Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WH-1000XM6

Apple AirPods Pro 3

A genuine step up from AirPods Pro 2, though audiophiles may still prefer dedicated music earbuds.

• Bass is noticeably richer and mids have more detail — Apple has finally made earbuds that sound genuinely good, not just convenient.
• The lack of lossless codec support remains frustrating — you're not hearing the full potential of Apple Music Lossless through these.

Sony WH-1000XM6

New 30mm drivers deliver a warmer, more controlled, slightly bass-forward Sony tuning that most reviewers call the best the XM line has produced — though it takes EQ to shine, and audiophile-leaning critics flag a sharp ~10 kHz treble peak the deep 10-band EQ still can't fully fix.

• All-new drivers versus the last generation deliver excellent, wide-range sound — the low end is much stronger, especially sub-bass, addressing the XM5's spiky midrange and weaker bass.
• Out of all the XM models tested (XM2 through XM4), the XM6 is the best-sounding out of the box, takes EQ very well, and stays crisp and detailed rather than muddy.
• Sony's new 30mm driver with a more rigid dome and perforated voice-coil bobbin, tuned by mastering engineers, gives richer detail and clearer vocals — though shrinking from 40mm trims some warmth and bass presence for a more refined balance.
• You still get the familiar Sony tuning — slightly warm and slightly bass-forward — but it's more controlled this time round.
• Despite what most reviewers say, this isn't the best-sounding headphone in its price category — the sound is fundamentally midbass plus a mountain of 10 kHz, and even after EQ that sharp 10 kHz peak can't be fixed without a band right at 10 kHz.
• The XM line has long been among the worst-sounding ANC headphones to audiophile ears; the XM6 improves but the 10,000 Hz region still runs high and can sound sharp and grating, so it isn't the best-sounding can in its class.
• Sony went deep on EQ — a 10-band equalizer (octaves from 32 Hz to 16 kHz) replaces the old 5-band, and it makes a big practical difference for dialling the sound to taste.
• Reddit owners are split on the tuning — some find the bass prominent and the soundstage underwhelming, while others say it clearly beats the XM5, making it the best XM yet.
• It's still not flat or neutral and shouldn't be — these are tuned for fun listening rather than studio use, with sound described by one owner as 'like being at a live event'.