelling headphones is that their flagship products are not for the meticulous audiophiles but rather for the general public who wants a high-quality pair of headphones that will let them appreciate music even more, whether indoor or outdoor.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II (QC35 II) sports a retro Bose design that is reminiscent of their headphones from the late 90’s to the early 2000s. Meanwhile, the Headphones 700 is a great introduction for the new generation of music listeners and those who want more than just a pair of headphones.

Sony’s WH series are all about minimalist designs and elegance under a reasonable price. If you want to let your old man know the future is now, you show him the WH series and let him fiddle with the controls. Not only are they futuristic but they are highly fashionable too.

Feature-Filled 

Both Bose and Sony do not shy away from spoiling you with abundant features. Each of them have their own way of presenting the headphones to you.

Bose is all about the Internet of Things and makes the headphones like a compact buddy, helping you read out text messages, search for Google results and even play music without touching a single button. The Assistant feature located in the QC35 II and the Headphones 700 are ideal when you are multitasking or if you are just too lazy to whip out your phone. Also, they can connect to two devices at once.

Sony is all about giving you the power over your own playlist. Sure, Assistant may be absent but it is all in the controls. Who needs buttons when you can just swipe the earpiece? Why the need to pull down your headphones when you can just cover one ear to lower the volume? Why even bother to know what you are saying when the built-in microphone lets you hear yourself loud and clear while under noise cancel mode?

Noise Cancelling and Battery Life 

The noise cancelling and battery life are the bread and butter for both brands. I have to say, both are exceptional in their own ways. Bose lets you customize the level of noise cancelling manually, while Sony adapts to the environment and knows exactly when it needs to minimize its own noise cancelling if you are talking to someone or if there is an important sound signal from the background. We have no words on how completely silent the noise cancelling feature is for both Bose and Sony.

As for battery life, I would say Sony does it better just for the fact that they even include quick-charging; an ability where 10 minutes of charging can already provide you with 5 hours of audio playback. Also, battery lasts longer for Sony but only slightly.

The Verdict 

Overall, to answer the question, are Bose or Sony headphones better, we’d say they are both good. Yes, it is a tie because both have their own ups and downs. To break it all down for you, the preference is all up to you. If you want pure high-tier sound quality, go with Sony. If you prefer the most ideal noise-cancelling, pick Bose.

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After the popularity of the Airpods a few years back, Apple decided to create a “Pro” version of it: a more complex pair of in-ear headphones that does just about everything better and beyond than its predecessor. The [amazon link=”B07ZPML7NP” title=”Airpods Pro” link_icon=”none” /] includes noise-cancelling, Siri and a couple of extra features to make the small pieces more ergonomic. Let’s jump right into the review.

Features 

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Once you receive the Airpods Pro, the box is quite unusual to how many in-ear headphones are presented. When you open the box, there is a “lift here” part in the center that tells you the airpods are underneath that surface. It is a unique approach to presenting earphones and one that is definitely memorable.

The biggest added perk to the Airpods Pro is noise-cancellation. While noise-cancellation may be a hit or miss for earphones, the Airpods Pro’s NC is nothing but amazing. If you need the best noise cancellation for earphones, this is what you should be getting.

This time around, instead of using touch sensors for the stems, the Airpod Pro utilizes force sensors. It is also an interesting approach to music control: you squeeze a stem to pause and play, squeeze twice to move to the next track and squeeze hard to turn on noise-cancelling. The only bummer here is that there is no volume control. I do not know why Apple thought it was a good idea to set aside the volume adjustment despite its top-of-the-line quality. Did they run out of budget? Was it all simply human error? We will never know. Fortunately, that is the only thing that makes this far from perfect. The only way to adjust it is manually on the device or ask Siri to do so, but we’ll leave that as a subjective pro or con for you.

The airpod case has also been slightly scaled larger and with a more consistent design. The cap is magnetic and the Airpod docks have a better fit.

Lastly, the Airpods Pro are sweatproof, meaning you can give this a go for everyday commuting and even work out. However, trust us when we say they are not particularly the best for those activities since some are more consistent like Sennheiser’s workout earphones or any of Sony’s oddly-named noise-cancelling headphones.

Design 

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The build of the Airpods Pro is only slightly different than the original Airpods. For one, it is slightly larger, and for two, they fit in any ear better than ever. Apple considers these as open-back in-ear headphones but that really does not matter if you are no audiophile. What matters is that it does fit better than the original Airpods and has a slightly sleeker design.

Comfort 

This where the whole situation is a hit or miss. Comfort is subjective with the Airpods Pro, however, it is generally a good design. When you are wearing this pair for the first time, you won’t help but feel irritated by the short stems that are poking on your ear lobes, but the more frequent the usage, the more you get used to it.

But, the best part about the overall comfort comes when you are trying to fit them in your ears. If the original Airpods felt like forced plugs that cover your ear canal entirely, this one feels like putting cotton on your ears. Its predecessor used hard plastic that caused irritation inside the ears as well as the chance of popping out because of sweat and lack of friction. But for the Airpods pro, you can wear it all day without even noticing. The pain is gone thanks to the silk buds, resulting in a more attached type of wireless earphones.

