Did I expect too much from noise cancelling headphones?

Domo

Domo

Domo

Soldato
Joined
11 Feb 2004
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Location
Surrey, UK
Or are these Sony WH-1000XM2s dodgy?
Just bought a set and surprised to hear background music playing on an airplane while waiting to taxi and take off. Thought it would cancel that out completely? Checked and ambient noise is OFF. They’re doing a great job at blocking out most cabin noise such as aircon although I can hear faint conversations but the music is surprisingly intrusive.

Thought they’d cancel out everything?

Sound is awesome though when playing music. Was really surprised at how good they are after owning some Audio Technicas which despite rave reviews were rather bland (they were on-ear to be fair). Anyway, anyone else on here with experience of the Sony XM2s?
 
I think by design they are supposed to let in higher pitched noise, so does the music qualify as that perhaps?

I'm looking to get a pair of these myself as I'll be commuting into London soon.
 
Do you have any of your own music playing or are they just turned on and on your head? I struggle to hear much other than my own music when using these.
 
No music playing through the headphones at the time. But could clearly make out The Flower Duet over the BA tannoy.
Been meddling. Interestingly, I can reduce the ambient noise further via the Headphone Connect iPhone app. Will try on the plane going home.
 
They will never stop all ambient sound. I have a pair on at the moment however with some music or an audio book they are great but still leak noise. I have yet to wear a pair of headphones at any price range that significantly improve ambient sound isolation. Yes the ones at £2k + produce better sound quality but the actual noise cancellation really isn't much different.

Plus they are wired, wireless of course is another part of the equation so at the moment you have brought the best wireless noise cancelling headphones out there.
 
I have the earlier version of these; MDR 1000X and I can hear some high pitched noise. But it cuts out about 90% of everything. I also didn't initially think they were as effectrive as reviews suggested until I took them off again in a noisy environment and realised quite how much noise they were actually blocking out.

The XM2's are adjustable by an app and also can be adjkusted for cabin pressure. Maybe you could tweak it that way. I seem to recall that the 1000X are "all or nothing" as far as NC is concerned but the XM2's have 10 adjustable gradients for NC. But as above I believe they are designed to allow some high pitched voice sound in.
 
You're right. I mentioned a few posts up there's an app which does allow you to change how much ambient noise they let in. And when reduced to the minimum it really is quite amazing. Will test those setting when flying back. I've also messed about with some proximity settings when it carries out a test of your environment incl. pressure. Lots of cool stuff.
 
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