2017: The Inevitable Year of the Wireless Headphone Wars?

Wireless headphones have garnered increasing attention since the "iPhone 7" eliminated the headphone jack. Furthermore, the advent of AirPods, which achieve "true wireless" capability, has sparked discussion about the stress-free wearability of earbuds with no connecting cord at all.


Beyond Apple, several venture companies have entered this market. However, in 2017, major manufacturers with a strong audio heritage have finally begun to join the fray. For them, comfortable wearability is a given; they are challenging the market head-on with high-quality sound that can be enjoyed "anytime, anywhere."

The Sony WF-1000X should be mentioned first. This is because Sony has already equipped its truly wireless device with the noise-canceling technology that garnered explosive support last season.

By pre-setting the smartphone app for four activity patterns – "Stopped," "Walking," "Running," and "On Public Transport" – the sensors accurately determine your situation, creating a listening environment that won't disturb others. Essentially, when you board a train, the noise cancellation automatically intensifies.

As expected from a Japanese brand, they've meticulously addressed every need.

Incidentally, the semicircular metal piece visible through the clear window at the front of the device is the antenna. Exposing this antenna reportedly maintains sufficient sensitivity. This kind of ingenuity compensates for audio dropouts, a known weakness of truly wireless earbuds. Your music won't stutter. It's good that the basics are done right.

Like other brands, the case that houses the earbuds also serves as a charger. Once paired, the earbuds automatically connect when you open the case, making them almost as easy to use as AirPods.

Now, whether you find this design a "yes" or a "no"... Let me ask you instead: what grounds are there to reject it? As a truly wireless device that achieves outstanding noise cancellation, it feels like there's no smarter item available.

Incidentally, I had decided to purchase a model from a certain venture brand, but unfortunately, its release has been repeatedly postponed. In the meantime, attractive models, including this Sony offering, are beginning to appear one after another.

Hmm, the decision is truly agonizing.