SINGAPORE — With the emphasis on strong bass in modern music, getting a good pair of headphones that can handle the bass properly without it ending up loose and boomy is key to enjoying your tunes. Sony has had the Extra-Bass headphone series for a while now, and with the new MDR-XB920 and MDR-XB610, aims to elevate that bass enjoyment just that notch better.

The higher-end XB920 is an update over the XB900 released late last year, but now comes with a new coat silver/red paint that looks pretty stylish. The comfort is still there too — it feels snug without being tight, and the ear cups only get sweaty on the most humid of days. Soundwise, the differences between the XB900 and XB920 are subtle, but the option of a detachable, tangle-resistant cable feature in the XB920 and the new colours give it an edge. It also feels sturdier to the touch.

XB920 users can choose between using a cable with or without an in-line remote, and Android users can use the Sony Smart Key App to programme a specific function to the single button on the remote.

The new headphones produce a warm bass that doesn’t across as too “boomy”, allowing both the mids and highs to be well-defined. While not as deep as other much-more-expensive bass-focused headphones, the rumble in the XB920 still satisfies, especially in the deepest parts of music such as Han Zimmer’s The Dark Knight Rises soundtrack. The presentation of the music can’t be faulted, especially when many other headphones end up with bloated bass as well as poor mids and highs frequencies.

Comparatively, the XB610 is smaller and lighter, and manages to top the XB920 in one aspect: Sony describes it as having high impact, which it does. However, this slightly higher impact does come with quite a few trade-offs as the XB610’s bass isn’t as deep or as defined. The smaller ear cups and dual-ended cables also mean the XB610 is less comfortable.

Still, both headphones are foldable, coupled with the tangle-free cables, means that they’re great for being on the move.

For just an S$80 difference, the improvements in sound in the XB920 cannot be ignored. That said, the XB610 still does well enough at its price point for bass lovers who just that extra bit of oomph — and both headphones will do well to scratch that bass-head itch you have.

The MDR-XB920 comes in silver/red or silver/black, and retails for S$199. The MDR-XB-610 comes in silver/white or silver/orange, and retails for S$119. Both are available at authorised retailers.