Airpods Pro vs. Sony WH-1000XM3: Connecting to Apple devices

[east1999]

Hey guys,

I'm considering buying one of these two products. I already own the APP gen 1 but I've really missed noise cancelling since I switched to wireless headphones. The Sonys are supposed to be cream of the crop, but I also have a mac, iPad, iPhone so I'm wondering what works best with Apple tech.

In the Sonys, apparently you have to remove the headphones from Device 1 before you switch to Device 2. Is this true? That would be a really big no-no for me. Nowadays I kind of expect a button that cycles between devices.

As for the Airpods, gen 1 hasn't been perfect. Some things are seamless (like on/off), but moving between devices often forces me to force-connect the Airpods to the new device I want to listen to (in iOS, going to control center > music). Is this how it works for everybody? What changed in the Pros?

Thanks.

 

[Toratek]

I use both, if you have the impression you need to forget the current device and register with the second one for this to work, then this is not true at all. You do need to disconnect in BT settings from one device to connect to another with the Sony, but it will, if I recall, link to as many as 8 devices, separately of course.

 

[ipponrg]

Hey guys,

I'm considering buying one of these two products. I already own the APP gen 1 but I've really missed noise cancelling since I switched to wireless headphones. The Sonys are supposed to be cream of the crop, but I also have a mac, iPad, iPhone so I'm wondering what works best with Apple tech.

In the Sonys, apparently you have to remove the headphones from Device 1 before you switch to Device 2. Is this true? That would be a really big no-no for me. Nowadays I kind of expect a button that cycles between devices.

As for the Airpods, gen 1 hasn't been perfect. Some things are seamless (like on/off), but moving between devices often forces me to force-connect the Airpods to the new device I want to listen to (in iOS, going to control center > music). Is this how it works for everybody? What changed in the Pros?

Thanks.

I would opt for the Sonys. The AirPod Pros are pretty disappointing for ANC especially if you get stuck on the wrong firmware.

 

[east1999]

I would opt for the Sonys. The AirPod Pros are pretty disappointing for ANC especially if you get stuck on the wrong firmware.

Can you take me through it please? I can't find any description online.

Say I had my three devices "pre-paired" and was listening on the Mac. I want to move to the iPad. I have to go into the bluetooth settings, disconnect. Then I have to reconnect the headphones by pressing the power button and..

Is this it?
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I would opt for the Sonys. The AirPod Pros are pretty disappointing for ANC especially if you get stuck on the wrong firmware.

How do you get stuck? Can't Apple update it eventually?

 

[Pug72]

Toothfairy on the mac is great for quick enabling/disabling headsets. It sits in the menu bar with icons of your set (you can choose the icon to match the set) and even shows battery level.

 

[Toratek]

Can you take me through it please? I can't find any description online.

Say I had my three devices "pre-paired" and was listening on the Mac. I want to move to the iPad. I have to go into the bluetooth settings, disconnect. Then I have to reconnect the headphones by pressing the power button and..

Is this it?
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When listening on your Mac or iDevice; While doing nothing to the powered-up Sony headphones themselves, you disconnect using the Bluetooth settings on the first device, and connect to your second device using the Bluetooth settings (click on “Sony headphone name” in the BT list) on the second device. No need to do anything to the headphones.

 

[ipponrg]

Say I had my three devices "pre-paired" and was listening on the Mac. I want to move to the iPad. I have to go into the bluetooth settings, disconnect. Then I have to reconnect the headphones by pressing the power button and..

Is this it?

On my AirPods pro, I have it both synced to my MacBook Pro and iPhone. I find that on my phone it autosyncs. On my laptop, it has my AirPods pro profile but will not autoconnect. I have to click the Bluetooth icon and tell it to connect to my AirPods pro

How do you get stuck? Can't Apple update it eventually?

