$20 cheaper than before. Great deal if you ask me.
However in typical ozbargain fashion I'll be holding off until sub $200…then maybe sub $180…then maybe sub $160.
(Link updated to Silver, Black color is sold out)
Mod 24/12 1030pm - Back in stock in black, with new link (updated). Thanks to Roguewolf
Yes they do work wired, but people say audio quality is bad.
Sony uses their own amplifier and DSP built-inside the headphone when used with Bluetooth so it sounds much better.
They sound considerably better wired, the sole reason I'm still keeping mine.
“Better” & “ worse” is subjective, but it makes sense that most manufacturer use cheap drivers in their Bluetooth headphones and correct any flaws with built-in DSP.
I have read plenty of comments saying they sound “worse” wired, so it is the first time I heard “better” but I believe you.
(most consumers prefer the “Bass boosted” V-shape sound of XM3 using Bluetooth)
@thebadmachine: I use wired headphones, and would only use Bluetooth if I have to. The Sony, when wired, are not as good as my other wired headphones but much better than Bluetooth. I find those claims are amusing that Bluetooth sounds better than wired
I find those claims are amusing that Bluetooth sounds better than wired
Yes in general I agree. I also use only 1x wired headphones with a Digital Audio player thats it.
I still think Bluetooth technology is definitely behind wired in sound quality in general, so I never buy bluetooth headphones.
But I understand the technology behind bluetooth (this is how I come to dislike it mainly the codecs that are available) but I also understand the benefits to having built-in DAC / Amp / DSP etc (like powered speakers).
So with Bluetooth headphones manufacturers can "tune" drivers and give consumers a sound that is more refined in general (still limited by bluetooth codecs etc), but some wired headphones need to rely more on certain external DAC / Amp to get the best potential sound.
@thebadmachine: The issue with Bluetooth headphones is that they sound muddy - a lot of details are lost, even with Sony's LDAC, which claims to produce "near" lossless sound.
a lot of details are lost, even with Sony's LDAC, which claims to produce "near" lossless sound.
Yes. That is caused by data compression. Basically: sending BT device compresses > sends data > receiving BT device uncompresses (like a zip file).
Even LDAC which claims to be Lossless (CD quality only), uses compression. Just Sony claims to have "done a better job", I actually remember somewhere LDAC still uses the same type of compression as MP3 just in a different way.
LDAC also claims to do "Hi-Res", but it only claims it does CD quality lossless.
From memory how it achieves "Lossless" is by reconstructing the lost part in the final stage (like how their DSEE HX technology works on lossy files).
So yes wired is the only current option for real lossless.
Anyway it is good to remember at least some people say certain Bluetooth (Apt-X / LDAC) and wired sounds the same to them. So at least for them the technology is good enough.
@thebadmachine: I agree that sound is subjective and personal. Some people think the Sony is fantastic sound wise. For me it doesn't cut it, because I use wired headphones most of the time, so I immediately notice the inferior sound when I have to use Bluetooth. If people are happy with the Sony, then the money is well spent.
If people are happy with the Sony, then the money is well spent.
Yes I agree.
And just to confirm, when I say reconstructing in the above comment, I mean it is “guessing” what was originally there and adding it back. That’s how DSEE HX works anyway it claims to make lossy (MP3) into CD quality lossless, and CD quality into Hi-Res (but it’s all just guess work by an algorithm).
Very informative comments. Thanks very much guys :)
Will this be too big for a 12 year old?
I got these around april and they sound pretty good but I had issues with popping and crackling noises from one of the ears. Found out that it wasn't just me as others online have had this issue as well but your mileage may vary.
On the seconds, is there still the normal warranty so if the crackling problem reared its head or it was too much to put up with, then it could be repaired or refunded?
why get this，when you can get an Apple branded airpods max for a mere $899, what a fun world.
I thought paper launch of CPU ,graphic cards, game consoles already crazy then we have the apple .
A word of warning to those who have not physically heard these - I know they're well regarded in all the reviews etc. but all I had was buyer's remorse with my XM3s which I bought on a pre-COVID deal. I had the highest expectations after watching countless reviews on Youtube praising the ANC and sound quality, but when I got them, the ANC and sound were just…good, and definitely not mindblowing like most reviews would lead you to believe. To make things worse, I had a crackling problem in the right earcup that surfaced after a couple months (the same one experienced by a couple of commenters above), which I put up with until it got too loud to ignore. I ended up returning these to TGG, and was glad to have an excuse to get a refund.
TL;DR - this is a good price, but lower your expectations.
Thanks took the plunge on my first pair of sony headphones
are there any difference between refurbs and seconds?
I believe there is. Seconds means that they were faulty straight out of the factory and then Sony repaired them. They shouldn't have been pre-owned.
I think that forklift operator in the warehouse accidentally bumped the pallet and some boxes fell over and got crushed etc (explains many people with the damaged boxes).
So basically Sony has to inspect all of the damaged box headphones to make sure they are working then sells them as “seconds”.
Some comments I read say they are returns which Sony opens each box and changes each individual earpads to new ones, harder to believe this one though.
glasses wearers, is it worth getting QC35II rather than these purely in terms of comfort? Do the sides of your head/back and top of your ears get sore where the cups press the glasses arms against your head after a few hours (how long)? I mainly just want NC and am coming from crappy $1 earphones (which sound fine to me audio-quality wise) so I don't imagine my ears are refined enough to tell the difference in NC or audio quality between QC35II vs XM3. Hesitant to spend $250 only to find they can't be worn all day (with a break around lunch time) in the office due to soreness.
Do the sides of your head/back and top of your ears get sore where the cups press the glasses arms against your head after a few hours (how long)?
In my case no, however I have some very thin-framed, lightweight glasses made out of titanium, they are not the hard-acetate plastic kind with thick temples that have quite a lot of screw tension by themselves and press very firmly against your head. Those most likely wouldn't work well with headphones like the XM3s as they have a pretty flush fit that's design to seal around the ears.
It also depends on your head shape, but I think you'll find the XM3s themselves will most likely get uncomfortable first before your glasses do; that being said, I've worn them all day long without much issue, even though they certainly aren't the most comfortable headphones on the market as the headband is a bit narrow for wider-cranium individuals (and the faux, plush leather cups will get disgusting after prolonged use) but they're by no means going to get painful or irritating after 1-2 hours of wear.
Am I the know one hoping to get QC35 updated to USB-C 🙄
GG guys sold out. Will probably hold out in my bunker until it drops to $100 one day.
EDIT: HOLD UP A SECOND BOIS! More stock here @ $219 for silver version! https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sony-WH1000XM3S-Seconds-WH-1000X…
edit: got mod to update in the description :)
If it was new I'd jump on it but they are seller refurbished.
eBay plus deals arent real deals imo.
Because of the membership fee?
And limited stock.
fairly good IMO
I've purchased these seconds on the previous deal.
Everything works except for the issue as other people mentioned. I hear the static/crackling noise on the right ear cup. What I do though is I put Ambient Sound to '1' and it stops the noise.
Hard to replicate, it's intermittent so not sure going to Sony can help -_-
regarding crackling noises, apparently it's caused by water condensation
- https://www.reddit.com/r/sony/comments/ibleuj/wh1000xm3_wh10…
Back in stock in black, with new link (deal updated).
Thanks OP.
Buying 1 now, then another one at $200, then another when it hits $180, then all in at $160. Average down cost
Anyone has first hand experience with XM3/4 and Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC?
Does anyone know if these are good for the gym?
No sweat or water resistance. So probably not.
![[Seconds] Sony WH-1000XM3 $219 Delivered @ Sony eBay](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/75/589675.jpg?h=ec6cfc9f)
Do these also have wired connection?