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?

Had mx3s for years and still in amazing condition. My Mrs uses them too. So maybe try something from Sony?.

Sony is better.

Yeah. Bro i xm3s, lasted for 8 years. My friend has buds, hes using the same since 4 years. If you have the budget, go for it.

My XM3 headphones are going strong. Good battery life, good ANC, good audio quality. No idea what OP's talking about.

I don't own the xm6 but I've had the 3, 4 and 5. Even the 4 and 5 are a massive upgrade in every single way over the 3, and the 6 would be even a step farther.

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 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.