Sony MDR-XB950AP/H Extra Bass Smartphone Headphones, 3-28000Hz Frequency Response, 106dB Sensitivity, 24Ohms Impedance

2020-04-01T20:00:00

It's been almost 5 years since I first got this headphone and it is my daily driver to this day. Now I wanna start with pros. Firstly of course, bass. This thing, if you use it with an amplifier and a proper eq, just shakes your ears, I've never seen anything like it and whoever I let test it said it was like when you're at a club or a car with many subwoofers or something, becasue this thing really punches. It doesn't distort the mids and highs I'd say but when you get the bass to max they get kinda left behind but not much if you don't turn the volume soo high. I wish there were more mids, I think they're kinda lower than highs and lows, but other than that it's good. Another pro would be it's flat cable, it almost never gets tangled. The way that the cups push against your ears is very good, seals it so nice. I kinda wish they were on more of an angle against your ears becasue when I push them to my ears from bottom, the sound gets richer. It leaks the sound but not so much if you're not listening at full volume. The design has both pros and cons. It's a nice design overall, looks nice. The shiny aluminum looking headband kinda doesn't look all that good I think, could be matte. Now for the cons. Now like I said I have this headphone for soo long and almost every part of it fell apart at least once :D First time something happened to this headphone was when I had it for 2-3 years of something, which is it's rated lifetime anyway so I'm not gonna go that hard on it but some parts of the design are really weak, no other word for it. First thing that broke was the hinge that let the earcups turn, they both broke one after each other over 2 months period, the plastic that held it got worn out over time because of how much pressure it holds by the design of it adn it just got snapped when on my head. Now you'll see it in the pictures below anyway but I had a fix for it by tying them to the headband tightly. Now when that got fixed, the fork like thing that actually held the earcup snapped from the top, again both of them with some time in between. I fixed it with superglue and now it's fine but it breaks from time to time. Now you would say that's your poor use of the thing but I'll argue against it because what it breaking again and again shows that so much stress gets built on it and it becomes a failure pont, and therefore could be designed better in my opinion. Now another thing that broke was the plastic slider part, I had to glue them aswell because so much stress built up on screwing points along the top and it failed there. Another thing are the soft earcups themselvs, their sponge got exposed due to the glue they used got worn out overtime. I ended up stitching it. And the sponge inside it loses it's position over time and I have to adjust it over the cups with my fingers, massaging it to it's proper look. The cons of driver side. Now first of all these may be the things that happened becasue I opened up the headphone so many times but I had to because I had to fix some part of it, so the chances are it's gonna happen sometime to any headphone. Now, I don't know how it happens but sometimes the driver starts to distort the sound, especially low end so much that it becomes not listenable for me. What I do to fix it was blowing from the opening on top so the driver diaphragm got back to it's proper shape, it may be because of loud listening may be because it's lifetime is up, I don't know but it happened couple of times and it was hard to fix it. (There were so many other things that wanted to share but I thought it would not be fair putting them in this review.) The top headbands soft part, simply put, it worn out too and now it looks bad and the sticky thing they used it to hold it there is now coming out from the sides of it. The air port, unlike the bluetooth model of this headphone (XB950BT) it doesn't have a filter on top so unwanted particles can get in it I'd say quite easily like sand, dust or water. And for the last, I'll say the thing I wish it had. Volume up down button instead of a single button for control. Foldability, which upper models have but I don't think this version should be lacking that kinda options to be cheap, I tested XB900N and XB950BT and this heaphone really beats them both, both ways with and without cable attached to the other models. A little longer cable would be nice. And overall design could look way more professional and premium than how it looks now. I would love to see a remake of this model, with deeper bass, unlike what they did with upper models, to remove bass. I wish I was helpful and thank you for reading :)

Laniakeea

Originally posted at

2019-07-10T20:00:00

Very fine product. High quality sound and it shuts out external noise very effectively. Easy to stop,start and skip tracks from the cable toggle switch - I use an iPod, but it has similar or better features, it seems, on Android. The earpieces fold nicely flat and the size adjustment for the head fitting is reliable and easy to use. Very pleased with these cabled headphones. I found them at a slightly discounted price in Curry's / PC World. July 2019

barryp

Originally posted at

2019-07-02T20:00:00

I'm a bass player and keen on hearing the bass separation in music I listen to. Had the 500 before this upgrade and it blew me away. Definitely recommend!

Shazzza

Originally posted at

2019-05-03T20:00:00

I have had these headphones for 3 years now, and these things are indestructable. I have accidentally left them in the rain for 2 days, had them fall out of my 4th floor window, once vomited all over them, worn them for months, stepped and laid on them tenth of times, freqeuntly used them as throwing ammunition to make my brother go away, took them with me every trip i was going and had them packed in a scientifically impossible way. In total the only things that came of were a few screws, and the screws arent even really necessary to use them. The sound and bass are still perfect, the headphones except the few screws completely intact with no cracks or anything, nothing ever broke off. I never write a review because i never care enough, but this time i had to give some credits to sony because these things have quality, and not just qaulity, but qaulity given by god himself.

Tripleslav01

Originally posted at

2019-03-29T20:00:00

Pleased with my choice and I love the rich sound of the bass

Pensioner 5.

Originally posted at

2019-02-02T19:00:00

Bought this recently to replace a set of Sony headphones I bought six years ago. They appeared to be similar and indeed they have turned out to be. But one thing that is not quite as good is that they previously had the wire into one side of the headphones only and thay was a much better design for me.

Eric191

Originally posted at

2019-01-30T19:00:00

Although a litte heavier on the head than my previous headphones, the fit over my ears is excellent and the sound quality is very good.

River D.