Apple’s latest firmware was redacted. Many are complaining about how active noise cancellation is not as effective as earlier firmwares. Anecdotally, the ANC is underwhelming each time my earbuds auto upgraded. I barely listen to the AirPods pro (only on airplanes which was 6 times), and I notice that the noise cancelling was not as good as the first 4 times

Yeah they can update provided that Apple releases a new firmware. However it’s been a few months now with no official Apple response other than they will replace you with new AirPod Pros with older firmware

 

[Duncan68]

Can you take me through it please? I can't find any description online.

Say I had my three devices "pre-paired" and was listening on the Mac. I want to move to the iPad. I have to go into the bluetooth settings, disconnect. Then I have to reconnect the headphones by pressing the power button and..

When switching devices, no need to disconnect from the previous device. Just connect in the Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use.

 

[Toratek]

When switching devices, no need to disconnect from the previous device. Just connect in the Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use.

Usually, but not always true. The method I mention does have the extra step, but always works. Since the OP is clearly unfamiliar with the procedure I added the sometimes-but-not-always-required extra step.

 

[nicho]

When switching devices, no need to disconnect from the previous device. Just connect in the Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use.

Presumably you're talking about the Airpods Pro in your signature rather than the Sony headphones @Toratek is actually describing.

The WH-1000XM3 will NOT allow a connection from a device while they're already connected to another. You have to actively disconnect from device 1 and then connect from device 2. But you don't have to interact in any way with the headphones.

 

[zhenya]

I own both of these models and have been using them both regularly since I bought the APP’s in early December, and side by side daily for the last month as I’ve been working from home with the entire family around.

The fact that you have to first disconnect the Sony’s from the first device before connecting to the second is a royal PITA. I cannot emphasize this enough. Often I don’t even remember which device I’ve previously connected them to (as I have an iPad, iPhone, iMac, AppleTV, and my kids even sometimes borrow them). I have to run around the house checking devices until I figure out which one is connected.

With the APP’s not only do they not have that issue, but it’s trivial to create a Shortcut in iOS that lives on my home screen to quickly connect them.

I am on the pulled firmware on my APP’s and as I wrote in the main Firmware thread yesterday, I have been closely comparing the noise canceling capabilities of these side by side recently. In my noisy household environment, including having a relatively noisy space heater running next to my desk for most of the day, I actually give the edge in noise canceling to the APP’s. I think the Sony’s do a bit better job at blocking airplane noise, but for regular office/home use, I think the APP’s are better. They do, of course, rely in part on getting a decent seal in your ear, but as someone who has been using in-ear monitors for decades, I’m used to this, and just adjust them periodically while wearing them. If you can’t get a decent seal, you will never have decent NC.

Additionally, I actually prefer the sound signature of the APP’s to the Sony’s - and I say this as someone who has 5 figures worth of headphone gear attached to his home computer, and can choose among a variety of high end gear, and who has been listening to and reviewing headphone gear for nearly 20 years.

The APP’s do potentially have an issue where the grilles that touch the inner ear may be getting clogged and affecting NC and/or sound quality - it certainly affects their ability to pass the Apple-provided fit test - however there has been no definitive data published that quantifies this change - it’s entirely subjective at the moment. A bit of blu-tack used to clean the grilles about once per week seems to keep the Fit Test happy, FWIW.

 

[east1999]

The fact that you have to first disconnect the Sony’s from the first device before connecting to the second is a royal PITA. I cannot emphasize this enough.

I'm sure everyone can understand my confusion at this point. Even in this thread, people can say the opposite thing — that with the Sonys you either have to or don't have to disconnect the previous device before using the new one.

In any case, using my Airpods in macOS or iOS, I simply override the connection of the previous device, if I need to. I haven't tested this, but can be trickier when you switch between two currently-on devices instead of picking them in different moments. Reviewers say connection speeds get faster with the APPs.

BTW, thank you @Pug72 for recommending Tooth Fairy. It works really well and also turns off the microphone automatically if you choose to do so.

