Sony’s WH-1000X series is known to be one of the world’s best, if not the best headphones with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) features today. When they launched the WH-1000XM4, basically the fourth-generation high-end ANC headphones money can buy, it was regarded to be the best there ever was, leaving the likes of Bose in the dust. The question that remained from the fourth-generation product was “how is Sony going to make it even better”?
They answered with the WH-1000XM5, the fifth generation of what is possible in the world of noise cancelling headphones.
Two Noise Cancelling Audio Processing Chips
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Rather than just sticking to one processor for the headphones this time, they fitted two chips into the device. You get the proven QN1 processor you find yourself familiar with from the third and fourth generation WH-1000X over-ear headphones. They introduced the more powerful V1 processor in the WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds, and it made its way here into the fifth-generation wireless over-ear headphones.
The inclusion of two chips rather than one means that the processing power of the headphones just doubled. That should translate to better and cleaner noise cancellation to tune the entire world out of your ears. Sony also claims that the WH-1000XM5’s noise cancellation algorithm can now handle mid-high frequencies to better seal noise away from your ears. There is also a new Auto NC Optimiser that optimises noise cancelling to different environments.
Smaller But More Powerful Drivers
Source: Sony
Sony’s clever engineers have found ways to cut back on material and weight with a smaller 30mm drivers. While it might sound that the engineers have cut back on power too, the Carbon Fibre constructed engine does not seem to agree with the logic. Because it is also a smaller driver, high frequencies tend to be a little richer, helping music sound more natural.
Of course, there is LDAC compatibility and DSEE Extreme algorithm that allows you to listen to high-Resolution Audio with the least possible loss in fidelity and quality. DSEE Extreme also allows you to listen to music and audio from streaming platforms at near CD quality. There is also Sony’s clever 360 Reality Audio algorithm that allows you to enjoy music as they are intended in the studio with Tidal.
Better Call Quality
Instead of the four mics that the fourth generation WH-1000X had, the WH-1000XM5 has eight, four on each side. While most of the mics are made for better noise cancelling, four of them are beamforming mics that you can also find on the WF-1000XM4 for improve voice pickup. At the same time, AI noise reduction helps transmit your voice clearly to the other end of the line.
New Age Design
Source: Sony
While the WH-1000XM5 retains the touch controls that has been associated with the WH-1000X series, there is a sort of new design that comes with the new pair of headphones. It is larger than before, and not as flexible (cannot be folded) oddly enough. Even the case that comes with it is much larger than before. Weirdly, the larger design does not add any weight to it though, in fact it is just slightly lighter than the older heapdhones.
There are more soft materials that are also supposed to be more durable than before. The Vegan Leather materials form soft fitting surfaces so that wearing the headphones for extended periods is a comfortable experience. The new design is also supposed to alleviate some clamping pressure while remaining secure on the head. At the same time, a stepless slider means that you can infinitely adjust the size of the headphones to really fit your head.
Everything else that was great about the WH-1000XM4 is still retained here though. You still get Adaptive Sound Control that is cleverer than ever before with Sony Headphones App. The new WH-1000XM5 now also tells you if you are listening to your music at too high levels with a new pressure sensor within the cups. If you are out and about, when you want to order your coffee or talk to your friends, Speak-to-chat function is still retained.
Still Impressive Battery Life
Source: Sony
When we tested the WH-1000XM4, we never found ourselves worrying about its battery life. It had 30 hours of battery life in a single charge, that was why. This continues with the WH-1000XM5.
To be fair, the quoted battery life has not changed. It is impressive still because instead of a single processor, this has two to power now. It is not like they fitted larger batteries as well since there are no added weight on this pair of headphones. They managed to put fast-charging technology to this pair of headphones though. A quick three-minute charge gives you three hours-worth of listening time.
Price and Availability
The WH-1000XM5 will be available in two colour options, like its predecessors. It is now available for pre-order at Sony’s authorised stores and retailers. You can even pre-order it from their website if you want and have it delivered to your doorstep as soon as it is available. It retails for MYR 1,799, which is a little more expensive than its predecessor. But the improvements made on this pair of headphones might be worth the premium. Still, you might want to wait for our review before deciding on one. More information on the Sony WH-1000XM5 can be found on their website.
When the Sony WF-1000XM3 (WF-1000X Mk. III) first came to light, we were very excited about it. Oddly enough, the truly wireless earbuds from Sony did not have a Mk. II revision. It skipped a generation, which also means that the Mk. III is effectively a second-generation earphone of its type. There is a good reason for that though.
Sony’s argument to the naming scheme is simple. It packs the same technology as the WH-1000XM3 flagship Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) over-ear headphones. It is also leaps and bounds better than the first iteration they came up with. For that reason alone, the second-generation WF-1000XM3 is named the way it is.
