Over-Ear
Sony MDR-3
Not yet scored
Price n/a
Full review dataSony MDR-3 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Sony MDR-3 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
Sony WH-1000XM6
89Outstanding
$400
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 7 of 7 measures.
- Sony MDR-3
- Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
-
89
Sound
-
9.0
Noise cancelling
-
9.6
Battery
-
8.1
Calls
-
9.6
Value
-
8.2
Price (USD)
-
$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?
Half a step newer
Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against Sony MDR-3 (1980). The Sony WH-1000XM6 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- MDR-31980
- WH-1000XM6202545 yr newer
What differsMDR-3WH-1000XM6
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
Platform
Specifications
MDR-3WH-1000XM6
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- -
- $400
- HearWiki score
- Not scored
- 89
- Released
- 1980
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- dynamic
- 30 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 30 mm
- Drivers per side
- -
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 48 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 103 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.3
- Codecs
- -
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- -
- 40 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 30 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 210 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 3 min → 3 h
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- Yes
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- -
- Yes
- Weight
- 75 g
- 254 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Microphones
- -
- 12
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
What reviewers said
Sony MDR-3
The Sony MDR-3 is a lightweight, wired over-ear headphone from the early 1980s, designed for straightforward listening without active noise cancellation. With a 32-ohm impedance and a 20Hz–20kHz range, it pairs easily with vintage or modern sources, making it a simple, nostalgic choice for casual use.
- Pro:Very lightweight at just 75g
- Pro:Easy to drive with 32-ohm impedance
- Pro:Wide frequency response for its era
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Dated design may lack modern comfort
- Con:Limited to wired connection only
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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