Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
✓
Sony WF 1000XM3 ✓
ANC uses advanced technology to actively cancel noise. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds.
Sony WF 1000XM3 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and Sony WF 1000XM3 work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that you prefer for commute or that enhances your chill time.
Has Passive Noise Reduction
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
✓
Sony WF 1000XM3 ✓
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit tightly in place, creating a sound seal that tones down your environment sounds while preventing the device music from leaking out .
Both Sony WF 1000XM3, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have passive noise reduction this means that they tone down ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.
Driver Unit Size
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
11mm
Sony WF 1000XM3 6mm
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, its size corellates with the loudness of the device.
Sony WF 1000XM3 driver unit is 6mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 5mm
, many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they deliver better quality sound.
Lowest Frequency
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
10hz
Sony WF 1000XM3 20hz
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through.
Sony WF 1000XM3's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) produce a juicier bass than the Sony WF 1000XM3
Highest Frequency
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
20,000hz
Sony WF 1000XM3 20,000hz
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio device produces high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal on its way through.
Sony WF 1000XM3's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that
both devices can generate equal treble
Has A Neodymium Magnet
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
✓
Sony WF 1000XM3 ✓
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have neodymium magnets, if used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output using less power to do so. They can help produce music at quite a high sound pressure level, using high magnetic flux.
Sony WF 1000XM3 have it too, devices with these magnets are lighter and more powerful . It is also known that they have more bass and clearer high notes.
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