JBL Tour One M3 VS Sony WH-1000XM6

The JBL Tour One M3 and Sony WH-1000XM6 both feature an over-ear fit, ensuring comfort for extended listening sessions. The JBL Tour One M3 weighs 278 g, while the Sony WH-1000XM6 is slightly lighter at 254 g, making it marginally more lightweight.

Both headphones come with a detachable cable (1.2 m in length) and a tangle-free design, which is convenient for reducing cable mess. Additionally, both include a travel bag, offering portability. Neither model is water-resistant, and both can be folded for easy storage. Neither product has an open-back design, and both have stereo speakers for a standard audio experience.

Neither of these headphones is designed for kids, and the specifications for the cable length and detachable cable are identical across both models, with no significant differences in these areas.

Both the JBL Tour One M3 and Sony WH-1000XM6 feature active noise cancellation (ANC) and support spatial audio, offering a similar high-quality listening experience. However, their frequency response, driver unit size, and impedance differ slightly. The JBL Tour One M3 has a wider frequency range, from 10 Hz to 40,000 Hz, while the Sony WH-1000XM6 starts at 4 Hz and reaches the same 40,000 Hz, giving it an edge in the very low end of the sound spectrum.

The JBL model uses a 40 mm driver unit, whereas the Sony headphones use a smaller 30 mm driver unit. This could potentially impact the sound reproduction, although both headphones are designed to deliver rich audio. Additionally, the JBL Tour One M3 has an impedance of 18 Ohms, while the Sony WH-1000XM6 has a higher impedance of 48 Ohms, which may affect the headphones' performance with different audio sources.

In terms of sound pressure level, the JBL Tour One M3 reaches a higher 122 dB/mW compared to the Sony WH-1000XM6's 103 dB/mW, potentially offering louder audio at the same power level. The Sony headphones are equipped with a neodymium magnet, while the JBL model does not include this feature. Both headphones provide passive noise reduction in addition to ANC, ensuring a good level of sound isolation.

The JBL Tour One M3 offers significantly longer battery life compared to the Sony WH-1000XM6. It can last up to 70 hours on a full charge, while the Sony headphones provide 30 hours of playback. When using active noise cancellation (ANC), the JBL model offers 40 hours of battery life, whereas the Sony headphones are limited to 30 hours with ANC active.

Charging time differs as well: the JBL Tour One M3 takes 2 hours to fully charge, while the Sony WH-1000XM6 requires 3.5 hours. Both models feature USB Type-C for charging and include a battery level indicator to keep track of remaining power.

Neither headphones support wireless charging nor feature a solar power battery. Both models are equipped with rechargeable batteries, but neither has a removable battery.

Both the JBL Tour One M3 and Sony WH-1000XM6 support both wireless and wired connectivity, and they offer the same Bluetooth version (5.3). Both headphones also support LDAC, Bluetooth LE Audio, AAC, and Auracast, providing high-quality wireless audio and various connection options.

However, the JBL Tour One M3 lacks fast pairing, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM6 includes this feature for quicker Bluetooth setup. The Bluetooth range is identical for both models at 10 meters, ensuring stable connections at similar distances.

Neither model supports Bluetooth pairing via NFC, and both do not include features like aptX Adaptive, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD, or aptX Lossless. Additionally, neither has LDHC support, with both focusing on the more common Bluetooth and audio technologies mentioned.

Both the JBL Tour One M3 and Sony WH-1000XM6 feature a noise-canceling microphone and ambient sound mode, enhancing the overall listening and communication experience. However, they differ in a few key areas. The Sony WH-1000XM6 includes in/on-ear detection, a feature not found in the JBL model.

In terms of microphones, the JBL Tour One M3 is equipped with 8 microphones, while the Sony WH-1000XM6 has a greater number of 12 microphones, which may improve call quality and noise cancellation performance. Both headphones support multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices at once.

Neither model includes an in-line control panel, but both have a control panel placed on the device itself, and both can be used as a headset, making them versatile for hands-free calls or communication.