As with any technology that is slave to an app and/or OTA, I assume the obsoleting is incrementally implemented. The reduced NC is just the beginning. I get they will continue to function but at reduced performance levels to ensure there are ‘better” options available.
Consider the XM3 or QC35 the best noise Cancellers on the market right now then consider the reality that noise cancelling technology has ‘peaked’ on an engineering level..where does that leave a future XM4 or QC45? By slightly diminished performance levels on current models they are able to market potential new models as ‘our best’ etc, and side by side comparisons with previous version will confirm that they are indeed the ‘best’ however it’s clear to me that they are only better because the manufacturers have deliberately reduced performance capabilities of previous versions. Also check the Bose forums and note how the past two firmware updates have had a negative impact on NC performance. Here we have Sony employing the same tactics.
Interestingly, the only noise cancelling headphone that I own that have retained their out of box stellar performance are my Bose QC25 and MDR-1000X. Both amazing headphones that “Lack” app support (a good thing imo) and do not receive over the air updates. I’m inclined to say you get what you pay for with them.. Sadly I don’t feel we get what we paid for when the manufacturers have access & control of our devices by way of updates. There’s too much manipulation & potential for underhand behaviour. That out of box experience is all to short lived imo with update-able tech.
i said it before and I stand by that OTA (over the air) updates are the curse of modern technology, on a consumer level...On a corporate level, well thats a merry go round of wins.
