Sony WH-XB910N Review: Punchy Bass, But Does It Deliver On Value?
Sony’s "Extra Bass" audio products are known for their carefully tuned, aggressive bass, catering to listeners who crave a powerful sonic punch. The latest addition to the Extra Bass family is the Sony WH-XB910N, a successor to the popular WH-XB900N, promising enhanced features and an even more attractive price point. Priced at Rs. 14,990 in India, the WH-XB910N boasts a compelling mix of features including wired and wireless connectivity, touch controls, app support, active noise cancellation, and LDAC Bluetooth codec support. But is this well-equipped headset truly worth your investment? Let’s dive into this comprehensive review to find out.
Design and Features: A Familiar Feel With Modern Enhancements
While high-end headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the JBL Tour One prioritize sleek portability, the Sony WH-XB910N takes a different approach, possibly due to its more affordable price point. Though not unattractive, the XB910N’s design is relatively straightforward, lacking the finesse seen in its pricier counterparts. Yet, it manages to look appropriate for a device with its feature set and price tag.
The earcups are generously sized, comfortably enveloping your ears with ample padding. The design boasts a monotone black color scheme, with a somewhat raw finish to the plastics. Despite its bulkiness, the thick padding around the earcups and headband ensures a comfortable fit even during extended listening sessions. This padding also contributes to good noise isolation, enhancing the effectiveness of active noise cancellation. The headphones are foldable for easy portability and come bundled with a hard carry case, a short charging cable, and a 3.5mm stereo cable for wired connectivity.
The Sony WH-XB910N houses just two physical buttons: one for power and another for cycling through ANC and hear-through modes. You’ll also find a USB Type-C port for charging and a 3.5mm socket for wired connectivity. Unlike some higher-end models, it lacks a wear detection sensor for automatic playback control. However, the headset can automatically power off after a set period of inactivity.
Touch Controls and the Headphones Connect App
The right earcup features a touch panel for controlling playback, volume, and your smartphone’s voice assistant. While the tap and swipe controls are not customizable, they are intuitive and easy to master. Placing your palm on the right earcup activates quick-attention mode, reducing the volume without pausing playback and enabling hear-through ANC for quick conversations. The controls operate smoothly, minimizing unintentional triggers.
Like many of Sony’s mid-range and premium headsets, the Sony WH-XB910N is compatible with the Headphones Connect app. This app allows you to fine-tune your listening experience by adjusting the equalizer, ANC and hear-through mode intensity, Bluetooth connection quality, auto power-off timer, and voice assistant selection. It also provides insight into the active Bluetooth codec and the headphones’ precise battery level.
The app supports multi-point connectivity, allowing you to pair with up to two devices simultaneously. However, this feature disables the LDAC Bluetooth codec. You can also choose between using the default voice assistant on your smartphone or setting up Google Assistant or Alexa for independent voice control (although smartphone proximity is still required for internet connectivity).
Audio Performance: A Powerful Punch with Detail
The Sony WH-XB910N is equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers and boasts a frequency response range of 20-40,000Hz. It utilizes Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity, supporting the SBC, AAC, and LDAC Bluetooth codecs. Other notable features include Google Fast Pair, 360 Reality Audio, and Adaptive Sound Control, which automatically adjusts ANC or transparency based on your surroundings.
As expected, the Sony WH-XB910N is all about the bass. While many headphones claim to accentuate bass, Sony’s Extra Bass range lives up to its name. Like its predecessor, the WH-XB900N, the WH-XB910N delivers a powerful, unashamedly bass-centric sound without the listener fatigue that often accompanies such heavy emphasis.
This achievement is thanks to meticulous tuning that produces a forceful sub-bass without feeling overly rough or overwhelming the rest of the frequency spectrum. The LDAC Bluetooth codec enhances the sound detail and refinement, further elevating the sonic experience beyond what one might expect from bass-focused headphones.
Despite the sub-bass emphasis, the Sony WH-XB910N manages to deliver a surprisingly detailed sound. While the mid-range and highs are not the primary focus, they are still well-represented, showcasing a degree of clarity that’s uncommon in this category. This makes for a surprisingly enjoyable listening experience even with genres beyond the typical bass-heavy territory.
Noise Cancellation and Call Quality
The active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient sound mode on the Sony WH-XB910N are decent but pale in comparison to the flagship experience offered by the WH-1000XM4. While isolation feels substantial, some household and urban outdoor noises still manage to penetrate. Nevertheless, the overall sound remains noticeably quieter, enhancing the enjoyment of music and audiobooks.
The adaptive sound control feature proves helpful, automatically adjusting ANC and hear-through modes based on your environment. However, manually controlling these settings remains the preferred option for many users due to greater control and flexibility.
The Sony WH-XB910N performs well during calls, handling conversations clearly both indoors and outdoors. Connection stability is not a concern, maintaining a strong connection even at distances of up to 4 meters. Improvements in LDAC stability are evident, with stable connections even at 990kbps LDAC sampling rates.
Battery Life and Charging
The Sony WH-XB910N boasts excellent battery life, delivering around 28 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC enabled, LDAC codec in operation, and moderate volume levels. Fast charging is supported, with Sony claiming a 10-minute charge provides approximately four and a half hours of listening time.
Verdict: A Punchy Value Proposition
The Sony WH-XB910N caters specifically to listeners seeking a bass-heavy listening experience. Unlike many manufacturers who make vague claims of enhanced bass, Sony delivers on its "Extra Bass" promise. The headphones offer powerful, punchy bass coupled with decent active noise cancellation, app support, and detailed sound thanks to LDAC Bluetooth codec support. At Rs. 14,990, the WH-XB910N delivers exceptional value for its feature set, making it a compelling choice for bass lovers.
However, the intense bass can be fatiguing at times, especially when listening to certain genres. Some tracks may not sound their best with this level of bass aggression. Additionally, some listeners might find the heavily modified sound unappealing.
If you are seeking a more balanced listening experience, alternatives like the JBL Tour One might be more suitable. However, for those seeking a pair of headphones that deliver unashamedly powerful bass at an accessible price point, the Sony WH-XB910N is an excellent choice. Its combination of features, punchy sound, and affordability makes it a strong contender in the crowded world of wireless headphones.