With the fourth generation WH-1000X headphone (WH-1000XM4), they also delivered the Sony WF-1000XM4. It shares no visual similarities with the older Mk. III save for the colours. It is also quite a bit more expensive than the older earphone.s It is now MYR 1,099 over the MYR 899 for the Mk. III.
Is it worth the extra ask though? Is it a better headphone than the Mk. III that you should now chuck them away for these new ones? Does it even live up to our expectations? We dive in and try to answer these questions.
Design
As we mentioned earlier, the new WF-1000XM4 looks nothing like its predecessor. It is more compact, more “regular”. It is still quite bulky though, just less so than the WF-1000XM3.
The new earbuds feel more natural and easier to work with compared to the predecessor. It is much easier to place the earbuds correctly now than ever. The touchpad is now a lot bigger and easier to work with than before. The only thing we think missing is gesture control.
Even the case is much more compact now. They still feature the same sort of design language that you get from the case of the WF-1000XM3. The cap is a lot more rounded than before. The bottom is now flat so you can stand it correctly. The bottom is also where the wireless charging receiver is.
Hardware
The new earphones come with a slew of minor improvements that completely changes the experience of a true wireless ANC headphone. The drivers remain at the same size at 6mm, but was redesigned for better response in all frequencies. They have also managed to pack a few more mics and pick ups despite the smaller size.
Bluetooth 5.2 Active Noise Cancelling IPX4 Wireless Charging DSEE Extreme
Features
There is a lot to unpack here. It is by far Sony’s most feature packed true wireless earbuds. Then again, you are paying MYR 1,099 for it.
IPX4
The WF-1000XM4 is officially rated at IPX4. That does not mean you can take it swimming though. Officially, IPX4 means that the hardware itself is splash protected in all direction. That also means that it will work rain or shine. We can also now take it for a jog or the gym without worrying. We recommend that you turn on ‘ambient noise’ when you are out and about for your own safety.
Hybrid Tips
For the Sony WF-1000XM4, Sony developed hybrid ear tips. It is a mix of foam and silicon that combines the best of both worlds. The foam is the part seals the ear, while the silicone keeps the structure and secure the tips to the body.
The result is an extremely comfortable fitting earphones that really seals off the world from you when you put your earphones on. You can wear it for hours on end without any sort of discomfort coming from the usual silicone ear tips. We cannot comment too much on its durability yet though, we need to use it for longer.
The noise isolation from the foam is significant enough that it blocks out most noise. Combined with the noise cancelling algorithm, the world is tuned out. Because foam is more compliant to ear shapes too, the experience should be consistent with most ears. Everyone’s ears are different though so you might get slightly different experiences.
All-New V1 Processor
Instead of the older generation QN1 processor, as per the WH-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM4, the new true wireless earbuds feature a new V1 audio processor. A quick breakdown by EE Times shows that while the current V1 chip is slightly larger than the older processor, it integrates more features within the chip itself allowing Sony to wrap everything else into a smaller and tighter package. Of course, the V1 packs more processing power. That processing power allows Sony to fit more purpose-built hardware with cleverer algorithm for an even better noise cancelling experience than before.
Simultaneous Bluetooth Connection
Sony’s previous true wireless ANC earphones had some reported issues of desynchronised audio across both earphones. Sony have solved that with simultaneous Bluetooth connection on the WH-1000XM4. That also means that both earbuds will get data simultaneously. That also means a more stable, more synchronised listening experience across both ears. For the earphones to work though, you have to use the right earbud first. The left earbud will not work on its own. Sony, it is 2022, everyone else allows us to use individual buds either side.
Pair Quickly, and Correctly
Google’s Fast Pair and Windows Swift Pair are lifesavers for modern Bluetooth earphones. It is really just a matter of opening the case and choose “pair” when Windows or your Android smartphone prompts you to pair with your ear buds. We almost forgot that it’s predecessor came with NFC because this just works. It took us less than 5 seconds to get the WF-1000XM4 going.
Sony Headphones App
The Sony Headphones App really enhances our experience with the WF-1000XM4. If you come from Sony’s modern headphones line-up, you will be quite familiar with the app. There are certain carry over functions as well.
Ear Analysis for Better Experience
You can easily get the app to recognise your ear shape by taking a few photos as per the app’s instructions and tailor your listening experience. The difference can be so marginal that you hardly notice. To some though, it makes the world of difference in their listening experience. In some ways, the app can also help the earphones tailor the noise cancelling experience specifically for you. This is on top of the clever noise cancelling based on the feedback from its microphones from inside your ears. The app now also allows you to check if the tips you picked are suitable for you by performing ‘leak’ tests to see if your ears are properly sealed.
Speak-to-Chat – Your Earphones can Stay on Forever
One feature that trickled over also from the WH-1000XM4 is speak-to-chat function. If you find it quite annoying you can turn it off. It cuts the music so that you can have a conversation. It also only triggers when you start talking though, so your friends will still need to get your attention first.
