Sony is one of the biggest, and most respected audio brands in the world, offering a huge array of stereo equipment, portable speakers, gaming consoles, TVs, and headphones – the subject of this hotukdeals buyer's guide. Sony's headphones come in a number of varieties, and span a wide price range. Some are ideal for gaming, while others will suit audio fans on their daily commute. This guide should help you find the perfect set of headphones for your audio activities. But first, let's get to know the Sony brand a little better.
Sony was founded in Japan just after World War Two, and quickly established a reputation for manufacturing affordable, reliable entertainment products. In the 1950s, the TR-63 swept the world, offering the first mass-market portable transistor radio. In the 1980s, the Walkman revolutionised the way people listened to cassettes, while Sony boom boxes played a major role in hip-hop culture. At the same time, the company pioneered CD technology, before spearheading DVD and Blu-Ray formats way before the competition.
Given this history of constant innovation, it's hardly surprising to learn that the company has a strong reputation for headphone design. Iconic large-padded models like the MDR-V6 (introduced in 1985) have been a mainstay in living rooms and around the heads of pedestrians for generations now. And since then, the pace of development hasn't slowed.
These days, Sony has embraced wireless headphone technology, adopted new digital file standards, and made considerable strides in techniques like voice activation and miniaturisation. The result is a range of headphones that offers an audio solution for all sorts of music, gaming, and TV fans. So let's discover the collection and tease out which models are right for your needs.
Don't just leap for the first Sony headphone model you see on the company's hotukdeals listings. It's a good idea to become acquainted with the brand's entire range before making any decisions. So here's a quick run-down of current models:
Sony WH-1000XM3 – The most important current model, the WH-1000XM3 has a headband-style design, and features wireless technology. But wireless connectivity isn't the main selling point with these headphones. Instead, their noise cancellation technology is what catches the eye. As Sony states, these headphones “take you even deeper into silence”, allowing listeners to focus on the music they love, without distractions. The critics have responded favourably, with Expert Review praising the sound quality and comfort provided by these elite headphones, which should be suitable for a general audience.
Sony WH-1000XM2 – A notch down from the WH-1000XM3, these headphones still deliver exceptional sound quality and cancel out external noise more effectively than the competition. They come with a 30-hour battery life, which is slightly longer than their more advanced cousins, and also incorporate wireless tech. Reviews have been positive, but some commenters have noted the slightly cumbersome touch controls, while the casing may be a little more fragile than the WH-1000XM3 as well. Still, the 1000XM2 is a great model for fitness fans and commuters.
Sony Z1R – Described as a “premium” set of headphones by Sony, the over-the-ears Z1R are all about delivering optimal sound quality. Best-suited to home use, they have 70mm HD drivers, using liquid crystal polymers to generate sonic performance that's remarkably pure. They also have a closed-back design, which increases the weight, but makes the audio delivery much more solid. So it's not surprising that What Hi-Fi? described the Z1R as “the finest closed-back headphones we’ve heard.” A model for serious audiophiles, but they carry a hefty price-tag!
Sony WI-1000X – Moving on, the WI-1000X is probably Sony's finest in-the-ear wireless earphone model. Through incorporating advanced noise cancelling technology, these headphones are capable of dynamically adjusting to ambient conditions. So, if you move from your bedroom to a traffic-filled street, your headphones will know, and deliver audio which lets you hear external noises, without compromising your enjoyment. The model received a 5/5 rating from What Hi-Fi?, with the reviewer praising the model's ability to balance noise cancellation with audio clarity. The ideal model for travellers who want a lightweight model with some extra add-ons.
Sony WF-SP900 – Designed for sports fans, the WF-SP900 is a wireless earbud model which fits over the ears. The design incorporates 4GB of on-board storage, letting you load up on podcasts or songs before you head out for a run, and the casing is completely waterproof to 2m, too. So these earphones could be perfect for beach holidays. Add in Bluetooth streaming from mobile devices, and you've got a powerful entertainment tool for active individuals. According to the device comparison site Versus, Sony's claims measure up, with the WF-SP900 offering better than average water resistance, weight, Bluetooth compatibility, and charge time.
