Sony WH-1000XM2
Great detail; refinement; smooth highs; punchy lows FOR Touchpad controls take a bit of getting used to AGAINST
Sony had all the right ingredients in place with its MDR 1000X headphones. They mixed excellent audio quality over Bluetooth with a splash of fine comfort and class-leading noise-cancelling to claim a What Hi-fi? Award in 2016.
But after barely a year in production, the MDR 1000Xs have been replaced by the WH 1000XM2S. The new cans feature a few more ingredients; has Sony enhanced the flavour, or merely over-egged the pudding? The Champagne Gold finish replaces the original Beige. There’s still a Black option, but it’s not quite the same. Sony claims that a change in the materials used for the headband and ear enclosures has resulted in a finish that looks more gun metal or bluey/grey. And we actually prefer it. The headband and earpad cushioning carry across from the old model, which means comfort levels are still high and the headphones sit securely on your head without feeling vice-like.
Easy control
Sony’s Quick Attention mode makes a return. With this function, you can reduce the volume level of your music simply by covering the top of the right earpiece, which allows you to get your bearings or hold a conversation. Move your hand away and the music returns to its previous level.
Sony has also included something called an Atmospheric Pressure Optimiser. The theory is that a shift in pressure can upset the frequency balance of the headphones, so there’s a tiny pressure sensor in the left earpiece. The sensor detects changes in atmosphere and applies a filter to compensate – not so relevant at ground level but could be useful if you’re in an aircraft. The company’s Headphones Connect app, available for both Android and IOS, isn’t exactly essential but it brings an extra level of customisation. It gives you access to Sony’s Smart Auto settings so you can customise the amount of noise cancelling and ambient sound you want to experience. There are four different surround modes: Arena; Club; Outdoor stage; and Concert hall, and you can also play around with an equaliser to tweak the settings. Sony’s DSEE HX audio processing can be completely turned off from the app too. The company claims this can upscale compressed music to near hi-res quality via a Bluetooth connection, but turning it off comes in handy if you want to preserve battery life. You can go from 20 hours to around 30, while still using Bluetooth and noise-cancelling. Wired, Sony claims 38 hours of battery life.
Effective cancellation
Performance-wise, the Sony WH1000XM2S display all the strengths that made their predecessors so special. The noise-cancelling is still impressive, whether you’re trying to silence office noise or block out the rumble of an aircraft at 35,000 feet. They time almost as well as the B&WS and are equally happy bounding along to an enthusiastic bout of house music as they are communicating the slower, more emotive melody of Sampha’s (No One Knows Me) Like The Piano.
Refined highs ensure the constant crashing of high-hat and cymbals during Idlewild’s A Modern Way Of Letting Go never threaten to sound edgy or bright, but there’s still enough of a spark to entertain. The song’s over in a flash, but the Sonys allow you to savour every moment of it.
Wide-ranging dynamics at either end of the scale sandwich an impressive level of detail, and the result is that this musical package maintains your interest at all times and keeps you coming back for more.
Tidy, weighty bass
Bass is weighty and full-bodied, but doesn’t sound sluggish. If anything, this new model sounds weightier and more confident in its ability. The headphones can plummet far enough to follow the deepest bassline, but they stop short of unbalancing the rest of the presentation. The Sony WH 1000XM2S stick to a tried and trusted recipe that works a treat. They’re a fine all-round package that excel in most areas and that’s why we’d willingly pay every penny of their premium price tag. A quality pair of headphones if ever we heard them.