Today, we will share our impressions of the new Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones, which, at the time of writing our review, are the best in the world among their competitors. The community's anticipation for their release was palpable. Even we, despite our scepticism about wireless devices, were following the announcements. Regular readers will have noticed how often we end the section on active noise cancellation (ANC) in our reviews of various wireless models with the phrase, 'Not bad, but not Sony'. Well, here we have a Sony headphones to test. Finally, without compromise, we will check the benchmark.
In fact, Sony's line of top-of-the-line full-size Bluetooth headphones can truly be called iconic. Thanks to their signature sound and the presence of virtually all existing modern technologies in high-quality implementation, these headphones consistently occupy the leading positions in their category. They gained particular popularity in the fourth and fifth generations. But will the new model, the WH-1000XM6, with its traditionally unpronounceable name, maintain this level? Will it live up to its reputation? Let's take an honest look at its pros and cons. Yes, we understand that people will buy it regardless. However, we are personally very interested to see what it will be like in practice.
The price here has increased slightly to $450 (excluding local taxes). That's a lot, but these things aren't bought just for one year, so it's acceptable. The presentation promised improved ergonomics and a number of enhanced features. So, let's listen to music and silence. But before we move on to the main sections of our review of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones, let's take a look at their specifications to gain a better understanding of the device.
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Best Price on Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 remain a benchmark for premium wireless ANC headphones, offering outstanding noise cancellation, refined sound & a comprehensive feature set. |
Classic Package
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The model comes in a modest box made of recycled cardboard. What do you think, gentlemen? Are you also in favour of environmental protection? We believe the packaging for the flagship model should be more premium, but that's OK. On the other hand, the headphones are 'Made in Malaysia'.
The standard accessory set includes a hard carrying case, a 3.5 mm acoustic cable, and a short USB-C to USB-A charging cable. It's disappointing that listening via USB is still not possible, and the choice of the outdated Type-A format is also surprising. However, the new model allows you to listen to music while charging for the first time, which is a positive feature. The connection is one-sided. The carrying case is now magnetic and quite compact, which we liked. However, it still takes up quite a bit of space.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones have an understated and versatile design. They are available in three colours: Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue. The ear cups are large and voluminous, with a closed acoustic design. The soft-touch plastic feels nice but tends to collect dust and fingerprints. The sturdy body is foldable and features smooth-moving metal hinges. We hope they will be durable. The asymmetrical, wider headband helps you to distinguish between the right and left ear cups, which have no markings. For us, the only reference point was the seam on the fabric, which should be at the back. The leatherette on the headband is good quality, but the ear pads feel slightly rubbery.
The headphones were quite comfortable. They are very light at only 254 grams, and the clamp is secure with smooth adjustments. While the ear pads are not perfectly soft, they are quite comfortable. Overall, we had no major complaints about the ergonomics. As you know, we prefer open, full-size headphones. During long sessions, these Sony headphones sometimes tired us out, but not so much that we wouldn't use them again. As always, however, we recommend trying them on in person before making a purchase.
The mechanical start and mode selection buttons are on the left and the touch panel is on the right. With it, you can switch tracks, adjust the volume, answer calls, and access the voice assistant. We still prefer pure button control, but that's a matter of taste. Fortunately, the sensor on the WH-1000XM6 is adequately sensitive. There is also a proprietary Quick Attention feature: place your palm on the right ear cup to activate transparency mode immediately. There is also the classic "smart" pause.
In this section, we will go through a list of the most popular questions that Sony WH-1000XM6 owners have. Let's see where the model performs better and where it performs worse.
The first point is listening to music. The new model has 30 mm dynamic drivers with carbon composite domes. It has 360 Reality Audio Upmix for cinema spatial sound. Edge-AI (DSEE Extreme technology) is used to enhance the quality of low-resolution audio files. While we are not fans of such intervention, considering how many streaming service enthusiasts do not have LDAC, it makes sense. The Sony Sound Connect app has a 10-band equalizer that you can use to adjust the sound. Additional settings and firmware updates are also available there.
Next up is everything related to wireless connectivity. Bluetooth 5.3 is supported, along with the SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 codecs. The only thing missing is aptX and aptX HD. However, Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast are present, as well as Multipoint for two devices. The headphones connect to a familiar source instantly; we only remember seeing this speed in some true wireless stereo (TWS) headphones. The connection is stable. The working distance is up to 10 meters.
Next is active noise cancellation. The presentation calls it "the best noise cancellation." Is this justified? First, the number of microphones has increased from eight to 12. Second, the new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3 chip responds to noise changes seven times faster than the QN1 chip. The adaptive algorithm automatically optimizes ANC intensity in real time. It also adjusts to the surrounding environment, air pressure, how the headphones are worn, hairstyle, and glasses. In reality, the noise cancellation is excellent. There is no hissing or pressure on the brain; it simply does the job well.
Now, let's discuss the ambient sound transparency mode. We see no reason to criticize it either. We noticed a lack of clarity sometimes, but we can praise its naturalness; it's as if you were hearing everything without headphones. The system is adaptive, and the Auto Ambient Sound Mode balances music and ambient sounds. There is also a Speak-to-Chat feature that pauses track playback when you speak. However, we turned it off because it didn't always respond correctly.
Next are the microphones for calls. They are based on artificial intelligence, which we usually approach with caution due to past experiences, but in this case, we have no complaints. The microphones are excellent, transmitting voices clearly without sounding too synthetic. If necessary, they can be turned off during a conversation.