Can I just ask you one more thing @zhenya ? It's interesting that you'd mention the differences in ANC. A lot of reviewers seem fascinated with airplanes, which is not my case. I live in a dense neighbourhood and my main concern is construction work and picking up conversations from other floors. Of course I'm interested in "large cans" if they bring peace of mind, but from your experience, are the APPs easier to tolerate for longer periods of time?

 

[zhenya]

I'm sure everyone can understand my confusion at this point. Even in this thread, people can say the opposite thing — that with the Sonys you either have to or don't have to disconnect the previous device before using the new one.

In any case, using my Airpods in macOS or iOS, I simply override the connection of the previous device, if I need to. I haven't tested this, but can be trickier when you switch between two currently-on devices instead of picking them at in different moments. Reviewers say connection speeds get faster with the APPs.

BTW, thank you @Pug72 for recommending Tooth Fairy. It works really well and also turns off the microphone automatically if you choose to do so.

Can I just ask you one more thing @zhenya ? It's interesting that you'd mention the differences in ANC. At lot of reviewers seem fascinated with airplanes, which is not my case. I live in a dense neighbourhood and my main concern is construction work and picking up conversations from other floors. Of course I'm interested in "large cans" if they bring peace of mind, but from your experience, are the APPs easier to tolerate for longer periods of time?

Part of the problem may be Sony's confusing naming conventions - they make two products - the over the ear WH-1000XM3's that you are asking about and I am describing, and the in-ear WF-1000XM3's that are more directly competitive with the AirPod Pro's. My understanding is that the latter, in-ear product has improved this connectivity issue. With the over-ear model it is exactly as I describe.

No active noise canceling solution does a terribly good job of isolating from voices or other mid-to high pitched sound. They are most effective against consistent, low frequencies - airplane noise being the prime example. If you want maximum isolation from the noise you describe, you'd want a true in-ear monitor, possibly something with a custom mold like musicians wear and will be the most comfortable, otherwise a tri-flange tip inserted properly.

Between the Sony over-ear's and the APP's, I find them both adequately comfortable, with the edge to the APP's which are lighter and don't need to be inserted as deeply as traditional in-ear monitors. I find they nearly disappear in a way no other headphone I've ever worn has before.

 

[east1999]

I ordered both headphones, and I first got the Sonys, which I have been trying today. Here's a few notes for posterity:

• Connection: I got Tooth Fairy (Mac app) for managing bluetooth connections, so it's easy to disconnect them from the Mac (alternative: bluetooth options -> disconnect). If I want to connect, say, the iPad, I have to turn off the headphones, and turn them on again with a longer press so that pairing is available, and the connect them through the bluetooth menu. Not as seamless as the Airpods for sure. One extra point is that these have as much range as my Airpods — I live in a single-floor, three bedroom apartment, and I lose reception If I walk from one end to the other (office -> kitchen), also because of some walls in between.
• Microphone: I recorded a few different voice memos using the Airpods, these headphones, and the Macbook's microphone. The Sonys have the worst sound of all, as it is quite low and muffled. Raising the volume to 200 in VLC shows it's not just a problem of volume, as it will sound even worse.
• The App: Just terrible. Obviously designed for Android. In iOS, you get a popup saying you should use it, as soon as you pair the headphones the first time. You're already signed up for data-sharing and you cannot avoid it. A notification showed up saying a new firmware was available, but offered no chance for follow up (I think it installed anyway — it's 4.2.2 btw). I cannot imagine myself using this more than once.
• Comfort: I bundle a lot of things here. The physical comfort of wearing them, but also the sound. Coming from Airpods and in-ear headphones, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed. My ears get really warm. I also feel a good lot of pressure in the ear, perhaps moreso because I've been using them with noise cancelling.
• Sound quality: Though music sounds richer than any of my previous headhones, it still doesn't have that "wow" feel, as it can feel stuffy sometimes. Using the EQ in the app helped (Treble boost), but I still feel like the soundstage is small. How nice it would be to have this sound perfect right out of the box. I max out the volume here and there to add some punch, but maybe I haven't gotten used to this setup yet.

