effective noise reduction, ergonomics to review smart health innovation

Released in August 2018, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is the third in a line of successful smart health connected headsets. In addition to an outstanding active noise reduction, its predecessors were able to impose a visual style and a specific sound signature. Sony adds the possibility of switching on the voice assistant of its choice: Alexa or Google Assistant. Release date, price, features, quality / price ratio, read this full Review to find out everything about this product that did not leave us indifferent.

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjYCMzvQEQE (/ embed)

• Mark : Sony

• Model: WH-1000XM3

• Category: wireless smart health connected headphones

• Connection: Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, 3.5 mm jack

• Autonomy: 24h

• Compatibility: Android and iOS

• Price: 379 euros

• Availability: available for sale in 2 different colors

• Tested with: Honor 5C

Sony has made a name for itself in smart health connected audio. Among its flagship products is the WH-1000XM3 helmet. This high-end third generation is identical to the design of its predecessors. However, it comes back with improved acoustics and noise reduction. He also did a weight-loss treatment: we can see 20 grams less on the scale. You can also count on its Amazon Alexa or Google health home voice assistance trigger button. What is this racy product worth? Answer in the following lines.

Unboxing of the Sony WH-1000XM3

Who says high-end device, says quality cardboard. Here, a glossy paper covers a sliding case which encloses a more solid box. It is gray, while the packaging is white. It features illustrations of the product with two small striking stickers: the note from What Hifi, a magazine recognized by audiophiles and the Google Assistant symbol.

By opening the case, there is a storage case covered with fabric. Inside, the headphones separate the different cables: a USB / USB-C for charging, a 3.5 mm jack 1.5 meters long for wired listening and an airplane adapter. The documentation is placed under the precious rigid storage shell.

Everything turns out to be sleek. Everything is done so that the user can take over the Sony WH-1000XM3 as quickly as possible out of the box. Mission successful for Sony.

Design and ergonomics of the Sony WH-1000XM3

Never change a winning team. In any case, this is what Sony applies regarding the design of its smart health connected headphones. Difficult to differentiate the XM3 from its predecessor except for the small label “WH-1000XM3”, for Mark III, present on a ring on the left hoop. So we find a mixture of plastic, leather, and metal. Some will find it massive, others will appreciate the neat aesthetics with its worked curves.

We quickly notice that the leather used is more qualitative than the first two versions. This has a direct impact on comfort. Once on the head, the helmet is nice and above all, oh miracle, the pads are particularly soft with our ears. Remember that the Sony WH-1000XM3 is foldable. The pavilions rotate 90 degrees and fold back on themselves to save space. The mechanisms are rigid enough not to sag at the slightest movement.

A hellish touchpad

Unfortunately, this care attached to comfort is not found in ergonomics. If we have nothing to complain about the possibility of plugging the headphones to the right, the presence of the USB-C port on the left, or the two buttons for switching on and activating the voice assistant, the touch control is hellish. Indeed, this panel which is on the right atrium turns out to be very impractical.

In the quick user guide, Sony explains that you have to press the middle of the horn to start playback, tap left to listen to the previous title, right for the next one. Volume control is done by touching the top and bottom of this room. As much to tell you right away, it doesn't work. If you travel on line 13, 2 or 4 of the Paris metro, you have probably seen a moron frantically tapping the right ear of his helmet. It was us.

When you want to turn up the sound, you end up muting it. Here we are hammering with all our might to reset the music. Soft, hard or crazy, nothing to do: the panel refuses to answer correctly. Never mind, we use our smartphone or voice control.

 Using Sony headphones WH-1000XM3 

Bluetooth

In terms of connectivity, nothing to say. Our smartphone quickly finds the headset and it pairs automatically the next time it is used. Thanks to NFC it is possible to speed up this process. Very good point, we can separate from the sound source for almost 30 meters without cutting the signal.

Calls

Whether in a quiet or noisy environment, the Sony WH-1000XM3 does pretty well on calls. The quality remains superior to many other helmets in this area. Note, however, that you have to speak loud enough to be heard. In addition, the ambient volume often covers discussions in a busy street. The fact is that the two microphones are placed outside the pavilions, which easily explains this defect. When we use it, the conversations around us are amplified. A disturbing phenomenon at the start.

