These two pair of wireless headphones are ideal for use with your smartphone and tablet. They will make your private listening time more enjoyable. Let’s look at both of them to see which ones are best for your needs.
Sony XB950B1 Extra Bass Wireless Headphones with App Control
First off, the way to get the most out of the Sony XB950B1 headphones is to pair them with an Android or iOS device. The reason for this is that you’ll need the Sony Headphones Connect app to run the equalizer and choose between AptX, SBC, and AAC modes. Changing these settings will adjust how the audio sounds to your ears, from modes like Outdoor and Arena to Club.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the headphones with a PC or other device. You can pair them with Bluetooth from a variety of sources. You just can’t change the audio settings without the app.
But you can use the controls built into the ear cups to adjust volume, skip tracks, pair with Bluetooth with NFC, and turn on and off the Extra Bass feature. And that last item is the reason why you might love the XB950B1 more than any other headphones.
The 40mm drivers and the Extra Bass boost low tones electronically so you can feel the rumble in rap, dance, funk, and dubstep. Even mid tones and highs are warm and pleasant. If you love the beat in music, choose the XB950B1 headphones.
Of course, there is a built-in microphone for phone calls. And the headphones should last up to 18 hours before they need a recharge. If you use them with the included cable in wired mode, they function as regular headphones without all the electronic enhancements. But this is a useful option should you run out of charge. You won’t be able to use the microphone, though, unless you use a different cable with an in-line mic.
Finally, this pair is not foldable like the XB950N1 are, but they come with a USB charging cable and a 3.5mm audio cable. Plug the USB cable into a computer’s port or a smartphone charger to refill the battery.
More features of the Sony XB950B1 Wireless Headphones:
- LDAC codec support
- Weigh less than 10 ounces (280 grams)
- Come in red, black, and blue
Sony XB950N1 Extra Bass Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Why might you choose the Sony XB950N1 over the XB950B1? There are at least four reasons why getting this pair is worth the extra money.
One, the XB950N1 have active noise-canceling. This essential feature is perfect when you want to enjoy music on a flight or a noisy street.
Two, this pair have longer battery life. If you use your headphones a lot, it’s handy to have up to 22 hours before you need to recharge. And if you turn off the noise-canceling feature, you’ll extend the battery life even more.
Three, the XB950N1 fold up for storage and transport. You don’t have to keep the headphones around your neck—you can stuff them in a large pocket.
Four, if you prefer to protect your headphones by storing them in a safe place, this pair comes with a carrying bag.
Besides those four differences, the Sony XB950N1 are essentially the same as the XB950B1. They pair over Bluetooth with NFC to Bluetooth-enabled devices, but you’ll get the most out of them with the Sony Headphones Connect app. And you can enjoy the Extra Bass boom, or turn it off when you want to listen without it.
While you’re listening to your favorite tracks, you can take a phone call with the built-in microphone. Once you press the phone button on the ear cup, the music will automatically pause until you hang up. But if you’re using the headphones in passive mode with the included cable, you won’t be able to use the microphone. Some users work around that with a non-Sony wire with inline mic.
More features of the Sony XB950N1 Wireless Headphones:
- 2-20,000 Hz frequency response while streaming wirelessly, and 3-28,000Hz while in passive mode with audio cable
- 40mm drivers
- LDAC codec support
- Choose from SBC, AptX, and AAC modes to enhance sound transmission over Bluetooth
Recommendation
The Sony XB590N1 headphones are the best choice since they include active noise-canceling, plus Extra Bass, longer battery life, plus they fold up for transport and come with a carrying bag.
But if you want to save money, and don’t need the active noise-canceling feature, you might prefer the Sony XB950B1 pair of headphones instead.
Click here to purchase Sony XB950B1 on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase Sony XB950N1 on Amazon.com!