Sony - WF-1000XM3

I've recently been using the Airpod Pros as my go-to walking around earbuds. The sound is great and the noise cancelling is also phenomenal, but I've been recently getting distracted with them. I struggle with streaks of dissociation, and even in the "Transparent" modes I get too lost with music playing. I'm not sure if it's the way that they plug my ears or whatnot, but I used to rock the WF-1000XM3s and I always felt present (even with noise canceling). Am I bugging or is this a real phenomenon? Are there other earbuds (or maybe super portable headphones) that would make me feel a little more present?

I've been using XM5s at the gym everyday for last 6 months. I was having problems with fitment, the buds that come with are good but fot me i went with some silicone ones because I couldn't quite get used to them. The sound is great, I dont mess with eqing them too much but they work out of the box and sound great battery is good quality etc. I had xm3s for the longest time, and on the back of the quality of those I bought these. My only gripe is the case is small and black and im always losing the buggers

I have the Sony wfxm3 and that case is pretty big, but this looks even bigger

I have the same, also, in their 5th year. Although the battery in my case kind of died a few months back, I thought I would need to replace them, but I ended up finding an ifixit guide and replace the batteries instead. It wasn't super easy, because it involved soldering, but I managed to do it, and I am super happy, I didn't have to throw them out.

I also own the WH1000XM3 headphones, also in their 5th year. I only needed to replace the cushion for them, which was super easy, but I use them in wired mode whenever I can.

I'll be honest. I agree with all your points. The case is so scratchy I gave up trying to protect mine. When my airpods pro 2 arrived, I wrap it right away in a dbrand skin. A couple months later when I wanted to use case instead of skin, I peel it and it's scratched. How it got scratched I have zero idea. Since then I treat the charging case like my phone case, it's there to protect my airpods not to get protected. Since 2017 alone, I've used OG Airpods, Airpods 2, Jabra Elite 65t, Sony WF XM3, Airpods Pro 1, Sony WF XM4, and now Airpods Pro 2. I know the pros and cons of those earbuds because I don't just try them and return them to shop. In most cases, I wear them for months until they either break or lost. And of all those earbuds, my favorite is still Airpods Pro 2. I know it doesn't have custom EQ. I know it doesn't have custom EQ and it's not the cheapest or best sounding or best looking, or the one with the longest battery life. But I preferred it because of one thing. Comfort In terms of ergonomic, Airpods Pro 2 is perfect for me. And that is what made me worry about Airpods Pro 3. I wanted to try them to see if it would be as comfortable as the Pro 2 because if they aren't then I'm gonna have to buy the late batch Pro 2 that would hopefully last me another 3 years until the Pro 4 came out. When I wear my Pro 2 with transparency mode, sometimes I simply forgot that they're there. Discussions about Pro 3 seemed to be centered around their improved ANC, or polarizing sound signature. But I honestly don't care about those. I need ANC that's just enough to drown my gym poor taste in music when I'm exercising. If I need stronger ANC for flight, I'd take my Sonos Ace. And I don't care about sound quality because I hardly listen to any music. I use my airpods to either watch something, listen to podcast, or ambient sound when I'm working, so as long as it doesn't sound like a $10 earbud, I'm good. The increased battery life got me hyped because I always want my airpods pro to last an entire work day. But the issue of comfort really got me worried. More and more reviewers are coming out to say that they are not as comfortable as the Pro 2 and that really got me worried.

I come from Samsung Buds Pro/P2/P3 and didn't really love the P3s fit and finish. They were good performers but I couldn't shake the plastky feeling. Got a free pair of Moto Buds+ with my new phone, and while they fit and feel incredible, the SQ and definitely the transparency/ANC are not in the same league as Samsung. I also have used XM3s for a while and I think Sony also knows the ANC game well - I feel like the Motos are many years/gens behind even the XM3s. So that sent me in a similar search. I've got some 1st Gen Bose QC Ultras arriving tomorrow, they're on sale on woot right now, certified refurb for 117. I feel like they met all my criteria, top tier transparency and ANC, great bass extension, price - gathered from lots of reviews. Can't wait to see if they stand up to the hype!

Ayyyy just commented the same. I have some WF1000XM3s as well but in ears end up hurting after a while. Ill stick to my XM5s that I can stick on ambient and hear the baby monitor thank you

I use my WH1000XM5's most of the time. A great pair of noise cancelling over ear headphones. I also have a paid of WF1000XM3's which are the two versions back in ear sonys. They're great but in ear earphones end up hurting after a couple hours

I second the XMs. I have 3s that have lasted me years.

That's interesting. I have the xm3s still going strong on their original battery 5 years later. I would have to scrutinise how long that last these days as I just don't notice a difference otherwise. I wonder if it's to do with how the device is used/charged/generally treated

Definitely not Sony Wf-XM3, XM4, XM5. - worst mic pickup ever!!!11!!!!

over ears are almost always going to do better ANC. i've had both versions of the xm3 (ear bud and over ear) and have the airpods pro 2.