Are you looking for new wireless headphones? Then perhaps checkout the Sony WH1000-MX3. Whilst Sony have come out with the upgraded WH1000-MX4 (Released in August 2020), the MX3 is almost the same in terms of design and output, but with a much smaller price tag.
Price: WH1000-MX3 vs WH1000-MX4
As of today, you can buy the Sony WH1000-MX3 for a cool £219, whilst the latest model, the WH1000-MX3 costs £349 – a price difference of about £130. So is the later model worth the extra cash?
Design: WH1000-MX3 vs WH1000-MX4
As you can see from the pictures above, the design itself doesn’t look too different. In fact they are almost identical if not the same. If we look back to the XM2, there are what I’d say are notable differences in look & feel from the XM3. Sony’s taken the decision to keep with a very similar design to the XM3.
Having used the XM3 for over a year now, I can say that the quality of the headphones is sharp and is truly a well and tested set of wireless headphones. It is comfortable, has great sound quality, and is stylish. It’s an easy buy if you are willing to shell out £219 for one of the best wireless headphones on the market.
Should you look to future proof and get the XM4?
In order for us to be able to identify any benefits of the XM4, we must first list the differences with Sony’s latest flagship wireless headphone model vs the XM3. From there, it’s up to you as the reader and consumer to decide whether the ‘upgrade’ to the XM4 is worth the additional £130.
XM4 differences
New Features in the XM4
- Wearing Detection: automatic pause, helps prolong battery life despite the XM3 & XM4 matching equally with 30 hours of battery life on full charge. Wearing detection is proven to help prolong battery life. But with 30 hours of battery life, can you go wrong with the XM3?
- The XM4 is slightly lighter than the XM3, with the XM3 weighing in at 255g and the XM4 weighing a gram lighter at 254g.
- The XM4’s earpads are 10% larger the XM3’s, a difference because the XM4s are touted to be more comfortable.
- The XM4 has Sony’s latest and greatest technology, the DSEE Extreme. The XM3s feature the DSEE HX chip. Both are excellent, but Sony’s latest technology features the Edge-AI artificial intelligence package which allows for much more accurate sound.
- Speak to chat feature: The XM4 features a new feature which recognises your voice and lowers the volume automatically. There’s also improved call quality offered in the latest model.
Verdict: I won’t be upgrading to the XM4, and am fairly satisfied with the XM3. The new features above don’t really do enough for me to be able to put down my current XM3s. However, I will consider the XM4s in the future once the price drops to £250-£300 range, though given it was only just released in August 2020, it might be a while before we see any price drops.