That's a brief outline of some of the leading models in the Sony range, but it's not exhaustive. If you head to the Sony website, you'll find a number of other in-ear, wireless over-the-ear, and headband-style devices, including many cheaper options. These tend to do away with extras like dynamic noise cancellation technology or on-board storage, but can do the job for people who aren't too demanding where tech is concerned.
When you check out headphone product listings, it's easy to become confused. Several key terms will crop up again and again, so it's worth getting to know what they mean before you start deal hunting.
Noise cancellation – We've talked about this already in the context of the WH-1000XM3, but what does it mean? Basically, when you listen to any set of headphones, external noise will intrude to some degree. No headphones are entirely shielded from the outside world, and this can often cause serious losses of audio quality. Designers achieve this in a couple of ways. Firstly, they use shapes and materials to manipulate sound. The “ear muffs” associated with older headphones are there to screen out external noise. But that can only go so far. More modern noise cancellation technology takes an “active” approach. In this case, headphones detect external noise, and then create a sonic antidote to cancel it out. Think of it like “anti-noise.” The result is often a dramatic improvement, with annoying drones and buzzing eliminated, and this doesn't just benefit music fans. It's also a massive benefit for phone conversations. So if you intend to use your headphones with a smartphone, noise cancellation is a handy feature indeed.
Bluetooth – Most upscale Sony headphone designs will include the latest version of this wireless audio standard. This means that they will be capable of linking seamlessly with other audio devices (provided they are also Bluetooth-enabled). So, you can sync your headphones up with stereos, gaming consoles, and digital audio players with ease. Historically, this has been associated with longer charge times, but this isn't necessarily the case any more. More recent Sony devices can balance wireless connectivity with easy charging and battery times – but this definitely falls off with cheaper models. So if you do want hassle-free wireless audio, it's often worth exploring high-end designs.
Headband – As the name suggests, headband devices come with a strap which connects the two microphones, allowing the headphones to slip over the user's head. When choosing this style of headphone, comfort is crucial. Look for designs with ear cups that are large enough to fit around your ears, and provide enough cushioning to avoid pain during long listening sessions. The best headphones (Sony's included) will feature adjustable cups that can be rotated or hinged to find the ideal position. They also feature lightweight cushioning on the headband itself. The listening experience can be ruined by a poor headband and cup design, so try on models in-store if possible. Then make a purchase on hotukdeals.
High-resolution audio – Many Sony models boast what is called “high-resolution audio”, but is this worth your money? Resolution here refers to the frequency of the audio delivered by the headphone microphones, which will usually be 96K in the latest versions. In theory, this can create sound that's much richer than CD quality, and approaches the depth of vinyl or live performance – and there's no doubt that audiophiles will appreciate the difference. But for others, this might not be so crucial. For one thing, high-res audio requires high-res file formats, and these aren't usually available from major audio marketplaces like iTunes. So actually getting hold of high-res music can be tricky (and expensive). So it's something to think about, but not yet an essential feature.
When buying headphones from Sony, you'll almost certainly have to choose between corded and wireless versions. On the one hand, this is usually a pretty easy decision to make. Most people would prefer Sony wireless headphones for their extra convenience and portability. The only limiting factor is price. Good wireless models are consistently more expensive than old-fashioned corded alternatives. As there's no dividend in terms of sound quality, many people will be happy to stay in the analogue era where headphones are concerned.
In fact, many people maintain that wired headphones actually tend to deliver better sound quality than their wireless brethren. This remains a pretty good general rule, but it's less true that it used to be. Sony wireless models like the WH-1000XM3 manage to beat mass-market wired versions hands-down, and they throw in noise cancellation features as well.
Battery life and charging may be more important factors. Unfortunately, even the best wireless models require charging and are vulnerable to losing charge at inconvenient moments. That's something wired headphones don't suffer from, which means they tend to be preferable for using at desks or around the home. Then again, wireless models are superior for active audio fans who prize mobility and flexibility. If that sounds like you, investing in headphones with industry-leading charging and battery times is a no-brainer. So Sony will be a good brand to choose.
When you unpack a pair of headphones, the first challenge is usually to work out how to connect it to additional devices. Unfortunately, Sony doesn't make this as easy as possible, even for its own products.
