Join the sonic landscape with the Sony WH1000 XM3 headphones, a testament to Sony’s commitment to audio excellence. Although succeeded by the XM4, the WH1000 XM3 remains a formidable choice, now available at enticing discounts. Their enduring brilliance and continued availability make them a compelling option for those seeking top-tier wireless headphones.
Back to pre-summer 2016, when Sony lacked a premium wireless noise-canceling offering and the WH-1000X burst onto the scene, challenging the reigning champion, Bose, and determining a prestigious award. The WH1000XM2 refined the formula, but heightened competition prevented another award.
Despite the robust competition, the WH-1000XM3 emerged as another successful device in their lineup. Now, let’s have a detailed breakdown of its features and functionalities and understand why it is the best in the business!
What will you see here?
Overall Summary
Enter a realm of superior sound and unparalleled comfort as you immerse yourself in the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones. These iconic headphones redefine the auditory journey, blending style, functionality, and immersive sound quality seamlessly. Their elegant design harmoniously balances exceptional performance, promising a luxurious listening experience.
While its ergonomic design prioritizes comfort during prolonged wear, its foldable design offers portability to seamlessly carry it on the go. With adaptive sound control, these headphones adjust the audio settings based on your activity and environment, which ensures optimal performance. Also, the touch-sensitive controls allow effortless management of music and calls, while the long battery life ensures extended usage.
So, elevate your audio experiences now and embrace a world of pure auditory delight with the Sony WH-1000XM3.
- Excellent Noise Cancellation
- Long Battery Life
- Comfortable Design
- Intuitive Touch Controls
- Voice Control compatibility
- Not water resistant
- Does not support wireless charging
- Decent for calls, but not exceptional compared to dedicated headsets.
Specs at Glance
| Price | $233.81* |
| Weight | Approx. 255g |
| Dimensions | 7.31 x 2.94 x 10.44 inches |
| Type | Over-ear |
| Driver Unit | 40mm, dome type |
| NFC | Yes |
| Noise Cancellation | HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1 |
| Ambient Sound Mode | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wired |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Battery Life | Up to 38 hours (without noise canceling) Up to 30 hours (with Noise Cancelling) |
| Voice Assistant Support | Google Assistant, |
| Controls | Touch Controls on Ear Cups |
Price and Availablity
The Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones debuted in August 2018, boasting top-tier features and a premium sound experience. Despite being succeeded by the XM4, they remain a stellar choice for noise-canceling seekers. The headphones were first listed at $349 / £300 / AU$499 due to their extensive functionalities. However, frequent discounts have made them more accessible, which is why they are recently available at $233.81*.
Additionally, they’re available in two different color options, Black and Silver. While the Black color gives you all classy look, the silver offers a more premium look. No matter which one you choose, it is sure that both of them will give you great comfort and an exceptional listening experience. Regarding its availability, you can buy the Sony WH-1000XM3 from its official website as well as other third-party apps like
Design and Build
The Sony WH-1000XM3 stands out with its thoughtful design enhancements. These headphones are lighter than their predecessors, making extended wear more comfortable, especially during long travels. The revamped padding along the bridge and deeper ear cups contribute to a more form-fitting and stylish look without compromising comfort.
In terms of appearance, these headphones maintain a minimalist, business-class aesthetic with two color options and discreet branding. Additionally, the Sony XM3 headphones boast an ingenious foldable design that adds an extra dimension to their functionality. This thoughtful feature was meticulously integrated into the design, which allows users to store these headphones when not in use.
Moreover, Sony’s attention to detail extends to the touch controls, allowing intuitive music playback and volume adjustment via simple gestures on the ear cups. Also, the control buttons are strategically placed on the left earcup. Which offers easy access to power, Bluetooth, and noise cancellation settings. While the control system may take a short adjustment period, it soon becomes intuitive for effortless use.
Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones blend sleek design refinements with functional upgrades, ensuring a perfect balance between style, comfort, and modern connectivity for an exceptional audio experience.
Sound Quality
The Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones set a new benchmark in sound quality, showcasing a remarkable upgrade from previous models. They deliver an expansive, detailed, and emotionally engaging soundstage, offering a spaciousness that lets each instrument and vocal breathe. There’s an impressive balance, with rich bass that never overwhelms, and a warm yet versatile tuning that suits a wide range of music genres.
Furthermore, the headphones support advanced features like 360 Reality Audio and Virtual Surround, enhancing the spatial quality and offering control over sound positioning, making them a versatile and top-notch choice for music enthusiasts.
These headphones excel in noise cancellation, providing a cleaner sound free from external disruptions. Although they might not match audiophile-grade headphones in absolute sound quality. However, they strike a fantastic balance between quality and environmental noise reduction, making them more adaptable for everyday use.
The soundstage leans towards width more than depth, while imaging and instrument definition are good, though not at the highest tier. Vocals, especially male vocals, shine with clarity and warmth, benefiting from the smooth highs and well-defined mids. Moreover, the Sony Headphones Connect app offers customizable sound profiles, enabling users to personalize their listening experience based on a variety of preferences.
Comfort and Fit
Well, every other headphone in the market offers impressive sound quality and has a premium-looking design but what really matters is, how comfortable they are during those prolonged sections! The Sony XM3 headphones bring a delightful balance of comfort and fit.
