New trend: Truly wireless noise-cancelling headphones

[_J.G.M_]

When Sony released the WF-1000X wireless noise cancelling headphones in 2017, the whole game changed. Many were attempting truly wireless designs but Sony was one of the first to add noise-cancelling to the mix. Today, there’s no reason to accept anything less.

What is ‘truly’ wireless?

Truly wireless headphones have no form of connection between the earpieces. Wireless headphones do – for instance, there may be a headband or a cable around the back of the neck.

Neither require a headphone jack but truly wireless headphones provide several added conveniences too:

1. Freedom to move – With absolutely no cables to get caught on anything, you can enjoy a full range of motion, whether you’re exercising, cooking or commuting.
2. Minimal storage – Over-ear headphones require considerably more storage space, as do those with a neckband. Truly wireless headphones can literally fit in your pocket!
3. Quick pairing – Most truly wireless headphones use Bluetooth, so it’s really easy to pair them to your smartphone or other device. Once paired, they’ll usually connect automatically in the future.

What is noise-cancelling?

Noise-cancelling headphones reduce unwanted ambient sounds using active noise control. A microphone inside the earpiece generates a soundwave that is the exact opposite of the outside noise before mixing it with the content the user does want to hear for counteraction. This means you can really get lost in the music, leaving outside distractions behind.

There are many reasons people choose noise-cancelling headphones:

1. Ear health – As outside noise is blocked out, you won’t need to turn the turn the volume up to excessive levels, potentially protecting against hearing damage.
2. Travel comfort – Noise-cancelling headphones are ideal for flights because without noisy engine disturbance, you can enjoy a movie or relax to some music.
3. Enhanced concentration – When you need to study or work, noise-cancelling headphones will help silence the outside world, so you can focus on the task at hand.

The ultimate combination: Truly wireless noise-cancelling headphones.

The freedom of truly wireless combined with the power of noise-cancellation makes for an incredible audio experience.

Sony currently has two models on the European market: the WF-1000X and the WF-SP700N.

With a compact, minimalist design and up to nine hours battery life, you can comfortably wear the 1000X Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones all day long. They come with a feature called Smart Listening by Adaptive Sound Control, which detects your activity and automatically adjusts the ambient sound settings to suit your situation. For instance, background noise can be eliminated as you travel, certain sounds allowed in to keep you alert when walking down the street, and if there’s an important announcement being made as you wait for the train, you’ll be able to hear it in voice mode. All of these settings are customisable in the Sony | Headphones Connect app.

The headphones automatically turn off when not in use, plus the stylish carry case doubles as a charger, so you won’t need to worry about running out of power on a long day.

Truth be told, these are more than just headphones. The 1000X have Google Assistant built-in; it’s like having your own personal assistant, wherever you go!

The SP700N headphones also feature all of the above but they’re designed with sports in mind.

With an IPX4 rating, sweat, rain or water won’t stop the music. They’ve been extensively tested for workouts and come with four different-sized earbuds so you can choose the best fit, plus the silicon arc supporters ensure they stay in place throughout even the most gruelling of training sessions. There’s a larger selection of colours to choose from too – just in case you want to match your new headphones to your activewear!

Where is this new trend heading?

With more and more audio manufacturers choosing to omit the headphone input on new devices, truly wireless headphones are only going to become more popular. Noise-cancelling is a supplementary feature but is one of those technologies that is impossible to go back from after you’ve tried it once.

Simply put: truly wireless noise-cancelling headphones are the future. Will you be buying a pair?