Originally posted at

2019-01-29T19:00:00

I bought this product 9 months before.now the headphones broke while removing it off my head. I went to service center . I couldn't get the broken part replaced at least. Spending 6k INR and couldn't get it repaired is really hurting

Sreehari

Originally posted at

2018-12-16T19:00:00

Great bass sound for this set. Works well with PC Desktop-Samsung Mobile and Amazon Fire

Clansman

Originally posted at

2018-12-14T19:00:00

There was a tester in currys in which I tried on & plugged my phone in & the sound quality was top notch

Stoker

Originally posted at

2018-11-28T19:00:00

I use them when I'm composing music on Sibelius and they haven't let me down! I also think that they look pretty cool.

Mr s.

Originally posted at

2018-11-28T19:00:00

I use them when I'm composing music on Sibelius and they haven't let me down! I also think that they look pretty cool.

MR J.

Originally posted at

2018-10-26T20:00:00

I've just bought these headphones and they sound amazing, I like the way they fit and feel. Only time well tell if the product is as good as I would like it to be.

Similril

Originally posted at

2018-09-23T20:00:00

Only just started using these but it’s a great sound and a comfortable fit over my ears. Bought two pairs for our flight to the USA so I expect we’ll be better able to comment when we get back.

Ridd

Originally posted at

2018-09-10T20:00:00

Comfortable Sony Headphones with great sound are a quality product

Goran d.

Originally posted at

2018-09-05T20:00:00

I’ve had these headphones now for a few weeks and am absolutely delighted with them. I usually buy ear buds, so I decided to give The XB950AP Extra Bass a go. I am glad I did. The extra bass is exceptional and the clarity is very good indeed. For me a perfect buy.

Phillipos

Originally posted at

2018-08-25T20:00:00

Bougth this headphones today. They got a nice fit, and deliver music with great bass. The design blocks alot of unwanted sounds. You get alot for the money spent.

Alf74

Originally posted at

2018-07-25T20:00:00

I saw this on amazon and wanted to treat myself to a nice set of over-ear headphones and thats what I got and more!

LTolch

Originally posted at

2018-07-18T20:00:00

very good sound and comfortable to have on the head

Fred b.

Originally posted at

2018-06-25T20:00:00

These headphones lasted me 3 years and 6 months, and I am VERY rough with headphones (I've never had a pair of headphones last me more than a year prior to these). I've tugged on the cord a lot, I've tossed these around, I've stuffed them in my backpack; I actually slept with these on every night for a few months. Though they aren't noise-cancelling, they are excellent at reducing background noise. In my noisy house, sometimes I'll put these on and not even play any music because just having them on helps a lot. I'm not an audio expert but the sound quality seems great to me as well. These were such a great investment. I'm finally shopping for my next pair and the only reason I'm not buying these again is that my phone and Kindle both got rid of the headphone jack unfortunately so it's time to move on to wireless.

jzez

Originally posted at

2018-06-18T20:00:00

I try to use the headset for online meetings and while it doesn't bother me, the folks on the other end of the connection here phantom noises from across my room, loud pops, whistles, air movement, crazy echos and generally horrible sound.

compguyinslc

Originally posted at

2018-06-17T20:00:00

Satisfied by the quality of the sound and the insulation bring by the earings, i'm disapoited by the remote and the micro wich doesn't work on my smartphone (Oneplus2 with Android). I downloaded the apps recommended by Sony but it still unsuccessful. My previous Headphones with micro and remot worked very well on the same smartphone.

AUREL15

Originally posted at

2018-06-01T20:00:00

The only problem I had was my wife trying to yank them off my head while I was sleeping, the swivel part broke, but I have had them for a few years. Tried some b's they were not as comfortable, these things are amazing. Now I can't find them unless it's online which I don't want to wait. So please someone tell me where to get them in the 46835 area code.

Stan B.

Originally posted at

2018-04-20T20:00:00

Everything is great, however the swivels can stiffen or loosen very often.

Nathan H.

Originally posted at

2018-04-19T20:00:00

Purchased these a fortnight ago and have been generally pleased with them. They are very comfortable and only started to cause slight problems after three and a half hours continuous wear (I do wear spectacles) but otherwise very comfortable. They are perhaps best suited to pop and rock music where rhythm and bass is key but generally less so with classical. They seem unfocused and muddy in the midrange and upper range and ‘distant’ somewhat here. They are labelled as ‘Extra Bass’ and they certainly deliver a bass heavy experience that will suit many, but those wanting a broader range of involvement through the mid and upper ranges are best, perhaps, to look (and listen) elsewhere.

Si1966

Originally posted at

2018-04-09T20:00:00

Just received these for my birthday on 4/4/2018, loved the sound and comfort. Today 4/10/2018 i go to work out and when i began to put them on the right side ear cushion fell off, looks like the pin connecter that holds the swivel joint fell out. After reading additional reviews from others who have purchased this product this seems to be par for the course with Sony and their headphones.

ChaunRenee

Originally posted at

2018-01-30T19:00:00

I use it since a month at work to block colleagues noise and for conf calls. It great that it flattens to fit my bag. The negatives are: bit hurting ears as it's not completely over ear, noise blocking is so good I end up speaking very loudly when on the phone !!

L4No

Originally posted at

2017-12-13T19:00:00

Bought these to replace mine that broke fantastic value brilliant sound good value.

BA 1.

Originally posted at

2017-12-12T19:00:00

The headphones were given as a gift. I enjoy the sound.quality.

D M.

Originally posted at

2017-12-09T19:00:00

The wife is happy now. I can have music as loud as I like and she can’t hear a thing. Nice snug fit on the ears with an easily adjustable headband. Good sound with a mute button.

pele1950

Originally posted at