Ambient mode is better and more natural than before. It is still a little artificial though. Little noises still sound bigger than they actually are.
By default, the music will only cut back 15 seconds after you end your conversation. You can turn that to 5, or 30 seconds. If not, you can also set it to trigger only when you interact with either earbud. It takes up to one second for the earphones cut the music and go into transparency mode, you might want to be patient.
Location Preset
Location detection is one very handy feature we love to use. You can have ambient mode when you are out and about just so that you are aware of what is happening around you. Once you get home, or to the office, your headphones will still continue playing the music and noise cancelling is turned up to the desired levels accordingly. You can even turn equaliser to different presets in different locations. Even the speak-to-chwt function can be customised accordingly.
360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos with Bravia XR
Yes, you can connect your earphones with your TVs too via Bluetooth. If your Sony TV packs Sony’s Bravia XR processor, you can take advantage of Sony’s clever 360 Reality Audio and the details in Dolby Atmos. Unfortunately, we do not have a TV with Bravia XR engine, so we could not test this function.
Performance
The features do not make the headphones though. You want it to sound good. You want to immerse yourself in music. With an ANC headphone, you want to be isolated at that.
Immerse Yourself Anywhere, Anytime, and in Peace
Noise cancelling on this pair of headphones is much cleaner than before. While it does not cancel everything, you can say that 90% of the noise around you gets cancelled with a good seal, and suddenly you are transported far away from your pesky colleagues, or noisy patrons in your favourite café. At 60-75% volume, the music drowns out your environment.
There is only one way to describe the audio experience; it is remarkable. Low-end frequencies excel with the WF-1000XM4. With some clever engineering, there is a bigger diaphragm over its predecessor. That also means that the low-end frequencies are punchier than before, more so than most earphones with similarly sized drivers. There is no sacrifice in detail though.
The mid-tones and high frequencies are excellent and properly detailed as well. Somehow, the WF-1000XM4 offers better vocals than before. You can hear that with songs like Lost Without You by Freya Ridings. The Final Fantasy Medley by the Video Game Orchestra also highlights the balance of the WF-1000M4. We use Tidal which offers music streaming at FLAC qualities.
DSEE Extreme and Hi-Res LDAC
We have to credit the excellent listening experience to Sony’s clever DSEE Extreme and LDAC algorithm. It is Sony’s clever audio upscaling algorithm that brings your music listening experience closer to what you might get on a CD or lossless files. You can turn it off if you want, but we suggest keeping it on.
Calls
The Sony WF-1000XM4 features more function specific microphones to pick up voice. It features bone conduction mic and also something called a beamforming mic. Bone conduction mic only picks up vibrations that comes from your skull while beamforming mic is great at picking up vocals. The result should be crystal clear and stellar voice quality in calls.
The feedback from the person on the other end of the line seems satisfactory. Our voices are picked up nicely and clearly. It is not as clear as using the smartphone’s built-in mic apparently, but still acceptable. The call sounds clear and clean in your ears too.
The better mic experience also benefits the speak-to-chat and smart assistant features of the WF-1000XM4. Because the earphones picks up your voice much better, speak-to-chat functionality is accurate in most cases and will not cut out when you are halfway talking to your peers. Voice commands are also picked more accurately than before.
360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos
360 Reality Audio offers you a sort of a 3D audio experience in the music. Artists can work with a whole surround sound experience to create a sort of immersive experience. For example, the earphones can visualise an all-encompassing drum experience, an acoustic guitar on the front left side, a piano on the front right side, your vocalist right in front of you, and a bass guitar right behind you.
Dolby Atmos on the other hand is a little different. While Dolby Atmos is used in most surround sound solutions for your visual entertainment, it is more about the details. On Tidal, Dolby Atmos allows you to head the little intricacies of the instruments. You can think of it like sitting in a studio listening to the actual recording being done before it gets mastered for the general listening experience.
On Tidal we used David Bowie’s Space Oddity and Alicia Keys’ 3 Hour Drive to test out the 360 Reality Audio. for Dolby Atmos, Tidal offers Sweet Child of Mine by Guns and Roses, Blinding Lights by The Weeknd, and I’ll Never Love Again by Lady Gaga. All of them offers different experience of 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos too.
Battery Life
Sony says that the WF-1000XM4 can last up to eight hours with continuous music playback and five and a half hours with continuous call time. Most of our calls end in less than three hours. One particular call that lasted about two hours did brought the charge down to about 50%. So, we can only take Sony’s word for its battery life.
We have never had the chance to use the earbuds for more than three hours in music playback too in our test period. The battery only went down to just about 60% in that time frame though. The estimation, based on the power consumption at that time, is more than seven hours of continuous use with Noise Cancelling in our case.
