FiiO EH3 NC vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the FiiO EH3 NC vs Sony WH-1000XM6, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Over-Ear

FiiO EH3 NC

Not yet scored

$200

Full review data

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

FiiO EH3 NC
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

Noise cancelling

9.6

Battery

8.1

Calls

9.6

Value

8.2

Price (USD)

$200

$400

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against FiiO EH3 NC (2019). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LC3 against aptX HD, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Wear detection and Transparency mode.

EH3 NC2019
WH-1000XM620256 yr newer

What differsEH3 NCWH-1000XM6

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Top codec: aptX HD; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: Hybrid; Adaptive
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Transparency mode: No; Yes

Level on: USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

EH3 NCWH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $200; $400
HearWiki score: Not scored; 89
Released: 2019; 2025
Availability: Discontinued; Sold new
Driver: 45 mm dynamic; 30 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 45 mm; 30 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: -; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW; 103 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: 50 h; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): 30 h; 30 h
Full charge time: 180 min; 210 min
Quick charge: -; 3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; adaptive
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: buttons; buttons
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: 293 g; 254 g
Water resistance: -; none
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: protein-leather; -
Connector: 3.5 mm; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 4; 12
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: noise-cancelling mic; -

Specification comparison of FiiO EH3 NC vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	FiiO EH3 NC	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$200	$400
HearWiki score	Not scored	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2019	2025
Audio
Driver	45 mm dynamic	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	45 mm	30 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	-	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	48 Ω
Sensitivity	98 dB/mW	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	50 h	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	30 h	30 h
Full charge time	180 min	210 min
Quick charge	-	3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	adaptive
Transparency mode	No	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	buttons	buttons
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	293 g	254 g
Water resistance	-	none
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	protein-leather	-
Connector	3.5 mm	3.5 mm
Calls
Microphones	4	12
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	noise-cancelling mic	-

What reviewers said

FiiO EH3 NC

The FiiO EH3 NC is a wireless over-ear headphone with hybrid active noise cancellation and large 45mm dynamic drivers. It offers a long 50-hour battery life (30 hours with ANC on), support for high-quality aptX codecs, and a customizable EQ via its companion app. While it lacks multipoint and transparency mode, its USB-C connectivity and physical buttons provide straightforward control.

Pro:Long battery life of up to 50 hours
Pro:Hybrid ANC for effective noise reduction
Pro:Supports aptX HD and aptX Low Latency for better audio

Con:No multipoint connection for multiple devices
Con:No transparency mode for ambient sound
Con:Limited to Bluetooth 5.0, not the latest version

Sony WH-1000XM6

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a premium over-ear wireless headphone that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery and support for high-quality audio codecs. It features multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and a transparent mode, making it a versatile choice for both focused listening and everyday commutes. With a lightweight build and tactile controls, it balances comfort and functionality for extended use.

Pro:Adaptive active noise cancellation for personalized silencing
Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
Pro:Transparency mode for ambient awareness when needed

Con:No water resistance rating for wet conditions
Con:No wireless charging option
Con:Relies on physical buttons rather than touch controls

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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