On May 15, Sony launched its latest flagship product, the noise-cancelling WH-1000XM6 headphones. It's been three long years since the previous-generation XM5 headphones were released, and there is one major design change: The headphones now fold up for easy portability.
Otherwise, I'd class the changes as more iterative than innovative, but if you want best-in-class noise-cancellling headphones and pristine audio quality, the headphones deliver — with a catch. The new Sony XM6 headphones are about $50 more expensive than the XM5s.
The most likely explanation for the price increase? Tariffs, of course. There's been a rash of tech price hikes lately, but let's not go there.
So, how do the new Sony headphones sound? I've been testing the headphones ahead of their official launch, and I believe they (mostly) justify their $449.99 price tag. We'll be updating this review as we spend more time with these wireless headphones, but let's dive into my first-hand impressions.
You can also watch my Sony XM6 headphones review in video form, if you prefer:
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones review: How do they sound?
When testing the XM6 headphones, I compared them to other elite wireless headphones and earbuds. Specifically, I've also tested the Sony XM5 headphones, Dyson OnTrac headphones, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, among others. Sony's new flagship headphones definitely hold their own among other flagship cans and buds, but do they offer the best sound I've ever encountered? Not quite.
The new Sony headphones offer impressive audio quality, and they definitely improve on the XM5 models. The active noise cancellation is particularly phenomenal (more on that below). I really appreciated the overall balance, depth, and quality of the audio. For the XM6, Sony audio engineers worked with music mastering engineers here in the United States, and the results are clear when you listen to music. Like all headphone reviewers, I have a dedicated playlist for testing new audio products, and I found that vocal-heavy tracks sound particularly great, with noticeable improvements over the XM5s.
While I tend to have weaker bass hearing, I had no trouble picking out the bass line in my favorite Radiohead tracks. As for the mid- and high-frequency range, the vocals on tracks like "Hello" from Adele and "Someone You Loved" by Lewis Capaldi rang out clearly, as did the strings in classic Mozart symphonies.
However, I did have one small problem with the audio, which is a disappointment for a pair of $450 headphones. On extremely layered tracks like "National Anthem" from Radiohead or "Outro" by M83, I found the sound a little lacking in clarity. I wouldn't go so far as to call it muddy, but the soundscape did blur a touch. I also found that to truly appreciate all the richness of the XM6 sound, I had to turn the volume up a little higher than I'd like.
Honestly, I think the Technics AZ100 earbuds have just ruined me for other audio products, as the latest Technics driver really has no equal in terms of clarity. Still, these headphones do sound very impressive, and they pass the "bop" test. As in, how much did I bop my head and play air drums while listening to my favorite music? If you're a music lover, I don't think you'll be disappointed with these cans.
One more note: If you love big-thumping bass, as I noted in my video review above, opt for the Sony ULT headphones, which prioritize bass.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones review: What's new?
Sony introduced one major design change with the XM6 headphones: They now fold up for portability. The travel case is also sturdier (the XM5 travel case was truly terrible), with a magnetic closure instead of a very breakable zipper. The case may not look that much smaller in photos, but when you're stuffing them into a backpack, the compact size and shape make a big difference.
Sony also added a new processor to the headphones. The new Sony QN3 processor is seven times faster, according to Sony, and powers improved adaptive noise cancellation and better call quality thanks to "AI beamforming" tech. Sony also added additional microphones (12 versus the eight in the XM5) for improved noise cancellation. For phone calls, there are six dedicated mics instead of four.
The headband design has also been tweaked for improved comfort, and I have to say these headphones are extremely comfortable. Even while wearing them all day at the office, I didn't have any issues with comfort or ear fatigue.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones review: What's not new?
After three years, you might have hoped for bigger changes. I certainly did. While the foldable design is a much-appreciated change, and while there are improvements to sound, those are differences of degrees, not miles. Sony also made no improvements to battery life. The XM6 headphones have the same 30-hour battery life (with ANC engaged) as the last model. In my Dyson OnTrac review, I noted that Dyson hid extra battery packs in the headband to power its incredible 55-hour battery, but Sony seems to have opted for foldability over a battery improvement.
The overall aesthetic is still recognizably Sony, so if you liked the look of the XM5 headphones, you'll like the new design as well.
To me, they also prove that headphones have somewhat plateaued. Just look at the newest Apple AirPods Max headphones, which added USB-C charging and not much else with their most recent update. I imagine Sony and Apple audio engineers reluctantly telling their bosses, "We can't make the drivers any better than they already are!" That's not entirely fair, as Sony did make some tweaks for improved vocals (which you can really hear), but I do think we're reaching the peak of headphone quality, barring a big advancement in audio technology.
Two more important notes: First, the multi-point pairing here is absolutely seamless. I could switch between my iPhone and MacBook with no issues. Second, you can now listen to music and charge the headphones at the same time.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones review: The ANC is incredible
Sony's flagship headphones have always been at the head of the pack with noise cancellation, and that legacy continues here. The ANC in the XM6 is as good as or better than any I've ever heard.
Good noise cancellation should feel a little bit like magic. When the ANC engages, you should instantly step into a bubble of silence, and that's what you get here. With music playing, the noise cancellation is near perfect. Sure, on the subway, some sounds get through, but under normal listening conditions, it's spooky how sounds disappear. I like to use these headphones at work for their noise cancellation (with no music playing) just so I can focus better.
On the downside, while Sony says these headphones have adaptive noise cancellation, they don't really offer much personalization. Some Bose headphones (and the Technics earbuds I mentioned) let you fine-tune the ANC settings to your liking, which would have been a nice addition.
The new Sony XM6 Headphones: Just the specs
Processor: Sony QN3
Microphones: 12
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (LDAC support)
Battery: 30 hours with ANC (40 hours without)
Charge time: ~3.5 hours
Noise cancellation: Active noise cancellation
Spatial audio: Yes
Colors: Midnight blue, black, silver
Inputs: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack
Quick charge: 3 hours in 3 minutes
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones: Are they worth it?
I say yes, absolutely. While I wouldn't say these headphones deliver the best sound I've ever heard, they come close. Add to that elite noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a travel-friendly design, and you have flagship headphones that justify their $450 price tag. That being said, they're not an instant upgrade if you already own the XM5 headphones. But if you have an older pair, want LDAC support, or just like the Sony product ecosystem, they're a worthy purchase, no doubt.
While we don't love seeing a price increase, it has been three years since we got the XM5s. On top of that, other flagship headphones from brands like Bose, Dyson, Sonos, and Apple have all come in at $449 and above. If you're a music lover who wants the best possible sound, that's the new price of admission, folks.
You can buy the new Sony headphones now for $449.99 at Sony, Amazon, and Best Buy.
