The battle for anti-noise supremacy always seems to come down to Bose and Sony, and this continues in this Bose 700 confrontation against Sony WH-1000xM3.
Bose has virtually set the standard for active noise cancellation on Bluetooth headphones with its critically acclaimed QuietComfort 35 series. The company then showed that it could improve perfection with the Bose 700, which has hosted some phenomenal hardware upgrades that have taken the ANC and call quality to the next level.
Sony has set its own benchmark for sound with the popular WH-1000xM series. The WH-1000xM3 isn’t just the company’s flagship model – it’s a crowning achievement that combines champion audio with stellar noise cancellation and long battery life. Nothing really compares to that in noise.
Yes, the Bose 700 currently occupies first place in our best noise canceling headphones and best lists of wireless headphones, but the Sony WH-1000xM3 seems to be the best value. Here’s how these two mufflers compare.
Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000xM3: Specifications
Bose 700 | Sony WH-1000xM3 | |
---|---|---|
Price | $ 399.00 | $ 279.99 (originally $ 349.95) |
Cut | 8 x 6.5 x 2 inches | 10.4 x 2.9 x 7.3 inches |
Weight | 9 ounces | 9 ounces |
Colors | Black, Luxury Silver, Soapstone, Black / Copper (Apple Exclusive) | Black silver |
Battery life | 8 p.m. (NC enabled) | 30 hours (NC activated); 38 hours (NC off) |
Companion app | Yes | Yes |
Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000xM3: Price
Elite earmuffs are always premium. The WH-1000xM3 remains the cheapest option, and recent price cuts during the holiday season make headphones a more attractive purchase. But even at regular prices ($ 280), the amount of features and sounds that Sony provides is just too good to give up.
If you’re one of those consumers who isn’t afraid of spending big on high performance, then the 700 is definitely worth it. Bose has made significant changes to the data sheet that certainly deserve your $ 400. On the other hand, it requires a lot for any audio product.
Bose® 700 noise cancellation …
Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000xM3: Design
Aesthetically, the Bose 700 is elegant like hell and has unique details that complement its ultra-modern design. The entire frame is constructed of sturdy and flexible stainless steel to ensure that the headphones don’t easily break in half. What stands out the most are the extensions, which are integrated into the ear cups thanks to a rail system that keeps the two components in place; adjusting them is simple. The arched headband that curves near the ear cups is also very sexy.
The WH-1000xM3 exudes its own finesse, covered with a durable plastic shell that resembles stainless steel. It is a step down from the outside in faux leather which was used on the WH-1000×2, but still looks sophisticated compared to many other Bluetooth models. Something else that catches your eye when unpacking these boxes is the copper accents on each headset. They have a beautiful shine when exposed to the sun. The leather headband and ear cups are also a chic touch.
If you like to accessorize, the color preference can influence your decision. Bose offers more sophisticated options – black, luxury silver and soapstone – each available at all major retailers. There is a color that remains an exclusive Apple, Black / Copper, and costs $ 100 more. Why so much? Apparently, this version comes with a charging case that promises 40 hours of more battery life. We can’t wait for Bose to integrate the 700 into its custom headphone program.
Sony sticks to two bold finishes: black and silver. After a year on the market, no limited or special edition colors have been released to keep the design fresh.
Winner: Bose 700
Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000xM3: comfort
There is not much difference in comfort between the two models. They each weigh 9 ounces, which makes them just as light and portable. You can also rotate the earbuds on each device to avoid any feeling of suffocation when worn around the neck.
The long extensions of the WH-1000xM3 have been designed to accommodate large heads. Those with smaller skulls can easily adjust them to get a secure and relaxed fit. The large oval cutouts in the ear cups provide plenty of room for your ears to breathe, while the soft padding encourages listeners to immerse themselves in long Spotify sessions; I wore the headphones for 2-3 hours a day without getting tired.
You also get good comfort with the 700. This is mainly attributed to the plush padding on the memory foam ear cups. It is soothing on the skin and does not press too hard on your ears. The headband may seem a little stuffy on the skull, however, setting the extensions to a higher setting makes a huge difference. Normally, this would cause a slip, but the weight distribution on these boxes is superb to keep them stabilized during traffic on the street.
Winner: Draw
Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000xM3: controls
Bose and Sony programmed their headphones with physical and touch controls. The WH-1000xM3 offers a smoother experience thanks to its intuitive touch panel which is very responsive to sliding and touching movements. You can tap the sensor to control playback and calls, while swiping up / down for volume and left / right for track navigation. The buttons under the left ear cup allow you to seamlessly switch between listening modes (ANC and ambient) and to turn on / off or pair the headphones.