The last thing to mention is the battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM6 works for up to 30 hours with ANC and up to 40 hours without a single charge. As a headset for calls, it lasts for 24 and 28 hours, respectively. There is also a quick charge feature that provides an additional 3 hours of music in just 3 minutes, which is perfect for us. Overall, the performance is not record-breaking, but quite good.
We've now reached the main section of our Sony WH-1000XM6 review. Of course, you want to know if these headphones are worth the price. We conducted most of our testing with a connection to an iPhone 16 Pro to accurately replicate the experience of the average consumer.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers lively, colorful, and unobtrusive sound. From an audiophile's point of view, it seems smoothed out and simplified, but that's to be expected. Although it's a flagship model, it's clearly designed for the widest possible audience. We have a soft, cheerful sound without any pretensions to strict analyticality. It is melodic and easy to perceive without requiring any special adaptation. For those who just want to listen to their favorite music on the go, these headphones are a good option.
Among its positive features are the bright timbral range, harmonious sound, and impressive, large-scale, airy imaginary stage. The emphasis on the upper midrange brings the vocals to the forefront, making them rich and emotional. The headphones accurately convey the atmosphere of the composition, which is enhanced by the pronounced macrodynamics. Interestingly, they flawlessly keep the rhythm, and perform well in terms of speed. Once again, we note the overall harmony and balance of the sound. The tuning is universal: not overly tasteful, darkened, or sparkling. Fans of Sony's signature warm style will be pleased.
Now, the drawbacks. As expected, the drawbacks are basic resolution, a lack of naturalness, and minor nuances. Based on our experience, the acoustic picture seems too blended and rounded. The contours of the parts are not pronounced, and the attacks lack firmness. We also have some comments about transparency: a kind of thin veil interferes with intelligibility. Ultimately, we strongly recommend using the LDAC codec to minimize limitations when transmitting signals via Bluetooth.
The bass of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones is soft, substantial, and velvety. It is uniform without any excessive resonance. The impact is pleasant, and the vibrating response does not overwhelm the entire range. The midrange is melodious, solid, and calm. The high frequencies are crisp, neutral, and comfortable. They won't spoil you with an excessive range, nor will they hurt your ears.
The SoundGale editorial team gives the sound quality a rating of 9.5/10.
The competition in this category is fierce. We recommend avoiding the Focal Bathys Mg and DALI IO-12, which are purely audiophile wireless headphones, as well as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Apple AirPods Max, which are mass-market products. To fairly compare them with the Sony WH-1000XM6, we'll choose models that also strive to combine musical potential and modern features.
We recently tested the new Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, but unfortunately, we did not publish a review on our website for some reason. It is a serious competitor to our favorite headphones. The WH-1000XM6 wins in terms of active noise cancellation quality, transparency mode, connection speed, variety of proprietary technologies, and number of settings in the app. They also have a foldable design and slightly clearer microphones. On the other hand, the Px7 S3 has its advantages, too. For example, we prefer its aesthetic and refined design. It has better body materials, more compact ear cups, and only mechanical control buttons. Most importantly, they deliver textured, detailed, clear sound. There are clear accents, the bass is significantly enhanced for a more powerful sound, and the highs have a touch of ringing clarity. However, this does not detract from the overall impression of refinement and precise accuracy. You can enjoy the thrilling energy and listen to individual parts. However, the Sony model has a more expansive soundstage and a smoother, faster, and more relaxed presentation. It does not focus on micro-nuances or highlight relief, which some may find more appealing. We recommend listening for yourself.
As for Sony's lineup, owners of the fifth-generation WH-1000XM5 headphones shouldn't feel pressured to upgrade to the sixth generation. You're unlikely to be impressed by any significant differences. The same can probably be said about the WH-1000XM4. However, the older models are noticeably inferior to the subject of this review, particularly in terms of sound quality. If you're starting from scratch, we recommend choosing the latest version. Since we're talking about a multifunctional gadget for everyday use, it's not worth saving money here. We would say otherwise if Sony had ruined the new product. But they didn't, so go ahead and buy it.
We could compare the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300, but we don't see the point. The Sony headphones are slightly more technologically advanced and superior, although the Beyerdynamic headphones are not inferior in terms of sound quality and may even be better in some frequency ranges. If you're interested in comparing these two models, we recommend reading our detailed review of the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 headphones, which may be useful. You may also be interested in our review of the Sennheiser HDB 630, which has the same price tag as the Sony WH-1000XM6 but is inferior to the Sony in terms of technological parameters.
Now that we've reached the end of our Sony WH-1000XM6 review, it's time to summarize the results. Sony has once again proven that it knows how to set the standard. Like its predecessors in the series, the new WH-1000XM6 is designed to be a hit. It boasts one of the best ANC (active noise cancellation) implementations on the market, excellent microphones, a wide range of features, comfortable sound, a foldable design, and a comfortable fit. In our opinion, the price could be lower, but you get what you pay for. Of course, it all depends on your needs, but if you're looking for the best wireless headphones on the market, you'll likely stick with this model for a long time.
We hope you enjoyed our review of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. Please feel free to leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the section below. We will be happy to answer them all as soon as possible. If you already own WH-1000XM6's and have used it for a while, don't forget to share your impressions and tell us what you liked or disliked about these headphones.
Pros
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Cons
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9.9
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Our Score
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