Desk of Contents
On Might 15, Sony launched its latest flagship headphones, the noise-cancelling WH-1000XM6 headphones. The brand new headphones have improved noise cancellation and sound, however there is a catch — they price $449.99. That is about $50 greater than the earlier model, and hardly a shock within the tariff period. Nonetheless, that is a giant ask for music lovers.
As I famous in my full evaluate, “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.”
Mashable has been testing the brand new wi-fi headphones over the previous couple weeks, and you’ll learn our full evaluate of the brand new cans (spoiler alert: they sound unbelievable). However in case you’re able to cross go, drop $450, and accumulate your new headphones, you’ll be able to already buy them at Sony, Amazon, Finest Purchase, and different retailers.
Sony’s flagship headphones all the time rank among the many very finest noise-cancelling headphones, and the XM6 are not any exception. On this submit, we’ll cowl what’s new, what’s not, and different need-to-know particulars on the most recent Sony noise cancellers.
Meet the brand new XM6 headphones: The specs
You’ll be able to’t launch a brand new product in 2025 with out including some sort of AI function, even when it’s important to use the time period AI liberally. Nonetheless, Sony actually did add a sooner chip (seven occasions sooner, the corporate says), the Sony QN3 processor. That chip powers improved noise cancellation, significantly for telephone calls. The opposite enhancements positively fall into the iterative class, with one large exception: these headphones now fold.
Mashable Mild Velocity
Meet the brand new Sony flagship headphones.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
And listed below are the specs:
-
Processor: Sony QN3
-
Microphones: 12
-
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (LDAC help)
-
Battery: 30 hours with ANC (40 hours with out)
-
Noise cancellation: Energetic noise cancellation
-
Spatial audio: Sure
-
Colours: Midnight blue, black, silver
The Sony XM6 Headphones: What’s new?
For the brand new headphones, Sony audio engineers labored with mastering engineers right here in the USA to enhance the general audio high quality. And when straight evaluating them to the XM5 headphones and wi-fi earbuds, there’s a noticeable enchancment. (How a lot better? Learn our full XM6 evaluate to seek out out.)
For name high quality, further microphones and “AI beamforming” present clearer, extra directional sound. For calls, the headphones additionally function two further microphones.
Most significantly, the brand new headphones are extra travel-friendly. The case is slimmer and smaller than the XM5 case. Additionally they commerce the horrible, simply damaged zipper for a magnetic latch. Whereas the case won’t look a lot smaller, in individual, it is considerably extra compact. And this is the large information: The headphones now fold up for storage.
The XM6’s case is extra travel-friendly.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
In contrast to the earlier mannequin, the XM6 headphones fold up for simpler storage.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
The XM6 Headphones: What’s not new?
Whereas Dyson’s OnTrac headphones had been capable of obtain a mighty spectacular 55 hours of battery with ANC, the XM6 headphones have precisely the identical battery life because the earlier mannequin. That is fairly disappointing. (Although, except you take back-to-back 20-hour flights, I am undecided anybody actually wants greater than 30 hours of playback at a time.) I might additionally class the noise cancellation and audio enhancements as a matter of levels, not miles. Contemplating it has been three years for the reason that earlier mannequin, I hoped for just a little extra.
Truthfully, it is trying like noise-cancelling headphones like this have just about plateaued. Simply take a look at the non-existent modifications Apple made to the “new” AirPods Max headphones. No less than Sony included noticeable audio high quality enhancements, a brand new processor, and a giant new design change.
The place to purchase the Sony XM6 Headphones
Should you’ve been eagerly ready for Sony’s new headphones, you’ll be able to organize them now from Sony, Amazon, and Finest Purchase. The headphones have a $449.99 price ticket and are available in three colours, Midnight blue, black, and silver.
Get the Sony XM6 headphones
