Sony MDR ZX770BN Review | 93 Data compared

The Sony MDR-ZX770BN headphones excel in physical design, physical comfort, and functional features, making them an excellent budget-friendly choice for commuters. Priced close to £100, these chunky yet stylish and understated noise-cancellers feature well-placed, intuitive buttons that distinguish themselves easily by touch. They offer highly effective active noise-cancelling that blocks steady background hums without introducing a background hiss or altering the sound profile. Key technical features include high-quality aptX Bluetooth streaming, effortless NFC pairing, built-in microphones for hands-free calls, and a reliable battery life of around 13 hours. However, the headphones fall short when it comes to musical drive and dynamic excitement. While the soundstage is notably open, spacious, and three-dimensional, the overall presentation is ultimately too smooth for its own good. Poor rhythmic coherence limits their energy, while the treble is rolled off at the top, sacrificing necessary sparkle and occasionally sounding hard or unnatural. Additionally, the bass provides depth and weight but lacks proper definition and balance, making these headphones ill-suited for listeners seeking an engaging or highly energetic musical experience.

The Sony MDR-ZX770BN are mediocre, lightweight over-ear wireless headphones that provide decent audio reproduction for casual listening and feature an ergonomic, comfortable design with efficient controls. However, they are hindered by poor active noise cancellation and a plasticky, flimsy build quality. Additionally, sound consistency varies significantly depending on the fit, with performance highly sensitive to glasses wearers.

However, the headphones fall short of a premium rating due to several design and performance drawbacks. While the sound quality is good for the price, it is described as slightly dull, recessed, and quieter compared to top-tier competitors, with less tight bass control. The overall build lacks a premium look and feel, and the noise-cancellation performance does not match the isolation provided by dedicated alternatives like the Bose QuietComfort 25. Additionally, the headphone features three distinct sound quality modes that are difficult to distinguish via the small blinking LED indicator, resulting in user confusion rather than convenience.

Review Summary The Sony MDR-ZX770BN wireless over-ear headphones deliver balanced, clean, and precise audio with an unassuming, utilitarian design featuring pivoting ear cups for easy storage. Priced at $229, these lightweight 8.6-ounce headphones feature easy-to-use physical controls, an integrated NFC chip for Bluetooth pairing, and an impressive Bluetooth range that extends up to 130 feet. Their Artificial Intelligent Noise Cancelling (AINC) technology effectively muffles external ambient disruptions, such as subway noise, and the lithium-ion battery provides a solid 13 hours of continuous playback with both Bluetooth and active noise cancellation activated. However, the headphones suffer from severe limitations regarding call quality, as built-in microphone tests reveal muffled, distant, and underwater-sounding audio on both ends of a call. Despite their balanced audio precision, the overall sound performance can lean toward a cold, clinical, and sterile feel with relatively laid-back low-end bass response. Additionally, users can experience a persistent background hiss caused by the active noise-cancelling technology, and the maximum volume level fails to get adequately loud in most listening scenarios. While the headphones are comfortable enough for multi-hour travel commutes, they...

The Sony MDR-ZX770BNGo to product viewer dialog for this item. over-ear, closed-back wireless headphones offer very good active noise reduction, with consistent audio quality whether the noise-canceling feature is on or off. They feature accessible ear-cup controls for volume and media playback, alongside a stable 30-foot wireless range. Consumer ReportsHowever, the sound profile features boomy bass, a gritty midrange, and a "sizzly" treble, according to Consumer Reports. The headphones exhibit reduced audio quality when using the wired connection with noise cancellation active, and comfort issues were noted regarding ear pad heat and pressure during extended use. Consumer Reports

The Business Insider review of the Sony MDR-ZX770BNGo to product viewer dialog for this item. identifies these, under-$200, wireless headphones as an exceptional alternative that outperforms higher-priced competitors in audio quality and value. Key strengths include superior sound with sharp, rich bass, impressive battery life, and a lightweight design suitable for long listening sessions. Despite high praise, the review notes the headphones have a slightly cheap or flimsy feel due to their extremely lightweight construction. Furthermore, they lack the premium, sleek aesthetics found in higher-end market alternatives, though these are considered minor trade-offs for the overall performance.