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Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2023
Beats

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2023

82
/ 100
From $349
VS
Sony WH-1000XM3 wins by 4
Sony WH-1000XM3 — Over-ear · 2018
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM3

Over-ear · 2018

86
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict

Sony WH-1000XM3 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black lands at 82 and Sony WH-1000XM3 at 86. That puts Sony WH-1000XM3 ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Sony WH-1000XM3 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Sony WH-1000XM3

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sony WH-1000XM3 leads on sound (86 vs 82).

Noise cancelling

Sony WH-1000XM3

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sony WH-1000XM3 leads on anc (84 vs 80).

Comfort

Sony WH-1000XM3

Long-session wearability

Sony WH-1000XM3 leads on comfort (85 vs 81).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black 82
vs
86 Sony WH-1000XM3

Score breakdown

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black
82
anc 80
sound 82
comfort 81
battery 82
features 78
Sony WH-1000XM3
86
anc 84
sound 86
comfort 85
battery 82
features 82

Specs side-by-side

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black versus Sony WH-1000XM3 — full spec comparison
Spec Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black Sony WH-1000XM3
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2023
2018

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Sony WH-1000XM3

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

FAQ: Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black vs Sony WH-1000XM3

Which is better, Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black or Sony WH-1000XM3? +

Sony WH-1000XM3 scores 86 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $349, Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in sound.

Is Sony WH-1000XM3 worth the price? +

At $349, Sony WH-1000XM3 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in sound.

Does Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black or Sony WH-1000XM3 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black or Sony WH-1000XM3? +

Sony WH-1000XM3 — leads on sound (86 vs 82). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black or Sony WH-1000XM3? +

Sony WH-1000XM3 — leads on anc (84 vs 80). ANC strength for commute and travel.