Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Which Headphones Are Better?

Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Jan 12, 2026 09:41 PM

This review is in Early access

See Sony WH-1000XM6 Review

TypeOver-ear

Noise CancellingYes

EnclosureClosed-Back

Bass Amount Very Emphasized (5 dB)

WirelessYes

TransducerDynamic

Treble Amount Balanced (-1 dB)

MicYes

Sound Signature Warm

TypeLocked

Noise CancellingLocked

EnclosureLocked

Bass Amount Locked

WirelessLocked

TransducerLocked

Treble Amount Locked

MicLocked

Sound Signature Locked

Recommended in 10 articles:
Noise Cancelling
Headphones
Over-Ear
7

Our Verdict

Sony WH-1000XM6

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

Full comparison details regarding individual product score sets can be found in the section below

Variants

WH-1000XM6 (Black)
WH-1000XM6 (Midnight Blue)
WH-1000XM6 (Platinum Silver)

Px7 S3 (Anthracite Black)
Px7 S3 (Canvas White)
Px7 S3 (Frost Blue)
Px7 S3 (Indigo Blue)

Review

See Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Review

Check Price

Black

WH-1000XM6

Anthracite Black

Px7 S3

Midnight Blue

WH-1000XM6

Canvas White

Px7 S3

Platinum Silver

WH-1000XM6

Frost Blue

Px7 S3

Indigo Blue

Px7 S3

Main Differences for

Sports And Fitness

Threshold

0.10

Sports And Fitness

7.4

0.0

No major differences between these headphones for sports and fitness. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Sports And Fitness

7.4

0.0

Travel

8.5

0.0

Office Work

8.5

0.0

Wireless Gaming (In Development)

6.3

0.0

Wired Gaming (In Development)

7.8

0.0

Audio Reproduction Accuracy

7.8

0.0

Noise Isolation

9.7

0.0

Microphone (In Development)

8.0

0.0

Frequency Response Consistency

6.0

0.0

Sound

Sound Profile

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Normalization Frequency

500 Hz

Lock Hz

Bass Amount

Very Emphasized (5 dB)

Locked

Treble Amount

Balanced (-1 dB)

Locked

Sound Signature

Warm

Locked

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

6.0

N/A

Consistency L

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Consistency R

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Std. Deviation

1.30 dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Raw FR R

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

7.8

N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

RMS Deviation From Target

4.6 dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

20 Hz

Lock Hz

Low Bass

4.83 dB

Lock dB

Mid Bass

4.8 dB

Lock dB

High Bass

3.95 dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

8.7

N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

RMS Deviation From Target

1.74 dB

Lock dB

Low Mid

2.33 dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

-0.8 dB

Lock dB

High Mid

-0.11 dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

8.6

N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

RMS Deviation From Target

2.82 dB

Lock dB

Low Treble

0.03 dB

Lock dB

Mid Treble

-2.49 dB

Lock dB

High Treble

-1.17 dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

7.3

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Peaks

1.57 dB

Lock dB

Dips

1.85 dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Stereo Mismatch

7.3

N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Phase Response Mismatch

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

0.59 dB

Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch

0.99 dB

Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch

1.6°

Lock°

Show Text

Group Delay

8.7

N/A

Group Delay

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Weighted Group Delay

0.6 ms

Lock ms

Show Text

Cumulative Spectral Decay

CSD

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

PRTF

6.2

N/A

PRTF

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)

