Short answer: the Sony WF-1000XM6. Both are rated 4.5/5 for sound quality (#77 and #82 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the Sony WF-1000XM6 costs $258 against $280.99 for the Rose Technics QT9 MK3, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Sony WF-1000XM6 does well: These true wireless earbuds score 79.6 for preference in the median of 4 squig.link measurements, with a 1.37 dB deviation that tracks the target closely. The tradeoff: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz runs about 2.3 dB low and a 3.6 dB dip near 10.9 kHz trims air, so vocals and cymbals sound slightly reserved.
Buy the Sony WF-1000XM6. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $22.99 less than the Rose Technics QT9 MK3.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Rose Technics QT9 MK3 | Sony WF-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $280.99 | $258.00 |
| Ranked | #82 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #77 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.45 dB standard deviation | 1.37 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (6.5 g) per earbud |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | Yes |
| Battery Life | - | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| IP Rating | - | IPX4 |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony WF-1000XM6:
- Shuoer Cadenza 4 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Kinera Freya 2.0 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Simgot EA1000 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Kiiboom Evoke vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Kiwi Ears Orchestra II vs Rose Technics QT9 MK3
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Rose Technics QT9 MK3: $280.99 HiFiGo eBay
Full Rose Technics QT9 MK3 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.45 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony WF-1000XM6: $258.00 TWS Amazon eBay
Pros: These true wireless earbuds score 79.6 for preference in the median of 4 squig.link measurements, with a 1.37 dB deviation that tracks the target closely. Active noise cancelling, LDAC and LC3 support, IPX4 water resistance and 8 hours per charge (24 with the case) make them a complete everyday package. Each earbud weighs only 6.5 g.
Cons: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz runs about 2.3 dB low and a 3.6 dB dip near 10.9 kHz trims air, so vocals and cymbals sound slightly reserved. The lower midrange is 1.2 dB thick, which adds a touch of warmth some listeners may find muddy. The wired Meze Alba matches its rating for less money.
Full Sony WF-1000XM6 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2026 (8 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.37 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.5 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons