Sony Headphones vs. Beats | Which is a Better Choice?

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Sony Headphones vs. Beats

As the demand for noise-cancellation headphones is increasing among music lovers, we decided to compare the new Sony WH-1000XM3 and the Beats Studio 3 headphones.

To be clear, these are not designed for gaming but are labeled as over-ear wireless active noise-canceling headphones.

The Sony WH-1000XM3 comes with 3 microphones and works excellently if you need to make calls more frequently.

However, due to the lack of an extendable microphone, Sony headsets are not ideal for gaming. Instead, these are preferable as general use or commuter wireless headphones with advanced noise-cancellation technology.

On the other hand, the Beats Studio 3 is lightweight, comfortable and has several new features that were not present in its earlier model.

The Beats Studio 3 and Sony WH-1000XM3 are better for you if you are an avid listener of audio books, and podcasts, or simply enjoy listening to your favorite low-fi tracks.

Which is better – Sony or Beats?

When it comes to choosing between two brands renowned for their quality, comfort and controls, it all comes down to specific personal preferences regarding the features and performance of headphones. To make the best choice, we advise you to ask yourself these questions before making the final choice:

  1. When and for how long will you be using the headphones? Is it for a few hours or the whole day?
  2. Can they be charged overnight?
  3. Do you use Alexa or another digital assistant?
  4. Do you use your headphones while working out? Or do you need them to be resistant to all weathers because you usually wear them outside?
  5. Do you frequent noisy surroundings more often? Do you need to cancel out all the external noise or do you need to keep an ear ready to hear others around you?
  6. Are you heavy into music and audiobooks?
  7. Is the price an important factor in your buying choice?
  8. Are you loyal to a particular brand?
  9. Do you already own headphones from any of these brands and are looking to upgrade the earlier models?
  10. Are you looking to get worth your money?

Sony WH-1000XM3 vs. Beats Studio 3 – Specs Comparison

Although mere numbers do not justify making buying decisions, it is still a good way to get broader know-how of the product’s performance. Check out the specification chart below before you choose to buy any of the two headphones:

Technical Specifications Sony WH-1000XM3 Beats Studio 3
Active Noise Cancellation Yes Yes
Passive Noise Cancellation Yes Yes
Quick Charge 15 min for 300 min of use 10 min for 150 min of use
Battery Life 28 hours 23 hours
Sound Quality Equal Over All Ranges Large Bass
iOS Latency 120 ms 264 ms
Digital Assistant Alexa Siri
Microphones 3 1
Design / Comfort Over-ear, Bulky Over-ear, Medium

 

Sony vs. Beats – Who has better specs?

Let’s take a closer look at the individual specs of the Sony WH-1000XM3 and the Beats Studio 3 headphones and decide which is better suited for you.

SONY WH-1000XM3 – Features and Specs

Style

Sony WH-1000XM3 sport a slightly different design in headband as compared to its earlier models, such as the MDR-1000X and WH-1000XM2.

The earpads are covered with leather in a two-tone finish. The profile is also much lower.

Although the earpads look similar to its predecessor, it has stylish accents surrounding the vents and the company logo.

You can choose to buy the headphones in an understated black or a significantly flashy white color.

Sony Headphones vs. Beats

Sony Headphones

Comfort

 The WH-1000XM3 model is comparatively more comfortable than its predecessor, with a soft and better earpad and a new headband design.

The new design fits snugly over the head. This lets you use the headphones for a longer time in complete comfort.

Controls

This model has the same touch-sensitive controls as its predecessor but with more responsiveness for swipe gestures. Overall, the controls are quite easy to use.

You need to swipe up and down to control the volume level, swipe left to rewind, swipe right to skip tracks and double-tap on the multi-function button to pause and resume the audio and manage calls.

Covering the touchpad instantly mutes the audio. There is also an ambient button on the left ear cup which activates the aware mode.

BEATS STUDIO 3

Style

The Beats Studio 3 follows the same sleekness seen in previous models. The uncluttered button pad is seamlessly blended into the design of the ear cups. The fashion factor is high with the model and these are available in a variety of colors.

BEATS STUDIO 3

BEATS STUDIO 3

Comfort

The Studio 3 model is lightweight and very comfortable to wear for long periods. The cups are designed to cover the entire ear without considerable clamping force.

Although the headband lacks a padded covering and feels a bit tighter it is not a big issue.

Controls

The Beats Studio 3 has improved and easier controls as compared to its predecessor. Double-tapping the power button helps to activate and deactivate active noise cancellation mode.

The touch-sensitive controls also allow users to answer and make calls, skip tracks and control volume conveniently.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones have quicker charging and better battery backup while the Beats Studio 3 sport good quality bass and more comfort for users.

Decide the particular model you wish to buy according to the specifics that suit your requirement.

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