Sony Electronics Inc. today announced the WH-1000XM3 wireless noise cancelling headphones for $349.99, the third generation model of Sony’s 1000X family. This over-ear headphone offers all of the much loved features from the previous WH-1000XM2 model while adding multiple key improvements, including upgraded noise cancelling performance to enhance the listening and user experience.
Block More Ambient Sound
Listen with next-level silence thanks to Sony’s industry-leading noise cancellation technologies. The WH-1000XM3 features a newly developed HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1, which has approximately four times greater performance than the previous processor. This feature can not only negate transport noise, but also further cancels out daily background sounds, such as street noise and human voices. It also features Dual Noise Sensor technology that captures ambient noise with dual microphones and then passes the sound data to the processor to cancel the noise.
Superior sound
These headphones deliver exquisite high-resolution audio based on a 40mm driver unit with a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) diaphragm that handles heavy beats and can reproduce a full range of frequencies up to 40kHz. This enables you to enjoy listening to your music exactly how the artist intended.
The HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 works not only for noise cancelling, but also for delivering stunning sound quality with 32-bit audio signal processing and the combination of DAC with amplifier functionality. This offers exceptionally high sound quality, best-in-class signal-to-noise ratio, and low distortion for portable devices.
Smart Listening
The activity recognition feature—Adaptive Sound Control—automatically detects your physical situation and adjusts to changes. With Adaptive Sound Control, you can hear ambient sounds together with music when walking, announcements while waiting, and be immersed in music with noise cancellation when traveling by train or bus.
This smart listening experience is enabled by the SENSE ENGINE™. Also, preferences can be customized with the Sony | Headphones Connect app.
Touch Controls
Quick Attention Mode lets you hear what is going on around you without taking your headphones off. Place the right hand over the earcup to decrease music volume instantly, which allows you to hear and quickly respond to those around you, enabling you to, for example, order a drink or food at a restaurant without taking the headphones off. There are also other ways to control the sound, such as swiping the touchpad on the right earcup to turn the volume up/down or to change track.
Another improvement is the Customizable Automatic Power Off function on the companion Headphones Connect app, which can enable the headphones to stay on and in noise cancellation mode without being connected to a device – perfect for reducing noise without listening to music, like when wanting to rest peacefully on a long haul flight.
Comfort
The WH-1000XM3 headphones have a new, slimmer silhouette and weigh less than their predecessor. The deeper earcup and thicker headband cushion add comfort. They also come with a stylish fabric case that will satisfy fashion-conscious users , as well as new, eye-catching color options of black or platinum silver with gold highlights.
Besides offering up to 30 hours of battery life with noise cancelling and Bluetooth® connectivity, the WH-1000XM3 headphones have an upgraded Quick Charging function that provides up to five hours of wireless playback after a mere 10 minutes of charging via a contemporary USB type-C™ port.
Voice calls are also made clearer with the introduction of multiple microphones, ideal for hands-free conversations.
Price & Availability
The Sony WH-1000XM3 noise cancelling headphones will be available September 2018 for $349.99 in black or silver.
2020 Update: This model has been replaced by the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones.
