Beats Studio 3 vs Sony MDR 1000X
Wireless connectivity and active noise cancelation are two features that modern people often seek in their headphones. In this article, we will take a look at two popular wireless headsets with active noise cancelation, Beats Studio 3 vs Sony MDR 1000X. There are notable differences in their features, performance, and sound quality.
This article will discuss further about:
– The design and comfort of each model
– The distinctive features of each headset here
– The comparison of their noise cancelation performance
– The sound quality of Beats Studio 3 vs Sony MDR 1000X
– The battery life of each model
– Which headset between the two that is more recommended
Design and Comfort
One nice thing about Beats Studio 3 is that, even though it is marketed as an Apple headset, it does not shout “I’m Apple!” to every person who looks at it. The headset does not have any bitten apple logo. It still retains the Beats branding. There are several color choices, such as matte black, defiant black-red, gray, blue, red, pink, and white. See also: Beats Studio 3 vs Bose QC35.
The frame is mainly constructed from plastic, but it is quite sturdy and tough. It has a streamlined design, which allows the headset to sit flat on your head without any clunky feel. It is also quite lightweight. You can wear it for a long time without getting tired. The foam ear pads are soft and very comfortable. They envelop your ears like pillows. The only weakness is that they can become quite hot after a few continuous hours.
Sony MDR 1000X has a smart look. It has minimal branding and a streamlined design. In a glance, the headset may look plain and simple. However, if you observe it closely, you will appreciate the luxury touches here and there. The construction is mainly plastic, but there are some polished metal parts in the headband. The ear cups are wrapped in synthetic leather which looks real and feels really nice.
The ear pads are made from polyurethane foam. They are squishy and incredibly comfortable. They can conform to the shape of your head to provide the best fit. The headband provides just enough grip force to keep it in place without squeezing your head. The headset is also quite lightweight, and it is indeed tough and durable.
Features
As mentioned above, Beats Studio 3 vs Sony MDR 1000X come with very different features. If you just a simple yet effective headset for listening to your favorite music without getting disturbed by the environment, Beats studio 3 is great. However, if you would love to have some smart features, Sony MDR 1000X is the way to go.
Beats Studio 3 is a straight-up wireless noise-canceling headset without any fancy additional feature. This is not a bad thing, especially if you prefer your headset to get the basics right instead of having lots of functions that you hardly ever use.
The best thing about Beats Studio 3 vs Sony MDR 1000X is the Apple’s W1 chip in it. This chip will allow you the headset to pair automatically with your Apple devices. The initial pairing process is nearly instantaneous. Once paired, the headset can seamlessly switch between multiple Apple devices without requiring you to repeatedly pair and unpair. However, the performance with Android devices is just okay without any special thing.
Sony MDR 1000X comes with multiple additional features. First of all, this headset has an NFC chip on the left ear cup to allow quick and easy Bluetooth pairing with any NFC-enabled device. The right ear cup has touch-sensitive controls which allow you to use specific gestures for various commands. There are several small buttons on the right ear cup, too. These buttons give you access to several smart modes of the headset.
The Personal NC Optimizer is said to be able to analyze the shape of your head in order to give the best sound quality. The Quick Listen mode will turn off the active noise cancelation (ANC) so that you can temporarily hear everything around you without removing your headphones. The Ambient Sound mode will allow some sound from the outside to come through without totally turning off the ANC; it is useful when you don’t want to be totally isolated.
Noise Cancelation
Beats Studio 3 doesn’t have the best noise cancelation, but it is already very good. It is able to block most plane and train sounds. However, it is not as effective as Sony MDR 1000X in blocking traffic noise and conversations. As mentioned above, Beats Studio 3 doesn’t have any smart mode.
Sony MDR 1000X is truly impressive in terms of noise cancelation. It is especially great for blocking low-frequency noises, such as engine and machinery sounds. However, it is also effective for reducing other environmental sounds, such as traffic noise and office chit-chats.
Another nice thing about Sony MDR 1000X is that it also provides excellent noise cancelation to the mic. You can conduct a phone conversation with the headset, even when you are on the road. The headset will isolate your voice from the rackets of the vehicles, so that the conversation remains clear.
Sound Quality
Headsets from Beats are always known for their heavy bass. Fortunately, the sound quality of Beats Studio 3 is significantly more mature and balanced. As the effect, it is suitable for a wider range of audience. Bass lovers will still get solid, powerful thumps from this headset. Those who prefer detail and clarity will also find that this headset is actually quite enjoyable to hear.
That said, Beats Studio 3 isn’t exactly an audiophile-grade headset. Some lower-mid sounds are lacking texture. While it has decent dynamism, the detail and clarity are still inferior compared to Sony MDR 1000X’s.
Sony MDR 1000X sounds great. It has powerful dynamism and impressive rhythmic precision. It is articulate and detailed, with excellent sound separation that allows you to distinguish different instruments easily.
The tonal balance is very good. Sony MDR 1000X does not favor any particular frequency. This makes the headphones incredibly versatile. It can perform amazingly well on music of any genre. The bass is plentiful yet very accurate. The midrange sounds expressive and direct. The treble is crisp and clear.
Battery Life
Beats Studio 3 can last for up to 22 hours per charge. Another perk of the Apple’s W1 chip is the quick charge feature. This headset can get enough juice for three hours of playback within ten minutes of recharging.
Sony MDR 1000X has a slightly shorter battery life. It can only last for 20 hours per charge. It doesn’t have the quick charge feature. It takes about four hours to fully recharge from zero battery.
Beats Studio 3 vs Sony MDR 1000X
Conclusion
These two models offer different advantages. However, Sony MDR 1000X is generally more recommended because of the superior noise cancelation and sound quality. The battery life is good, although it doesn’t have the quick charge feature.
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