With the custom EQ disabled and noise cancellation off, the headphones deliver deep bass, relatively natural mids, and detailed highs. The excellent bass response is especially helpful on a track like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” which relies on sub-bass content to round out the low-end sound effects and bass synths without overshadowing the higher frequencies.

(Credit: Christian de Looper)

The rich bass response is also impactful on Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.” On this track, the kick drum is powerful and resonant. It’s even more impressive how the headphones handle the bass synth that appears throughout much of the track. They are able to accurately reproduce all but the lowest bass notes in the synth line. Unlike most headphones, they still deliver a deep rumble for the lowest notes to ensure the bass doesn’t feel disjointed. The bass synth is powerful and arguably a little boosted compared with what would be strictly natural, but it doesn’t overshadow the other frequencies. Lamar and Rihanna’s vocals still sound rich and present, while the percussion is crisp and responsive.

Bill Callahan’s “Drover” is remarkably natural-sounding. The low-frequency reproduction ensures that the driving kick drum is present throughout, but isn’t overbearing or too boosted. Callahan’s vocals are rich and resonant, and when coupled with the crisp and bright acoustic guitar, the track feels lively and exciting.

The excellent frequency response also lends itself well to orchestral tracks like the opening scene of John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary. Here, the good stereo separation makes a big difference and gives plenty of room for all the instruments to avoid sounding buried. I do find that the bass response makes some of the low strings sound slightly boomy, but it isn’t distracting and is easy to EQ out.

Sony has updated its Spatial Sound algorithm that allows you to “up-mix” to spatial audio from a stereo track. It only works with a wireless connection, so if, for example, you’re watching a movie using a plane’s built-in infotainment system, you’re out of luck. You can use it with other sources, though. Through Bluetooth multipoint, I connected the headphones to my phone and Mac Studio and was able to use Spatial Sound on both.

(Credit: Christian de Looper)

Spatial Sound does create the sense of a larger soundstage when listening to music, but it impacts different frequencies in unexpected ways. On Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty,” the bass is too accentuated and overshadows the rest of the mix. The tech is better suited to video. In the final fight scene of Avengers: Endgame, it is surprisingly effective. It can’t compete with dedicated surround sound source material, but it’s worth turning on. I kept using it for TV and movies, but would turn it off for music.

The headphones have six microphones for voice capture and beamforming technology to better isolate your voice. I had to use an Android phone for my test recording, as the Voice Memos app on an iPhone refused to recognize the headphones as a microphone. Still, my voice sounded full and clear in the recording.