Sony WH-H910N h.ear On 3 Wireless Headphones Review

When somebody says ‘wi-fi’, ‘energetic noise cancellation’, and ‘Sony’ in the identical sentence, they’re probably referring to the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones. However, that is not the solely mannequin to examine these containers. The firm’s newest high-end, feature-filled pair of headphones is the WH-H910N, which sits just under the flagship WH-1000XM3 in its hierarchy.

Priced at Rs. 20,990, the Sony WH-H910N h.ear On Three is, like most of the firm’s premium choices, technically spectacular. With options reminiscent of energetic noise cancellation, LDAC codec help, gesture controls, and extra, this pair of headphones appears to be like very promising at first look. Is it actually pretty much as good because it appears? Find out in our evaluate.

The Sony WH-H910N is presents high-end options and a pleasing sound signature

Sony WH-H910N design and specs

Although there actually is not something in Sony’s vary that appears and feels pretty much as good because the WH-1000XM3, the Sony WH-H910N does come shut. It’s the same form and measurement, however with less complicated textures and embossing on the outside. The ear pads characteristic an fascinating sample. Our evaluate unit was an understated and complex matte black, which is the one possibility being bought in India. Sony additionally presents this pair in 4 whimsical two-tone color choices in different nations. Despite being all plastic, we fairly favored how the headphones seemed and felt.

The headset has two bodily buttons on the left ear cup – one for energy, and the opposite is a multi-function button that may be customised. The USB Type-C port for charging and three.5mm socket for wired connectivity are additionally on the left ear cup. The outer floor of the best ear cup is a touch-sensitive panel to regulate playback and quantity, much like the one on the WH-1000XM3. The multi-function button can both be set to regulate noise cancellation and ambient sound settings, or to invoke the voice assistant on a paired smartphone; we most popular utilizing it for the previous.

Swiping up and down on the best ear cup adjusts the amount, swiping left and proper skips tracks, and a double-tap performs or pauses music and solutions calls. Placing a hand flat on the floor allows transparency mode, softening any music that is taking part in and turning on the microphones so you possibly can hear issues round you. The gesture controls labored properly for us, and we obtained used to them shortly.

The Sony WH-H910N is a snug pair of headphones; we had been in a position to make use of them for hours at a time, with solely small breaks to provide our ears some air. Even with glasses on, the headphones supplied a very good passive seal, and the energetic noise cancellation labored as anticipated too. The headphones are slim regardless of the over-ear design, and fold inwards for storage. The gross sales package deal features a delicate carry pouch, a charging cable, and a stereo cable for wired connectivity.

The Sony WH-H910N h.ear On Three headphones use Bluetooth 5 and NFC for connectivity, with help for the SBC, AAC, and LDAC Bluetooth codecs. Support for aptX is lacking, however this would possibly not actually be missed; Sony’s LDAC codec is broadly supported on Android gadgets. The headphones use 25mm dynamic drivers, with a frequency response vary of 5-40,000Hz when utilizing wired connectivity (20-40,000Hz when utilizing LDAC at 990kbps).

The headphones have a customisable button to both management noise cancellation or invoke a voice assistant

Sony’s wi-fi headphones are recognized for spectacular battery life, and the WH-H910N lives as much as the Japanese firm’s fame on this regard. With energetic noise cancellation working and listening to music utilizing the LDAC codec at excessive volumes, we had been in a position to make use of the headphones for round 30 hours between expenses; a powerful quantity that’s on par with what the WH-1000XM3 delivers.

As with different Sony wi-fi headphones, the Sony WH-H910N depends on the Sony Headphones Connect app (obtainable for iOS and Android) to allow you to management varied options. This consists of the adaptive sound management, noise cancellation and ambient sound, equaliser, sound high quality mode, multi-function button, and extra. The app additionally reveals the headphones’ battery stage and the codec in use, and allows you to set up firmware updates. We’ve spoken about this app intimately in a lot of our earlier Sony audio critiques, and it stays as efficient and practical as ever with the WH-H910N headphones.

