Design and features:The WF-1000X has an integrated microphone and cellphone call connect/disconnect control for use with paired Bluetooth devices. Its noise-cancelling feature can be used with or without listening to music. These earphones can be used with the free Sony Headphones Connect app for Apple and Android mobile devices that adds additional features including various automated adjustments that are claimed to optimize the noise cancelling characteristics of the headphone based on different situations. This app can also can act as a audio program player and can provide tonal balance adjustment for the earphones. This model comes with seven pairs of ear pieces in various types and sizes, two pairs of removable ear bowl supports, a USB charging cable, and a charging cradle/carrying case with built-in battery that the manufacturer claims can be used to recharge the earphone batteries up to two times between its own charges.
Sound quality: We found the WF-1000X provides very good active noise reduction, and regardless of whether the noise cancelling feature was turned on or off, it delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks. The overall sound can best be summarized as a bit bassy and somewhat hazy. Bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is a touch prominent and boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is fairly even, but somewhat hazy and a bit grainy. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is fairly extended. While the sound has a good sense of liveliness it is somewhat closed-in (sound-wise it is somewhat obvious that you have something plugging your ears). These earphones provide very good noise reduction that is fairly even across the frequency range. When the noise cancelling feature is turned on a very faint hiss can be heard when there is no program noise to drown it out.
Comfort: As typical of in-ear models the WF-1000X produces a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening might be uncomfortable for some. While these earphones will stay in place with no problem for many users, those with larger ear bowls may not be able to get a secure fit.
