New Review: Sony WH-1000XM6 Delivers Near-Flawless Active Noise Cancellation Headphone Experience
Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones are the headliners this year, cranking up the noise-cancelling game once again. Last year's WH-1000XM5 was a tough act to follow, but Sony's team of mad scientists managed to outdo themselves with the XM6.
It's not just about flashy new features; the XM6 has a revamped design that's foldable, a refreshed processor, and more microphones, making it a true titan in the world of active noise-cancelling headphones.
At first glance, you might not notice the subtle refinements Sony has made to the XM6. But once you slide them on, you'll feel the difference. The leatherette over-ear cups create a nice, passive noise-cancelling seal, the headband is wider for better weight distribution on your dome, and they even made them foldable once more. Bravo, Sony!
These bad boys don't come cheap though, setting you back a cool $450. But hey, Apple's AirPods Max sell for $550, so we guess you could say Sony's offering is a bargain.
Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony's WH-1000XM6 are the noise-cancelling headphones to beat this year, thanks to their powerful active noise-cancellation, excellent sound and call quality, comfortable design, and feature-rich companion app.
Pros
- Impressive active noise-cancellation
- High-quality sound and call performance
- Comfortable, foldable design
- Rich companion app
Cons
- Battery life could be longer
- Expensive
The XM6's noise-cancellation tech is leagues ahead of the competition. Armed with a new QN3 processor and 12 upgraded microphones (versus eight on the XM5), as well as AI noise reduction trained on over 500 million voice samples, the XM6 will leave you drowning in blissful silence. No more hearing random smells and noises on the New York City subway. Boooo, hisssss.
But if quiet isn't your thing, don't worry! The XM6's Ambient Sound mode lets you hear what's going on around you while you jam out to your favorite tunes. A nod or a shake of your head lets you answer or reject phone calls, and the touch-sensitive surface on the right ear cup lets you control audio with taps and swipes.
The only downside is the battery life, which is far from terrible but could be longer. But come on, it's 2025. Is there such thing as having too much battery life these days? We think not.
If you're the type that wants to get hands-on with your settings, the Sound Connect app lets you adjust audio settings, play with spatial audio, and customize the double tap and triple tap functions on the NC/AMB button. A word of caution though: the cooler features, like spatial audio and Find Your Equalizer, are tucked away in smaller menus that aren't easy to navigate. So, be prepared to do a little digging.
In the end, the Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones are a refined and feature-packed pair of premium cans that deliver best-in-class noise cancellation and a comfortable design. At $450, they might be a bit pricy, but trust us, they're worth every penny.
See Sony 1000XM6 at Amazon
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are expected to dominate the technology market in 2025, with their advanced noise-cancelling technology, high-quality sound and call performance, and futuristic features making them stand out among competitors. Gizmodo's reviews suggest that they could be the gadget to watch out for in the coming years. The headphones' powerful active noise-cancellation, adjustable settings through the Sound Connect app, and Ambient Sound mode make them a perfect choice for those seeking top-of-the-line technology in the realm of noise-cancelling headphones.
