Flagship alert from Sony, as the Japanese manufacturer is relaunching its top model in the over-ear headphones segment with active noise cancellation (ANC). The new Sony WH-1000XM6 are once again set to impress with their robust design, brilliant sound and outstanding noise suppression. In direct comparison to the previous generation, which is now three years old, there is finally a foldable design again. So is everything perfect? Find out in our Sony WH-1000XM6 Review.
Technical data
| The product | WH1000-XM6 |
| Design | Over-ear (closed) |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth codecs | AAC, SBC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Maximum range | 15 meters |
| Battery life | Up to 30 hours (with ANC); Up to 40 hours (without ANC) |
| Driver | 30 mm neodymium |
| Frequency range (headphones) | 4 – 40,000 Hz (via cable); 20 – 40,000 Hz (via Bluetooth with LDAC) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth; 3.5 mm jack; USB-C |
| Weight | 254 g |
| Color variants | Goji black; Midnight blue; Platinum silver |
| Special features | Wearer detection; Spatial audio with head tracking; DSEE Extreme; Multipoint |
| price | € 449.00 * |
Sony WH-1000XM6 Review: Familiar look, improved in nuances
- Elegant, improved design
- excellent wearing comfort
- Very high-quality workmanship
The design of the Sony WH-1000XM6, available in black, blue or white, is strongly reminiscent of the Sony WH-1000XM5. And yet the manufacturer has modernized the construction and shape in some areas.
Above all, the flat outer sides of the ear cups have remained, with the right side serving as a touch surface for operation. The flat headband is now much rounder with the new edition and is slightly wider and more padded.
The new look is pleasing, as it appears much more modern and coherent than its predecessor. The velvety soft plastic construction does full justice to the high (and once again increased) price, even though the manufacturer has dispensed with aluminum components.
Nevertheless, the Sony WH-1000XM6 feel absolutely high-quality, while the plastic keeps the weight down. At 254 grams, the over-ear headphones are noticeably lighter than many competitors such as the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4 (our test) or the beyerdynamic Aventho 300 (our test). And this noticeably benefits the wearing comfort, which is absolutely excellent.
The most important innovation, however, eliminates the biggest criticism of the WH1000-XM5, because Sony’s new top model finally uses a foldable design again. The robust hinges allow you to twist in the ear cups and fold them inwards. Perfect for anyone who wants to transport the headphones on the go to save space.
The new transport case, which holds the headphones when folded and comes with a practical magnetic closure, is also perfect for taking with you. It also has an additional mesh pocket that holds the 3.5 mm jack cable and the USB charging cable.
However, Sony once again has to take criticism for the padding. Not because they are not big or soft enough – that is by no means the case. However, like the plastic surface, they are very susceptible to stains and dirt. After just a few hours of wear, the headphones no longer look as new as you would wish. This was already the case with the previous models. Annoying.
Features and operation
- Bluetooth 5.3 with Multipoint
- High-resolution LDAC codec
- Cable operation; wearer identification
When it comes to the features of the Sony WH-1000XM6, absolutely nothing is left to be desired. The headphones use modern Bluetooth 5.3 with Low Energy for an excellent wireless range and high connection quality. Auracast is also included, but is only available in conjunction with Android devices.
Of course, the headphones also support Sony’s high-resolution LDAC audio codec, while Spatial Audio and 360-degree Reality Audio provide spatial, immersive sound. Bluetooth multipoint also allows you to connect to two audio sources simultaneously and those who prefer wired listening can also do so thanks to the 3.5 mm jack connection.
It’s a shame, however, that music playback via USB-C cable is unfortunately not supported, unlike with beyerdynamic, for example.
Instead, there is a very reliable wear detection function that automatically pauses or resumes playback when you take off or put on the headphones, as well as the excellent Speak-to-Chat function. The latter automatically switches to transparency mode when the headphones recognize your voice. After an adjustable time (15 seconds by default without a recognized voice), the WH-1000XM6 then automatically switch back to ANC mode. And this works better with Sony than with any other manufacturer.
Excellent operation, confusing app
- Precise touch operation
- Customizable controls
- somewhat confusing app
In terms of operation, the Sony WH-1000XM6 rely on a convincing touch control, which is realized via the outer right side of the ear cups. This relies primarily on swiping movements and can be customized within the companion app.
A double tap pauses or resumes playback, a tap in the middle followed by a swipe up or down increases or decreases the volume, while the same command to the left or right jumps to the next or previous song.
The only exception to this is the “NC/AMB” button, which can be found on the inside left. This switches, who would have thought it, between ANC function and ambient mode (transparency mode). However, its function can also be changed within the companion app. Quick functions can be added for a single, double or triple press. These include, for example, Spotify Tap or switching the microphone on and off during a phone call.
Keyword app: The new Sound Connect app for Android and iOS replaces the previous Headphones Connect application. And even though the app and its functions are absolutely powerful, the confusing design often causes confusion.
In addition to the start page, you will find three additional tabs called “Scene”, “Discover” and “Menu”. However, these are largely uninteresting. You can only find the most important settings of the Sony WH-1000XM6 if you click on the noise suppression on the start page, for example.