The case is also supposed to provide two extra charges, bringing up the total music playback battery life to a quoted 24 hours. We have never drained the battery on the case as well, but then again, we leave it on the wireless charger in the office or at home after every use of the earbuds. The case charges the earphones rather quickly too. In our use case, we never had to wait for more than 20 minutes for the earbuds to fully charge and get going again. You can charge it via the USB Type-C port too.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 Conclusion
We probably have said something similar with the WF-1000XM3, but this is sort of the gold standard now in ANC true wireless earphones. We think that the sound quality from the WF-1000XM4 has comparable sound quality even compared to the Sennheiser True Wireless Momentum II and the Klipsch T5 II.
At MYR 1,099 it is the same price as the AirPods Pro, and it sounds better. You could pick it up for less on other online platforms though. It is also cheaper than the Sennheiser and earbuds, both of which are considered some of the best sounding true wireless headphones out there.
This pair of earphones can offer you a completely tailored experience that is made only for your ears. That also means that each WF-1000XM4 out there could be marginally or completely different, depending on preferences as well of course. While that experience is only accessible through the Sony Headphones App, the app is available for both Android and iOS users.
Your entire audio experience is on a different level with the best-in-class noise cancelling algorithm. It blocks out enough that you feel like you are far away from distractions. With music, you are completely isolated and cut out from the world where you are. You are enjoying pure music.
Is it worth MYR 1,099? Based on its performance, we think the price tag is acceptable. MYR 1,099 for a personalised audio experience is actually highly accessible and reasonable, custom earphones will cost you at least twice that.
Is it better than the WF-1000XM3? Yes, it is. If you can get a good price for the Mk. IV, we think you should upgrade from the predecessor too. The WF-1000XM4 does not just live up to our expectations, it exceeds them. If Sony WF-1000XM4 is already this good; can Sony make anything much better than this?
Plenty of companies celebrate their significant milestone with special edition products. It is quite normal that you get an anniversary edition of things, especially in the world of gadgets. What do you mean why? You get anniversary version of cars, why not tech?
Not too many celebrate their major anniversary by launching a product though, JBL is one of those companies. This year JBL celebrates their 75th year in business. While they might not have existed quite as long as some audiophile brands, 75 years in the industry is a long time. This is also in consideration that some of the players in the audio industry have just started dabbling in high-end audio in the last five years or even less.
Of course, having 75 years of experience in the industry, JBL is one of the foremost brands in the audio industry. In fact, they make some of the best and most value-for-money production level gear. They really know a thing or two when it comes to making audiophile stuff then.
To celebrate their 75 years in the industry, they launched two new high-end noise-cancelling wireless headphones, very fitting. They launched one JBL Tour ONE and one JBL Tour Pro+ TWS in Malaysia. As per their name, they are part of JBL’s Tour series of audio gear.
JBL Tour ONE
Source: JBL
Source: JBL
Source: JBL
This one will set you back MYR 1,699, about the same as the Sony WH-1000XM4 currently. In that sense, it goes up against one of the best in the business. You are going to ask the question; “why should I get this one instead of the Sony?”
The JBL Tour ONE offers what JBL calls the True Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. The headphone cleverly monitors environmental sounds and automatically determines the amount of noise cancellation that needs to be pumped into your ears. You can even turn on the feature even if your headphone was not connected to your smartphone device. They call the feature SilentNow and you can just turn off the world with the feature.
The JBL Tour ONE is not just a one trick pony though. The JBL Pro Sound tuned driver features HARMAN’s clever Smart Audio Mode that switches your headphone’s audio profile according to what you are using your headphone for. The system will optimise the connection for either “normal listening”, “music mode”, or “video mode”. In “music mode”, the headphones automatically increase the fidelity of music for your enjoyment. Obviously, latency suffers and therefore watching videos with it might be less than ideal. In “video mode” then, latency is prioritised and minimised.
Battery life is not bad too. You get up to 25 hours of battery life with Noise Cancelling function on. Without Noise Cancelling, you double the battery life. If you run out of battery, a 10-minute charge gives you up to two hours of playback time.
JBL Tour Pro+ TWS
Source: JBL
Source: JBL
Source: JBL
For a more active lifestyle, an over-ear headphone may not be the most suitable tool you want to carry in your gearbag. You need something light, something portable, and quick to deploy. You want the JBL Tour Pro+ TWS headphones.
True to its name, it is a compact true wireless earbuds package that fits in your pocket like it belongs there. The 6.9mm dynamic drivers ensures that the small package can deliver big sounds though. All of that while still offering up to 30 hours in playback time (up to 6 hours on a single charge with Active Noise Cancelling on, 8 hours without Noise Cancelling). When you run out, you can simply put it on a wireless charging pad and quickly charge it. Either that or plug a USB Type-C charging chord to it and get one hour of playback time in just 10 minutes.
