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Sony on Thursday announced its latest audiophile product in the form of the WH-1000XM3, a pair of ultra-premium overhead headphones designed for users looking for a wireless audio experience with no compromises. The latest addition to the 1000X series is a direct successor to the WH-1000XM2 and delivers a number of improvements across the board, with much more advanced noise cancellation capabilities being a key part of the package, according to the Japanese tech giant. The WH-1000XM3 will go on sale in mid-September at a suggested retail price of $349.99. Sony will be selling the gadget directly and the vast majority of its distribution partners around the world are set to carry the device as well.
Another key selling point of the device is its 30-hour battery life, as well as its 40mm Liquid Crystal Polymer drivers promising to deliver incredible sound fidelity. The QN1 processor powering the QH-1000XM3 is said to offer four times greater performance than the silicon found inside the previous addition to the product family, with atmospheric pressure optimization now also being part of the package, designed to automatically adjust the noise cancellation rate depending on one’s altitude, with Sony stating the feature is meant to cater to frequent flyers. 32-bit audio signal processing and DAC amplifier are on offer as well, together with what Sony refers to as Quick Attention Mode. The latter is essentially a way to significantly turn down the volume of the headphones in an instant by placing one’s hand over the right cup.
Quick charging support enabled by the USB Type-C port of the WH-1000XM3 can deliver enough energy for up to five hours of wireless playback after a ten-minute charge, Sony claims. The over-the-ear headphones are also equipped with a microphone array, come with a dedicated Android app for granular controls, and allow users to activate Google Assistant or Siri via a single touch. The technologies Sony introduced with its new gadget are expected to become a staple feature of its future high-end audio offerings.
