Assessment: I in contrast Sony’s new XM6 headphones to the competitors

Desk of Contents

On Might 15, Sony launched its newest flagship product, the noise-cancelling WH-1000XM6 headphones. It has been three lengthy years because the previous-generation XM5 headphones had been launched, and there may be one main design change: The headphones now fold up for simple portability.

In any other case, I might class the modifications as extra iterative than progressive, however if you’d like best-in-class noise-cancellling headphones and pristine audio high quality, the headphones ship — with a catch. The brand new Sony XM6 headphones are about $50 costlier than the XM5s.

The almost certainly clarification for the worth enhance? Tariffs, after all. There’s been a rash of tech value hikes currently, however let’s not go there.

So, how do the brand new Sony headphones sound? I have been testing the headphones forward of their official launch, and I consider they (principally) justify their $449.99 price ticket. We’ll be updating this overview as we spend extra time with these wi-fi headphones, however let’s dive into my first-hand impressions.

You may also watch my Sony XM6 headphones overview in video kind, for those who want:

Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones overview: How do they sound?

When testing the XM6 headphones, I in contrast them to different elite wi-fi headphones and earbuds. Particularly, I’ve additionally examined the Sony XM5 headphones, Dyson OnTrac headphones, Bose QuietComfort Extremely, and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, amongst others. Sony’s new flagship headphones positively maintain their very own amongst different flagship cans and buds, however do they provide the most effective sound I’ve ever encountered? Not fairly.

The brand new Sony headphones supply spectacular audio high quality, they usually positively enhance on the XM5 fashions. The lively noise cancellation is especially phenomenal (extra on that beneath). I actually appreciated the general steadiness, depth, and high quality of the audio. For the XM6, Sony audio engineers labored with music mastering engineers right here in the US, and the outcomes are clear while you hearken to music. Like all headphone reviewers, I’ve a devoted playlist for testing new audio merchandise, and I discovered that vocal-heavy tracks sound notably nice, with noticeable enhancements over the XM5s.

Whereas I are inclined to have weaker bass listening to, I had no bother selecting out the bass line in my favourite Radiohead tracks. As for the mid- and high-frequency vary, the vocals on tracks like “Hello” from Adele and “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi rang out clearly, as did the strings in traditional Mozart symphonies.

Nonetheless, I did have one small drawback with the audio, which is a disappointment for a pair of $450 headphones. On extraordinarily layered tracks like “National Anthem” from Radiohead or “Outro” by M83, I discovered the sound slightly missing in readability. I would not go as far as to name it muddy, however the soundscape did blur a contact. I additionally discovered that to actually admire all of the richness of the XM6 sound, I needed to flip the quantity up slightly greater than I might like.

Truthfully, I feel the Technics AZ100 earbuds have simply ruined me for different audio merchandise, as the most recent Technics driver actually has no equal when it comes to readability. Nonetheless, these headphones do sound very spectacular, they usually cross the “bop” check. As in, how a lot did I bop my head and play air drums whereas listening to my favourite music? If you happen to’re a music lover, I do not suppose you will be disenchanted with these cans.

Yet another notice: If you happen to love big-thumping bass, as I famous in my video overview above, go for the Sony ULT headphones, which prioritize bass.

Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones overview: What’s new?

The newly launched XM6 headphones fold up for portability.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Sony launched one main design change with the XM6 headphones: They now fold up for portability. The journey case can also be sturdier (the XM5 journey case was really horrible), with a magnetic closure as an alternative of a really breakable zipper. The case could not look that a lot smaller in images, however while you’re stuffing them right into a backpack, the compact dimension and form make an enormous distinction.

The brand new storage case (left) and the outdated (proper).
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Sony additionally added a brand new processor to the headphones. The brand new Sony QN3 processor is seven instances sooner, in response to Sony, and powers improved adaptive noise cancellation and higher name high quality due to “AI beamforming” tech. Sony additionally added extra microphones (12 versus the eight within the XM5) for improved noise cancellation. For cellphone calls, there are six devoted mics as an alternative of 4.

