Sony WI-1000XM2 Review: Best Gym Companion
April 19, 2020Type: Wireless
Driver: Hybrid
Impedance : 50 ohm (1kHz, wired mode)
Frequency Response: 3 Hz-40,000 Hz
Functionally: Blutooth 5.0, AUX audio jack, NFC
Battery Life: About 10 hours
Weight: 58g
Rating:8/10
A good pair of earphones, one that is suitable for intense cardio workouts and keeping you entertained throughout your daily routine, is difficult to come by. The sound quality and noise cancellation needed during a strenuous workout differs greatly from that of general entertainment.
The Sony WI-1000XM2 checks all the right boxes in this particular department. It consists of a pair of relatively small earbuds that are anchored to its base via robust cords. Said base rests comfortably on your chest and shoulders. It barely exerts much pressure on the shoulders but doesn’t jostle about, while running. The same can be said of the magnetic earbuds.
See, when you’re half way through an intense workout, when your body starts to feel fatigued and your mind signals that it’s time to quit – this is when you’re most susceptible to the calls to give up. It’s during this time that the slightest annoyance or distraction can reduce your mental momentum and convince yourself to call it a day.
The ambient noises caused by those around you, the blaring of some horrid and distasteful music from the gym’s sound system, can take a toll on your mental state. The only way to ‘power through’ these distractions is to remain isolated and focused only on the calm and purposeful music produced from properly calibrated sound drivers.
The Sound Quality
This in essence sums up the quality of the WI-1000XM2. Despite its size, the drivers are able to produce exceptional music quality with immense depth and clarity. It also offers a good helping of bass, enough to produce an impactful impression of a soundtrack yet preserve its level of detail.
These are attributes that are difficult to come by these days, because most earphones are far too bass heavy. This, unsurprisingly drowns out the vocals and distinctiveness of the various instruments being played. The WI-1000XM2 thankfully, isn’t guilty of this but is able to package the delivery in a concise format similar to what you’d experience at a live concert.
Its active noise cancellation feature amplifies the listening experience even further. It does an excellent job at preventing ambient sounds and distractions from reaching your ears. In fact, the experience is eerily similar to being in a vacant room, just you and your music. This is what makes it the perfect gym companion, and one that can help you remain focused.
But the pièce de résistance of the WI-1000XM2 has to be its active sound control system. It’s able to adapt the listening experience based on whether your running, walking or simply sitting on a bench at a train station. This, the sound equalizer and other settings can be adjusted via an app. And it is through this same app that you can play, pause and skip music tracks.
Should I Buy One
If you want a pair of earphones that can remain anchored while at the gym but fashionable enough to wear everyday, then this is what you need. The WI-1000XM2 delivers on every front – it produces excellent music quality and decent active noise cancellation. It also comes with a decent carrying case and a plethora of silicone earbuds to suit various ear sizes.