I'm thinking of returning them, but that depends on how good the Airpods Pro are.

 

[petterihiisila]

I ordered both headphones, and I first got the Sonys, which I have been trying today. Here's a few notes for posterity:

• Connection: I got Tooth Fairy (Mac app) for managing bluetooth connections, so it's easy to disconnect them from the Mac (alternative: bluetooth options -> disconnect). If I want to connect, say, the iPad, I have to turn off the headphones, and turn them on again with a longer press so that pairing is available, and the connect them through the bluetooth menu. Not as seamless as the Airpods for sure. One extra point is that these have as much range as my Airpods — I live in a single-floor, three bedroom apartment, and I lose reception If I walk from one end to the other (office -> kitchen), also because of some walls in between.
• Microphone: I recorded a few different voice memos using the Airpods, these headphones, and the Macbook's microphone. The Sonys have the worst sound of all, as it is quite low and muffled. Raising the volume to 200 in VLC shows it's not just a problem of volume, as it will sound even worse.
• The App: Just terrible. Obviously designed for Android. In iOS, you get a popup saying you should use it, as soon as you pair the headphones the first time. You're already signed up for data-sharing and you cannot avoid it. A notification showed up saying a new firmware was available, but offered no chance for follow up (I think it installed anyway — it's 4.2.2 btw). I cannot imagine myself using this more than once.
• Comfort: I bundle a lot of things here. The physical comfort of wearing them, but also the sound. Coming from Airpods and in-ear headphones, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed. My ears get really warm. I also feel a good lot of pressure in the ear, perhaps moreso because I've been using them with noise cancelling.
• Sound quality: Though music sounds richer than any of my previous headhones, it still doesn't have that "wow" feel, as it can feel stuffy sometimes. Using the EQ in the app helped (Treble boost), but I still feel like the soundstage is small. How nice it would be to have this sound perfect right out of the box. I max out the volume here and there to add some punch, but maybe I haven't gotten used to this setup yet.

I'm thinking of returning them, but that depends on how good the Airpods Pro are.

I’ve had the same Sonys and returned them. Reconnecting to other devices is just too much hassle. Restart with a long press: too slow. Having to disconnect from the first device: I don’t always even know which it was. It’s just not a very user-friendly product.

I also had Bose NC700, but sold them after a few months and bought QC35 gen 2 instead. Much better (and faster) tactile controls and sound-wise pretty similar. Bose overall beats Sony, thanks to dual connectivity. Mac and iPhone can both be connected at the same time, taking turns who plays the music, no switching required. QC35s are my go-to headphones for most of the day at the home office.

And then there’s Airpods Pro, which are good for audiobooks before getting sleep, and also when on the go. For longer trips QC35s are better, but for outdoors Airpods Pro work well. And they’re always in the pocket.

The firmware update on Airpods made the sound and ANC slightly better, and with an occasional blue-tac treatment the grills stay clean. And that’s required for the ANC to work reliably. The biggest downside of Airpods is now the battery life. They won’t last past lunch time with a single charge. That’s why Boses are better for all-day home office.

 

[ct2k7]

Have you looked at using the WF, earphones? They solve some of the connectivity issues and you shouldn’t be comparing headphones to earphones anyway.

 

[The_Joker13]

Just get the APP. They’re great.

 

[east1999]

I’ve had the same Sonys and returned them. Reconnecting to other devices is just too much hassle. Restart with a long press: too slow. Having to disconnect from the first device: I don’t always even know which it was. It’s just not a very user-friendly product.

I also had Bose NC700, but sold them after a few months and bought QC35 gen 2 instead. Much better (and faster) tactile controls and sound-wise pretty similar. Bose overall beats Sony, thanks to dual connectivity. Mac and iPhone can both be connected at the same time, taking turns who plays the music, no switching required. QC35s are my go-to headphones for most of the day at the home office.

