Sony WH-1000XM6 – improved noise cancelling, drivers, calls and design
Sony’s flagship wireless headphones, and already one of the best pairs money can buy, get even better, but with a steeper price tag.
As a long-time owner of the WH-1000XM4, I was very interested when Sony launched another update to the line. Since launching in 2016, the 1000X-series have been Sony’s flagship wireless active noise cancelling and a favorite, especially for travellers. Launched in 2022, the WH-1000XM5 brought a new design, but dropping the ability to fold, gave the headphones a less travel-friendly case. The new WH-1000XM6 come to rectify this, bringing back the foldability, as well as a number of other small but meaningful upgrades.
Sony has always been a benchmark for premium quality, and the WH-1000XM6 headphones take it to a new level. They transport me to a different world with their excellent bass, frequency response, soundstage and detail and truthfully represent the sounds of the recordings that we work so hard to make.
Randy Merrill, Mastering Engineer, Sterling Studio
We, as mastering engineers, spend a lot of time with the artists and producers to make their vision sound as intended. With the WH-1000XM6, listeners will have a more enjoyable experience because they’re hearing every emotion, engineering decision, and songwriting choice that the artist and engineer have made.
Mike Piacentini, Battery Studios
Great sound is essential for me when I’m making and listening to music. These new noise canceling headphones make you feel completely inside the music.
Post Malone
First up is a new chip and algorithms. The new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 is 7x faster and the first major chip update since the XM3s. This chip update, along with 12 microphones, up from 8 on the previous model, brings improved active noise cancelling. Adaptive NC Optimizer adjusts in real time to noise, air pressure and wearing style. Auto Ambient Sound adapts to your surroundings in real time, filtering out unwanted noise, while letting in important sounds, such as announcements and conversations. As on previous models, there’s Speak-to-Chat, which automatically pauses the music and switches to ambient mode when the headphones detect you’re talking. Personally I turn this feature off, as I find it can trigger incorrectly at times.
Decent noise cancellation can lead to improved audio quality, by effectively filtering out noises. Improved audio quality also comes to the XM6s via new drivers. These are co-created with mastering engineers from Sterling Sound, Coast Mastering and Battery Studios.
There’s a new advanced six-microphones AI-based beamforming system for calls. This is increased from the four voice mics on the previous generation, which should lead to improved calls in noisy and windy environments. The on-board controls can be used to mute the mics during calls.
The shift from the XM4 to XM5 brought a total redesign to bring the headphones more in line with other sleek and modern wireless headphones. The latest generation instead brings subtle design tweaks to address the complaints on the XM5s. First up, there’s a wider headband covered in synthetic leather with a stepless slider. The headband is now asymmetrical to help you easily identify the left and right side. The ear cups are removable for easy switching as they wear over time. The headphones once again fold up, leading to a more compact carrying case. The case also replaces the zip for a magnetic clasp, which enables one-handed opening and closing.
Continuing with visual changes, the physical controls have been adjusted to make it easier to distinguish between the power and noise canceling/ambient/mic mute buttons. The power button is round, while the other is a line. As with past generations, there’s also a touch panal for further control over playback. The headphones automatically pause or play music when they are removed or placed back on the head. You can answer or reject calls by simply nodding or shaking your head. Google Assistant is available via the “Hey Google” command on Android devices, as well as build-in voice controls for noise cancellation, volume and playback on any device. Quick Access enables automatic play without pulling out your phone, with support for Amazon Music Play Now, Spotify Tap, and Endel.
As on previous models, the WH-1000XM6 feature High-Resolution Audio Wireless, with support for LDAC, transmitting audio at up to 990kbps, which sends approximately 3x more data to your headphones from support devices. The headphones feature Edge-AI and DSEE Extreme, which upscales compressed music files in real time. There’s also 360 Reality Audio Upmix, which transforms stereo to spatial, by analyzing your unique ear shape. Head tracking locks sound in 3D space by detecting your head movements. When paired with BRAVIA TVs, you’ll also get Dolby Atmos and 360 Spatial Sound.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 connect via Bluetooth 5.3, with support for LE Audio, which bring ultra-low latency for gaming on supported devices. There’s also AuraCast, which lets you connect the headphones to other pairs of AuraCast headphones for audio sharing from a single device. As on previous models, there’s Multi-Point and Auto Switch for connection to two devices and fast automatic switching. Microsoft Switch Pair and Google Fast Pair makes one touch pairing possible on Windows or Android devices. When connected to an Android device, you can see where the headphones were last connected in case the headphones are lost.
Scene-based Listening and Adaptive Sound Control uses AI to learn over time about your listening preferences based on activity, environment and location to automatically play music and adjust the noise cancellation level.
The Sony Sound Connect app is available for access to additional settings, including a 10-band EQ and Game EQ, which was developed with Sony’s INZONE gaming gear brand. Background Music Effect provides a virtual spacious feel. You can also customize the noise cancellation/ambient sound settings, as well as the controls.
Last but not least, the battery life on the WH-1000XM6 is good for 30 hours with noise cancelling turned on and 40 hours with it off. Once dead, a quick 3-minute charge will provide up to 3 hours of listening. There’s an included 1.2 meter 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable and a short USB-C to USB-A charging cable. You can now charge and listen at the same time, however unfortunately you still can’t transmit audio over the USB-C cable, a feature loved by those looking for increased audio quality. If you’re charging the headphones, you’ll need to either connect via Bluetooth or with a 3.5mm audio cable.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are available to order today on Amazon for $448, which is around $50 more than the launch price of the XM5s. They are available in Black, Platinum Silver or Midnight Blue. Sony has dropped the pink hue available on the XM5s, however the previous generation launched in only two colors before adding more later down the line, so we might see additional colors soon.
If you’re not fussed by the new features, you can grab a pair of the WH-1000XM5 for $298 on Amazon, a solid $150 saving. After something different to Sony but equally high-end? You can get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra for $399 or the Apple AirPods Max for $479.
