Sony is expanding its range of wireless headphones with a brand new model called “Sony MDR-1000X”. The product is described by the manufacturer as “industry-leading noise cancelling headphones”, and is packed with new technologies for high-quality audio and additional controls over noise cancelling.
On paper at least, three of the most exciting characteristics of the Sony MDR-1000X are the all new, never-before-seen personalized features including Personal NC Optimizer, Quick Attention, and Ambient Sound Mode. According to Sony, the Personal NC Optimizer guarantees outstanding performance by analyzing the shape of the wearer’s head and how he or she wears the headphones “ensuring a tailor made experience every time you listen to your favorite track”. Also for the first time in Sony’s headphones lineup, “Quick Attention” mode is introduced allowing users to place their palms to the outside of the headphone ear cup in order to let ambient sound through and have a conversation without having to take off the headset itself. Last but certainly not least, “Ambient Sound Mode” is a setting that makes the most of noise cancelling, allowing users to change the sound condition and listen to music “while catching the ambient sound outside”. Sony goes on to mention that these unique listening experiences are possible thanks to the newly developed SENSE ENGINE. This is yet another new technology created by Sony that integrates “unique audio signal processing and analyzing techniques” to deliver a superior listening experience “for every single sound, including music and ambient sound”. As far as the hardware is concerned, the headphones feature a powerful 40-milimeter driver with Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) diaphragm, delivering a frequency response of 4Hz-40,000Hz.
Other features worth mentioning include the built-in DSEE HX upscaling technology (also previously used by the Sony Xperia Z5 series) designed to upscale compressed music “from any source” and deliver near High-Resolution Audio quality in wired or wireless mode, and the generous battery that should provide up to 20 hours of usage with Bluetooth and Personal NC Optimizer enabled, or up to 22 hours via Bluetooth and with the NC Optimizer disabled. The Sony MDR-1000X will be available in two colors (black and beige), and will be wrapped in a durable leather case. The headphones will hit the market starting this October, and prospective buyers are looking at a price tag of £330 / €429.
