Sennheiser PXC 550 vs Sony 1000XM2
In this article, you can read the detailed comparison between Sennheiser PXC 550 vs Sony 1000XM2. These headphones are known for their exceptional noise cancellation performance. With active noise cancelation, these headphones can help you by blocking environmental noise, so that you can immerse yourself in music and focus on your own business. So, which headset is better?
Continue reading below to learn more about:
– The design and durability of each headset
– Which headset that is generally more comfortable
– The connectivity of Sennheiser PXC 550 and Sony 1000XM2
– The comparison of their noise cancellation performance
– The sound quality of Sennheiser PXC 550 vs Sony 1000XM2
– Which headset that is generally more recommended for you
Design and Build Quality
Sennheiser PXC 550 is definitely a good-looking black-colored headset. It has a certain premium appeal that can attract lots of people. It looks sleek and modern, featuring oval ear cups and a wide well-padded headband. It uses high-quality materials. It is a mid-sized over-the-ear headset, but it won’t stick out like a sore thumb when worn. See also: Sennheiser PXC 550 vs Bose QC35.
The sleek design is also accompanied with a very comfortable fit and excellent build quality. Despite being lightweight, Sennheiser PXC 550 still feels really solid and sturdy. The headband is reinforced with a durable metallic frame. The ear cups are plastic, but they are tough and don’t look cheap at all. It is foldable. That said, it is not the most portable headset in the market, as it is still a little bit too big to be carried without the case.
Sony 1000XM2 is also a beautiful premium-looking headset. It is available in two color options, black or gold. It is actually an updated model of Sony 1000X, and it looks quite similar to the predecessor – except for the matte rubbery coating on the ear cups. It is also foldable, but it will be much easier to carry around with the carrying case or a bag.
Most people expect Sony 1000XM2 to be a durable headset. This is true for most users. The ear cups feel dense and well-made. The headband uses a combination of plastic and metal to create a distinctive look and flexible body. Unfortunately, there are some users who say that the headset is not very durable. The plastic hinges that connect the ear cups to the headband are vulnerable. So, you should avoid abusing the headset if you want it to last.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, Sennheiser PXC 550 vs Sony 1000XM2 are generally great. They both have very comfortable ear cups that can fit well around the ears. However, Sennheiser PXC 550 is slightly better in this aspect due to the better breathability compared to Sony 1000XM2.
Sennheiser PXC 550 is one of the most comfortable closed-back headsets ever. The ear cups and headband are nicely padded, and the whole thing is quite lightweight. So, it won’t put a disturbing pressure on the top of your head. The fit is quite tight, but it won’t make your ears sore or fatigued.
The sophisticated design of the ear cups has allowed Sennheiser PXC 550 to provide impressive breathability. The ear cups don’t get excessively hot even after more than an hour of continuous listening. The outer side of the ear will remain relatively cool. That said, it is still a closed-back headset, so it is not suitable for intense workouts.
Sony 1000XM2 also comes with thick yet soft ear pads. The headband has just enough padding to make it comfy. The fit is snug and sold, yet without being too tight. It won’t pressurize your head. It is comfortable enough to wear continuously during a long listening session. It won’t cause excessive soreness or fatigue.
Unfortunately, just like most other closed-back headphones, Sony 1000XM2 also has some breathability issues. Each ear cup provides an excellent seal around the ear, which is good for blocking environmental noise, but bad for breathability. It should be good enough for an hour or two of continuous listening, but you will need to take it off every once in a while to avoid making your ears too hot and sore. It is not recommended for running or working out.
Connectivity
Both Sennheiser PXC 550 vs Sony 1000XM2 are equipped with built-in Bluetooth and NFC. However, once again, Sennheiser PXC 550 has managed to beat Sony 1000XM2. This time, it is because of the ability of Sennheiser PXC 550 to connect simultaneously to multiple devices, whereas Sony 1000XM2 can only connect to a single device at a time.