And then there’s Airpods Pro, which are good for audiobooks before getting sleep, and also when on the go. For longer trips QC35s are better, but for outdoors Airpods Pro work well. And they’re always in the pocket.

The firmware update on Airpods made the sound and ANC slightly better, and with an occasional blue-tac treatment the grills stay clean. And that’s required for the ANC to work reliably. The biggest downside of Airpods is now the battery life. They won’t last past lunch time with a single charge. That’s why Boses are better for all-day home office.

Look, I don't have money for three headphones or whatever. I'm not going to spend 250$ on some headphones for audiobooks. I want something to wear all day. I have a new comparison here since I've tried both models and I'm still undecided.

It's interesting you would mention the Bose since I have considered them as well. This is a serious question: can you lie down on your side with them? I ask because the Sonys force me to have a constant straight posture that is very tiring. Also, can you fold them like you fold the Sonys?
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Have you looked at using the WF, earphones? They solve some of the connectivity issues and you shouldn’t be comparing headphones to earphones anyway.

I've looked at them, but to be honest, I've deliberately put aside all all in-ear options except the APPs. I was actually in the market for over-ear headphones, and the reason I considered the APPs is the noise-cancelling and the upgrade relative to the Airpods I own and love. Plus, other in-ear options are just not aesthetically pleasing to me.

 

[petterihiisila]

It's interesting you would mention the Bose since I have considered them as well. This is a serious question: can you lie down on your side with them? I ask because the Sonys force me to have a constant straight posture that is very tiring. Also, can you fold them like you fold the Sonys?

Bose QC35 folds into a small package. NC700 does not. With both I’ve been watching things while laying on the side, but you then want to have a hand or something between your head and the pillow. I don’t think any over-the-ear headphones are meant for that. Bose cups are big enough to swallow the whole ear, but I’d be afraid that the cups don’t like being fully compressed for who knows how long.

For Audiobooks and in-bed listening Airpods are hard to beat. The only downside really is that the battery doesn’t last the whole day. But 15 mins or additional charging makes them last pretty long again.

Between Sony and QC35, I’d take Boses any given day. Both have great sound, but the usability on Bose is way better.

 

[east1999]

Well, since I've already returned the Sonys and am waiting for the Bose 700 I ordered, I can just point out the Sonys were terrible when lying on the side, since they protrude — the ear muffs are not just like two tyres, but more like two rigid cups. I've recently tried the Sony MDR-7506 and I was able to rest on my side for a good while -- as you say, it's not like they're made to be compressed for hours, but at the time I thought the thin muff took some comfort away. So I have some hope for the B700.

I agree the APPs do really well with voice, and not just Audiobooks, but also Youtube videos, tv shows.. they seem taylored for it, moreso than music (and I guess I only listen to music 50% of the time).

Couple of questions regarding the QC35 if you have the time:

1. How often do you charge them?
2. Do use them for phone/zoom calls?

Thank you.

 

[petterihiisila]

Couple of questions regarding the QC35 if you have the time:

1. How often do you charge them?
2. Do use them for phone/zoom calls?

Thank you.

I charge them 1-3 times a week, whenever I feel like it. No practical difference between NC700 and QC35. The battery lasts what feels like forever on both. USB-C is nice on NC700 though.

I use QC35s for phone calls, Webex, Teams, Google Meet etc. and the sound quality is good for that. If I have a hands-free phone call while driving, people know that I’m driving but they’ll still easily understand every word and the traffic sound isn’t distracting.

NC700 is still even better: it blocks out more noise and captures the spoken voice in higher fidelity. The difference becomes meaningful if you’re having a Zoom conference while walking next to street traffic. Other than that, both will get the message through. If I’m driving with NC700s, people often don’t even know that I’m driving. Not at city speeds anyway. It’s uncanny how good they are at that.

NC700 is more evolved in every way, but my personal preference emphasizes tactile buttons for a discrete and static feature set that these things have, and QC35 satisfies that preference better.