Being "over ear" rather than "on" or "in" ear they have an immediate advantage in keeping noise out and thus successfully cancelling it. Nothing however prepares you for how what background hum can be heard after putting the headphones on your head turns to near silence when the on button is pressed. I did not really notice any improvement in the "sound quality" of music to some Sony in-ear HI-Res earphones I already have which may be because my source music isn't the best for DSEE HX up-scaling.. or may be I underestimate the quality of the cheaper HI-Res audio ear buds (one thing for sure the noise canceling feature on them is nothing compared to these headphones) - They are very comfortable and the gesture control mechanism on the right side for most functions very simple to learn. BUT! I suspect the "gold" finish of my pair is easy to scratch - put it this way, there is a dark scratch on the left side (not through a gesture swipe therefore ) that has come from nowhere. Very very happy with the audio & battery performance... while I haven't had the Bluetooth drop out even having walked quite far from my Xperia XZ1 supplying the music & had a smartwatch connected at the same time. Downside, the battery is sealed & therefore there is a finite life to this product - something to remember when thinking electronics last forever in the more quality price range (just as people who bought designer sneakers for a collection found the PU sole disintegrated completely even if untouched after 10 years) therefore don't buy them to put them away, use them or lose them.

Got this through a free offer through Sony. Glad I claimed for them. Great sound all round and very solid unit. Thank you sony

Had the previous model and these blow them out of park