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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
The Philips Fidelio X2HR are open-back over-ear headphones that provide an immersive and open listening experience, suitable for critical listening, but they lack noise isolation so they wouldn't be ideal in noisy environments. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM3 are closed-back in-ear headphones that offer active noise cancelling, making them a better choice for commuting and use in noisy settings. The Sony earbuds are also wireless with a portable charging case, so if convenience and portability are important, they are the better option. However, if your priority is sound quality for home use, the Philips might be the preferable selection. Both are midrange priced, with the Philips generally being the less expensive option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Philips Fidelio X2HR
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.3
7.5
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is good.
Gaming
7.0
5.6
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is good.
TV and Video
8.8
5.7
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The Philips Fidelio X2HR does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$140
$180
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has a price of $140 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and Sony WF1000XM3 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Philips Fidelio X2HR and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Philips Fidelio X2HR | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$140 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Philips | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2014 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 390 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Dig into reviews and images
Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
Sony WF1000XM3
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
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About Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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