The headscarf design has additionally been tweaked for improved consolation, and I’ve to say these headphones are extraordinarily snug. Even whereas carrying all of them day on the workplace, I did not have any points with consolation or ear fatigue.

The Sony XM6 headphones have easy-to-use contact controls and a redesigned ANC button.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

The brand new storage case can also be extra compact.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones overview: What’s not new?

After three years, you may need hoped for greater modifications. I actually did. Whereas the foldable design is a much-appreciated change, and whereas there are enhancements to sound, these are variations of levels, not miles. Sony additionally made no enhancements to battery life. The XM6 headphones have the identical 30-hour battery life (with ANC engaged) because the final mannequin. In my Dyson OnTrac overview, I famous that Dyson hid further battery packs within the headband to energy its unbelievable 55-hour battery, however Sony appears to have opted for foldability over a battery enchancment.

The general aesthetic continues to be recognizably Sony, so for those who preferred the look of the XM5 headphones, you will like the brand new design as properly.

Are you able to inform the distinction between the XM5 and XM6 at a look?
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

To me, in addition they show that headphones have considerably plateaued. Simply take a look at the latest Apple AirPods Max headphones, which added USB-C charging and never a lot else with their most up-to-date replace. I think about Sony and Apple audio engineers reluctantly telling their bosses, “We can’t make the drivers any better than they already are!” That is not completely truthful, as Sony did make some tweaks for improved vocals (which you’ll actually hear), however I do suppose we’re reaching the height of headphone high quality, barring an enormous development in audio know-how.

Two extra vital notes: First, the multi-point pairing right here is completely seamless. I might change between my iPhone and MacBook with no points. Second, now you can hearken to music and cost the headphones on the identical time.

Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones overview: The ANC is unbelievable

Sony’s flagship headphones have at all times been on the head of the pack with noise cancellation, and that legacy continues right here. The ANC within the XM6 is nearly as good as or higher than any I’ve ever heard.

Good noise cancellation ought to really feel slightly bit like magic. When the ANC engages, it is best to immediately step right into a bubble of silence, and that is what you get right here. With music enjoying, the noise cancellation is close to excellent. Positive, on the subway, some sounds get by, however underneath regular listening circumstances, it is spooky how sounds disappear. I like to make use of these headphones at work for his or her noise cancellation (with no music enjoying) simply so I can focus higher.

The ANC on the brand new flagship Sony headphones works like magic.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

On the draw back, whereas Sony says these headphones have adaptive noise cancellation, they do not actually supply a lot personalization. Some Bose headphones (and the Technics earbuds I discussed) allow you to fine-tune the ANC settings to your liking, which might have been a pleasant addition.

The brand new Sony XM6 Headphones: Simply the specs

• Processor: Sony QN3

• Microphones: 12

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (LDAC help)

• Battery: 30 hours with ANC (40 hours with out)

• Cost time: ~3.5 hours

• Noise cancellation: Energetic noise cancellation

• Spatial audio: Sure

• Colours: Midnight blue, black, silver

• Inputs: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack

• Fast cost: 3 hours in 3 minutes

Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones: Are they value it?

I say sure, completely. Whereas I would not say these headphones ship the finest sound I’ve ever heard, they arrive shut. Add to that elite noise cancellation, a cushty match, and a travel-friendly design, and you’ve got flagship headphones that justify their $450 price ticket. That being mentioned, they don’t seem to be an prompt improve for those who already personal the XM5 headphones. However you probably have an older pair, need LDAC help, or similar to the Sony product ecosystem, they seem to be a worthy buy, little question.

Whereas we do not love seeing a value enhance, it has been three years since we bought the XM5s. On prime of that, different flagship headphones from manufacturers like Bose, Dyson, Sonos, and Apple have all are available in at $449 and above. If you happen to’re a music lover who desires the very best sound, that is the brand new value of admission, of us.

You should buy the brand new Sony headphones now for $449.99 at Sony, Amazon, and Finest Purchase.