The JBL Tour Pro+ TWS also comes with Adaptive Noise Cancelling technology that either cancels out noise completely or lets noise in to your ears when you need to stay aware of the situation around you. Of course, the 3-mic beamforming technology mics that are on the earbuds also acts as the microphones for voice calls or voice chats. At the same time, Dual Connect + Sync also allows you to choose whether or not you pick up your calls and play music with either side of your earbuds. Fast Pair allows your Android device to quickly connect to the TWS headphones with no fuss. Of course, it is IPX4 rated, so you can take it to the gym and it is ready for the weather at least.
Prices and Availability
Both the JBL Tour ONE and Tour Pro+ TWS are now available via JBL’s own online store and official retail partners including Shopee and Lazada. The JBL Tour ONE headphone will set you back MYR 1,699 as per mentioned. The JBL Tour Pro+ TWS on the other hand will set you back MYR 1,099. Unfortunately, unlike plenty of JBL’s products, there are no colour choices on this one. More information on the JBL Tour ONE and JBL Tour Pro+ TWS can be found on JBL’s website.
It’s not every day you find an earphone with Apple’s H1 technology in it. The new Beats Fit Pro is one of the few that have adopted the technology. Of course, this comes as no surprise as Apple did purchase Beats back in 2014. The company has since continued its legacy of releasing audio accessories made for musicians.
Source: Beats by Dre
The Beats Fit Pro is the latest pair of earbuds joining the new Beats lineup. It’s made for anyone with an active lifestyle. The earbuds have a winged design that Beats claims will help the earbuds stay in your ears securely. They are designed to provide extra support and security “even through the most rigorous workouts”. According to Beats, the wingtips have been designed after doing research and development on “thousands of ears”. The end result is a “perfect combination of soft, pliable material around a rigid core for a comfortable and stable fit on any ear shape or size.” The new true wireless earbuds come with IPX4 certification for dust and water resistance.
It also comes with a new custom transducer which Beats claims will deliver robust sound even with its form factor. With Apple’s H1 chip at the core, the Beats Fit Pro comes with spatial audio compatibility. It’s able to support soundstages designed for 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos. It also comes with Active Noice Cancellation (ANC) which is enabled by two microphones. These microphones are continually measuring the ambient noise to ensure cancellation. In its press release, Beats claims that the technology in the Beats Fit Pro measures ambient noise up to 200 times per second.
Source: Beats by Dre
The Fit Pro comes with 6 hours of battery life with every charge. The casing gives it an additional 21 hours. It comes with a pocketable casing with USB-C for charging.
Pricing & Availability
The Beats Fit Pro is available for USD$199.99 (MYR827.01). You will be able to choose from four colours: Stone Purple, Sage Gray, White and Black.
UPDATE: The Sony WF-C500 will be available in Malaysia 18 October 2021 onward at MYR 449. It will be available in black, white, green, and orange. The WH-XB910N will be available in black and blue. It will arrive in the Malaysian shores in November 2021 and sets you back MYR 799.
Sony is probably best known for their high-end audio solutions catered to the home and personal audio market. They are world renown for their legendary sound bars, speakers, and even built-in speakers for their TV line-ups. They also make arguably the world’s most recognisable noise cancelling headphones for the audiophile market, the WH-1000X series. Their latest high-end noise cancelling personal audio device is the WF-1000XM4 true-wireless earbuds.
They do not just make high-end products that is mostly out of reach to more budget conscious consumers though. They make audio products for all kinds of market. Technically, Sony is also one of the largest audio solutions providers in the world, so them service all sorts of market should not come as a surprise. That said, Sony just launched the new WH-XB910N and the new WF-C500 headphones for the masses.
Sony WH-XB910N
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
The Sony WH-XB910N replaces the older WH-XB900N. It also features Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology. It is not the same ANC technology that you will find on Sony’s higher end WH-1000XM4 though. That also means that it will not work as well as the higher end headphone. Still, it should be an improvement over the older headphone it is replacing.
The WH-XB910N also comes with Adaptive Sound Control. The clever software defined noise cancelling program adapts your ANC program to your environment. Your ANC intensity is determined by not just your environment though, but also buy your movements in a designated area, or even where you are.
Of course, new products have to come with new technologies. The WH-XB910N packs Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, and LDAC support for even more stable high-speed wireless connection with your smartphones or PC devices. You get up to 30 hours of playback in just a single charge.
Sony WF-C500
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
When it comes to truly wireless earbuds, Sony tends to stick to a single design language that cascades down from its highest end earbuds. This season is the season of the WF-1000XM4 and it shows on the WF-C500.
The Sony WF-C500 shares very similar design cues and language with its more premium brother. Other than the similar design cues though, the WF-C500 does not share a lot with its more premium WF-1000XM4 counterpart. Even its charging shell is a little different comparatively.
