Bose QC35 vs. Sony MDR-1000X: Which noise-canceling headphones reign supreme?

By Caleb Denison January 23, 2017

Just a couple of years ago, wireless noise-cancelling headphones were elusive, but the tech has taken off to the point where there are now several solid options. Sennheiser’s PXC 550 and Momentum Wireless 2.0 both impressed us with their classic Sennheiser sound quality, while Plantronics’ Backbeat Pro 2 turned out to be a surprisingly feature-packed travel companion in their own right. Still, the Bose QC35 headphones have reigned as the top performer among all of the wireless noise cancelers we’ve tested thanks to their superior noise cancelling technology and extreme comfort.

That is, until now.

With the introduction of the hi-res audio capable MDR-1000x, Sony has jockeyed into contention, knocking the Bose QC35 off their pedestal as the undisputed king. Certainly, the Bose QC35 are still a strong offering, with slightly superior noise cancelling and overall comfort in comparison to the Sony MDR-1000x, but the Sony cans’ superior sound quality, advanced features and controls, serious comfort, and competitive noise cancelling make them a better overall choice, if a slightly more expensive one.

In our video, we pit the Bose QC35 against the Sony MDR-1000x in a side-by-side battle, showing off some of the key differences, and discussing why Sony’s premium LDAC technology makes such a big difference in sound quality, whether used with or without noise cancelling, and whether wired or wireless.

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Digital Trends Editor at Large Caleb Denison is a sought-after writer, speaker, and television correspondent with unmatched…

Audio / Video

KEF takes a swing at Bose, Sony, and Sennheiser with its first wireless ANC headphones

KEF Mu7 wireless noise-canceling headphones.

KEF, the British audio brand best known for its high-end speakers, has launched the Mu7, its first set of premium, wireless noise-canceling headphones. They're priced at $400 and come in two slightly different color tones: silver gray, and charcoal gray. For the moment, they're only available at KEF's website.

The Mu7 are very distinctive, with a design created by Ross Lovegrove, who collaborated with KEF on its first set of wireless earbuds, the Mu3. In fact, the Mu7 look like a scaled-up version of the Mu3, with a similar smooth-oval shape for the earcups and plenty of aluminum used throughout the headphones. The design mirrors other high-end wireless headphones with a fold-flat set of hinges, but KEF only includes a carry "pouch" instead of the nearly standard zippered carry case.

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Bose shrinks the size and ups the performance of its noise-canceling earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II in Triple Black.

Bose has revealed the newest version of its flagship noise-canceling wireless earbuds, the QuietComfort Earbuds II. They're significantly smaller than their predecessors and feature a new algorithm that constantly adjusts to your individual hearing profile, as well as your surroundings. Bose says they provide the best ANC performance of any headphone, whether in earbud or headset formats.

The QuietComfort Earbuds II are a bit more expensive than the first version -- $299 versus $279 -- and almost $50 more than Apple's second-gen AirPods Pro wireless earbuds, which were announced on the same day and offer very similar features. You can pre-order the QuietComfort Earbuds II starting September 7 on Bose.com in Triple Black. They will begin shipping on September 15 and a Soapstone color is expected to be available later in 2022.

Audio / Video

Sony’s new flagship headphones promise best-in-class noise canceling and calling

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in silver.

As expected, Sony has taken the wraps off the fifth generation of its flagship line of active noise cancellation (ANC) wireless headphones. The WH-1000XM5 have been priced at $400 -- $50 more than their predecessors, the WH-1000XM4 -- and they sport a new, lighter-weight design, dual noise-canceling processors, eight microphones, and hi-res audio capability. The XM5 can be pre-ordered starting May 12 in both black and silver (a sort of sand color), and general retail availability begins May 20.

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