OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
Headphones Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Sony MDR XB650bt Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£110Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:30 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR XB650bt Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony MDR XB650bt
6.4/10

Overall score

Score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

9.0

User score

â–²Better than 59% of headphones
7.5

Value for money

Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components

70%

6.4

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–²Better than 61%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

52%

5.8

Sound

20%

5.2

Features

10%

6.8

Design

8%

6.2

Connectivity

6%

4.5

Battery

4%

6.6

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 58%
9.0

User score

User score
9.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 91% of models
Score components

70%

8.5

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
★Better than 91%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony MDR XB650bt

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components:

52%

5.8

Sound

20%

5.2

Features

10%

6.8

Design

8%

6.2

Connectivity

6%

4.5

Battery

4%

6.6

Calls & Controls

5.7
User score
User score
9.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 91% of models
Score components

70%

8.5

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
9.0
Popularity
Popularity
10/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 92% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR XB650bt has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than that of 91.9% of products in this category.
10
Value for money
Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components:

70%

6.4

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

7.5
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
30 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 30 mm, smaller driver size than 77.4% of headphones and equal to 4.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
4.2
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 4.2, newer Bluetooth version than 67.7% of headphones and equal to 3.2% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
Market range: <10 m – >15 m
This pair of headphones offers a Bluetooth range of 10 m, higher Bluetooth range than 2.7% of headphones and equal to 80.6% of headphones.
Audio latency
200 ms
Market range: <40 ms – >222 ms
This pair of headphones has audio latency of 200 ms, higher audio latency than 71.4% of headphones and equal to 13.9% of headphones.
Multipoint support
yes
This pair of headphones supports multipoint. 69.4% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
yes
This pair of headphones supports EQ customization. 76.8% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
?
Show more
Battery life
30 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 30 hours, higher battery life than 46.3% of headphones and equal to 10.4% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
4 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 4 hours to charge, higher charging time than 90.6% of headphones and equal to 4.6% of headphones.
Quick charge
yes
This pair of headphones supports quick charge. 67% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
550 mAh
Market range: <290 mAh – >1k mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 550 mAh, lower battery capacity than 51.7% of headphones and equal to 1.7% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
190 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 190 g, lighter than 59.1% of headphones and equal to 1.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sony MDR XB650bt vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • EQ customization
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • Multipoint support
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AptX Adaptive support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Adaptive, the average pair of headphones does not. 6.7% of headphones support aptX Adaptive.
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • 70.4% more popular
    Sony MDR XB650bt is more popular than the average pair of headphones (10 vs 5.9).
    10 vs 5.87
  • 11.9% higher user score
    User score
    9.0/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony MDR XB650bt
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR XB650bt has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (8.95 vs 8).
    8.95 vs 8
  • 12.8% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (190 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    190 g vs 218 g
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • Multipoint support
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AptX Adaptive support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Adaptive, the average pair of headphones does not. 6.7% of headphones support aptX Adaptive.
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • AptX support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
  • Fast pairing support
    This pair of headphones supports fast pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 14% of headphones support fast pairing.
  • Low-latency game mode
    This pair of headphones includes a low-latency game mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 21.2% of headphones support low-latency game mode.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • EQ customization
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (4 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    4 hours vs 2 hours
  • 10 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    30 mm vs 40 mm
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 7 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (95 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    95 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 50 ms higher audio latency
    This pair of headphones has a higher audio latency than the average pair of headphones (200 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
    200 ms vs 150 ms
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
    no tangle-free listening cable is present or specified.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
    no tangle-free listening cable is present or specified.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 10 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    30 mm vs 40 mm
  • 7 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (95 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    95 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 15 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (95 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    95 dB vs 110 dB
  • 8 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (95 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    95 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (4 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    4 hours vs 2 hours
  • 50 ms higher audio latency
    This pair of headphones has a higher audio latency than the average pair of headphones (200 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
    200 ms vs 150 ms