You get Bluetooth 5.0 still for reliable high-speed wireless networking between your smartphone and the earphones. Unlike the older generation Sony earbuds, the WF-C500 supports mono mode with either side of the earbuds. It also does not have touch sensitive buttons. They come with physical buttons instead, to control playback and digital assistant access.
The earbuds itself can last for 10 hours, that is a little longer than the WF-1000XM4. Of course, the Sony WF-1000XM4 features noise cancelling and the WF-C500 does not. The translucent charging case carries another 10 hours of battery life for the earbuds should you deplete its battery.
The IPX4 earbuds uses a Bluetooth chip that transmits audio to both sides of the earbuds at the same time for better latency between two ears. It also supports Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. You have to have services like Tidal or Deezer to experience Sony’s 360 Reality audio though.
Price and Availability
The products have not been announced or launched in Malaysia yet. That does not mean that they are not coming to Malaysia though. The mid-range audio market is a hot one in the region.
In the United States though, the Sony WH-XB910N is now available for pre-order alongside the Sony WF-C500. The Sony WH-XB910N will start at US$ 249.99 (MYR 1,046*) and comes in black, blue, and grey. The WF-C500 will start at US$ 99.99 (MYR 418*) and comes in black, white, green, and orange colour options.
*approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1= MYR 4.18 on xe.com as of 30/09/2021
Bose is a big name in the world of audio solutions. The name sits among the best and the most popular in the industry. They are also the makers of one of the best Noise Cancelling headphones in the world, alongside Sony. Some might say that they make better Nosie Cancelling headphones than Sony, given that it was the Bose QuietComfort 35 II set against the Sony WH-1000XM2.
Sony has introduced two new Noise Cancelling headphones since the Sony WH-1000XM2 (Mark III and Mark IV), while Bose has been quiet (no pun intended). Then again, Bose did introduce a Noise Cancelling 700 headphone complete with a case that charges the headphone. Many regarded the Bose 700 noise cancelling headphone as the spiritual successor to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and a direct competitor to the Sony WH-1000XM3 when it launched. Except, Bose did not really think that, because they just introduced their QuietComfort 45.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the proper successor to the older QuietComfort 35 series. It even features roughly the same design cues that would be familiar to any Bose QuietComfort 45 user. Sure, the thin cylindrical bars that acts as the support for the headphone over on the Bose 700 headphone looks stylish and high-end, it does not fit the QuietComfort look.
Source: Bose
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II was dubbed as one of the most comfortable headphones you can find in the market with noise cancelling feature. The way Bose achieves this feat, while not all that different from Sony’s WH-1000X series, utilises different mixes of materials. Of course, the clamping force of the headphones play a lot of part in its comfort factor.
Still, the QuietComfort 45 is not really about improving materials, not as much as Sony’s WH-1000XM4 anyway. It is more about pushing the noise cancelling technology and improving the experience that is the QuietComfort 45. That starts with a longer battery life at up to 24-hours.
Instead of the old-school approach of charging the headphone via MicroUSB port, the new QC45 comes with a USB Type-C port for a full charge in two hours. Bose did not specify the size of the drivers the built-in battery powers for 24 hours of listening time. We are guessing that the QC45 will feature the same sized and constructed drivers as the QC35 II. That also means that the QC45 will feature the same frequency response and capabilities
What is definitely different though is the noise cancelling processor that the QC45 packs. Unlike some noise cancelling functions in other noise cancelling headphones, the QC45’s processor cannot be turned off though. You can only put the headphone in two modes – QUIET or AWARE.
Source: Bose
The mode names are very telling of what each mode does. QUIET mode is really Noise Cancelling mode. It uses microphones fitted inside and outside the thick earcups to measure unwanted noise from around you and cancel all unwanted mid-range frequencies by pumping in “anti-noise”. AWARE mode not only cancels all of that process but turns the microphones into microphones that will feed everything around you into the earcups and to you.
The noise cancelation is not just for you though. You can use the noise cancelling technology to have a better video conference with your colleagues, or clients, or vendors, or even friends. The QC45 will cancel out noise that might interrupt your video calls around you for others in the call as well. Now you do not have to mute yourself just because your dog is making noise in the yard, or when your mum is baking in the kitchen.
There are no touch controls on any of the earcups though. Instead, Bose uses the traditional physical buttons to control the functions of the headphone. You have the regular volume up and down rocker, the power button, a Bluetooth pairing button, and a programmable function button to answer or end calls, or even play and pause music. There is another button on the left earcup to toggle between QUIET and AWARE modes. You can use the same button to mute the mic in calls too. Of course, you can customise a lot of these and more from Bose’s Music App for Android and iOS.
