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In July of this year, Sony introduced its best wireless headphones – WF-1000XM3 with noise reduction and a bunch of other bright chips.
Against this background, until then all the fully wireless headphones (TWS) that existed at once became … a pumpkin.
But in October, Apple introduced its answer – AirPods Pro. And a logical question arises. Which ones to buy?
My daily testing of these two models for a month proved: choosing the best is not so simple.
1. Headphone design and ergonomics
Sony WF-1000XM3 became a deep modernization of the WF-1000X that appeared a year earlier. Improvements touched a lot, but the ergonomics and fit remained the same.
Therefore, they require a thoughtful choice of ear cushions for a snug fit and can still interfere under the cap with their protruding body in which the battery is located.
AirPods Pro, on the contrary, received a design redesigned for the better, which can be considered a reference.
Although they belong to the class of intra-channel models, electronics placed in the “leg” much more convenient with constant and prolonged wear.
AirPods Pro also requires the selection of ear pads, but this process is actually automated in iOS.
Unfortunately, Apple’s wireless “flagship” is only available in white. But Sony offers the WF-1000XM3 in silver and black cases.
AirPods look pretty simple, so they fit any clothes, sometimes resembling a business headset. In addition, their appearance is recognizable and is a “fetish” of the masses.
The WF-1000XM3 has a restrained, rigorous design. At the same time, they are exposed from the ears stronger than AirPods.
Conclusion: Despite the reference appearance of Apple headphones, the Sony model provides better passive sound insulation and a more pleasant landing for the Russian climate. But the appearance of the AirPods Pro is more universal.
The score is 1: 1. Draw.
2. Case. Design, dimensions, practicality
Sony’s charging case measures 142 × 119 × 64 mm and weighs 79 grams. The AirPods case is noticeably smaller and lighter: only 45.5 × 21.7 × 60.6 mm and, accordingly, 45.6 grams. Therefore, the former significantly retract the pocket, and the latter are invisible and easily fit in any.
The Sony case is matte thanks to a rubberized coating that erases quite quickly and is covered with signs of use. The famous scratches of AirPods cases are also inherent in them.
However, if you take a light model, she hide scuffs and scratches better.
Legends can be made about the AirPods “box”: it has become a reference for hundreds of clones. And really comfortable. But the white color is impractical, any scratches and fingerprints of dirty hands are evident. And the plastic of this model has not changed since the first modification of branded wireless “ears”. Therefore, he collects defects very quickly.
The Pro-modification of the Apple headset finally has wireless charging. It’s a pity that they cannot be charged with the iPhone due to the lack of inverse wireless charging. But you don’t have to buy at least a separate station, as for watches – any compatible with the Qi standard will do.
Sony headphones only charge over the wire via USB Type-C, but they do it faster.
Conclusion: Apple engineers took into account the mistakes of past models and slightly ahead of Sony. Their case is smaller, more convenient. In addition, it can be purchased separately.
The score is 1: 2, a point in favor of AirPods Pro.
3. Connect to a smartphone
Connecting Sony to a smartphone as before requires intervention in the smartphone’s software menu. However, there is also the ability to quickly connect. a simple touch to the sound source thanks to the presence of an NFC-module without additional settings.
Both options are available for any software platform without restrictions: although noise reduction can only be activated on Android and iOS, they can play the main role in the desktop computer.
An original scheme with the participation of the Bluetooth 5.0 protocol is used for connection: each earphone occupies a full-fledged channel and interacts directly with the smartphone.
This reduces latency and eliminates possible malfunctions, therefore, compared to other TWS-headphones, the WF-1000XM3 show excellent connection stability. Just like AirPods Pro, also working on Bluetooth 5.0.
Apple AirPods in any modifications are connected automatically. Which, however, can be a more complicated process if the headphones need to be “moved” by connecting to a new device.
The H1 chip used for the hardware implementation of the headphones can be considered a reference. It is unlikely that a more stable compound can be found.
Conclusion: Although Apple has managed to release a better connection between the accessory and the smartphone, Sony is stepping on its heels. And attracts more versatility.
