Sony WH-1000XM6 evaluation: An audio heavyweight with a number of caveats

Assessment: Sony WF-1000XM6

Like all headphones, turning off ANC or ambient noise creates a extra impartial sound that most individuals might discover boring or uninspiring. Nevertheless, 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 have interaction dynamic tuning with added noise options turned on, and the XM6 are not any totally different. Turning on noise cancellation or ambient sound brings extra shade and vibrancy, making a extra pleasing 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.

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Like Bose’s proprietary Immersive Audio, Sony’s customized spatial audio may 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 the most effective performer since their late 2023 launch. Nevertheless, the XM6 give them a severe run for his or her cash. I wore them in bustling espresso outlets, to the fitness center 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 together with his associates.

The XM6’s noise-canceling efficiency is unbelievable, 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: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5: Are the newest Sony headphones definitely worth the improve?

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

Even the most effective 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. The microphone high quality for telephone calls is unbelievable, and the ambient noise mode provides a major quantity of sidetone, permitting you to listen to your self speak as properly. Sony says including 4 extra beamforming microphones is accountable for clearer name high quality.

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

Design and luxury

The design of Sony’s WH-1000X line of flagship over-ear headphones has all the time been utilitarian and purposeful, moderately than flashy, eye-catching, or significantly beautiful. 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 tip person, and enhanced aesthetics from these enhancements are within the eye of the beholder. 

The XM6 function a foldable design, à la the XM4. Moreover, Sony included a devoted energy button to keep away from button-pressing mix-ups, in contrast to the XM5, which had a multifunction button for noise cancellation and energy. In any other case, the XM6 look nearly similar to the XM5.

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The XM6 sport extra downward-angled earcups than the XM5, which Sony asserts will assist the microphones decide up your voice higher throughout telephone or video calls. Nevertheless, 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. Nevertheless, a brand new function is that you could take heed to the XM6 whereas altering them, just like the Beats Studio Professional. Nevertheless, the XM6 don’t help audio by way of USB-C, and they’re going to 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 options equalizer settings, customizable multifunction button choices, Communicate-to-Chat, which lowers your music quantity when the headphones detect dialog, location-based noise cancellation, and extra. 

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A brand new function known as Head Gestures permits you to reply or decline telephone calls by nodding or shaking your head, which is one among my favourite options I exploit on my AirPods Professional 2. The XM6 additionally sport contact controls on the floor of the suitable earcup, that are simply as dependable because the XM5’s. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

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

You need not rush to improve in case you already personal the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Extremely. Nevertheless, in case your headphones are a number of years outdated and also you’re on the lookout for newer ones for on a regular basis use, you may’t go unsuitable with the XM6.

This story was first revealed on Might 14, 2025, and was up to date on March 6, 2026 to mirror a formatting change and replace associated articles.