Only then will the three main tabs open up, namely “Sound”, “System” and “Services”. And only here are the really interesting and important settings such as the adjustable equalizer, Speak-to-Chat, intensity of the transparency mode or surround sound.
Why Sony hides these settings in a sub-menu is a complete mystery to me. Let’s hope that an update will be released as soon as possible to put these functions on the main page.
Sony WH-1000XM6 weakens in terms of battery life
- 30 hours runtime with ANC
- 40 hours runtime without ANC
- 3.5 hours charging time
Unfortunately, there are no changes to the battery compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5. This means that with a fully charged battery, the headphones offer a runtime of 30 hours with active noise canceling and 40 hours without ANC.
A decent value that will easily get you through a day. However, this no longer seems really up to date, as the competition can easily last 60-70 hours. A full charge of the Sony headphones takes around 3.5 hours.
Sound quality, ANC and microphones
Size isn’t everything and the Sony WH-1000XM6 prove this impressively. The manufacturer has placed drivers with a diameter of 30 mm under the ear pads, while many competitors advertise 40 mm or even 50 mm. The drivers are equipped with neodymium magnets and offer an impedance of 48 ohms and a frequency response of 4 to 40,000 Hz via cable or 20 to 40,000 Hz via Bluetooth in LDAC codec.
Despite the smaller drivers, the XM6 deliver an incredibly detailed and pleasing sound. Compared to its predecessor, the bass range has been significantly reduced and the sound is noticeably more neutral and balanced. However, this doesn’t mean that the XM6s don’t have any oomph: quite the opposite.
The low-frequency range is pleasantly detailed and clear and provides pleasure in the low bass range, where the XM5s were much muddier and less defined. The rather warm mix of the sound image is extremely pleasing and copes well with almost all genres, but the new edition lacks a little bit of brilliance in the low mids.
On the other hand, the headphones deliver pleasantly detailed and airy highs that manage without any unsightly sharpness, even at high volumes. The mids also sound more detailed and natural compared to the XM5, which generally culminates in a noticeably more coherent, fuller and more spacious sound. Very good, Sony!
It’s not enough for the top spot in terms of sound quality, but Sony is close. A step in the right direction.
The new ANC king
Anyone looking for the best active noise cancellation in headphones has been looking no further than Sony for several years now. Anyone who thought that the Japanese couldn’t improve performance any further will be proven wrong with the Sony WH-1000XM6.
All the marketing chatter such as “next-generation noise-canceling” and other phrases are backed up by Sony’s actions. In short, the Sony WH-1000XM6 offer the best ANC I’ve ever heard.
If you activate the ANC function, the headphones completely envelop you in silence. And this is equally outstanding across all frequencies. Robot vacuum cleaner? Typing on the keyboard? Cars driving past? Or the building site next door? I heard almost none of this when testing the XM6. At the same time, the active noise suppression impresses with a non-existent background noise and a sound that doesn’t change compared to normal mode.
The headphones also cope perfectly with changes in air pressure and the like, which is due to the new adaptive NC Optimizer. This adapts to external noises, air pressure and even the fit, ensuring an uninterrupted, consistently high-quality sound experience.
As is typical for Sony, there is of course once again adaptive noise suppression including location detection. The headphones recognize what’s going on around you: “Stay”, “Walk” or “During transport” are available in the app, all of which can be assigned various actions such as ANC or transparency mode. The latter also sounds pleasantly natural and detailed and can be adjusted in 20 levels of intensity.
Very good microphone quality
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are also among the best Bluetooth headphones in terms of microphone quality. Voice intelligibility is at a very good level, while your own voice is presented with pleasant clarity and detail – for Bluetooth headphones, of course.
Sony WH-1000XM6 microphone test recording:
Microphone test recording Marshall Monitor III ANC:
Microphone test recording Bose QuietComfort 45:
Only in loud environments does the level of detail in the voice decrease somewhat, so you have to speak noticeably louder. Nevertheless, the ambient noise suppression also cuts a good figure. The headphones are undoubtedly very suitable for making phone calls.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Review: Conclusion
Once again, Sony has succeeded in further improving an excellent product. The new Sony WH-1000XM6 build on the strengths of the model series and make further improvements in the core areas.
Above all, the new ANC headphones deliver a more neutral, pleasant and equally detailed sound that is truly captivating. The top model even sets new standards in active noise suppression: no competitor is able to block out the surroundings so superbly.
Sony pairs this with a more coherent look, excellent wearing comfort and the return of the foldable design that fans sorely missed in the previous generation. Nevertheless, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are not entirely free of criticism. The battery life is only average, the companion app is a little too confusing and some competitors have now mastered music playback via USB-C.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are not the over-ear headphones with the best sound or the most durable battery. But they are the ones with the most well-rounded, coherent overall package – and the best noise cancellation.
- Unrivaled ANC
- Warm, vibrant sound
- Foldable design
- Excellent wearing comfort
- Powerful microphones
- High-quality workmanship
- Good touch control
- No USB audio
- Confused app
- Battery life only average
Sony WH-1000XM6
Workmanship
Wearing comfort
Sound quality
Noise canceling
Features
Value For Money
94/100
Outstanding over-ear headphones with great sound, harmonious wearing comfort and unrivaled active noise suppression.