Score 2: 2, a point in favor of Sony.
4. Headphone control
Sony WF-1000XM3 is controlled by touch pads. Alas, capacitive technology leads to false positives in severe frost, and also does not like wet hands.
What’s more: the WF-1000XM3 will have phantom clicks from raindrops. On the other hand, the owner should make sure that the “ears” do not come in contact with moisture, since there is no moisture protection.
AirPods Pro playback control is implemented using familiar “stalks” where more responsive and loyal to the owner.
Both models offer independent control of the headphones – both the left and right headphones can be used as a single headset.
Conclusion: Managing the AirPods Pro was easier than the Sony WF-1000XM3. Physical pressing, albeit virtual, is always more reliable and convenient than just touch panels.
Score 2: 3, a point in favor of Apple AirPods Pro.
5. Smartphone application
Convenience of the application for wireless headphones Sony Headphones Connect We have repeatedly noted in our reviews. Perhaps this is the most thoughtful and functional program among all competitors.
It explains how to use active noise reduction and allows you to activate it in a couple of clicks after individual settings.
A good equalizer and switching noise reduction modes are also available here, for each of which there is a smooth adjustment.
Headphone control is configured in a separate menu, allowing correctly determine the actions by clicking on each of the touch buttons. Sony generally has the best app for wireless headphones, I have never seen so many features anywhere else.
AirPods Pro offers a completely different approach. Noise reduction control is available directly in iOS or through a long press on any of the headphones. The strength of the effect is not adjustable, it can only be turned off, turned on, or put into increased audibility mode (“Transparency”).
But the owner from the smartphone can check whether the headphones are sitting correctly, and reassign the actions of pressing the bow hard. But in general, only basic settings are available to the user, there is no such expanse and customization as Sony.
Both models work with voice assistants. For Sony, this
Google assistantfor Apple Siri. Activation is carried out by pressing the button specified in the application.
Conclusion: AirPods Pro are configured directly in iOS, and if you do not have Apple devices, then alas. The Sony application is multi-platform, has a large number of functions and allows you to further customize the headphones for yourself.
Score 3: 3, a point in favor of Sony.
6. Sound quality
The new Sony headphones lack many of the company’s branded audio devices, including LDAC support (aptX also does not work) – only SBS and AAC work. But with all smartphones.
Nevertheless, engineers were able to realize all the possibilities available for such small-sized cases and did not forget to integrate a proprietary chip that implements software improvement of music using DSEE HX technology.
She modifies music from streaming services literally up to Hi-res. True, this works worse with mp3 files.
AiPods works with the same codecs. But with a small caveat: AAC is automatically implemented only with Apple smartphones, and even codec-enabled Android devices are not always able to connect to them appropriately.
Since the Cupertin hardware model is not much different from its predecessors, any additional technologies of “drafting” are not used. And the sound has become better sooner thanks to a change in the form factor, rather than other improvements.
The WF-1000XM3 has a margin in volume and more experience in developing audio devices. It is not surprising that the headphones are able to win back low frequencies, have a fairly wide scene and stand out for their musical abilities against all existing TWS headphones.
The sound of the AirPods Pro is a little worse: the big miniature (which means a lot less) and less weight play a role (because of which it was simply impossible to fit heavy coils).
In a direct comparison, AirPods Pro produces not so deep low frequencies and a little fail at high. Sound stage seems weaker. WF-1000XM3, on the contrary, sound on the four with a plus, except that the middle is slightly littered.
Conclusion: Sony WF-1000XM3 is rightfully the best TWS-headphone in terms of sound quality, and additional refinement using DSEE HX makes it possible to switch to them with good wired headphones. AirPods Pro play music incomparably better than 95% of its competitors, but still they are a bit short of Sony.
Score 4: 3, a point in favor of Sony.
7. Noise reduction work
The previous Sony modification in TWS-version did not please with the quality of noise reduction. The update brought the same 24-bit processor as in the best Cheburashka with the ANC WH-1000XM3.
