The Swift Summary
Pros
Cons
- Clean minimal design
- Superb audio performance and noise cancelling
- 30hr battery life
- Audio customisation (via app)
- Optimised for travelling on planes
- Gesture controls not for everybody
Features list for the Sony WH-1000XM2 headphones
- Superb high resolution sound
- Wireless connectivity (via Bluetooth or NFC)
- Foldable design
- Over-ear cup design
- 30 hour battery life
- Rechargeable battery via USB
- Remote audio control via touch interface (gesture control)
- Integrated microphone
- Detachable mini jack audio cable for wired use
- Integrated Google assistant
- Available in two colours: black or gold (as shown below)
- Adjustable padded head strap
- LED status indicator
- 1 year manufacturers’ warranty
Swift Thoughts
Design
The Sony WH-1000XM2’s have a clean, modern, minimalist design. I’m not sure they look particularly high-end, but the features built in certainly make up for this. I especially love the touch controls for audio playback and taking calls. A really neat feature that helps eliminate visual clutter around the ear cup. They’re not what you’d call ‘ear candy’ and wearing them you’re certainly not making any brand statements. If you’re looking for more subtle sophistication than a trendy statement – these are the headphones for you.
Audio Performance
The Sony WH-1000XM2 noise cancelling headphones offer an excellent all-round audio experience that are ideal for those who love listening to more bass-favouring tracks. The noise cancelling feature is exceptional and really eliminates intrusive ambient noise.
The headphones use an Adaptive Sound Control system that automatically adjusts the ambient noise depending upon your situation. Whilst you’re WALKING the noise cancellation is on its lowest setting and the ambient noise is most noticeable. Presumably this is a safety feature so you can hear cars and the people around you. Whilst you’re WAITING the ambient noise reduces to a middle setting, so the ambient bustle of an airport or train station is reduced, but you can hear the all important announcements. Then thirdly, whilst you’re TRAVELLING, the noise cancellation really kicks in and you get the full immersive audio experience.
You can manually adjust the ambient sound setting as well using the Sony Headphones Connect app.
Comfort
As with a lot of headphone designs the Sony WH-1000XM2’s can feel a little tight when you first use them. But once you’ve worn them a few times and you’ve correctly adjusted the headstrap they are a really comfortable set of headphones.
Build Quality
I have no complaints about the WH-1000XM2 in terms of build quality. If you look after them well they’ll last a long time.
Functionality
The touch controls can be a little fiddly, but once you get used to them they’re very satisfying to use. You simply double-tap the centre of your right ear cup for play/pause and taking calls. Swiping up and down over your right ear cup changes the volume and swiping left and right changes the track.
Noise cancellation and ambient sound adjustment can be switched on or off by cycling through the second (NC/Ambient) button around the left ear cup.
Battery Life
With a whopping 30 hours of claimed battery life you won’t be recharging them often.
Swift Scores
Design
Audio Performance
Comfort
Build Quality
Functionality
Battery Life
FAQs
Q: Does the WH-1000XM2 come with an adapter so I can use them with aeroplane headphone ports?
A: Yes, they come with a standard 2-pin adapter plug for flying.
Q: How long is the wire for connected use?
A: Approx 150cm (1.5 metres)
Q: Do they come with a case?
A: Yes.
Q: Are they suitable for use whilst running?
A: Yes they work fine. Once the headphone band is adjusted properly, they clamp over your ears with enough force to not move about.
Q: Can you completely turn off Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)?
A: Yes.
Q: Do they come with a case?
A: Yes.
Q: Do I need to download the Sony Headphones Connect app to use the headphones?
A: No. The app is just an additional nicety. It provides an alternative way to manage your connected devices as well as some audio customisation options. For example you can manually set the Adaptive Sound Control setting, pick a virtual surround sound effect and use an EQ tool where you have sliders to boost the bass, mid, treble to the exact levels you prefer.
What’s in the box?
- Sony WH-1000XM2 headphones
- Detachable audio cable
- Micro USB charging cable
- Semi rigid carrying case
- 2-pin aeroplane adapter plug
Tech Talk
What is aptX HD?
The Sony WH-1000XM2’s are aptX HD compatible! But what’s aptX and why is it important? Well, essentially aptX HD is a modern audio codec that transmits data at higher bit rates than standard Bluetooth or the original aptX codec. The result is better quality wireless audio.
What’s a codec? A codec is a type of digital algorithmic program. It compresses and encodes data going out then decompresses and decodes the data at the other end. The main purpose is to allow for quick and efficient data transmission.
Although with aptX HD the data is still compressed, Qualcomm, the aptX creator and developer, say it is capable of transmitting 24bit high definition audio that is ‘better than CD quality’.
Sony WH-1000XM2 – Colour Options
The Sony WH-1000XM2 noise cancelling headphones are available in two colours – black or gold.
Download the manual
If you’re interested you can download the Sony WH-1000XM2 Manual.
Alternative headphones
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II wireless noise cancelling headphones are a good alternative and often compared with the 1000MX range from Sony.
Recommended accessories
Avantree Priva III Bluetooth Audio Transmitter. This neat little gadget gives your TV or PC Bluetooth capabilities so you use it with your wireless Bluetooth headphones.