Their secure yet gentle fit creates a custom feel, owing to the plush, pressure-relieving earpads that establish a stable, snug atmosphere. The ear cups boast ample cushioning, offering a comforting embrace that eliminates any pressure points, while the headband contributes to overall comfort with its plush, soothing touch.
Their adaptable design ensures they remain securely positioned without causing discomfort, akin to a cherished pair of shoes that conform perfectly to your feet. Although slightly weightier than certain rivals, they excel in mitigating pressure induced by active noise cancellation (ANC). This translates to a more pleasurable listening experience, positioning them as a formidable choice for individuals seeking top-tier noise-canceling headphones without compromising comfort.
Battery life
What you also need is a good battery life, and the Sony XM3 headphones offer an impressive battery life of approximately 30 hours on a full charge. This extensive battery life makes it your ultimate companion even during extended trips.
Charging these headphones is a breeze, especially with the quick charge feature that provides 5 hours of playback after a mere 10-minute charge. It takes approximately 3 hours to fully charge these headphones. This capacity exceeds the wireless usage of the Bose QuietComfort 35 but falls shorter when used in wired mode.
Moreover, you also have the ability to adjust the sleep time via the Sony Headphones Connect app to extend their longevity. The XM3 will enter sleep mode by default after 15 minutes of inactivity. This duration can also be reduced to five minutes for those eager to maximize every bit of power. Whether crossing continents or managing daily routines, the XM3 ensures ample battery life and efficient charging capabilities, making them a reliable choice for prolonged usage without constant recharging concerns.
Noise cancelling
The Sony XM3 headphones stand out for their exceptional noise-canceling capability. They’ve upgraded their technology to minimize external disturbances across various frequencies, particularly excelling in the mid-to-high range. It uses refined technology to actively analyze ambient sounds and create inverse sound waves that effectively cancel out external noises.
Sony’s Noise Canceling (NC) Processor QN1 plays a crucial role in this process. It enhances the noise-canceling performance by efficiently processing sound signals and adjusting the cancellation in real time.
Compared to its competitors, the Sony WH-1000XM3 takes the lead in noise cancellation without causing discomfort due to pressure build-up. Their performance in reducing constant background noise is notably superior, whether it’s a bustling office or the drone of a plane engine.
Moreover, you can also optimize settings based on factors like fit and external pressure to create a personalized noise-canceling experience via its companion app. This feature works wonders, especially during flights, adjusting seamlessly to altitude changes.
These headphones aren’t just excellent for air travel; they also shine in other noisy environments like buses, trains, libraries, and offices, making it hard to revert to regular headphones once experienced.
Connectivity and Compatibility
In terms of connectivity, Sony’s WH-1000XM3 offers both wired and wireless convenience to its users. They deliver top-tier sound quality through cutting-edge LDAC technology. With LDAC, these headphones offer an impressive audio transmission rate, almost three times higher than regular Bluetooth, ensuring a near-wired audio experience for High-Resolution Audio content.
Moreover, these headphones offer seamless integration with various voice assistants like Google Assistant,
Connecting is a breeze with Bluetooth 4.2, supporting multiple codecs such as SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC. The XM3 can connect through Bluetooth with a range of about 30 feet. Also, with its ability to connect to two devices simultaneously, these headphones provide flexibility and convenience for users. Additionally, the inclusion of NFC enables quick and hassle-free pairing, while the built-in microphone facilitates hands-free calls. Completing its versatility, these headphones also cater to wired connections through a 3.5mm audio jack.
Can the Sony XM3 headphones be used for making calls?
The Sony XM3 headphones are designed to work seamlessly for hands-free calls. Using Bluetooth connectivity, you can easily pair them with your smartphone. These headphones support Bluetooth profiles like HFP or HSP specifically for hands-free calling. When connected, you’ll hear the dial tone right through the headphones. However, while the call quality is generally good, it might not be the absolute best. Also, they don’t fully support calling apps on smartphones or computers.
Is Sony XM3 water resistant?
The XM3 Wireless Noise Cancelling headphones aren’t waterproof or splashproof. Using them in humid places or disclosing them to liquids can lead to damage, and there’s a risk of fire or electric shock if water gets inside the headphones.
Conclusion
The Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones represent a perfect blend of sophistication, comfort, and the latest technology. Its design serves both style and functionality, offering a sleek, minimalist look without compromising comfort. With exclusive sound quality and remarkable noise-canceling capabilities, these headphones transport you into a world of immersive audio experiences.
The versatility in connectivity options, from wireless to wired, coupled with seamless integration with voice assistants, adds a layer of convenience. Moreover, the extensive battery life and quick charging feature make them an ideal travel companion for those constantly on the move. Overall, the XM3 headphones excel in providing a balanced, immersive audio experience suitable for everyday use, making them a compelling choice for audio enthusiasts and frequent travelers alike.
Read More:
Unveiling Sony WH-1000 XM3: A Masterpiece in Audio Technology!
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Design
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Sound Quality
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Comfort
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Noise Cancelling
Summary
The Sony XM3 headphones offer an immersive audio experience with top-notch noise cancellation. Their comfortable design ensures long listening sessions without exhaustion. While handy, they might occasionally misinterpret gestures, needing a bit of getting used to. Overall, these headphones deliver remarkable sound and noise canceling, despite the touch sensitivity hiccup.