Source: Bose
Source: Bose
Source: Bose
Source: Bose
Source: Bose
Source: Bose
Source: Bose
The Bose QuietComfort 45 noise cancelling headphone will be available from the 23rd of September onward via Bose.com and select authorised resellers. We are not sure that includes Malaysia yet though, which means that we might not get it at the same time as the United States (US). It will be available in the classic White, or Black colour options when it is available. The Bose QC45 will set you back US$ 329.00 (MYR 1,366*) and is now available for pre-orders.
* Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.15 on xe.com as of 01/09/2020
Compact, stylish, premium – those are words most commonly associated with Samsung’s Galaxy Buds. At unpacked, the company looked to add one more word to list – comfortable – with their new Galaxy Buds2. The new Galaxy Buds2 continues to inherit many of the features and design cues that made the previous Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds Live some of the most popular earbuds on the market.
Source: Samsung
The wireless earbuds continue to sport a similar case as its predecessors – with one major exception: it only comes in white. Samsung has relegated the expression of colour in the Galaxy Buds2 to the insides of the case. The white exterior is accented on the inside by four colours: Lavender, Green, Black and White. The white exterior literally protecting it like a shell.
The Galaxy Buds2 is also smaller than before. Samsung is saying that the Buds2 will be comfortable for prolonged use. In their announcement, they claim that it can be worn for a day.
Source: Samsung
Of course, like the Buds Live and the Buds Pro, the Buds2 comes with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and AKG Tuned sound. The new earbuds sport dynamic two-way speakers which is claimed to be able to deliver clear highs and boomy bass. It also comes with a new machine learning-based solution for better, clearer voice quality over calls.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Buds2 will be available in four colour options: graphite, white, olive and lavender. It will be retailing for USD$149.99*.
They will also be available in a special Thom Browne limited edition.
Razer is not exactly new when it comes to producing audio accessories. Of course, their core DNA has always been gaming. They have been creating gaming-centric accessories and hardware for years. What started out as a gaming mouse maker is now a major producer in other gaming peripherals, including gaming laptops for that matter.
The trend today, at least in terms of lifestyle accessories, is to go wireless. Razer understands that too, of course. Over the years too they have been expanding their wireless gaming peripheral line-up. The latest to join that line of wireless hardware is the new Hammerhead True Wireless (TWS) earbuds.
This is not technically a new product from Razer though. They launched their first iteration of their Hammerhead TWS earbuds back in 2019. The first-generation earphones took everything that were great from their Bluetooth iteration of the Hammerhead earphones and put them in a form factor that reflects the modern craze.
The shape of the earphones, in a sense, is very different from the Hammerhead earphones that we are used to though. Its shape mimics a certain other manufacturer instead, given, it was one of the most popular designs out there in the TWS earbuds market. Its charging/carrying case was designed a little differently though. It was designed to stand out a little bit in a more pill like case, while being a little more pocketable and compact than its competitors. After all, the name of the game in TWS earphones is portability and versatility.
The new TWS Hammerhead takes a slightly different approach compared to the first generation from 2019 though. The case and earbuds design mimics Razer’s own Hammerhead TWS Pro earbuds instead. That also means the case has a larger footprint compared to its predecessor. That is good news for its battery life though, with up to 32.5 hours in total battery life (RGB and ANC Off).
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
While the touch sensitive stem of the earbuds remains on the second-generation Razer Hammerhead, the tips are completely different. The new Hammerhead TWS earbuds features a proper earbud with replaceable silicon tips that should be a better and more secure fit in your ears. Its IPX4 certification means that you can take it out for your exercises and ensuring that you have a good seal and secure fit is important; you do not want to be running and losing your earbuds along the way.
On top of all of that, there are a few more reasons why you might want to ditch your first-generation Hammerhead TWS earbuds for the new one. For one, it now features Active Noise Cancelling technology. It also features Google Fast Pair, for an even quicker pairing and connection with your Android devices. At the same time, you get even more stable wireless connection with Bluetooth 5.2. The best part on the Hammerhead TWS though is its Razer Chroma customisable RGB. You can customise that from your smartphone app (available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, of course.
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
The new Razer Hammerhead TWS earbuds is now available from Razer.com, and authorised retailers across the nation. There are no funky colour options for you to choose from here. While it is only available in black, that also means that your RGB stands out a lot more. The TWS earphones is now available for MYR 629. For more information on the new Razer Hammerhead TWS earbuds, you can head over to their website.
Wireless earbuds are all the rage these days. The clean, cable-free feature of Truly Wireless (TWS) headphones really give a new meaning to the word “freedom” and redefined portability in the audio market. Of course, if you are a purist and audiophile, your response to all this will always be “but wired sound better”. We agree, but wireless audio products have come a long way since its introduction ages ago. Since Samsung introduced the world to their IconX TWS earphones too, TWS headphones have made huge strides and improvements especially in recent years.
With increased demands for TWS earphones too, more manufacturers are going to get involved to compete for market share. After all, it is not about who sells the best smartphones now, it is about who has the best and most seamless ecosystem. That also means that smartphone manufacturers like HUAWEI are sure to get into the game of creating accessories that accompanies the smartphones.