Sony WH-H910N efficiency

Our expertise with Sony’s audio vary has been largely constructive, and this carries on with the Sony WH-H910N. These headphones stick with the positioning of the h.ear On product vary, providing a balanced sonic signature, making for an reasonably priced different to the WH-1000XM3. Unlike the Rs. 16,990 Sony WH-XB900N, the sonic signature is a bit much less bass-heavy, and connectivity is certainly extra dependable.

We examined the Sony WH-H910N headphones primarily with a OnePlus 7T Pro (Review) and an Apple iPad mini (2019). While sound high quality was first rate with the iPad which was utilizing the AAC Bluetooth codec, the LDAC codec on the Android machine sounded considerably higher.

Listening to Steps Of Deep Slumber by Seven Lions, the sound felt spacious and huge from the get-go. This spaciousness and the luxurious soundstage made for an pleasant take heed to this peppy digital observe, letting us hear even the faintest of particulars clearly. The bass drop within the observe is accompanied by devices masking the mids and highs as properly. All parts could possibly be heard distinctly and sharply; at no level did any overpower the opposite.

The headphones can be found in a single color in India – matte black

Switching to a extra conventional observe with highly effective vocals, we listened to Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie. The two vocalists on this observe – thought-about to be among the many greatest rock musicians ever – had been reliably and clearly heard on the Sony WH-H910N headphones. The balanced sonic signature helped in protecting the sound clear and easy, permitting the observe to dictate phrases reasonably than forcing it like so many different headphones do.

While the sonic signature remained reliably balanced no matter which machine we used, LDAC did enable us to listen to much more element, and made for a way more spacious soundstage that helped the headphones deliver out one of the best in our tracks. Our assortment of high-resolution audio tracks sounded notably good on the Sony WH-H910N headphones; Gotye’s State Of The Art nearly appeared as if it was being tweaked on the fly, with the lows, mids, and highs every getting their time to shine.

While the sound was spectacular, the Sony WH-H910N continues to be not fairly pretty much as good as its dearer sibling, the WH-1000XM3. The flagship headphones provide only a bit extra on the subject of precision and assault, with the Sony WH-H910N feeling rather less outlined. By no means did these headphones sound unhealthy, although; we discovered them to be largely on par with choices such because the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless.

Active noise cancellation on the Sony WH-H910N, whereas first rate, is not fairly as stark and efficient as we have heard on higher-priced choices such because the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and Sony WH-1000XM3. A good quantity of ambient sound is minimize out, however we had been nonetheless capable of hear faint hums of sounds that might ideally have been lowered extra, reminiscent of an air-conditioner and the final buzz of the outside.

The vacuum-like silence that we have grown to like with high-end choices wasn’t fairly current on the Sony WH-H910N, and it is issues like this that separate this headset from the flagships. Call high quality did make up for this to an extent; we had been capable of hear and be heard on voice calls clearly when utilizing the Sony WH-H910N.

We discovered the headphones to be comfy to make use of for hours at a stretch

Verdict

The Sony WH-H910N headphones might be thought-about to be an reasonably priced model of the wonderful Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones; each fashions have the identical options and capabilities for probably the most half. The variations between the 2 headsets might be seen of their design and efficiency, with the WH-H910N a small step beneath the flagship customary set by Sony.

That mentioned, the worth distinction between the 2 headphones is not a big quantity at present ranges; the WH-1000XM3 is promoting far beneath its official MRP due to its age. If you possibly can stretch your price range a bit, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is a far superior possibility that wholly justifies spending the additional cash, regardless of being over a 12 months previous now.

We had been anticipating the Sony WH-1000XM4 to launch someday final 12 months, nevertheless it might nonetheless be a number of months away, and its official value will probably be over Rs. 30,000 in India.

The Sony WH-H910N is a superb pair of headphones, however is barely value contemplating when you completely can not stretch your price range past the Rs. 20,990 price ticket. It will serve you properly if you need a light-weight, slim and cozy pair of over-ear headphones. Judged fully by itself, it is a completely good pair of headphones for the worth.

Price: Rs. 20,990

Pros

• Very comfy
• Balanced, accommodating, and detailed sound
• Excellent battery life
• Decent noise cancellation
• Good app, controls

Cons

• A bit costly for what’s on provide

Ratings (out of 5)

• Design/ consolation: 4
• Audio high quality: 4
• Battery life: 4.5
• Value for cash: 3.5
• Overall: 4