Sound quality: bass lover, a buddy for your ears

So there, Sony proves that it can do it. The rendering is very significant even if it turns out to be particularly loaded in bass. Like the Bose QuietComfort 35, you have to adapt to this sometimes tiring curve. Fortunately, the treble and midrange ring true. The highest frequencies are also of surgical precision. Ah, yes you have to like the V signals. Without the bass masking the rest, we notice that it drags along, as if it resonated on the hull. Wired, we lose a little in quality, but it is the case of a good number of Bluetooth headsets.

This precise, clear rendering is greatly appreciated with the noise reduction engaged. Without it, it’s more difficult.

The features of the Sony WH-1000XM3 headset

The ANC is precisely the great functionality of this product. Sony has studied the default mode particularly well. The surrounding sounds are largely muffled, which allows you to work with peace of mind, even without music. Once you listen to a song or a podcast, you forget the outside world. It is perfect for long writing sessions where great concentration is required. The technology used does as well, if not better, than the Bose QuietComfort 35.

The application available with the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones provides automated modulation of noise reduction. It analyzes the environment in order to adapt the level of perception of external sounds. Unfortunately, this affects the quality of the ANC and the settings, although simple, have less convinced us than the default mode.

This same application enables voice assistance. Just download Google Assistant or Alexa to enjoy it. Then, by long pressing the ANC button, you can trigger the voice command. The first models of the helmet require a remapping of the button in the application. In addition, it’s mandatory to keep the Google Assistant app in the background on your phone. Nevertheless, the superior quality of the microphone facilitates its use. So you can change the volume on the fly and request lots of other information without having to operate the touch panel. Regardless of the voice assistant, the headset does its job. We’ll regret having to press the button each time to get help from Alexa or Google Assistant.

The Sony app also contains an equalizer to change the listening modes to suit your preferences. In addition, the Japanese manufacturer offers a classic system that is simple to handle.

 Facing the competitionthis

Its direct competitor: the Bose Quietcomfort 35 II

We have quoted it several times. The biggest competitor of the Sony WH-1000XM3 is none other than the Bose Quietcomfort 35 II. Found at around 280 euros, this product equals its opponent regarding noise reduction. However, Sony offers better treble processing and the integration of voice assistants is better thought out. In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM3 has a shorter useful life. In our tests, it lasted just under 23 hours while the Bose headset has about 30 hours of battery life.

Sennheiser PXC 550

Like he usually does, the German manufacturer provides an efficient product packed with features. With a sound with impeccable spatialization and formidable precision, we notice small aggressions on attacks of songs because of audible distortion. These commands are better than the headphones tested here and they last 30 hours in listening. In addition, it goes to sleep when it is closed. In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM3 outperforms it in terms of noise reduction. Count 270 euros for the Sennheiser PXC 550.

Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2

Why oppose a headset that costs 169 euros against the Sony WH-1000XM3? Simply because the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 has undeniable qualities. To start with an excellent sound (a little too low) and an autonomy of 40 hours in passive and 25 hours with the noise reduction activated. It also offers efficient controls. However, it cannot compete with the isolation capabilities of the Sony product. Finally, its design is less attractive, but this criterion turns out to be much more subjective.

Conclusion

With the Sony WH-1000XM3, the Japanese manufacturer makes appreciable adjustments and offers one of the best active noise canceling headphones. Comfortable and with a very good sound signature, it fishes especially by an ergonomics leaving to be desired. Integrating new technologies such as a touchpad is interesting, but it has to respond to the finger and the eye. At best, it responds to voice, even if you have to press a button for each command. We regret an autonomy of 23 hours, a little below our expectations. Despite its shortcomings, we appreciated its use. We already miss the silence he brought us.

Good points

• Noise reduction champion

• Precise and clear sound

• Good bass…

• Comfortable

Negative points

• Declining autonomy

• # @! &% of touchpad

• … A little trailing

• Unconvincing voice assistant ergonomics

Design and Ergonomics – 5.5

Ease of use – 5.5

Sound quality – 8.5

Features – 7.1

Value for money – 6

6.5

Design and Ergonomics : Racy design and undeniable comfort, but failed ergonomics. The fault of a very capricious touchpad.

Ease of use : Except for the touchpad, everything works correctly and quickly.

Sound quality : A very good Bluetooth, a little less wired. You have to love the bass

Features : Adaptive noise reduction and the presence of voice assistants are a good point.

Quality / Price ratio : Yes it is a little expensive. At 100 euros less it would be ideal.

AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW