Wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation. This is hardly a new territory for a company of Sony's stature, but nonetheless this is a decided move to dominate this end of the market.

Light and comfortable; Excellent noise-cancelation; Superb sound quality; Adjustable ANC level; Excellent mic for calls; Long battery life

There's a knack to the touch controls

We're seeing more and more solid wireless headphones that also include decent-to-very good noise cancellation . But with Bose finally adding Bluetooth to its excellent QuietComfort lineup, good isn't enough.

Powerful audio performance with rich lows and strong clarity in the highs; Can be used passively with included audio cable; Noise cancellation is independent of wireless functionality; Ambient mics work quite well; Functional, comfortable design

Expensive; Noise cancellation is good, but not great; Included audio cable lacks inline remote

In a market that has been largely dominated by Bose, Sony has decided to try and re-establish themselves as a market leader with the MDR-1000X Wireless Headphones. While other noise cancelling headphones have had a hard time competing with Bose, Sony may be one of the few companies that can...

We're seeing more and more solid wireless headphones that also include decent-to-very good noise cancellation. But with Bose finally adding Bluetooth to its excellent QuietComfort lineup, good isn't enough. At $399, the Sony MDR-1000X gets many things right, including high-quality audio performance, an excellent design and fit, ambient mics that are quite useful—and even better-than-average noise cancellation. But when the best model out there, the Bose QuietComfort 35, costs $50 less, it's tough to make a case for the MDR-1000X. DesignAvailable in matte black plastic and leather or a surprisingly good-looking beige and silver combo, the MDR-1000X exudes class and comfort, like a luxury car interior. Is it odd that there's so much plastic here, in a price range where most manufacturers opt for aluminum or stainless steel? Perhaps, but the circumaural (over-the-ears) MDR-1000X pulls it off thanks to a remarkably simple, uncluttered design. The earpads and underside of the headband...

The Sony MDR-1000X wireless headphones offer solid audio performance and noise cancellation, but the industry leader costs less.

Powerful audio performance with rich lows and strong clarity in the highs; Can be used passively with included audio cable; Noise cancellation is independent of wireless functionality; Ambient mics work quite well; Functional, comfortable design

Expensive; Noise cancellation is good, but not great; Included audio cable lacks inline remote

The Sony MDR-1000X is a great pair of headphones, complete with a great build, excellent bass delivery, good attention to detail in audio, balanced audio performance and possibly the best-in-class noise cancellation.

Premium build; Excellent bass response; Good details in audio delivery; Best-in-class noise cancellation

Battery life could have been better

"We love the sound quality of the MDR-1000X. Paired with the perfect fit and eliminating of the background noise, it really gives your music room to be heard." Full review

Sony is a respected brand in the mainstream headphone market, and deservedly so. But ask the average consumer about noise-cancelling headphones and they're apt to mention a different brand: Bose.

Excellent noise cancellation across a range of radically different environments; Sleek; touch-sensitive gesture control pad; Light; compact; and comfortable

Surprisingly sub-par wired performance; Ambient sound modes are practical; not perfect; Noise cancellation effectiveness varies by context

With its fabulous MDR-1000X noise-cancelling headphones, Sony is putting Bose on notice.

Excellent noise cancellation across a range of radically different environments; Sleek; touch-sensitive gesture control pad; Light; compact; and...

Sony is a respected brand in the mainstream headphone market, and deservedly so. But ask the average consumer about noise-cancelling headphones and they're apt to mention a different brand: Bose.

You have to admire Sony's chutzpah. The press release for the Sony MDR-1000X wireless headphones claims they offer "industry leading levels of noise-cancelling".

Impressive noise-cancelling; Excellent Bluetooth audio; Balanced; expressive sound; Clever features; 20-hour battery life

Touch controls can be hit and miss