The touch controls of the Bose 700 should also not be underestimated. Managing playback (slide left / right) and volume levels (slide up / down) is a breeze. The typing gestures are just as simple to execute; a double press will play / pause / answer a call, while a press and waiting for a second will reject a call. The physical buttons work well and have a nice click effect when pressed, which reassures the commands you want. My only problem is that the extender descending in the middle of the right atrium limits the surface, which makes it difficult to locate the touch screen.
The digital assistant support works equally well on both devices. Even better, they support the big three: Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. I liked the speed with which the WH-1000xM3 responded to voice commands, while enjoying the impeccable voice recognition of the 700.
Winner: WH-1000xM3
Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000xM3: active noise cancellation
When it comes to Bose and Sony’s noise canceling technologies, they’re almost too close to call. Nevertheless, the Bose 700 has the upper hand, thanks to the brand new adaptive microphone system from Bose.
Eight individual microphones are incorporated into the design of the 700, six of which are used to filter out ambient sounds. The result is peaceful, distraction-free listening. This requires a lot of simultaneous thumping (for example, crossing a construction site during the day) to get away from a favorite playlist. On top of that, the 700 is remarkable for silencing the typical hustle and bustle you encounter on a daily basis. It was comforting to mute the world, being oblivious to ambulance sirens and loud pedestrians. I particularly liked the performance of the headphones indoors; my fiancee Parks and recreation the marathon did not infringe on my Spotify cooling time.
The WH-1000xM3 is Sony’s most successful attempt to suppress noise. The resilient QN1 chip powers these headphones, which effectively blocks chat, high-volume TVs and nearby aircraft engines. Very rarely, you will notice loud rumbles (for example, jackhammer, dump trucks at high speed), because the sound is so dynamic on these headphones that only selective listeners will detect these disturbances. Where the problem lies is in the wind resistance – the WH-1000xM3 simply lacks it.
These two sets of cans also have their own ambient listening modes, allowing listeners to hear what’s going on around them. It is useful when you want to be aware of public announcements or listen to someone’s conversation. But, again, the draft conditions make it difficult to appreciate the mode on the WH-1000xM3.
Winner: Bose 700
Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000xM3: audio quality
The Sony WH-1000xM3 is a sonic beast that has not yet been killed. The bass profile before Sony continues to make the show, but the mids and treble receive as much attention this time, which gives a full and spacious sound.
Listening to Green Day’s “Longview”, the headphones did an incredible job of reproducing the track’s drum and bass action, while keeping Billie Joe Armstrong’s voice clear throughout the exuberant chorus. By jumping into more melodic, but full of noise productions like “Inseparable” by Mariah Carey, it was amazing to hear how balanced the frequencies WH-1000xM3 were. The singer’s high notes seemed airy and vibrant, blending perfectly with the hammered collars and striking touches.
The 700’s audio may not be the loudest, but it’s certainly the best I’ve heard on any pair of Bose noise canceling headphones. The 700 produces a clean and precise sound which allows voices to thrive on heavy instrumental productions. Jazzy compositions like “The Awakening” by Ahmad Jamal are serene listening that fills your ears with rhythmic details. The treble remains constant throughout the song, especially the loud hi-hat.
Where the WH-1000xM3 really outperforms the 700 is on lo-fi recordings. Extract any song from the Wu-Tang Clan debut album, Enter the 36 roomsand you will hear the distinctions of sound quality. With a record like “7th Chamber”, which sounds like it was produced in the sewer and is wrapped in distortion, the WH-1000xM3 cleaned the mud without compromising the booming resonance of production. The voices were also accented to hear each verse more clearly.
An auxiliary cable is supplied with each of these two models. The WH-1000xM3 receives a nice boost in bass and clarity. The bass takes a minor dip on the 700, but that’s something you probably won’t notice before switching between the different ANC settings; the lower end is more visible at the highest level (10).
One area where the 700 surpasses the WH-1000xM3 is sound insulation. I was able to listen to music at high volume in the living room without disturbing my fiancée. The WH-1000xM3 bleed at medium volume and was so loud that it could hear the cursed dialogues and explosions when projecting my laptop onto Die hard.
Winner: WH-1000xM3
Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000xM3: applications and features
The extended functionality is a huge seller for any pair of wireless headphones. The Sony Headphones app not only provides personalized sound, it also has many features that enhance the listening experience.
