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jsmiller58
804
Mar 3, 2018
Just some feedback from a current owner of these...
If you have anything other than small ears they can be pretty uncomfortable due to small earpad openings and clamping force. And the sound is pretty dark and muffled. But the noise canceling is heavenly!
So, I can tell you what I did... I bought and installed Brainwavz HM5 compatible sheepskin earpads (there is a video - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8kBi0jEU-LY - with a guy showing you how to do this on the prior gen of these).
Tremendous difference - much more comfortable AND it opened up the sound - a bit brighter, more soundstage, etc. Still not too bright (which is good as I don’t do well with bright headphones), but quite nice. No appreciable negative
impact on the nose cancelling.
I hope this helps some of you out who pick these headphones up.
Cheers!
brainwave
703
Mar 3, 2018
jsmiller58Did they fix the dreaded issue of headphones automatically turning itself OFF within 5 min. of inactivity? I like to sleep on a plane with NC switched ON and this "bug" in Sony 1000xm2 always turned me away from buying these.
MarkUp
93
Mar 3, 2018
jsmiller58This is great. Meze 99 ear pads ($20 direct from Meze) would fit better as it's a bit smaller, and I find they don't reduce the bass as much. On the Sony MDR-1A, the Meze pads make them sound far better actually. More space / comfort, more spacious sound, no midrange recession like other pads and they have even more sub bass with the pads. The mid bass stays about the same, and it doesn't muddy up low mids above it. Another option might be Audio Technica ATH-MSR7 pads ($10 on EBay) that also fit and work on my Sony. I've found they do reduce the mid bass and mids a bit more than the Meze, and treble is more present. They did cut the sub bass, but it was still very present. Two inexpensive tonal options for these.
jsmiller58
804
Mar 3, 2018
MarkUpGotta try the Meze 99s - thank you!
jsmiller58
804
Mar 3, 2018
brainwaveNope, just comfort and sound.
the only solution to the auto shutoff I have is to keep them connected to your phone by BT or chord. I don’t think I have had auto shutoff occur in those situations. But so far with these my longest flight has been 6 hours... can’t tell if there is some other threshold.
good luck!
brainwave
703
Mar 3, 2018
jsmiller58darn, I thought that would be an easy fix within the firmware... hope Sony will implement it. I fly overseas on 9-10hrs flights and will need to figure out how to keep them ON without discharging battery in the bluetooth device. Go cable free on the flights is my dream as I always manage to pull on cables why asleep... I currently have B&O H6 that sound and look amazing and wanted decently sounded NC BT phones just for flights. These Sony's seems to be the only option with reasonably good sound and good NC. Thanks for the reply and useful info mate!
Ballpein
117
Mar 3, 2018
brainwaveHmm. Mine don't auto-off. I wonder if it's source dependent?
brainwave
703
Mar 3, 2018
BallpeinDisconnect the source and they will shut-off within 5 minutes. :(
jsmiller58
804
Mar 3, 2018
brainwaveYeah, that's absolutely the case... so if I am trying to sleep with them on the plane I do keep them wired... I carry a portable battery with me so I always keep my phone charged on flights. But you do have to deal with extra chords.
Still love these - but with larger earpads!
graft
171
Mar 3, 2018
brainwaveI don't understand why this is an issue. So you can just use the ANC?
jsmiller58
804
Mar 4, 2018
graftThe issue is that the headphones will not stay in ANC only mode for more than a little bit without shutting off... but you can fool it by plugging in the included headphone wire to make it think that it is really in constant use, so a small thing for me, but there is the extra wire even if you really want to be in fully wireless mode. No big deal for me, but possibly a bigger issue for others.
graft
171
Mar 4, 2018
jsmiller58Maybe I'm the weirdo, but I can't imagine a scenario where I'd want to just pop them on with ANC and sit like that. It's not _that_ effective. Works much better when there's something playing. Hell, fire up a white noise app or something, that would probably work wonders. Barring that, snip the connector off an old pair of headphones and short the jack. "But I shouldn't have to hack my expensive headphones like that!" Yeah, well stop using them weird.
jsmiller58
804
Mar 4, 2018
graftNope, you're not weird, but you probably don't spend a lot of time on airplanes. I fly cross country 4-5 round trips per month (entering this from an airport at the moment), and occasionally internationally. If you have that lifestyle and want to just sleep you'll think differently about just having ANC going with no music :-)
I had not thought of a white noise generator along with the ANC... Will have to try that - thanks for the idea!
As to not being that effective, I have to admit I disagree, particularly on an airplane where the dominant sound that leaks in beyond the ANC is the engine rumble... Sort of it's own white noise I suppose!
graft
171
Mar 4, 2018
jsmiller58You're right, I don't fly. Good to know, thanks! :)
jsmiller58
804
Mar 4, 2018
Completely agree with your foam earplugs comment!
I stay with these earphones largely because they are versatile - I don't need to change out anything if I want to go from silence to watching a video or listen to music.
The point about pillows and earphones is spot on... I wind up contorted wearing these and my neck hurts after a flight - like right now after flying from Seattle to the East Coast! My alternative solution is one of the many IEMs I have, with foam tips - again very versatile. But I find wearing them for long periods of time bother my ears...
Glad you got in on the drop... While I already have a modded pair, I bought two more early this morning on the drop for my wife and one of my sons (who also travel a lot) before getting on my flight.
As a community we are always searching for a better solution!
EAP1
30
Mar 4, 2018
jsmiller58I fly internationally all the time. I just use earplugs when I sleep. Better than any noise cancellation and a lot easier for me to sleep using those than a big apparatus my head.
jsmiller58
804
Mar 4, 2018
EAP1I will definitely try next flight end of this week)!
EAP1
30
Mar 4, 2018
jsmiller58Hearos are quite comfortable and effective, and available at most drug stores or online.
Koon
13
Mar 6, 2018
MarkUpWould Meze 99 f-up NC? I was looking at how to change earpad on a different forum and some people mention that some earpads can ruin NC...
MarkUp
93
Mar 6, 2018
KoonI have no idea. I wish I could be more helpful. I may try them on the pair I get.
jsmiller58
804
Mar 6, 2018
KoonMy Meze 99 pads are coming in today... I will put them on my Sony’s before I get on a plane this Thursday and let all if you know!
Koon
13
Mar 7, 2018
jsmiller58Awesome! Hope everything works and safe trip! Also hearing that audio technical msr7s and Dekooni earpads work great as well. Sucks having a big head with big ears...
Mithinco
15
Mar 22, 2018
jsmiller58Any update on the ear pads? I'm still trying to decide which ear pads to get. I got Brainwavz for my Sennheisers but I'm not sure how it would fit on the Sonys.
jsmiller58
804
Mar 22, 2018
MithincoHello, I have the pads bud did not get to try them on the Sony’s before my wife and son went on a trip to Europe with them... I can say that the Brainwavz will fit - but they are big. The Meze might be better fit since they are smaller than the Brainwavz, but I can’t yet confirm... sorry!
Mithinco
15
Mar 25, 2018
jsmiller58Well I got the Meze pads but they were not deep enough for my dumbo ears. I'm going to get another pair of Brainwavz and see how that goes. I made a separate post on how to replace the pads, very easy to do.
MithincoAny update on your experience with the Brainwavz?
jsmiller58Any luck the with Meze earpads?
Mithinco
15
May 4, 2018
CamBE2010Replacing it with the Brainwavz was more difficult than I thought. I had to make cuts for the clips but couldn't get the clips to clamp down. I ended up going back to the original earpads that came with the Sony's and got used to it after a few days. Not ideal but tolerable.