UPDATE June, 2018!!!!!
Though it did take them six months, I have to give credit where it is due. A short while ago, I was contacted by a representative from Sony customer support. They stated that after reviewing the service request I had placed about my broken headphones (the request was placed about six months ago), they would be willing to replace the headphones free of charge. There was the caveat that I had to still have the broken headphones so that I could verify the serial number, but once I did, they sent me new ones in the mail within a few days’ time. I was not required to return the old ones, I was not required to pay shipping; I was not required to do anything other than fill out the minimal paperwork it took to verify that I was a purchaser.
Though it was not in the timeliest of manners, I do appreciate that Sony is willing to stand by their products. Customer support was friendly and helpful, and the process was painless from beginning to end, once it had been started.
While I can’t necessarily recommend this particular product, due to its questionable build design and high chance for failure, I can in good conscious recommend Sony products once more.
Hopefully, Sony will improve the build quality of the next line of their Headphones, as other than its propensity for breaking, they are some of the best sounding, most comfortable headphones I have ever owned.
Here’s hoping they don’t break again, and a big thanks to Sony for standing by their products!
TL:DR: DO NOT BUY THESE HEADPHONES! They are comfortable to wear, even for long periods. They sound great if you like bass tuned headphones. Terrible durability and will break from gentle use after only a short time (under a year). No customer support; Sony refuses to stand by their products, which is unacceptable, especially with a price tag this high.
Full Review:
From the moment I got the Sony MDR-XB950B1’s I fell in love. They were inarguably the most comfortable headphones I have ever owned, the sound quality was fantastic if you like bass tuned headphones, and even the battery life when used wirelessly left me little room to complain. Why then, do I rate these headphones so poorly?
The reason is, that after only about 7 months of wear, the headphones broke. They were extremely well cared for, but even with the gentle handling they received, due to a manufacturing issue, they did not have the durability for longtime use. For a pair of headphones that cost $200, that is an unacceptable lifespan.
I’ll include some images to show what I am talking about, but allow me to explain it here as well.
For reasons I can only speculate at, there is a channel that is carved out on the rear side of the arms that hold the ear cups. I can only assume this is for a wire channel on one side, and they chose to make it symmetrical. Regardless of the reason, this is also a flex point, as tension will be placed on this hollowed out arm every time that you spread the headphones to put them on your head. For me, this is exactly where the headphones broke, as the hollowed out space compromises the strength of the plastic.
Again, at the price tag that these ring in at, I cannot in good conscience recommend them to anyone, as you will likely be looking for a new pair of headphones again in a little over half a year.
Now, it is possible that this is somewhat of an isolated incident, and that I simply received a defective pair. However, that does not excuse the next issue. If you do purchase these, and if they do break, you are on your own. When they failed I called Sony, being that they were still under warranty, and was informed that this was not something that the warranty covered. So, a manufacturer defect is not something the warranty covers? This leads me to believe (with a faint amount of sarcasm) that that warranty, or the extended warranty, is only good if the driver inside dies within the first week or so. After that, they won’t touch them.
This was extremely disappointing, as I used to love Sony products, and would even recommend them over competitor’s products to my friends and family. However, it seems that at this point they have lost all pride in their craft, and refuse to stand by their products. I’ve had better customer experiences with brands like Logitech than Sony in recent years, and for a company that I used to respect so much, that’s very sad.
I can’t explain how much I wanted to give this product a five star rating, as I did love them for the time that I had them. However, with the lack of longevity that these boast, and the refusal from Sony to stand by their products, I cannot recommend this, or any other product that they make. Unless something major changes, I will likely be looking for alternatives to Sony products in the future, and though it pains me to say it, I recommend you do the same.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2018
Though it did take them six months, I have to give credit where it is due. A short while ago, I was contacted by a representative from Sony customer support. They stated that after reviewing the service request I had placed about my broken headphones (the request was placed about six months ago), they would be willing to replace the headphones free of charge. There was the caveat that I had to still have the broken headphones so that I could verify the serial number, but once I did, they sent me new ones in the mail within a few days’ time. I was not required to return the old ones, I was not required to pay shipping; I was not required to do anything other than fill out the minimal paperwork it took to verify that I was a purchaser.
Though it was not in the timeliest of manners, I do appreciate that Sony is willing to stand by their products. Customer support was friendly and helpful, and the process was painless from beginning to end, once it had been started.
While I can’t necessarily recommend this particular product, due to its questionable build design and high chance for failure, I can in good conscious recommend Sony products once more.
Hopefully, Sony will improve the build quality of the next line of their Headphones, as other than its propensity for breaking, they are some of the best sounding, most comfortable headphones I have ever owned.
Here’s hoping they don’t break again, and a big thanks to Sony for standing by their products!
TL:DR: DO NOT BUY THESE HEADPHONES! They are comfortable to wear, even for long periods. They sound great if you like bass tuned headphones. Terrible durability and will break from gentle use after only a short time (under a year). No customer support; Sony refuses to stand by their products, which is unacceptable, especially with a price tag this high.
Full Review:
From the moment I got the Sony MDR-XB950B1’s I fell in love. They were inarguably the most comfortable headphones I have ever owned, the sound quality was fantastic if you like bass tuned headphones, and even the battery life when used wirelessly left me little room to complain. Why then, do I rate these headphones so poorly?
The reason is, that after only about 7 months of wear, the headphones broke. They were extremely well cared for, but even with the gentle handling they received, due to a manufacturing issue, they did not have the durability for longtime use. For a pair of headphones that cost $200, that is an unacceptable lifespan.
I’ll include some images to show what I am talking about, but allow me to explain it here as well.
For reasons I can only speculate at, there is a channel that is carved out on the rear side of the arms that hold the ear cups. I can only assume this is for a wire channel on one side, and they chose to make it symmetrical. Regardless of the reason, this is also a flex point, as tension will be placed on this hollowed out arm every time that you spread the headphones to put them on your head. For me, this is exactly where the headphones broke, as the hollowed out space compromises the strength of the plastic.
Again, at the price tag that these ring in at, I cannot in good conscience recommend them to anyone, as you will likely be looking for a new pair of headphones again in a little over half a year.
Now, it is possible that this is somewhat of an isolated incident, and that I simply received a defective pair. However, that does not excuse the next issue. If you do purchase these, and if they do break, you are on your own. When they failed I called Sony, being that they were still under warranty, and was informed that this was not something that the warranty covered. So, a manufacturer defect is not something the warranty covers? This leads me to believe (with a faint amount of sarcasm) that that warranty, or the extended warranty, is only good if the driver inside dies within the first week or so. After that, they won’t touch them.
This was extremely disappointing, as I used to love Sony products, and would even recommend them over competitor’s products to my friends and family. However, it seems that at this point they have lost all pride in their craft, and refuse to stand by their products. I’ve had better customer experiences with brands like Logitech than Sony in recent years, and for a company that I used to respect so much, that’s very sad.
I can’t explain how much I wanted to give this product a five star rating, as I did love them for the time that I had them. However, with the lack of longevity that these boast, and the refusal from Sony to stand by their products, I cannot recommend this, or any other product that they make. Unless something major changes, I will likely be looking for alternatives to Sony products in the future, and though it pains me to say it, I recommend you do the same.
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Great sound and comfort, Will break, and Sony won't stand behind its products!
By joe hoyt on January 14, 2018
UPDATE June, 2018!!!!!By joe hoyt on January 14, 2018
Though it did take them six months, I have to give credit where it is due. A short while ago, I was contacted by a representative from Sony customer support. They stated that after reviewing the service request I had placed about my broken headphones (the request was placed about six months ago), they would be willing to replace the headphones free of charge. There was the caveat that I had to still have the broken headphones so that I could verify the serial number, but once I did, they sent me new ones in the mail within a few days’ time. I was not required to return the old ones, I was not required to pay shipping; I was not required to do anything other than fill out the minimal paperwork it took to verify that I was a purchaser.
Though it was not in the timeliest of manners, I do appreciate that Sony is willing to stand by their products. Customer support was friendly and helpful, and the process was painless from beginning to end, once it had been started.
While I can’t necessarily recommend this particular product, due to its questionable build design and high chance for failure, I can in good conscious recommend Sony products once more.
Hopefully, Sony will improve the build quality of the next line of their Headphones, as other than its propensity for breaking, they are some of the best sounding, most comfortable headphones I have ever owned.
Here’s hoping they don’t break again, and a big thanks to Sony for standing by their products!
TL:DR: DO NOT BUY THESE HEADPHONES! They are comfortable to wear, even for long periods. They sound great if you like bass tuned headphones. Terrible durability and will break from gentle use after only a short time (under a year). No customer support; Sony refuses to stand by their products, which is unacceptable, especially with a price tag this high.
Full Review:
From the moment I got the Sony MDR-XB950B1’s I fell in love. They were inarguably the most comfortable headphones I have ever owned, the sound quality was fantastic if you like bass tuned headphones, and even the battery life when used wirelessly left me little room to complain. Why then, do I rate these headphones so poorly?
The reason is, that after only about 7 months of wear, the headphones broke. They were extremely well cared for, but even with the gentle handling they received, due to a manufacturing issue, they did not have the durability for longtime use. For a pair of headphones that cost $200, that is an unacceptable lifespan.
I’ll include some images to show what I am talking about, but allow me to explain it here as well.
For reasons I can only speculate at, there is a channel that is carved out on the rear side of the arms that hold the ear cups. I can only assume this is for a wire channel on one side, and they chose to make it symmetrical. Regardless of the reason, this is also a flex point, as tension will be placed on this hollowed out arm every time that you spread the headphones to put them on your head. For me, this is exactly where the headphones broke, as the hollowed out space compromises the strength of the plastic.
Again, at the price tag that these ring in at, I cannot in good conscience recommend them to anyone, as you will likely be looking for a new pair of headphones again in a little over half a year.
Now, it is possible that this is somewhat of an isolated incident, and that I simply received a defective pair. However, that does not excuse the next issue. If you do purchase these, and if they do break, you are on your own. When they failed I called Sony, being that they were still under warranty, and was informed that this was not something that the warranty covered. So, a manufacturer defect is not something the warranty covers? This leads me to believe (with a faint amount of sarcasm) that that warranty, or the extended warranty, is only good if the driver inside dies within the first week or so. After that, they won’t touch them.
This was extremely disappointing, as I used to love Sony products, and would even recommend them over competitor’s products to my friends and family. However, it seems that at this point they have lost all pride in their craft, and refuse to stand by their products. I’ve had better customer experiences with brands like Logitech than Sony in recent years, and for a company that I used to respect so much, that’s very sad.
I can’t explain how much I wanted to give this product a five star rating, as I did love them for the time that I had them. However, with the lack of longevity that these boast, and the refusal from Sony to stand by their products, I cannot recommend this, or any other product that they make. Unless something major changes, I will likely be looking for alternatives to Sony products in the future, and though it pains me to say it, I recommend you do the same.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2018
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Breaks Easily
By Elizabeth on February 5, 2018
I bought these headphones a couple months ago and have only worn them a handful of times. They are my first pair of good quality headphones I was just starting to get used to them and enjoy them when they broke on me. It would be one thing if I slammed them down hard or they broke after taking a few falls... but for them to break after slipping off my head into a carpeted floor just once is completely unacceptable. Especially for a "Sony" product. The break was clearly from poor construction, and not repairable without restricting the movement. I was hoping to contact that seller directly to see if I could exchange for a new pair, but the option isn't available under my orders. Hopefully this can be resolved...
By Elizabeth on February 5, 2018
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2017
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
El Buen Victor
Excelente sonido
Reviewed in Mexico on December 19, 2017Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
don't talk to me i have headphones on
Reviewed in Canada on September 5, 2018Verified Purchase
don't talk to me i have headphones on
Reviewed in Canada on September 5, 2018
I bought these headphones after trying a friends' pair and being impressed with the sound quality. After having them for a few months I can tell you that the sound quality is excellent, the battery life is great, the durability is not at all an issue, and the control buttons all work flawlessly and are easy to find and utilize, and they are SO SO comfortable.Reviewed in Canada on September 5, 2018
But lots of headphones sound pretty good and have buttons and are bluetooth or whatever. Why buy these?
If you've ever been: catcalled; harassed; chatted up while wearing earbuds; yelled from the car window of a vehicle passing by; had someone not take 'no thank you' for an answer in a store and then follow you around the mall; talked to for too long by any creep on the same bus or metro as you that you can't escape until your stop; or had someone ask you for directions for like the 1000000th time then these are the headphones for you. They make your whole world only music during your commute, with only the slightest bit of train or bus sound. You can't hear people when they talk to you, you can't hear the announcements of which stop you're arriving to, you can't hear airport announcements, and you sure as heck can't hear that guy who drove back around the block to yell the same thing at you about your dress for a second time. These stylish beauties also come in Get-Away-From-Me Red, which really helps if your aesthetic is "looking like I'm listening to music and that I don't want to talk to you because I'm wearing giant red headphones and I don't want to talk to you" like mine is.
I 100% have and will continue to recommend these to everyone I know. Most of my friends have a pair of these now.
Buy them in red.
Images in this review
Adam Jones
Must get
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2018Verified Purchase
Mazatlan Gringo Teacher
Great Headphones For Men!!
Reviewed in Mexico on March 2, 2018Color: BlueVerified Purchase
Lakshya singh
Sounds great.... But won't be able to last long
Reviewed in India on November 21, 2018Color: BlueVerified Purchase