The one that is most convenient for users is the built-in equalizer. WH-1000xM3 owners can modify frequency levels and create their own sound profiles. Certainly, the default setting is already perfect as is. There are also several programmed presets (Bright, Excited, Mellow, Relaxed, Vocal, Treble Boost, Bass Boost and Speech) that lend themselves well to different genres of music and media formats. Treble Boost is great for hip hop songs, while Speech is great for podcasts.
The Sony app presents smart ways to calibrate noise neutralization. Adaptive Sound Control and NC Optimizer are two features that take care of this for you by analyzing your movements and your surroundings to optimize the ANC. Another cool feature is the sound position control, which makes music sound like it is coming from a certain direction, so you can hear it the same way you would in a live environment. It is worth testing if you enjoy watching live concerts in VR.
Bose Music was specially designed for the 700 and has a cleaner interface and more features than the old Bose Connect app. The ability to set and assign three preferred ANC levels on the headset is excellent. Self Voice mode is also useful for improving voice clarity during phone calls. Other parameters such as a timer function, playback / volume controls and a voice assistant complete the functionality of the application.
The 700 is also compatible with Bose AR, a series of applications that adapt audio content to your hearing by using the movement sensors of the headphones to follow the orientation of your head and the movements of your body. It sounds compelling and very intuitive, but there isn’t yet enough content available to make it a daily feature for users.
Winner: WH-1000xM3
Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000xM3: call quality and connectivity
Bose headphones have always made reliable headsets. The Bose 700 has received special treatment to ensure the best possible call quality. It uses four of its eight microphones to filter out background noise while amplifying your voice. How it works? About as well as noise cancellation. Almost everyone I called was surprised at the clarity and clarity of my sound when I was chatting outside; wind resistance is strong on these boxes.
The 700 also resist on the wireless side. I reached about 35 feet of wireless listening while roaming my apartment. Dropout has rarely occurred. Bose has also added multipoint technology to the 700, which means you can pair two devices simultaneously without disconnecting.
As powerful as the WH-1000xM3’s microphones with noise cancellation and voice commands, they don’t produce clear calls. People on the other side were constantly complaining about background noises. They also seemed extremely weak, which sometimes made communication difficult.
Fortunately, the WH-1000xM3 compensates for its poor call quality with strong connectivity. Bluetooth 4.2 offers strong wireless coverage to the headset: up to 33 feet. Audio never stuttered on my smartphone or laptop. NFC is also available for instant pairing; placing the left headset on a compatible Android device does the trick.
Winner: Bose 700
Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000xM3: Battery life
The battery life between the two headphones is day and night, as the WH-1000xM3 blows the 700 out of the water with up to 38 hours of playback. This number obviously decreases when the ANC and volume are taken into account in the equation (around 30 hours), but to see headphones with such internal powers hold such a long charge is impressive. I took advantage of a full week of use (3 hours a day) before recharging. Getting 5 hours of play time on a 5-minute charge is also great.
It is somewhat confusing to see Bose give the 700 the same battery life as the QC35 II. Getting 20 hours in ANC mode was a big step about four years ago, but competitors like Jabra caught up and almost doubled that number; the Elite 85h offers 36 hours of full charge. Sure, just keep you busy on an international flight, but the battery should last longer on these new generation headphones. At least you have a quick charge available to get 3.5 hours on a 15 minute charge.
Winner: Sony WH-1000xM3
Bose 700 vs. Sony WH-1000xM3: verdict
These are two of the best sound earphones money can buy, but only one can claim the crown. The Bose 700 wins on the basis of overall performance. It’s hard to compete with 10 levels of active noise cancellation that you can adjust on the fly to neutralize noise at different frequencies. The sound has been improved considerably and the call quality is perfect. The design is also beautiful and trendy AF, especially the Apple edition with charging case.
Bose 700 | Sony WH-1000xM3 | |
---|---|---|
Design (15) | 14 | 12 |
Comfort (10) | 8 | 8 |
Orders (6) | 3 | 4 |
Special functions and applications (10) | seven | 8 |
Noise cancellation (20) | 20 | 18 |
Audio (25) | 22 | 23 |
Call quality and connectivity (5) | 5 | 3 |
Battery life (10) | seven | 8 |
Total Score (100) | 86 | 85 |
Do not think for a second that the cans of Sony are inferior to the last creation of Bose. The WH-1000xM3 has battery life and sound, as well as more practical features. And despite a year more, its ANC technology resists the more powerful 700 well. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make them the best pair of headphones.