Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless earbuds
A persuasive alternative to full-size cans
these superb little music makers miraculously conjure a wide, expansive soundstage
£220 FROM Sony, sony.co.uk FeatuRes bluetooth, NFc, digital noise-cancelling
Launched as part of Sony’s lauded 1000X family of noise-cancelling headphones – which includes the award-winning WH-1000XM3 – the expectation is the WF-1000XM3 True Wireless buds will offer superior noisesuppression and no small amount of style. They don’t disappoint on either count.
Available in both regular black and a rather stylish champagne silver, these are hands down the best looking true wireless headphones out there. They also come in a smart, copper-lid case, which itself doubles as a battery pack, if you need a rescue recharge.
Weighing just 8.5g each, with an excellent ergonomic design, they feel snug and comfortable in the ear. A wide selection of non-slip rubber and foam earbud covers are supplied to help you find the best fit.
There’s little missing when it comes to specs. In addition to Bluetooth NFC pairing, there’s Google Assistant support and familiar Sony audio processing refinements, including DSEE HX, which restores subjective detail to lossy streams. There’s also support for hands-free voice calling, while the partnering Sony Headphones Connect app allows you to make EQ changes, as well as prioritise Bluetooth connection over sound quality.
A proximity sensor provides wearing detection, so when you take a bud out your music will pause, resuming when you put it
back in place. A tap of the touch panel will pause or play your tunes. There’s also a Quick Attention mode that allows you to touch the earbud to clearly hear ambient sound, but there are no on-ear volume controls.
There’s no support for aptX HD or Sony’s high headroom LDAC Bluetooth extension, while a 24-bit audio processor is used, not the 32-bit silicon found in the WH-1000XM3.
Performance
Tiny 6mm drivers exude clarity and rhythm; these superb little music makers miraculously conjure a wide, expansive soundstage, with believable spatial detail. If your commuting vice is podcasts, the mid-range is silky smooth. If you prefer to rock out, they roll with the best of them – guitars have edge, drums are tight and hard. Dance and pop mixes, meanwhile, sound positively frothy.
Of course, the real test for the WF1000XM3 is their noise-cancelling abilities. They employ the same noise-cancelling engine as their bigger brother, but that doesn’t mean they’re directly comparable. Noisesuppression, however, is high and we found it virtually impossible to hold a conversation with Active Noise Cancelling engaged.
Bluetooth stability proved consistently good and battery life is useful, providing about six hours of power per charge.
Sony has knocked the ball out of the park with the WF-1000XM3. Combining neat design with serious noise-cancelling tech and fist-pumping musicality, the true wireless jungle has found a new king. steve May