Sennheiser PXC 550 is a versatile headset that can work with nearly all mobile devices, PCs, and consoles. It has Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC to connect wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled device. Though the pairing process can be somewhat tedious because you need to hold the power button for a while when turning it on in order to get it into the pairing mode, later it is able to connect automatically to the last two synced devices when switched on.
This is incredibly convenient. You can switch between the two devices easily and quickly. Sennheiser PXC 550 also comes with a detachable 1/8-inch audio cable that has an in-line microphone. This audio cable is compatible with PCs, PS4, and Xbox One. Alternatively, you can also use the USB cable for an audio-only connection. The USB cable is also used for charging the headset.
Sony 1000XM2 comes with Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC. It is not able to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. This is a slight inconvenience if you often listen to music wirelessly from multiple devices. At least, the NFC can make the pairing process faster.
You can use the headset with an audio cable, but the included cable does not have any in-line microphone. So, although you can utilize the audio cable to use Sony 1000XM2 on a PC, PS4, or Xbox One, it will be audio-only. The USB cable is only for charging, and is not usable for an audio connection.
Noise Cancellation and Leakage
So, how is the noise cancellation performance of Sennheiser PXC 550 vs Sony 1000XM2? Although Sennheiser PXC 550 is generally better in terms of build quality, comfort, and connectivity, it is still not able to beat Sony 1000XM2 in noise cancellation. It is good enough for reducing low-volume noise, but it won’t be able to completely block some things.
Sennheiser PXC 550 has the active noise cancellation (ANC) feature, but the performance is just about average. The ANC tends to add a low-frequency humming which can be heard in some situations. It is able to slightly reduce low-frequency noise like bus and airplane engines. It works well for blocking mid-frequency noise like conversations and distant traffics. It is also quite capable of blocking high-frequency noise.
Sennheiser PXC 550 normally doesn’t leak out sound too much when you are listening to music at a relatively low volume. However, since the ear cups don’t completely seal the ears, it can leak some sound when playing music at a high volume. The leakage is really noticeable when in a quiet environment, and it may disturb the people around you.
Sony 1000XM2 has impressive noise cancellation performance. It is an excellent choice for everyday commuting as well as travelling. It is able to block most low-frequency noise, such as bus and airplane engines. It also blocks conversational banters, traffic sounds, and high-frequency noise very well. The active noise cancellation (ANC) is adjustable to suit different conditions.
Sony 1000XM2 does leak some sound, but it won’t be noticeable if you play the music at low or medium volume. The leakage only becomes noticeable when playing the music at high volume in a quiet environment. So, this headset won’t disturb the people around you as long as you are not pumping the volume too much.
Sound Quality
Sennheiser PXC 550 has very good sound quality. It is quite balanced despite having deep bass. That said, the overall sound is actually quite neutral, so this headset is not for people who prefer heavy bass. You will love the fact that the bass performance does not muddle up the mids and highs.
The midrange is neutral, accurate, and detailed. Vocals and lead instruments are sharp and clear with great presence. The high-mid frequency range has a boost which pushes the vocals and lead instruments to the front of the mix. However, some bright sounds can be a bit too piercing. The treble is good, but it does not really make a spacious soundstage.
Sony 1000XM2 is quite better in terms of sound quality. At first, it may sound similar to Sennheiser PXC 550. But it actually has better bass. So, it can be a good choice for people who love heavy bass. It can deliver solid, beefy thumps without muddling the mids and highs. It also has excellent midrange and treble. Vocals and lead instruments can cut through the mix while maintaining good accuracy and detail. The soundstage isn’t wide, but still good.
Sennheiser PXC 550 vs Sony 1000XM2
Conclusion
In general, Sennheiser PXC 550 is more recommended. It has a better build quality and comfort. It also has better connectivity features. So, it will be generally more convenient to use. The noise cancellation performance is pretty good, and the sound quality is great. Sony 1000MX2 is only recommended if you want to completely block the outside world, or if you need to deal with low-frequency noise.
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