I ditched my every day driver Bose headphones for the XM6 – and I am hesitant to return

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Sony WH-1000XM6 can be found in Black, Silver, and Midnight Blue for $450.
• These headphones present distinctive noise cancellation, sensible software program options, and an fulfilling sound.
• A good match and non-adjustable noise cancellation are noticeable pitfalls for premium headphones.

extra shopping for selections

might / 2025

It has been three years since Sony launched the final iteration of its revered WH-1000X collection over-ear headphones, and there could not be larger footwear to fill.

The WH-1000XM5 are thought of by shoppers and trade consultants to be among the finest headphones available on the market, with excessive marks for his or her consolation, sound, software program options, and wonderful noise-canceling capabilities.

Additionally: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5: Are the brand new Sony headphones well worth the improve?

Now, the WH-1000XM6 are right here, positioned as Sony’s most superior (and costly) shopper headphones so far. However with so many fabulous headphones available on the market and the XM5 being pretty much as good as they’re, is the improve value almost $500? Let’s discover out.

How do they sound?

The XM6 characteristic Sony’s typical heat and clean sound profile, characterised by minimal peaks and piercing within the greater frequencies, and a slight emphasis on the bass. Atmospheric different rock like The 1975’s Strain produces clear vocals, clear instrumentals, and a decent bass response.

Additionally: I changed my cumbersome headphones with these Pixel earbuds for touring – and might’t return

Like all headphones, turning off ANC or ambient noise creates a extra impartial sound that most individuals might discover boring or uninspiring. Nonetheless, the XM6’s sound with out added noise options is noticeably fuller than the XM5, which sounds extra tinny and grainy. 

Most ANC-enabled headphones interact dynamic tuning with added noise options turned on, and the XM6 aren’t any completely different. Turning on noise cancellation or ambient sound brings extra shade and vibrancy, making a extra fulfilling listening expertise. 

One of many XM6’s standout options is that listeners can pay attention in spatial audio on any platform, whereas listening in spatial audio with the XM5 was reserved for only a few music-streaming platforms. Sony 360 Spatial Sound, the corporate’s proprietary spatial audio protocol, considerably opens the headphones’ soundstage, delivering an ethereal and spacious sound.

Additionally: Finest headphones of 2025: Bose, Sony, Beats, and extra

Like Bose’s proprietary Immersive Audio, Sony’s customized spatial audio could be hit and miss, relying on the music. The cymbals and riffs I usually love in John Mayer’s Neon sounded overly processed and imbalanced, whereas T-Ache’s Up Down was groovy and dynamic. Can we simply give in and license from Dolby, please?

Evaluating the noise cancellation

Of all of the flagship noise-canceling headphones I’ve examined, Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely have been one of the best performer since their late 2023 launch. Nonetheless, the XM6 give them a severe run for his or her cash. I wore them in bustling espresso outlets, to the health club through the post-work rush, to the farmer’s market throughout peak Saturday purchasing hours, and most critically, whereas my husband performed on-line video video games along with his mates.

The XM6’s noise-canceling efficiency is unimaginable, because of the XM6’s 12 microphones for detecting and canceling exterior noises and an upgraded QN3 processor, which Sony says is seven instances quicker at processing noise than the XM5’s QN1 processor.

Additionally: Why these Bose headphones are nonetheless one of the best I’ve listened to – regardless that they seem to be a 12 months outdated

Whereas sporting them on the farmer’s market, I used to be astounded at how these headphones may make me really feel like I used to be the one particular person within the constructing through the institution’s busiest hours. In my native Starbucks, solely the loud shredding of ice within the barista’s blender may pierce the XM6’s ANC. 

Even the finest noise-canceling headphones cannot beat overly loud, sharp, or sudden noises, together with the noises out of your teammates rage quitting throughout a recreation of Marvel Rivals.

The XM6’s ambient sound mode can be spectacular, naturally replicating the noises round you. Microphone high quality for telephone calls is implausible, and the ambient noise mode presents a major quantity of sidetone so you possibly can hear your self speak, too. Sony says including 4 extra beamforming microphones is answerable for clearer name high quality.

The noise cancellation is highly effective; my solely gripe is that settings cannot be manually adjusted within the app. Due to this fact, you are caught with superpowered ANC in public, which is not all the time superb. 

Design and luxury

The design of Sony’s WH-1000X line of flagship over-ear headphones has all the time been utilitarian and useful, relatively than flashy, eye-catching, or notably gorgeous. That ethos hasn’t modified with the XM6.

Each design selection that separates the XM6 from its predecessor was made purely for improved performance for the top consumer, and enhanced aesthetics from these enhancements are within the eye of the beholder. 

The XM6 characteristic a foldable design, à la the XM4. Moreover, Sony included a devoted energy button to keep away from button-pressing mixups, in comparison with the XM5, which had a noise cancellation and energy multifunction button. In any other case, the XM6 look virtually equivalent to the XM5.

Additionally: My favourite wi-fi audio dongle for touring simply bought a significant connectivity improve

The XM6 sport extra downward-angled earcups than the XM5, which Sony asserts will assist the microphones choose up your voice higher throughout telephone or video calls. Nonetheless, the sharper earcup angle created a tighter match, which put extra strain on my jaw after a number of hours of damage. 

Battery life and software program options

The XM6’s battery life is not improved in comparison with the XM5, so the brand new era additionally guarantees 30 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled and 40 hours with out. Nonetheless, a brand new characteristic is you could hearken to the XM6 whereas altering them, just like the Beats Studio Professional. Nonetheless, the XM6 don’t assist audio by way of USB-C, and they’ll connect with your listening system by way of Bluetooth whereas charging.

Sony’s headphones are usually stacked with software program options, and the XM6 have all of Sony’s software program bells and whistles. The Sony SoundConnect app consists of equalizer settings, multifunction button customization, Converse-to-Chat, which lowers your music when the headphones sense you are conversing with somebody, location-based noise cancellation, and many extra options. 

Additionally: How I turned these $60 headphones into an audiophile’s dream (with out spending a dime)

A brand new characteristic referred to as Head Gestures lets you reply or decline telephone calls by nodding or shaking your head, which is considered one of my favourite options I take advantage of on my AirPods Professional 2. The XM6 additionally sport contact controls on the floor of the best earcup, that are simply as dependable because the XM5’s. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The brand new Sony WH-1000XM6 show that seemingly small and incremental adjustments between two generations of merchandise could be impactful, helpful, and largely felt. The XM6 are perfect for individuals who worth noise cancellation and sound over type or headphones that make a visible assertion.

You needn’t rush to improve when you already personal the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Extremely. Nonetheless, in case your headphones are a number of years outdated and also you need newer cans for on a regular basis use, you possibly can’t go incorrect with the XM6.

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