For most users, headphones should be able to shut out the rackety world and focus on the songs that move them or prose that inspires them. If you’re dead serious about not missing a single word or note, having noise cancellation is a must. And, today we’ll be looking at Sony’s latest pair of noise-canceling headphones, and why am I compelled to recommend them over the top competitor, Bose QC35 II.

Sony WH-1000XM3 Specifications

Let us first take a look at the specifications of the Sony WH-1000XM3:

The WH-1000XM3 noise-canceling headphones have a wide range of frequency response, far beyond the human hearing capacity. Another striking aspect is the long and endearing battery life, almost making you forget about charging the headset.

Inside the box, you get the following:

While the carrying case is a useful addition, I admire the included Aux cable which comes with a L-shaped connector at one of the ends. This makes it easier to use them with a PC or older gizmos like a classic iPod easier in my opinion.

Sony WH-1000XM3 is not the most visually striking pair of headphones out there unless you prefer minimalism. The all-black or all-beige body is interrupted by copper accents around the grilles shielding the mics and the same colour is seen on the Sony branding on both earcups. The simple design is suited for those who wants nothing but unbeatable sound quality and flawless noise canceling.

In terms of bendability, the Sony headphones might not be as stretchable as Bose QC35 II, but that does not lead to unwanted hindrance in wearability. When not in use, I have kept the headphones hanging around my neck without feeling the need to take them off and free my neck – simply because these headphones never hinder neck movements.

The highs produced by Sony WH-1000XM3 are pretty clear too and do not sound shrill or shrieky in any way. Whether its a trombone or an electric guitar with a chorus effect, the headphones will deliver the right tone without compromising on quality. I’ve embraced many new experimental genres diverging out of rock and heavy metal (my primary appetite for music) for this reason.

So, if you’re an indie producer or a resolute audiophile, these headphones should definitely make sense to you. You can also enhance the sound further by using the compatible app called Sony Headphones Connect.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is the spotlight feature on the Sony WH-1000XM3, which is also the reason you’re paying the premium. With this pair of headphones, the intensity of noise cancellation can be adjusted over 20 steps, which is really impressive. These settings can be tuned manually using the app, which we’ll learn about in the next section.

Do note that if you’re accustomed to using noise-canceling microphones, you might feel a sensation similar to altitude sickness or nausea initially but your ears should adapt to it over time.

The companion app for the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphone is pretty useful for displaying a variety of information and allowing you to change a long list of settings to ensure the best sound experience and we’ll learn about each setting one-by-one. First of all, the app shows you the amount of battery on the headset as well as the mode of connection.

The first setting that you get control over is for Adaptive Sound Control. Based on the sensors from your smartphone, the app can learn if you’re standing, walking, or running and automatically adjust the amount of ambient sound creeping into the earcups, to prevent any accident or mishap due to blockage of sound. You may also choose to turn it off.

Next, you can change the spatial positioning of the sound source. You can also change the surround sound effects if you want to enjoy the same sound experience as that of a concert hall or a club etc. as well as adjust the equalizer if you want a brighter or mellow texture. You also get two custom equalizer presets which you can customize to your liking.

Sony WH-1000XM3 runs on Bluetooth 4.2 and supports a wide range of protocols like SBC, AAC, and includes support for hi-res audio formats such as aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC. You should have no problem connecting the headphones to any devices – I’ve tried them with Poco F1, OnePlus 6T, iPhone XR, 2017 MacBook Pro, and a bunch of Windows laptops. While, in terms of laptops, I find the audio quality slightly lacking, but using an Aux cable rectifies that and you can continue using the active noise control with the wired connection.

In terms of the range of connection, the headphones stay connected for up to almost 10 meters (30 feet), even there are thick walls in between. Further, pairing is a cohesive experience, and NFC makes it even easier. When you move out of the connectivity zone and come back, Sony WH-1000XM3 connects very easily.

Not just sound, the Sony WH-1000XM3 also passes with flying colors when it comes to its battery life. Sony has claimed that the headphones can last for up to 30 hours of continuous playback even when active noise cancellation (ANC) is switched on.

Sony WH-1000XM3, as I mentioned above, brings great quality sound, with tons of optimization options available in the companion app to help you choose the best sound to suit your ears. I also fancy the minimal design and easily graspable touch controls.

  • Durable build
  • Comfortable to wear
  • USB-C
  • Great battery life
  • Versatile and rich recording-quality sound
  • 20-step noise cancellation

Cons

  • Not great for calling
  • Can’t disconnect other devices using the app

Sony WH-1000XM3: Studio Quality at Your Disposal

The pair of headphones is clearly one of the best in this price range that you can cozily wear on your ears. Sony WH-1000XM3 feel like the true successor, with much better noise canceling and a crystal clear sound experience.

Besides the striking sound quality, I am in love with the long battery life. Before using these headphones, I faced the predicament of whether you really need to pay Rs 30,000 for the great audio experience and now I can tell you that it is worth each penny.

While I stand by Sony’s stunning clarity, which I can assure is better if you want true and unamplified tones, I’ll also be bringing you a comparison with the Bose QC35 II soon.