Sony WH-1000XM6 review – The best headphones today, with a convenient foldable design, are back. They feature a powerful QN3 HD processor, significantly improved noise cancellation, and studio-quality sound.
As an audiophile who regularly experiences premium headphones from popular to high-end, I was highly excited when Sony officially launched the WH-1000XM6. After 3 years of waiting since the XM5, is this new generation convincing enough to deserve the title of “best over-ear headphones with ANC”?
Known for its world-class noise cancellation and distinctive sound quality, the WH-1000XM6 promises to bring significant improvements in design, technology, and user experience. In this Sony WH-1000XM6 quick review article, let’s explore whether this Bluetooth headset is genuinely worth the investment, considering its price of over $450.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Review
Unboxing
The wireless phone headphones box is not too different from the previous generation, still maintaining the environmental protection philosophy with the main white tone.
As soon as I got my hands on the Sony WH-1000XM6, the completely redesigned carrying case immediately impressed me compared to the XM5. Sony listened to user feedback that the XM5 carrying case was too bulky and inconvenient to carry. This time, the carrying case is significantly more compact, featuring a magnetic flap instead of a zip lock, as before.
The feeling of opening and closing is very satisfying. The magnet is quite strong, so there’s no need to worry about it coming loose during transportation. The surface of the box has a slightly rough texture, which helps to hold it firmly in place and prevent it from slipping. When holding it in my hand, I can feel the firmness and solidity of the material.
Inside the box, Sony has arranged the accessories in a scientific and neat manner. The headphones are placed in the middle, next to the compartment for the USB-C charging cable. The charging cable is approximately 30cm long, providing a comfortable charging distance without being too long to confuse.
Familiar Foldable Design
Sony has brought back the foldable design loved since the XM4 era, making the WH-1000XM6 feel great in hand. This is probably Sony’s most intelligent decision in this generation. Unlike the non-foldable XM5, which made many users uncomfortable, the XM6 utilizes advanced metal injection techniques to create a seamless and highly durable folding joint.
When I folded the headphones, I heard a small, solid “click” sound, indicating that the locking mechanism was working well. The folding joint is designed at the perfect angle, allowing the headphones to fit neatly in the case without being squeezed or deformed.
Comfort for Long Sessions
In terms of weight, the headset weighs only 254g, which is lighter than many competitors in the same segment, such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sennheiser Momentum 4. When worn on the head, I hardly feel any pressure or fatigue, even after 3-4 hours of continuous use. This is a significant advantage for those who need to use headphones for extended periods of time.
Sony has completely redesigned the headband with a 20% increase in width compared to the XM5. The vegan leather used is soft and breathable. Inside the leather layer is a high-quality memory foam cushion that retains the shape of the user’s head and distributes weight evenly. The headband can be flexibly adjusted to 8 different levels, making it suitable for all head sizes.
The earcup is designed to be oval, following the shape of the human ear, with ear cushions made of high-quality protein leather. The surface in contact with the skin is very soft and non-irritating, even when worn for extended periods of time. I tried wearing it in hot and humid weather conditions and did not feel sweaty or uncomfortable.
Refined Controls and User Interaction
The control area is scientifically arranged on both sides of the headset. On the right ear is a large touch panel, 15% larger than the XM5, allowing for more precise operation. The touch surface has a light texture to help users easily locate their hand position. On the left ear is a concentration of physical buttons, including the power button with an LED status indicator, a noise cancellation mode switch button, and a carefully covered USB-C charging port.
Best Over-ear Headphones with ANC & Mic
The biggest highlight when getting your hands on the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the all-new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 chip. The QN3 chip is 7 times faster than the QN1 on the XM5 while consuming 20% less power. This means that wireless headphones for phones can handle more complex tasks while still ensuring long battery life.
They have significantly upgraded the microphone system, increasing the count from 8 to 12. Each earbud now includes six strategically placed microphones—four on the outer edge and two on the inside. A special windproof mesh protects the outer microphones, helping them reduce wind noise during outdoor use. The built-in AI beamforming technology allows the system to focus on the user’s voice and filter out unwanted sounds.
Sony has significantly improved the noise cancellation on the WH-1000XM6 by about 20–30% compared to the XM5, especially for low-frequency sounds like engine noise, air conditioning, and traffic.
