These new wireless earbuds boast a refreshed look, new features and, according to Sony, a raft of improvements.
Key to these improvements is the use of Sony’s QN1e HD noise cancelling processor. It’s virtually identical to the chip found in the Award-winning Sony WH-1000XM3 over-ear headphones and there’s one in each earpiece. Sony claims this chip delivers a 40 per cent increase in noise-cancelling quality compared to WF-1000X.
WF-1000XM3’s key features
Completely new design and new drivers
Active noise cancelation
Touch controls
Bluetooth 5.0
New QN1e processor (24-bit audio signal processing and DAC with amplifier)
Battery life: Up to 6 hours with noise canceling on and up to 8 hours with it off
Charging case delivers three additional charges
USB-C charging
Quick charge feature: 10 minutes of charging gives you 90 minutes of battery life
Support for AAC codec (but not Apt-X)
Two color options: Black and gray
The WF-1000XM3 is equipped with active noise cancelation. That’s a huge deal for the true wireless headphone category: With the exception of the earlier WF-1000X, the new WF-1000XM3 are the only headphones in this class with the feature. Bose has announced its Noise Cancelling Earbuds 700, but they won’t ship until sometime in 2020.
Battery life is also better. At moderate volume levels, Sony says you can get up to 6 hours with noise canceling on and up to 8 hours with it off. There’s also USB-C charging. A 10-minute quick-charge feature gives you 90 minutes of battery life and the charging case delivers three full charges on the go.
The case is a little bulky but it does have a nice premium feel to it and the buds are easy to get in and out of it. With these earphones it’s crucial to get a tight seal to get optimal sound quality and optimal noise canceling. You get an assortment of ear tips and one should fit your ears.