Connecting headphones to a PS4 - If you've got hold of a pair of wireless headphones and want to link them to a PS4, doing so is problematic. The company chose not to include wireless headphone standards as a default option, owing to the lag time between earphones and the gaming console. There are workarounds, generally involving the use of an audio cable between your headphones and the console. But this defeats the purpose of having wireless headphones, making wired versions a better option for gamers (at the moment).
Connecting headphones to an iPhone – Linking your wireless headphones to an iPhone or other smartphone is usually much easier. Typically, you'll just need to head to your phone's settings menu and enable wireless pairing. When the headphones are turned on, they should appear in the phone's list of possible wireless pairings, and they should register as “connected.” When that's done, you're good to go.
When linking headphones to stereos, it all depends on how advanced the sound system is. If it can handle the same wireless standard as your headphones, there should be an easy way to pair the two. If not, you may need to buy a cable to connect with older stereos.
At this stage, you've probably got a good idea of which Sony model to purchase, but wait a second before diving into the hotukdeals headphones listings. Sony isn't the only high-end audio brand around. In fact, it's often tough to choose between Sony's headphones and those manufactured by Bose, its closest competitor.
As far as cutting edge headphones go, the key match-up here is the Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II. Both are advanced wire-free devices with excellent sound quality, and both incorporate what the manufacturers claim are path-breaking noise cancellation technologies. That's why the QC35 is part of the “Quiet Comfort” collection.
Neither model is ridiculously expensive, either. So far, there's not much to choose between them. But there are some differences. Firstly, the build quality of the QC35 is better than on the WH-1000XM3. The QC35 comes with leather pads and extra headband padding, and will generally resist scuffing more effectively.
Then again, the controls on the WH-1000XM3 are a major strength. The swipe and tap controls are configured for easy track and volume changes without any missteps, while Bose's interface is a tiny bit clunkier. Bose tends to attract more praise for its noise cancellation features, while Sony generally wins out where sonic richness and depth are concerned.
Both headphones score well on the software side as well. There are specialist apps to accompany both the WH-1000XM3 and the QC35, with features like mixers, equalisers, and pairing. And both models can be linked to smart tech like Google Assistant (although only the QC35 is Alexa-compatible).
Fundamentally, this isn't a battle with a clear victor. Both headphones are accomplished pieces of audio kit, and compete on every aspect. If the minor differences outlined above are deal breakers, that's fine, but most people will be happy with either model – and both are regularly available via hotukdeals.
Sony's headphone collection offers a wide range of cutting edge audio technology, from gym-friendly wire-free in the ear models, to heavy duty wraparound headphones that will make your favourite albums sound better than ever. But this quality comes at a price, especially at the top of the Sony range. Thankfully, there are always ways to save on audio upgrades.
Before starting to hunt for deals, be clear about what features you need. Not everyone will benefit from wireless audio or noise cancellation, and these things carry a price tag. You can still enjoy excellent audio quality at lower price levels, so don't automatically reach for the top of the range.
Then again, if you are dead set on slipping on a pair of deluxe headphones, it's vital to find a Sony WH-1000XM3 sale that suits your budget. At hotukdeals, we feature current offers from UK merchants, and all of Sony's most popular models are part of the mix. You'll find deals from retailers like Richer Sounds, Argos, Amazon, WH Smith, and Tesco. And you may also find second-hand deals from eBay or CeX – something to bear in mind.
Feel free to have a look for a Sony WH-1000XM3 Best Price right now, or hang on for major sale events when prices can dip further. Headphones are always likely to fall in price around Black Friday or Cyber Monday in November, or Amazon Prime Day in mid-summer. If you really want a premium pair of earphones, a few months of waiting could make all the difference.
In any case, when you want to upgrade your audio lifestyle, we've got your back. With deals from major retailers appearing all the time, the hotukdeals headphones listings will be music to the ears of bargain hunting music fans.
Sony is one of the world's biggest and most respected audio brands, and its headphone collection is right up there with the industry's best. From deluxe noise cancelling models, to ultra portable, water resistant earbuds, there's a Sony headphone model for every audio lover. And there's a deal for everyone to at the hotukdeals Sony headphone listings.