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

4.0
UtmostCoin Reviews | Quality Over Hype
≈ estimated
11/07/2018
Long-term listening test · sound signature and comfort
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT is too bass-heavy and muddy for the money; not worth buying, as better headphones exist for the price.
8.0
BG TechLife
≈ estimated
04/12/2017
Hands-on review · comfort, sound and volume tests
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT is comfortable and clear, but it does not get loud enough for everyone.
9.0
MikeTech1212
≈ estimated
09/03/2017
Hands-on review · over a month of daily use
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT is light, comfortable daily headphones with good value for the money, though isolation is weak.
8.0
Jerome Junior
≈ estimated
28/12/2016
Hands-on review · two weeks of use and sound leak test
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT is recommended for bass-heavy listening, with well-balanced sound and a comfortable fit at this price.
8.0
Babbling Boolean
≈ estimated
29/10/2016
Hands-on review · daily use and battery tests
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT is a great wireless pair worth checking out, though it lacks an aux input and has a few small omissions.
9.0
GadgetViper
≈ estimated
20/09/2016
Hands-on review · gym and running use, comfort, battery
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT is comfortable, bassy wireless headphones for the gym and running, though less balanced for home listening.
8.0
CinemaSpace4K
≈ estimated
16/04/2024
Long-term review · weeks of use and sound tests
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT suits pop and rock well if you can live without noise cancelling and the outdated micro USB charging port.
8.0
The // T-G-F \\ Captain
≈ estimated
10/07/2023
Long-term review · years of use and sound test
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT is a good set of headphones for the price; the sound is decent and it has held up well over time.
8.0
TECH BINDERS
≈ estimated
12/01/2019
Unboxing and review · button controls and NFC pairing
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT is worth a try for listeners who want deep bass, with snappy controls and long battery life.
7.5
ClozoTech
✓ explicit
30/01/2018
Unboxing and review · months of daily use
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT is light, comfortable everyday headphones with good controls, but weak call audio and no wired option.
8.0
Meech
≈ estimated
10/12/2017
Hands-on review · daily use and comparison with a sibling model
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT is a good pair with solid bass and comfort, but a step behind the more expensive sibling model.
8.0
Interged
≈ estimated
31/05/2017
Hands-on review · sound, design and pairing
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB650BT suits bass lovers, casual listening and gym use thanks to its bass-heavy sound; a good Bluetooth pick.
More graded video reviews (6)
creator’s own scoreestimated by us

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony MDR XB650bt

  • Powerful and deep bass response ideal for bass-heavy genres like EDM and Hip-Hop
  • Exceptional battery life of up to 30 hours on a single charge
  • Reliable Bluetooth connectivity with quick pairing via NFC support
  • Lightweight and portable design with swiveling earcups that lay flat
  • Generous cushioning on ear pads and headband for initial comfort
  • Intuitive physical controls on the right earcup for music and calls

What customers don't like about Sony MDR XB650bt

  • Lack of a 3.5mm auxiliary port, making them unusable if the battery dies
  • Excessive bass can sometimes bleed into and muddle the midrange and treble frequencies
  • On-ear design may cause ear fatigue or become hot/uncomfortable during long listening sessions
  • High clamping force noted by some users, while others find the fit too loose for active movement
  • Micro-USB charging port is outdated compared to modern standards
  • No included carrying case or protective pouch despite a finish that scratches easily

Verdict

The Sony MDR-XB650BT is a lightweight, 190g on-ear wireless headphone designed specifically for electronic dance music (EDM) and hip-hop enthusiasts. It features 30mm neodymium drivers combined with Sony’s EXTRA BASS technology and an acoustically-tight seal to deliver deep, punchy low-end response across a frequency range of 20Hz–20,000Hz. Key pros include an impressive 30-hour battery life from a 4-hour charge, easy one-touch pairing via NFC/Bluetooth, and a swivel-flat design for enhanced portability. However, its main cons are the lack of a 3.5mm jack for passive wired listening, a micro-USB charging port that is now considered outdated, and potential discomfort or excessive clamping force during long listening sessions.

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