Sound Quality 

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The Airpods Pro definitely has the best sound quality of all the Apple earphones but it is certainly not the most mind-blowing compared to others like Sony, Bose, JBL and B&W. However, if you are no audiophile, listening with the Airpods Pro is generally enjoyable.

Noise Cancelling 

This is where the Airpods Pro truly shines. The noise-cancelling mode includes 3 options: On, Off and Transparent. On, of course, activates the mode and you would be surprised at how much background noise it blocks. The pair may be small but they certainly pack a punch. Off is obviously deactivation (and also the sound quality becomes generic earphones when NC is turned off). Transparent takes a unique twist where NC is still on, but it will only trigger background noises like announcements in a public transportation or if the barista is talking to you in a cafe.

Battery Life 

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It is no Sony WH-1000XM3 since the Airpods Pro has a maximum battery life of 4.5 hours. The twist here is that the case automatically charges up the earphones and it only takes an hour for a full charge.

Overall 

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In summary, the Airpods Pro is certainly one of the best in-ear headphones ever. Yes, it is indeed quite expensive but even if you are not an Apple fan, this is certainly worth it for the noise-cancellation alone.

The post Airpods Pro Review appeared first on I-MEGO.

For lack of a better term, [amazon link=”B085297N3J” title=”Beats Studio 3″ link_icon=”none” /] is a great casual experience if you are looking for a pair of headphones that gets the job done in great sound quality and comfort. So, compared to Sony’s WH-1000XM3 and the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, is this any better? That is what we are here to find out.

Features 

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Beats Studio 3 is one of the Beats most feature packed headphones. Including: noise-cancelling, wireless audioplay, durable frames, minimalist sound controls, soft earpads, and Assistant mode.

Let’s talk about noise-canceling first. While it is not a new feature anymore in today’s mid to high-end headphones, Studio 3 includes a simple on/off NC which has two modes: Dynamic and Adaptive. The former has a stronger NC than the latter, but we will get into the further details later.

The overall design of the Studio 3 is very flexible. It is perhaps Beats’ most durable headphones yet in terms of both audio quality and physical design.

The sound control panel is also unique. It may not be a touch sensor like the Sony XM3 but it does make a great use over its layered earpiece design. Tapping the upper part of the logo increases the volume while the lower part softens the volume. Tapping the “b” logo twice will skip the song and tapping it 3 times will go to the previous track. If you tap and hold the “b” logo, you get to talk to your AI assistant which we will discuss later on.

The soft ear pads make a nice touch (no pun intended) and is a good replacement over the stiff cups from the Beats Studio 2. One whole cup can cover your entire ear – which is subjective to being a good or bad aspect depending on your preference.

So far, one of the coolest parts of the Studio 3 comes in the form of Google Assist. If you are using an iPhone you can freely switch her up with Apple Siri. You can activate her by tap-holding the center of the earpiece and she will talk to you on whatever you need, be it googling the nearest restaurant, play an old song on Spotify or figure out how a sandwich triggered World War I.

Design 

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From appearance alone, you could describe the Beats Studio 3 as “soft”. Soft in a way that you can obviously see the different padded regions all over the headphones. It also comes in different colors and, unlike the Studio 2, provides dark palettes this time.

The ear cups themselves are oblong and padded with thick foam that can cover your ears completely. The headband is also a unique feature on the Studio 3 as it is stretchable.

The Beats Studio 3 also has a 3.5 mm jack and a separate micro usb slot in case you need to charge it (a USB-C type would of been nice).

Comfort 

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Beats Studio 3 is perhaps one of the most comfortable headphones on the market. Even after hours of wearing, you would barely feel them, causing little irritation for your ears or clamping your head. this is all thanks to the durable build of the headphones.

The pads themselves are not the softest in the world but, for a lack of a better term, they are just right.

Sound Quality 

So, does it sound good? Yes, but it is definitely not the most groundbreaking. If you have already experienced a pair of Beats headphones, this is no different. The only reason why you’d pay more for this than their cheaper versions is because of the inclusion of the Assistant and Noise Cancelling. For some reason, the sound becomes more muffled when you turn on the Noise Cancelling mode, which we will get right onto next;

Noise Cancelling 

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The Beats Studio 3’s biggest weakness is in the noise-canceling technology. Even if you set it on either Dynamic or Adaptive, you will still hear sound bytes from the environment, unless you are in a less crowded place like a library or in the church (but, who wears headphones in a church?).

We are hoping they will improve the sound canceling as in our opinion it does not compare to Bose, Sony and even Apple right now.

Battery Life 

The Beats Studio 3 has very good battery life. At full charge, it for 28 hours with noise canceling enabled (40 hours without noise cancellation). But, charging does take a while and it does not use any quick charging mechanic.

Overall 

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During our Beats Studio 3 test we felt they are one the best headphones the brand has ever created, especially in terms of comfort and sound quality, but if you need noise canceling then we would go with Bose or Sony.

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