The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones have arrived, promising a refined listening experience and improved noise cancellation. This review delves into the details, examining whether these premium headphones live up to the hype and justify their price tag. We'll explore the unboxing experience, design and comfort, control features, sound quality, noise cancellation performance, battery life, and overall user experience. We’ll also consider whether the upgrades warrant an upgrade for existing XM5 owners, or if they represent a compelling choice for those with older models.This in-depth analysis covers everything from the sleek midnight blue design and convenient foldable earcups to the advanced features like multipoint pairing, the customizable Sony Headphones Connect app, and the impressive battery life. We'll assess the strengths and weaknesses of the WH-1000XM6, providing a balanced perspective to help you determine if these headphones are the right fit for your needs and budget. Get ready to discover if the Sony WH-1000XM6 truly deserve their place at the top of the noise-canceling headphone game.
Pros And Cons
- Lightweight
- Excellent comfort, especially improved compared to XM5 due to widened headband
- Asymmetrical design for easy identification of left and right earcups
- Detachable and replaceable earpads
- Magnetic clasp on the carrying case
- Color-matched carrying case
- Folding and rotating earcup design
- Improved hinge reinforcement
- Good clamping force
- Excellent comfort for long listening sessions and gym use
- 30 hours of battery life with noise cancellation on, 40 hours with noise cancellation off
- 3-minute fast charging provides 3 hours of playback
- USB-C charging
- Best noise cancellation Sony has ever offered (using a new QN3 processor and 12 mics)
- Improved ambient mode with more natural and precise sound
- Auto ambient sound feature (adaptive ambient sound)
- Strong and clean bass response (versatile and responds well to EQ)
- Multipoint connectivity (connect to two devices at once)
- Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 codecs
- LE Audio option (beta) for reduced latency in mobile gaming
- Wear detection for automatic play/pause
- 3.5mm port
- Default EQ is a bit flat, lacking forward mid-range and brighter treble (requires EQ adjustment)
- Call quality could use improvement (XM5 mics may outperform)
- LDAC codec reduces Bluetooth range
- LE Audio has experienced some connection glitches and dropouts in testing (beta feature)
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Unboxing and First Impressions
The unboxing experience was straightforward and environmentally conscious, featuring Sony's sustainable packaging. The headphones came in a compact carrying case, slightly smaller than the XM5's case, but featuring a convenient magnetic clasp and color-matched design. Inside, you'll find the headphones, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and an aux cable.
The midnight blue color of my review unit is sleek and attractive. Initial impressions suggest a comfortable and lightweight design. The foldable and rotating earcups are a welcome return to form from the XM5 model.
Build Quality and Comfort
The WH-1000XM6 boast a lightweight plastic build with internal metal reinforcement. The return of the foldable and rotating earcups improves portability and makes them easy to store. The wider headband compared to the XM5 offers enhanced comfort, especially for those with sensitive scalps or who prefer wearing them for extended periods.
The earcups are similar to the XM5's, detachable, and replaceable, showing attention to durability and long-term use. The asymmetrical design ensures easy identification of the left and right earcups, eliminating any confusion during use.
Controls and Connectivity
The controls are minimal, featuring only two physical buttons: a noise-canceling/ambient mode button and a power/pairing button. The buttons are cleverly designed to feel distinct, preventing accidental presses. The right earcup includes a touch panel for volume control, track skipping, play/pause, and call answering.
The headphones offer multipoint pairing (connecting two devices at once), supporting Bluetooth 5.3 and various codecs including SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3. While lacking Snapdragon Sound, the Bluetooth range is impressive, extending up to 14 meters (AAC codec). LE Audio is supported but currently in beta, showing promise for low-latency gaming.
App Features and Sound Quality
The Sony Headphones Connect app offers extensive customization options. Users can adjust the ambient sound, noise cancellation, and equalizer settings. The app provides different listening modes (standard, background music, cinema), plus several EQ presets and a custom EQ creator.
The default sound signature is warm with solid bass, but lacks the bright treble some might prefer. However, the 10-band EQ allows for significant adjustments to achieve a more personalized sound profile. The bass is strong and clean, performing exceptionally well with bass-heavy tracks like Future's 'Solo'.
Performance: Noise Cancellation, Ambient Mode, and Call Quality
The WH-1000XM6 utilizes a new QN3 processor and 12 microphones for exceptional noise cancellation, notably better than the XM5, particularly with human voices. However, it's not perfect and some ambient sounds will still get through.
Ambient mode is also improved with more natural and precise sound, allowing for better directional awareness. It offers an adaptive mode that automatically adjusts based on the surrounding environment. Call quality is a slight step down from the XM5, requiring some tweaking in my opinion.
Battery Life and Other Features
Battery life is excellent, offering around 30 hours with noise cancellation on and 40 hours with it off. Fast charging provides 3 hours of playback with a 3-minute charge. A USB-C port is used for charging.
Additional features include wear detection (automatic play/pause), voice commands, and head gestures, all customizable through the app. The headphones also include a 3.5mm aux port for wired connections.
Conclusion: Are the Sony WH-1000XM6 Worth It?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 offer subtle but noticeable improvements over the XM5, mainly in noise cancellation, ambient mode, comfort, and portability. The foldable design and wider headband enhance comfort for extended listening sessions.
However, the differences aren't significant enough to justify an upgrade if you already own the XM5. For owners of older models (XM3 or XM4), the XM6 represents a compelling upgrade. The improvements in sound quality are appreciable with EQ adjustments but the default sound lacks the brightness some may prefer. Overall, they're excellent headphones, but consider waiting for sales before purchasing.