Head-to-head

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm vs Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm

8.7 $199.99

Sony WH-1000XM6

9.5 $398

Apple AirPods Pro 3

9.3 $199.99

Verdict

Beyerdynamic DT 77

A studio fixture for good reason. The DT 770 isolates well, survives abuse, and stays comfortable for hours, and the 80-ohm version runs off a laptop with no amp. The treble can sting until you EQ it and the cable is fixed, but at $180 it's a genuinely safe buy.

Sony WH-1000XM6

Still the pair to beat for silence. The XM6 top the field on noise cancellation, take calls cleanly, and last 30 hours. Sound is a refinement of the XM5, not a leap, and the build feels plasticky for $400, but for travel and focus nothing tops them.

Apple AirPods Pro

If you have an iPhone, just buy these. The Pro 3 leap past the Pro 2 on noise canceling, fit more ears with new foam tips, and add a heart-rate sensor and a hearing test, all with effortless Apple switching. Audiophiles may prefer something more neutral.

Best for

Beyerdynamic DT 77

Desk and studio use where a durable, comfortable closed-back wired headphone with strong isolation matters most.

Sony WH-1000XM6

Travelers and focused workers who want class-leading noise cancellation and all-day over-ear comfort.

Apple AirPods Pro

iPhone users who want excellent noise cancellation in a pocketable case with seamless switching across Apple devices.

Avoid if

Beyerdynamic DT 77

You want wireless freedom, a built-in microphone, or something compact to travel with untethered.

Sony WH-1000XM6

You want the most pocketable earbuds, or you mainly need open-ear awareness while running or cycling.

Apple AirPods Pro

You're mainly on Android or Windows and want full features, or you prefer over-ear comfort and longer battery life.

Score breakdown

value

Beyerdynam

9.0

Sony WH-10

8.3

Apple AirP

8.5

mic calls

Beyerdynam

1.0

Sony WH-10

9.0

Apple AirP

9.2

comfort fit

Beyerdynam

8.5

Sony WH-10

9.0

Apple AirP

8.8

noise control

Beyerdynam

5.0

Sony WH-10

9.5

Apple AirP

9.0

sound quality

Beyerdynam

9.0

Sony WH-10

9.0

Apple AirP

8.5

battery features

Beyerdynam

2.5

Sony WH-10

9.0

Apple AirP

8.0

Specs

type

Closed-back wired over-ear (studio)

Over-ear closed-back wireless

In-ear true wireless (ANC)

cable

Fixed (non-detachable) coiled cable, ~3 m

—

sound

Detailed and revealing; firm bass, somewhat boosted treble

—

best use

Recording, editing, monitoring, desktop listening

—

features

None - wired only, no mic/wireless

10-band EQ, 360 Reality Audio, speak-to-chat, replaceable earpads

Live Translation (Apple-Intelligence iPhone required), spatial audio with head tracking

impedance

80 ohms - drivable from interfaces/computers without a separate amp

—

isolation

Good passive isolation (closed-back)

—

anc

—

Adaptive hybrid ANC with Sony's HD noise-cancelling processor

Active Noise Cancellation + Adaptive Transparency (improved over Pro 2)

codecs

—

SBC, AAC, LDAC

—

colors

—

Black, Midnight Blue, Sand Pink, Platinum Silver

—

battery

—

Up to 30 hours with ANC; USB-C quick charge

Up to ~8 hours with ANC; USB-C / Qi charging case

drivers

—

30 mm dynamic

—

connectivity

—

Bluetooth multipoint

—

fit

—

Foam-infused silicone tips, 5 sizes (XXS-L)

health

—

In-ear heart-rate sensor, hearing test, hearing-aid and hearing-protection modes

ecosystem

—

Best with iPhone and Apple devices

Buy →Buy →Buy →

	Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm	Sony WH-1000XM6	Apple AirPods Pro 3
Score	8.7	9.5	9.3
Price	$199.99	$398	$199.99
Verdict	A studio fixture for good reason. The DT 770 isolates well, survives abuse, and stays comfortable for hours, and the 80-ohm version runs off a laptop with no amp. The treble can sting until you EQ it and the cable is fixed, but at $180 it's a genuinely safe buy.	Still the pair to beat for silence. The XM6 top the field on noise cancellation, take calls cleanly, and last 30 hours. Sound is a refinement of the XM5, not a leap, and the build feels plasticky for $400, but for travel and focus nothing tops them.	If you have an iPhone, just buy these. The Pro 3 leap past the Pro 2 on noise canceling, fit more ears with new foam tips, and add a heart-rate sensor and a hearing test, all with effortless Apple switching. Audiophiles may prefer something more neutral.
Best for	Desk and studio use where a durable, comfortable closed-back wired headphone with strong isolation matters most.	Travelers and focused workers who want class-leading noise cancellation and all-day over-ear comfort.	iPhone users who want excellent noise cancellation in a pocketable case with seamless switching across Apple devices.
Avoid if	You want wireless freedom, a built-in microphone, or something compact to travel with untethered.	You want the most pocketable earbuds, or you mainly need open-ear awareness while running or cycling.	You're mainly on Android or Windows and want full features, or you prefer over-ear comfort and longer battery life.
Score breakdown
value	9.0	8.3	8.5
mic calls	1.0	9.0	9.2
comfort fit	8.5	9.0	8.8
noise control	5.0	9.5	9.0
sound quality	9.0	9.0	8.5
battery features	2.5	9.0	8.0
Specs
type	Closed-back wired over-ear (studio)	Over-ear closed-back wireless	In-ear true wireless (ANC)
cable	Fixed (non-detachable) coiled cable, ~3 m	—	—
sound	Detailed and revealing; firm bass, somewhat boosted treble	—	—
best use	Recording, editing, monitoring, desktop listening	—	—
features	None - wired only, no mic/wireless	10-band EQ, 360 Reality Audio, speak-to-chat, replaceable earpads	Live Translation (Apple-Intelligence iPhone required), spatial audio with head tracking
impedance	80 ohms - drivable from interfaces/computers without a separate amp	—	—
isolation	Good passive isolation (closed-back)	—	—
anc	—	Adaptive hybrid ANC with Sony's HD noise-cancelling processor	Active Noise Cancellation + Adaptive Transparency (improved over Pro 2)
codecs	—	SBC, AAC, LDAC	—
colors	—	Black, Midnight Blue, Sand Pink, Platinum Silver	—
battery	—	Up to 30 hours with ANC; USB-C quick charge	Up to ~8 hours with ANC; USB-C / Qi charging case
drivers	—	30 mm dynamic	—
connectivity	—	Bluetooth multipoint	—
fit	—	—	Foam-infused silicone tips, 5 sizes (XXS-L)
health	—	—	In-ear heart-rate sensor, hearing test, hearing-aid and hearing-protection modes
ecosystem	—	—	Best with iPhone and Apple devices
	Buy →	Buy →	Buy →

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