Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Ananda Nano
84Great
$320
Full review dataHiFiMAN Ananda Nano vs Sony WH-1000XM3: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN Ananda Nano comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN Ananda Nano - Great overall at around $319.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM3
78Great
$110
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN Ananda Nano
Sound8.5
Value8.0
Sony WH-1000XM3
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery9.0
Calls7.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Ananda Nano | Sony WH-1000XM3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $320 | $110 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2023 | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz - 55 kHz | 4 Hz - 40 kHz |
| Impedance | 14 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/mW | 104.5 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 4.2 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | No |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | No |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 419 g | 255 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 4 |
| Call noise reduction | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN Ananda Nano
The HiFiMAN Ananda Nano is a highly efficient open-back planar headphone that pairs stealth magnet and nanometer diaphragm tech for fast, detailed sound. Its low impedance and high sensitivity make it surprisingly easy to drive with portable gear, while delivering strong dynamics, resolution, and a spacious stage for its price. It's a clear step up from earlier Ananda models, though some ergonomic and accessory compromises remain.
- Pro:Exceptional efficiency for a planar, works well with portable sources
- Pro:Fast transients and low distortion for crisp, detailed audio
- Pro:Wide, immersive soundstage with solid dynamics
- Con:Clamp force may feel tight for some listeners
- Con:Included accessories are fairly minimal
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
Sony WH-1000XM3
The Sony WH-1000XM3 is a versatile over-ear headphone with adaptive noise cancellation, delivering a balanced sound signature and impressive 30-hour battery life with ANC on. It's comfortable for long sessions and supports high-quality LDAC streaming, though its plastic build and lack of water resistance may disappoint some. Touch controls and multipoint connectivity add convenience, but no custom EQ limits sound tweaking.
- Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long 30-hour battery life with ANC
- Pro:Comfortable for extended wear
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:No custom EQ in app
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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