Changing the design and using only 2 microphones reduced the efficiency, but the maximum “power” completely cuts off the noise of the street and public transport.
Smooth adjustment in the application allows you to adapt the sound for a specific situation, which is precisely the strength of the WF-1000XM3. The same can be said about the individual modes, switching between which is convenient and simple (you can find out more here).
AirPods Pro was Apple’s first noise-canceling model, so waiting for a breakthrough from them is simply pointless. The level of “noise” is one, and its capabilities are barely enough for the street. For trips in transport, it is better to choose something more serious.
The “Permeability” mode works similarly to Sony headphones, but the latter need to understand the settings, since the same result can be obtained in different modes with different options.
Surprisingly, Shumodav works well on an airplane. But here its capabilities are on par with the competitor.
Conclusion: Sony’s advantages over Apple are unconditional – these are the only fully wireless headphones that can completely cut off external noise in the train. Sophisticated fine-tuning requires a single understanding, and only improves use.
Score 5: 3, a point in favor of Sony
8. Telephone calls
Voice transmission WF-1000XM3 is far from ideal. Microphones are too far from the mouth.
Their hobby is noise. And to some extent they forgot about the optimization of voice transmission.
AirPods due to microphones located on the “stems” much closer to the mouth, better capture the voice.
It is also worth noting that engineers have done significant work on the quality of the transmitted stream since the time of the first model, so the role of the AirPods headset is fulfilled perfectly.
Conclusion: If long-term communication is more important than the quality of music, the choice should definitely remain with AirPods.
Score 5: 4, a point in favor of AirPods Pro.
9. Opening hours
A fully charged Apple case makes it possible to listen to music for 17-18 hours instead of the declared day (after several recharges). From a single charge, headphones can work up to 4 hours with noise canceled.
In turn, the WF-1000XM3 allows you to enjoy music for an honest day (3 charges in the case + 1 in the headphones), but 6 hours non-stop. Activating the most dense noise reduction will reduce autonomy by only a couple of hours from the total operating time.
It takes an hour and a half to charge the Japanese, if necessary, charge the case for 3.5 hours. Apple’s product is much friendlier: the case is fully charged in an hour over the wire and over 2 in the air, and half an hour is enough for the headphones.
Conclusion: Fast and wireless charging is a big plus for AirPods. But Sony have been working much longer. In practice, one charge is enough for the whole day, so charging on the go is not required.
Score 6: 4, a point in favor of Sony.
Sony WF-1000XM3 vs AirPods Pro, score 6: 4
Sony WF-1000XM3 stand 14 990 rubles. AirPods Pro will cost in 20 990 rubles.
Noise reduction Sony WF-1000XM3 was still a little better than the AirPods Pro. And the sound quality too. AirPods Pro, in turn, is also very good – they just lack a little saturation, the completeness of the musical picture.
Both models offer the same kit: charging case, ear pads of several sizes, charging cable. However, to use the cable from the AirPods Pro kit, you need to have at least one charger (or laptop) with a USB-C port. Or use a regular Lightning cable.
Pros of Sony WF-1000XM3:
◉ deep customization in the official app
◉ multiple colors
◉ greater autonomy
◉ cool active noise reduction
◉ versatility
◉ price
Pros of AirPods Pro:
◈ smaller size and weight
◈ maximum stability of connection
◈ deep integration in iOS
◈ better-functioning microphones
What makes both models of headphones similar is quality. What Sony WF-1000XM3, what AirPods Pro are objectively the best fully wireless headphones in the outgoing 2019. They are extremely convenient in everyday work, they cope with telephone conversations with dignity, are comfortable with prolonged wearing and play music well.
If I chose the fully versatile TWS headphones today, I would take the Sony WF-1000XM3. Still, they are cheaper, work longer, are not tied to any ecosystem. It is also the best choice for everyone who cares about good sound.
Ordinary AirPods users or owners of Apple gadgets exclusively should try AirPods Pro first. If for some reason you do not like it, then only the WF-1000XM3 remains. Honestly, all the other models on the market after these two are a set of compromises and hidden problems.