4.49 dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

6.56 dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

11.62 dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Harmonic Distortion

9.4

N/A

Harmonics Levels

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

THD Ratio

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

WHD @ 94 dB SPL

0.06%

Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL

0.12%

Lock%

Show Text

Electrical Aspects

Impedance

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Sensitivity @1kHz-1V

119.5 dB SPL

N/A

Bluetooth Max SPL

104.9 dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

7.3

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Head Modeling

On/Off

Locked

Speaker Modeling

On/Off

Locked

Room Ambience

Presets

Locked

Head Tracking

On/Off

Locked

Virtual Surround

360 Reality Audio

Locked

Show Text

Test Settings

Firmware

2.0.2

Locked

Power

Locked

Connection

Bluetooth

Locked

Codec

SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz

Locked

Test Instrument

Audio Precision APx517B

Locked

EQ

Off

Locked

ANC

Locked

Tip/Pad

Default

Locked

Microphone

Integrated

Locked

Show Text

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Type

Over-ear

Locked

Enclosure

Closed-Back

Locked

Wireless

Yes

Locked

Transducer

Dynamic

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

7.5

N/A

Comfort Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Weight

0.56 lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

0.8 lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

8.1

N/A

Controls Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

OS Compatibility

Not OS specific

Locked

Ease Of Use

Good

Locked

Feedback

Good

Locked

Call/Music Control

Yes

Locked

Volume Control

Yes

Locked

Microphone Control

Mute/Unmute

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

On/Off

Locked

Talk-Through

On/Off

Locked

Additional Controls

Voice Assistant

Locked

Show Text

Portability

6.2

N/A

Portability Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

L

7.5" (19.0 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

6.1" (15.4 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

2.0" (5.0 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

87.63 in³ (1,436.00 cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Show Text

Case

8.0

N/A

Case Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Type

Hard case

Locked

L

8.3" (21.0 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

7.4" (18.9 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

2.6" (6.5 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

157.43 in³ (2,579.85 cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Show Text

Build Quality

8.0

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Show Text

Stability

7.0

N/A

Stability Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Side Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Rear Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Top

Top Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range

9.7

N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Noise Cancelling

Yes

Locked

Overall Attenuation

-28.40 dB

Lock dB

Bass

-20.10 dB

Lock dB

Mid

-32.30 dB

Lock dB

Treble

-34.19 dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios

9.9

N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Airplane Noise Attenuation

-24.43 dB

Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio

Office Noise Attenuation

-24.09 dB

Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio

Street Noise Attenuation

-26.88 dB

Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio

Show Text

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling

ANC Wind Handling

ANC Wind Handling Graph

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

ANC Wind Noise

Show Text

Leakage

8.4

N/A

Leakage

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

31.11 dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Yes

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Boom

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Mic

Yes

Locked

Recording Quality

7.7

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

20 Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

4.24 dB

Lock dB

HFE

7,240.77 Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

N/A

Gain

20.34 dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Handling

8.2

N/A

SpNR

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

SpNR

58.59 dB

Lock dB

Noise Gate

Always On

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

8.0

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

8.5

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

9.2

N/A

Battery Type

Rechargable

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

31.75 hrs

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

0.0

Lock

Total Battery Life

31.75 hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

1.75 hrs

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Auto-Off Timer and Standby Mode

Locked

Audio While Charging

Yes

Locked

Passive Playback

Yes

Locked

Charging Port

USB-C

Locked

Show Text

App Support

8.0

N/A

App Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

App Name

Sony Sound Connect

Locked

iOS

Yes

Locked

Android

Yes

Locked

macOS

Locked

Windows

Locked

Equalizer

Graphic + Presets

Locked

ANC Control

On/Off

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Room Effects

Yes

Locked

Playback Control

Yes

Locked

Button Mapping

Yes

Locked

Surround Support

Yes

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Wired Connection

9.8

N/A

Cable Picture

Compare High-Res

SAMPLE

To see pictures and test results

Analog Audio

Yes

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Detachable

Yes

Locked

Length

3.94 ft (1.20 m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector

1/8" TRS

Locked

Latency - Analog

0.4 ms

Lock ms

Latency - USB

N/A

Lock ms

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Connection

Analog

Locked

Show Text

Bluetooth Connection

8.8

N/A

Bluetooth Version

5.3

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

2 Devices

Locked

Quick Pair (Android)

Yes

Locked

Quick Pair (iOS)

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

334.65 ft (102.00 m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Latency - SBC

212 ms

Lock ms

Latency - aptX

N/A

Lock ms

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)

N/A

Lock ms

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)

N/A

Lock ms

Latency - LDAC

230 ms

N/A

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Codec

LDAC

Locked

AAC Support

Yes

Locked

Show Text

Wireless Connection (Dongle)

0.0

N/A

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

Latency - Dongle

N/A

Recorded Latency

N/A

PC Compatibility

Analog

Audio Only

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Show Text

PlayStation Compatibility

PS4 Analog

Audio Only

Locked

PS4 Wired USB

Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

PS5 Analog

Audio Only

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Show Text

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Audio Only

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Audio Only

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Show Text

Base/Dock

0.0

N/A

Type

No Base/Dock

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Line In

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Power Supply

No Base/Dock

Locked

Check Price

Black

WH-1000XM6

Anthracite Black

Px7 S3

Midnight Blue

WH-1000XM6

Canvas White

Px7 S3

Platinum Silver

WH-1000XM6

Frost Blue

Px7 S3

Indigo Blue

Px7 S3