The Adaptive NC Optimiser works in real-time, continuously analyzing the environment and adjusting the noise cancellation level accordingly. The system is so advanced that it can distinguish between steady and sudden noise and respond accordingly.
Features and App support
Scene-based Listening is a new technology that Sony has integrated into the XM6. The system utilizes AI to recognize the user’s activity, whether walking, sitting still, or in a vehicle, and automatically adjusts the sound profile and noise cancellation level accordingly.
The Quick Access feature enables you to play music with just one touch on the touch panel, even when the headset is off. This is very convenient when you want to listen to music immediately without having to turn on the headset and then open the music app on your phone.
Multi-point connection supports simultaneous connections with two devices, allowing me to listen to music from my laptop and receive calls from my phone without needing to disconnect. This feature works very smoothly; switching between devices happens automatically and without significant delay.
Additionally, Sony’s Sound Connect application allows users to easily customize various features, including enabling or disabling noise cancellation and crosstalk, adjusting the equalizer (EQ), and setting up control operations for headphones.
Sound Quality
In this Sony WH-1000XM6 review, one of the most impressive upgrades is the significant leap in sound quality. Sony spared no effort in cooperating with world-famous sound studios, including Sterling Sound in New York, Battery Studios in London, and Coast Mastering in California. This cooperation is not just marketing, but it also brings significant improvements in sound quality.
The all-new 30mm driver is made from an advanced carbon fiber composite material, similar to the one used by Sony in its high-end Walkman players. This material is both highly rigid and flexible, allowing for accurate sound reproduction across the entire frequency range, from the lowest to the highest frequencies.
The bass range on the Sony WH-1000XM6 is deeper and more controlled than the XM5. When I listen to electronic or hip-hop music, I clearly feel the strong bass, but it doesn’t muffle or overpower the other frequencies.
The mid-range, where most of the vocals and instruments are concentrated, is specially taken care of by Sony. Male vocals are warm and natural, not thin like those of some other headphones in this segment. Female vocals are sweet and detailed. The treble range is bright and thorough but not harsh or tiring.
The 360 Reality Audio Upmix for Cinema feature transforms regular stereo sound into surround sound when watching movies. I tried it with some action movies, and it felt like I was sitting in a movie theater. The sound moved naturally around my ears, creating a great immersive feeling.
The 10-band EQ in the Sony Headphones Connect app allows for detailed customization to suit individual preferences. I can precisely adjust each frequency band, creating a unique sound signature for each music genre.
Battery life & Pairing
The Sony WH-1000XM6 boasts an impressive battery life of approximately 30 hours with noise cancellation enabled and up to 40 hours with it disabled. The quick charge feature is helpful in emergencies. Just 3 minutes of charging can give you 3 hours of music, enough for a short trip.
The Bluetooth 5.3 connection provides stability, and during use, I have not encountered any disconnections or lags. The connection range can reach up to 10 meters in open space and still maintains a stable connection even with light obstacles, such as walls.
Quick Pair with Android devices works great. Simply turn on the headset for the first time, and the phone will automatically display a pairing notification; there’s no need to navigate complicated Bluetooth settings.
Final Line
Sony’s new noise-cancelling headphones are priced at $449.99 on Amazon.com or £399 on Amazon.co.uk. The significantly higher price compared to the XM5 (approx. $368 / £249 on Amazon) may deter many people. If you’re already using the XM5 and it performs well for you, you probably don’t need to upgrade to the XM6. However, if you’re using the XM4 or other headphones and want to experience the best noise-canceling technology available, the XM6 is worth considering.
Through the Sony WH-1000XM6 review article, it is evident that Sony has created a comprehensive upgrade for the WH-1000XM6, featuring improved build quality, a slightly revised design that is more practical, a powerful processing chip for superior noise cancellation, and comprehensively upgraded sound quality with new drivers.
Also see: Corsair Void Wireless V2 Headphones Review
The WH-1000XM6 isn’t trying to wow you with flash — it fixes what needs fixing and leaves the rest out. The foldable design makes it easier to live with. Noise cancellation goes deeper without draining the battery. Calls sound cleaner. The music feels more alive and less confined. It handles daily use without fuss. Pricey? Yes. But if you’re done with hype and want headphones that hold up, the XM6 earns its spot.
