Sony WF-1000XM3 Earbuds
Sony is hoping to build on the huge success of its market-leading WH-1000XM3 headphones with the new WF-1000XM3 earbuds.
I’ll be the first to admit I have had a tough time accepting any noise cancelling earbuds, mainly due to the fact over-ear headphones provide a much better experience when travelling.
But could this new offering from Sony change my view?
Features
“True Wireless Freedom” is what Sony claim they are offering with these new ear buds and with no wires in sight and the potential to run for up to 24 hours they could be telling the truth.
Inside each unit is a small 6mm driver unit, which Sony promise will deliver a more expansive listening experience. To help this small driver, they have paired up Dual Noise Sensors and a new QN1e Noise Cancelling chip. The later is an upgrade to the NC chip in the WH-1000XM3s.
⚬ Read More: Sony at #IFA2018
Thanks to Dual Noise Sensor Technology, one feed-forward microphone and one feedback microphone on the surface of the headphones catch more of the ambient sound around you.
Having caught the ambient sound, the dedicated HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1e gets to work.
~ Sony
My biggest concern around all earbuds is comfort in the ear and the fact I think they’ll always be falling out.
Sony claims to have this covered with what they describe as the Tri-Hold Structure!
The Perfect Fit
Each earbud has been ergonomically designed to make contact with, and rest against, three different points around your ear to stabilize them when you are on the move.
Then the piece that sits inside your ear has a high friction rubber coating to ensure they don’t fall out.
Learning how to control the Sony WF-1000XM3 Earbuds could take some time. With a touch-sensitive surface on each side, playback is controlled by different gestures on either side.
⚬ Read More: Best Travel Gadgets for 2019
If the default settings don’t work for you, then download the Sony | Headphones Connect app for either your Android or Apple device. Here you can reconfigure the touch controls to suit your own needs.
A Full Day of Noise Cancelling
Sony boasts the WF-1000XM3 earbuds can deliver up to 24 hours of Playback with Noise Cancelling on! In reality, to achieve this, the earbuds will need three trips to the rather smooth looking wireless charging case that they ship with.
This assumes you start your trip with a fully charged case and earbuds. If you choose to leave Noise Cancelling off the Sony buds can deliver up to 32 hours of playback.
The built-in microphones can also be used for hands-free phone calls and to interact with Google Assistant if needed.
Specifications
It’s the design of these Earbuds that has caught my attention the most. They look like they could have the right balance of size and performance. Many look way too big or too small and potentially weak on playback.
- Weight – 8.5g each bud
- Colour Options – Black or Silver
- NFC & Bluetooth Connectivity with up to 30 ft range for BT
- Bud Battery Life – Up To 6 Hours with Noise Cancelling On
- Carry Case Battery Life – Up To 18 Hours with Noise Cancelling On
- Full Charge Time of 1.5 Hours
- Case Charge Time of 3.5 hours
- 6mm Dome Type Driver Unit
How Much do the Sony WF-1000XM3 Earbuds Cost?
The new Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds will be £220/€250 when they go on sale during August 2019 direct from Sony.
Amazon users can pre-order the WF-1000XM3 buds from their local store at the same price of £220/€250 where the online retailer is stating an 8th August release date.
Join the Conversation
Are you an Earbuds user or prefer the larger headphones? What brand/model do you use and how do they fit/stay put for you?
Comment below or join the conversation on Twitter.
All information can be found at sony.com.