Sony MDR-XB600 Extra Bass Headphones Review
The Sony MDR-XB 600 is a step up from the previous edition of the Sony XB, however, SONY’s latest model is the MDR-XB 800. Not only was the older mode gigantic and looked odd, it also has bad sound balance. The XB 600 has an improved step from that. The size has been considerably reduced, and thankfully so. Else they add unwanted weight around your ears. The size ear cups have been reduced to fit snugly on the ears and feel fairly comfortable. There is generous amount of ear cup foam for the padding in these 40 mm driver headphones.
The leather covering on the padding is synthetic and you can actually feel the difference when in contact. It conveys the sound properly, but the artificial feel to the covering is bound to be a distraction. Also, getting a comfortable fit on them is fairly easy since the ear cups move both horizontally and vertically to give you the best fit. The entire body of the headphones is made from plastic. Even the parts that seem metal-like are plastic. The headband has a few adjustment options and is a thick band all the way.
Each ear cup is now finished with a 4mm silver rim over the flat glossy plastic disc. There is a knob-like silver nugget atop the right ear-cup, used for volume control. The cables to these headphones are weirdly enough attached to both ear cups, as opposed to the trend of having the cable attached to the left ear cup alone. Also, the cable is not detachable which another contrast to regular headphones in the category is again. The cables are flat, linguini-like and prevent tangles.
Sound quality for the Sony MDR XB 600 fits its price range. In the sense, that it renders good amount of bass. However the prominence of the lower frequencies overpowers the other ranges. There is a lack in clarity in the mid and higher ranges, forcing the sound to be muddled. There is not sufficient control on the bass; neither is the ability to differentiate between sounds from singular instruments. The ‘XB’ stands for ‘Xtra Bass’. However, bass heavy headphones need not necessarily be good for bass renditions. While there is comparative improvement from the last edition of the XB headphones; much more remains wanting in the XB 600.
The designing is otherwise well constructed for a pair of cheap headphones. The plastic usage is discreet and intelligently put. However, on the sonic front, it fails by quiet a large margin. Also, the box comes with nothing but just the headphones.
KEY PRODUCT FEATURES & HIGHLIGHTS
The MDR-XB600 is a foldable pair of headphones for “in the city use” with a 40mm diaphragms for deep, powerful bass , and a unique design and style. Its key technical characteristics are follows:
- Direct vibe structure for superior bass response
- Highly comfortable pressure relieving ear pads which guarantee long-lasting comfort
- Dual folding design folds compact for storage
- Y-type, flat, tangle-proof serrated cord
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