Choosing between the Sony WH-H900N and WH-1000XM3 can be challenging, as both offer excellent features tailored to different listening needs. This Sony WH h900n vs WH 1000XM3 comparison delves into their key attributes—design, sound quality, noise cancellation, and battery life.
Whether you prioritize vibrant aesthetics, immersive audio experiences, or long-term comfort, understanding their strengths and differences will help you make an informed decision based on your preferences and lifestyle.
Dimensional Value
Sony WH-H900N:
Over-ear design with a balanced 290-gram weight, providing stability and comfort for casual listening without feeling overly heavy, ideal for everyday wear.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Weighing 255 grams, it’s lighter for extended comfort, suitable for travelers or users who wear headphones for long sessions.
Available Color
Sony WH-H900N:
Available in vibrant colors like blue, red, and black, offering a range that caters to different style preferences, adding a pop of color to your audio experience.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Available in classic black and silver, providing a sleek, professional look that fits well in formal and casual settings, perfect for users prioritizing subtle styling.
Sound Quality
Sony WH-H900N:
Equipped with 40mm drivers, delivering excellent sound clarity and a slightly warm tone, making it suitable for various genres, from vocals to bass-heavy tracks.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Superior sound quality with advanced noise cancellation, providing an immersive listening experience, delivering rich bass and refined audio even in noisy environments.
Comfortability
Sony WH-H900N:
Padded ear cups offer decent comfort for moderate listening periods, providing a secure yet soft fit for regular use without much discomfort.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Lightweight and plush, with softer padding, making it comfortable for prolonged wear and ideal for listeners who spend hours with headphones on.
Fit
Sony WH-H900N:
Over-ear fit with moderate isolation, suitable for casual listening and providing a secure fit without causing pressure, especially for those sensitive to snug fits.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Adaptive over-ear fit offers a secure, snug feel, effectively blocking out external sounds, ideal for immersive listening in noisy environments.
Read Here: Sony WH-h900n vs WH-1000xm4: Comparison
Foldable
Sony WH-H900N:
Foldable design allows for compact storage, ideal for on-the-go users who need easy portability and efficient storage options.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Folds compactly into its included carrying case, perfect for travel, offering convenience for users who frequently carry their headphones.
Noise Cancellation
Sony WH-H900N:
Basic noise cancellation provides a quieter listening experience, though it’s less effective in high-noise environments, suitable for general commuting or daily use.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Leading active noise cancellation, effectively reducing both low and high frequencies, creating a truly immersive audio experience, especially in loud settings.
Battery Life
Sony WH-H900N:
Delivers up to 34 hours without ANC and 28 hours with ANC, supporting extended listening without frequent recharges, ideal for long trips.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Provides 30 hours without ANC and 25 hours with ANC, offering ample playback time for most use cases, even if slightly shorter than the WH-H900N.
Battery Indicator
Sony WH-H900N:
Battery level indicator helps users track power, preventing unexpected shutdowns, making it easier to monitor battery life during prolonged use.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Equipped with a battery indicator, providing convenient monitoring for uninterrupted listening sessions, especially helpful for travelers or long listening periods.
Charge Time
Sony WH-H900N:
Requires 6 hours to fully charge, making it better suited for overnight charging rather than quick refueling.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Fast 3-hour charging time, offering a quicker recharge option for users on tight schedules needing fast turnaround times.
Charging Type
Sony WH-H900N:
Charges via Micro-USB, which is functional but less common in modern devices, requiring an older charging cable.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
USB Type-C provides faster, more universal charging, supporting modern standards and making it compatible with a wider range of devices.
Weight
Sony WH-H900N:
Heavier at 290 grams, delivering a sturdy feel, though some users may find it less comfortable for very long sessions.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Weighs only 255 grams, offering a lighter experience suited for extended listening, providing enhanced comfort for all-day use.
Cable
Sony WH-H900N:
Comes with a detachable cable, offering the flexibility of wired listening when needed, ideal for those who enjoy both wired and wireless options.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Detachable cable allows seamless switching between wireless and wired use, providing versatility for different listening preferences.
IP Rating
Sony WH-H900N:
No IP rating, indicating it’s best suited for indoor use or dry environments, as it lacks dust and water resistance.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Also lacks an IP rating, making it similarly suitable for controlled indoor or dry conditions, not ideal for high-moisture settings.
Stereo Speakers
Sony WH-H900N:
Equipped with stereo speakers, delivering balanced audio quality that works well across a variety of music genres and general media.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Stereo speakers provide an immersive soundstage, especially with noise-canceling enabled, enhancing clarity and bass for a richer experience.