HUAWEI introduced their FreeBuds TWS headphones in 2018. They recently introduced the 4th generation of the FreeBuds in Malaysia. The new HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 comes with a slew of improvements that might make it one of the most compelling TWS headphones in the market.
Source: HUAWEI
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 still features Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) 2.0 which is quite unique. That is because the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 is an open-fit earphone. Open-fit earphones typically do not completely seal your ears obviously, and that adds a layer of complexity for the job that is noise cancelling. Still, with Adaptive Ear Matching technology, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 will manage. The technology will automatically detect the 3D shape of your ear and determine the optimal noise cancellation for individual users.
For the first time ever, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 boasts dual microphone. Dual mics of course is used for noise cancellation in phone calls. With 32KHz in frequency range in voice calls too, you get crisp and clear phone calls.
The FreeBuds 4 packs an unusually large driver too for its headphones of its type. It has 14.3mm, slightly larger than the one you get on the older HUAWEI FreeBuds 3. At 40kHz as well, it has double the frequency range compared to most earphones in its category. That also means that it should sound quite stellar especially with Hi-Fi quality audio formats. Of course, with larger drivers, you get better low-end frequencies projected too, which means great thumping bass lines.
Of course, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 is not just for listening and making short work of phone calls. The TWS earbuds has a mic that can record at up to 48kHz audio, which also means you can technically use it to record vlogs or use it to record audio from the surroundings for an immersive video from your HUAWEI smartphone.
Source: HUAWEI
Source: HUAWEI
Source: HUAWEI
Source: HUAWEI
Source: HUAWEI
All of these sounds like you would need a larger package of an earbud to work with. Strangely though, it is no larger than a regular Apple Airpods earbud. The pair of earbuds comes packed in a portable case that can gives the HUAWEI FreePods 4 extra full charges for up to 22 hours of music playback (without ANC). All the great stuff is shoehorned in earbuds that weighs only 4.1g on each end.
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 is now available for pre-order from HUAWEI Online Store, and partner stores such as Shopee, Lazada and Sen Heng until 21st July 2021. It is available in Ceramic White and Silver Frost colour options too. It will set you back MYR 599, which is a lot less than a lot of higher-end ANC enabled TWS headphones. More information on the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 can be found on HUAWEI’s website.
Razer’s Opus that was launched last year drew some resemblance with a certain wireless over-ear headphones from a different brand. Nothing wrong with that, there are not many ways to design a sleek and stealth looking headphone set without falling back into similar design structures. At the same time, we would like to see more colours from Razer’s stables. It is Razer after all.
They did come up with an answer a year later in 2021 with a new range of Opus lifestyle-centric headphones. Except, they are not the high-end type of headphones the Opus is. They are called the Opus X.
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
The Razer Opus X has very similar design cues with the higher end THX certified Opus. They share the same general shapes and curves in all the right places to make it look less gamer, more general use. The only difference you might find on the outlook is probably the colour choices you get with the Razer Opus X, which incidentally gave away the “gamer” look.
The Opus X comes in three colour choices. You get to choose between the white ‘Mercury’, pink ‘Quartz’, and Green (Razer.com exclusive). The more expensive Opus only gets the Black colour option. While the Green and Quartz might stand out in the crowd, we think the Mercury colour option could be more subtle.
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Inside the headphones are still two beefy 40mm dynamic drivers to deliver super low frequencies from 20Hz to super high frequencies at 20kHz. Obviously, there is no microphone stems here because Razer understands that you have a life outside of your house and a microphone stem outside your home looks odd. It does have the same noise cancelling microphones built into the sleek chassis for both voice chat and phone calls.
It is wireless like the Opus, obviously. You connect your PC or smartphone to it via Bluetooth 5.0 for stable connection and high-quality audio transmissions. You also get 30 hours of battery life with it, which matches the best the market has to offer in terms of wireless headphones. When the battery runs out though, there is always a trusty 3.5mm jack with included cables when you buy the product.
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
Source: Razer
While this Razer Opus X does not feature THX’s touch like its more premium brother, it does offer Active Noise Cancelling (ANC). In that sense, this is one of the more affordable products that feature ANC in the market currently. With 60ms low latency connection, this should also be one of the more affordable Bluetooth enabled gaming headphones with ANC capabilities. We prefer over-ear solutions for gaming too, we think this would be perfect if you are trying to lose the cables on your desk.
Price and Availability
We kept saying that it is a more affordable product, but we have not actually mentioned its price. The Opus X is already available in Malaysia and you can buy it from Razer.com online store, or Razer’s dealers and official stores across the nation. It is also about half the price of the THX Certified Opus at MYR 549 (US$ 99.99*). If we are honest, you can hardly find decent ANC enabled headphones at that price currently.
