The new addition to the WH-1000XMX series remains among the best ANC over-ear headphones available. Introduction
This year, Sony released a new addition.
Introduction
This year, Sony released a new addition to the high-end active noise-canceling (ANC) WH-1000X series, following a three-year hiatus. The new WH-1000XM6 model comes with a promise of «the best noise cancellation» (according to Sony’s official website), but also a $50 price hike.
I’ve been an avid user of the series since the WH-1000XM2, so it was a joy to test out the new XM6 and see how well they’re performing in comparison to Sony’s older models.Design and comfort
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are a full-sized pair of over-ear headphones. They come in three colors: Black, Midnight Blue, and Platinum Silver. They feature the standard two buttons on the left ear cup — on/off and a noise-canceling/ambient mode button alongside a 3.5 mm jack and a USB-C port for charging on the right ear cup. With the XM6, Sony has redesigned the power button to a round shape, making it easier to locate by touch. The touch controls remain unchanged from previous models. The headphones are made from the same carbon fiber composite material. The earpads cover my ears perfectly without squishing them. The ear cups are more fingerprint-resistant than the XM5. Overall, they’re comfortable to wear and don’t seem to cause undue sweating or discomfort during long-term usage. Although the headband has noticeably less padding than the XM5, it remains comfortable and doesn’t cause any unpleasantness.
The headphone case is slightly more compact and easier to open, thanks to a magnetic handle that’s more convenient than the zipper used on previous models. Inside, there’s the standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable alongside a short USB-C cable for charging. While the design in general is similar to that of the headphones’ predecessor, the hinges make a big return with the XM6. The headphones can be folded and placed in a more compact case, like models older than the XM5. Arguably, removing the hinges from the XM5 was among the most controversial design decisions Sony made when designing the series.
Personally, I found the folding process finicky and cumbersome compared to previous models. On top of that, the case isn’t that much more compact — it’s only 3 cm shorter and 2 cm narrower. Additionally, the hinge enables the top band to pivot asymmetrically, while the ear cups curve upward and inward from the base of the headphones. Possibly due to this curvature, I found the XM6 to be a bit more challenging to put on correctly, often resulting in the earpads not sealing properly around the ears. A snug fit is important not just for comfort but for optimal ANC performance. More on that later.
Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are well-built and comfortable to wear. In my opinion, the folding feature is somewhat overrated, although that ultimately comes down to personal preference.Software and features
The Sony WH1000XM6 use the Sony Sound Connect app on iOS and Android. The app, previously known as Sony Headphones Connect, has been indispensable for Sony wireless headphones for a number of years.
I personally find the app too bloated and buggy; for example, it’d persistently forget specific settings I’ve turned on or off (such as Speak-to-Chat). On a fresh installation, the app guides the user through cumbersome, unskippable tutorials and other initial setup steps until they can access the device settings. Lately, Sony appears to have removed some impractical features, such as the badges under the Listening activity tab.