Microphone
Sony WH-H900N:
Dual microphones offer moderate call quality, effective in quieter settings but may struggle with noise reduction in loud areas.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Triple microphone setup with noise-canceling features, providing clearer call quality even in busy, noisy environments.
Lowest Frequency
Sony WH-H900N:
Reaches a low frequency of 5 Hz, delivering decent bass, catering to listeners who enjoy bass without overpowering other frequencies.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Lower frequency response of 4 Hz, producing deeper bass, perfect for bass enthusiasts who enjoy richer, more pronounced low tones.
Highest Frequency
Sony WH-H900N:
Supports up to 40,000 Hz, delivering high-definition treble, ensuring clarity across high notes, and enhancing overall sound quality.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Matches with 40,000 Hz frequency, providing a similarly high-quality treble response for detailed sound across genres.
Driver
Sony WH-H900N:
The 40 mm driver produces balanced audio, ensuring clear sound quality across various genres without overpowering specific frequencies.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Same 40 mm driver, but with refined tuning for enhanced bass, providing a richer overall sound quality with emphasis on clarity.
Magnet Type
Sony WH-H900N:
Features neodymium magnets, known for strong, clear sound and powerful bass without added weight.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Also uses neodymium magnets, ensuring high-quality sound with a lightweight feel, maintaining powerful audio performance.
Control Method
Sony WH-H900N:
Physical buttons on the earcup for controlling playback, calls, and volume, providing straightforward, tactile control.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Touch controls on the earcup offer a modern, intuitive way to manage audio, making adjustments seamless and responsive.
Connectivity Type
Sony WH-H900N:
Offers wireless Bluetooth connectivity with optional wired use, providing versatility in connectivity for various listening needs.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Similar wireless and wired options, making it easy to switch based on preferences and battery levels.
Bluetooth Version
Sony WH-H900N:
Bluetooth 4.1, slightly older but sufficient for general use and maintaining a stable connection.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Equipped with Bluetooth 4.2, offering improved connectivity stability, ideal for users needing reliable wireless audio.
Bluetooth Range
Sony WH-H900N:
Standard 10-meter range, providing stable connectivity within reasonable distances, adequate for most usage scenarios.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Also offers a 10-meter range, ensuring stable connections within short to moderate distances.
Multipoint Connection
Sony WH-H900N:
No multipoint connection, limiting it to one device at a time, suitable for basic, single-device listening.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Supports one multipoint connection, allowing easy switching between two devices without manual disconnects.
Warranty
Sony WH-H900N:
Typically includes a 1-year warranty, covering standard manufacturing defects, providing users with basic protection.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Offers a similar 1-year warranty, ensuring support against potential issues and peace of mind for users.
APTX Adaptive
Sony WH-H900N:
No APTX Adaptive, delivering standard audio quality suitable for general streaming.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Lacks APTX Adaptive, focusing on regular Bluetooth audio rather than high-definition streaming.
APTX
Sony WH-H900N:
Supports APTX, providing improved audio quality over Bluetooth, ideal for users who prioritize sound fidelity.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Also supports APTX, delivering high-quality audio with reduced latency, beneficial for media consumption.
LDAC
Sony WH-H900N:
LDAC-supported, offering high-resolution audio streaming, appealing to users seeking detailed sound quality over Bluetooth.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Also LDAC-enabled, ensuring high-definition audio streaming, suitable for users prioritizing excellent sound fidelity.
In/On Ear Detection
Sony WH-H900N:
Lacks in/on-ear detection, relying on manual playback control, suited for users who prefer straightforward functionality.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Includes in/on-ear detection, automatically pausing music when removed, enhancing convenience and battery efficiency.
APP Supported
Sony WH-H900N:
Works with the Sony Headphones Connect app, allowing users to customize sound and control settings.
Sony WH-1000XM3:
Fully compatible with the Sony Headphones Connect app, offering customization options for EQ and noise cancellation.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve highlighted the critical differences between the Sony WH-H900N and WH-1000XM3 across various factors. The WH-H900N impresses with its stylish design, extended battery life, and balanced sound, making it ideal for casual listeners.
Meanwhile, the WH-1000XM3 excels with advanced noise cancellation, superior comfort, and modern touch controls, perfect for travelers or audiophiles seeking an immersive experience.
Understanding these distinctions will help you choose the model that best suits your audio and lifestyle needs.
