MDR-1000X

Big budget - Sony WH1000XM(x) I still have my original MDR1000x and while the mic leaves a lot to be desired, they're amazing for music and blocking out the outside world. Find a new old stock on sale. Barring that, Bose, Sennheiser, pick your poison/price point, unless you love Apple, then the Airpods Pro2 are amazing for this if you like in-ear. Max if you hate everyone. Airpods4 with ANC are honestly fine for office environments if you have some music going, if you hate over/in ear stuff. If you're on a budget, the Anker ANC stuff is shockingly good for the price, both in sound quality and NC ability. Not 'no music on a plane of crying babies' good, but definitely good enough for an office.

Nah I'm still rocking the MDR1000x too and the sound quality is awesome, even in 2025. Only downside was the hinge which broke after a few years but I got Sony to replace those for free even though I was outside warranty. I've also replaced the ear pads from wear and tear of years of daily use but I reckon I'll get another few years out these legendary earphones. I tested the XM5 in store and sound is not noticeably better (I did a back to back comparison).

Same here buddy! Love these, keep considering upgrading since these have been so good but each time I check the new model out, I can't justify spending so much for what will only be a minor improvement at best, even the battery life is still going well after all these years.

As if the hinges on the mdr1000x forward were great, right! Everything sucks compared to other brands.

While you’re right on paper, my Sony MDR-1000X that I got in 2016 and use daily are still doing just fine, with battery life about as good as when I first got them, so…

Bose more comfortable and sturdy. Sony sound better and I think they offer better noise cancellation. The Sony hinge is weak and lots of people break it. However I slide them on instead of stretching them open to plop on my ears. I have the QC25 that someone gave away, and the Sony 1000x (mark 1). I also have the AirPod Pro 2. I feel the AirPods have better NC than the Bose but don’t sound as nice but it’s a different feel because they are inside the ears.

I have the MDR-1000x from launch period, 2017 iirc. I’ve replaced pads, headband wrap, still runs like a champ. I’m never gonna buy a new pair of ANC headphones.

I still have the original MDR1000X, they still do the job great compared to the XM5 I was gifted.