Request a product
Photo 1 of 10

Sony MDR-1000X · Photo source

Sony MDR-1000X
Photo 1 of 10

Sony MDR-1000X · Photo source

Sony · WH headphones

MDR-1000X

Released September 2016

Sony's first premium 1000X over-ear headphones, with active noise cancelling, LDAC and a folding travel design.

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Yes
Battery
20 h
With case
–
Best codec
LDAC
Weight
275 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the strong noise cancelling, comfortable folding design and smooth, balanced sound. SoundGuys found the bass restrained and mentioned creaking, while both SoundGuys and What Hi-Fi? found the touch controls unreliable at times.

From whathifi.com and soundguys.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Sound

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Yes
Transparency mode
Yes
Driver size
40 mm
Back
Closed
Bluetooth codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX and LDAC
Drivers
40 mm dome-type drivers with aluminium-coated liquid crystal polymer diaphragms, CCAW voice coils and neodymium magnets; 4 Hz to 40 kHz wired frequency response; 46 ohms powered on or 14 ohms off at 1 kHz
Noise cancelling detail
Sense Engine with dual noise sensors and a Personal NC Optimiser; Ambient Sound Mode offers Normal and Voice settings, and Quick Attention passes outside sound through while a hand covers the right earcup
Audio features
LDAC, aptX, AAC and SBC over Bluetooth; DSEE HX upscaling and S-Master HX amplification; NFC pairing

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim)
Up to 20 hours
Battery life detail
Up to 20 hours with noise cancelling on or 22 hours off; up to 24 hours of talk time with noise cancelling on; full charge in about four hours

Design

Weight
275 g
Bluetooth
4.1
Headphone cable
Yes
Controls
Right earcup touch panel for playback, calls and volume; separate power, noise cancelling and ambient-sound buttons
Microphones
Omnidirectional electret condenser microphone with a 100 Hz to 8 kHz frequency range
Fit and ear tips
Circumaural ear cushions; swivelling earcups fold into the supplied carrying case
Works with
Bluetooth A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP; 3.5 mm detachable cable allows listening with the headphones switched off; Micro-USB charges the battery
Colours
Black, Grey Beige
In the box
Headphones, carrying case, 1.5 m headphone cable, Micro-USB cable and in-flight plug adaptor

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Up to 20 hours of playback with noise cancelling on
  • LDAC and aptX alongside a detachable headphone cable
  • Ambient Sound and Quick Attention modes let outside sound through

Cons

  • Micro-USB charging takes about four hours
  • No USB audio playback
  • Touch controls have no tactile markers

Closest rivals

Model
TypeNoise cancellingBatteryWith caseBest codecWeightReleased
BoseQuietComfort 35
Over-earYes20 h–––Jun 2016
BoseQuietComfort 35 II
Over-earYes20 h–AAC–Sept 2017
BeatsStudio3 Wireless
Over-earYes22 h–AAC–Oct 2017

Newer model: WH-1000XM2.

Sources

  1. sony.co.uk/electronics/support/wireless-headphones-bluetooth-headphones/mdr-100…
  2. sony.jp/headphone/products/MDR-1000X/spec.html
  3. sony.com.hk/press/pdf/20160914_1_e.pdf
  4. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201610/16-1004
  5. sony.mediaroom.com/2016-09-01-Sony-Announces-the-MDR-1000X-Wireless-Headphones-…
  6. sony.co.uk/electronics/coolest-headphones-IFA-2016

Photo: sony.jp

Spot a mistake? Tell us