Introducing the Sony WH-1000XM3 over-ear headphones. This is the third installment of the Sony 1000x series; a noise-canceling staple which is a slight upgrade of the M1 and M2 models.
The M2 saw a few improvements in technicalities, but the giveaway was a drawback in sound quality. Fans and enthusiasts alike thought the slack would culminate in the death of the 1000X series. It wasn’t until the unveiling of the M3 did we realize that Sony meant business.
With this addition to the 1000X series, Sony was able to make some critical changes to some of the underlying issues it had with previous models.
This article consequently is a comprehensive review of the new Sony WH-1000XM3. Here we discuss the product in detail, its swanky new features, sound quality, user ratings, and who this particular product is for.
Sony WH-1000XM3 Specs
- 254 grams in weight
- 40mm-sized Liquid Crystal Polymer drivers
- Softer ear cup padding than its predecessors
- Redesigned headband
- Enhanced Bluetooth capabilities
- Battery Life of up to 30 hours
- Superb Noise-Cancelling
- USB-C charging
- Quick charge in 10 minutes. Boost battery life to about 5 hours
- Smart Listening by Sense Engine
- Automatic Power Off function (Customizable)
- New HD Noise Canceling QN1 Processor
- Quick Attention Mode ensures you don’t have to take your headphones off to have conversations.
- Black, platinum, silver color variants with gold highlights.
- Voice assistant activated with one-touch
- Multi-microphone array for enhancing voice calls
So How Does The Sony WH-1000XM3 Sound?
Let us start first by analyzing the sound quality of the Sony WH-1000X M3. In reality, it sounds pretty great actually. There could be what some might consider a snag—that is—the chart quality is a bit wavy while listening with it. But that really isn’t a big issue when you compare it with other great features. The main point here is the fact the headphones meet consumer standards, with great emphasis on the bass. It peaks up at about 10kHz with a little bump just around the mids.
It will be great to add here that the WH-1000X3 is not for audio heads that have a fetish for the perfect unaltered listening. This is because Sony headphones are not always perfect in that department, although its LDAC codec is highly commendable by many standards. With the LDAC codec, you can reach 660 or even 990kbps models by unlocking and tweaking the developer options in your mobile phone. It is also advisable to go for the 660kbps rather than the 990kbps since it meets and even exceeds hearing standards.
Now let’s discuss the bass and the Mids & Highs more extensively.
The Bass
The bass is greatly focused in the default SBC modes and LDAC, although you get to make changes to it if you so desire via the Sony app. You can also decide to leave the settings as they are, especially in songs or records that play down on it a little. While listening, you may also notice that the noise coming from the engine tends to taper down the bongo thumps and baseline of the September version.
Mids & Highs
Now, when it comes to the mids, its intensity may be a little low in comparison to the bass. This is especially true in cases where you opt for the stock LDAC connection without switching on the equalizer. But if you want to really enjoy some vintage music, it’s best you lower the bass a little bit.
What About the Battery Life of the Sony WH-1000XM3
The Sony 1000X M3 has a battery life of approximately 30 hours. It also has a 10-minutes quick charge mode that boosts the battery to up to 5 hours. Now, just how well and long the charge can last is dependent on a number of factors. But as mentioned earlier, when this headphone was tested over a couple of days, the result showed a 30 hours usage span on average.
This test was conducted for four days at 5 hours for each of those days without stopping for a recharge. At the end of each day, the battery was left at around 30%. When compared with competitor products like the Bose Quiet Comfort 35, it really is a good deal. That’s like over 10 hours more charge on average. For an upwardly mobile American, that is also a sweet deal considering the amount of power you get to pack while on the move.
Who Can Use and Enjoy the Sony WH-1000XM3?
The Sony WH-1000XM3 is certainly not for everybody. But that is not to say this headphone is not a good bargain for a large cross-section of people. That being said, here are the kinds of people that get to enjoy the Sony WH-1000XM3. The list also includes places or situations where using the product would be perfectly ideal:
- Passive listeners who crave a better sound quality than you get with average consumer headphones.
- People in transit (commuters) within a busy city where noise cancellation is the top priority.
- Travelers, onboard flights would really enjoy the Sony WH-1000XM3. Better yet, you can find this product in any Best Buy vending machine in most terminals and airports in the US.
- Game lovers will also find the Sony WH-1000XM3 a great fit, especially when they are looking to zone out from their immediate environments.
USER RATING
Here’s the user rating of the Sony WH-1000XM3
- SOUND QUALITY: 7.6
- DESIGN: 8.2
- DURABILITY / BUILD QUALITY: 7.8
- ISOLATION / ATTENUATION: 7.9
- VALUE: 7.9
- MICROPHONE: 6.2
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING: 7.9
- CONNECTIVITY: 7.7
Final Thoughts
There you have it, guys. If you are looking for a boost in sound bass, noise-cancellation, and great battery life, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is the way to go. You also get more value than any of its predecessors at a very sensible price range. The Sony WH-1000XM3 is great for almost all demographic and is ideal for any casual setting where insulation and the perfect chill is the ultimate goal.