The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are easier to repair than the Sony WH-1000XM5, according to iFixit.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Sony’s XM-series headphones are the best in class for most people. They’re just exemplary wireless, Bluetooth, noise-canceling, over-ear headphones. At $450, they’re not cheap, but this is a case where you get what you pay for. The latest model, the XM6, is now available to purchase at all the usual retailers (see them at Amazon). If you don’t want to spend that much money, however, you can save on a bundle of previous models as well. Let’s take a look.Where to Buy Sony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesSony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones$448.00 at AmazonGet at Amazon - $448Get at Best Buy - $449.99Get at Sony - $449.99The headphones come in three color options: Black, Midnight Blue, and Platinum Silver. They feature a new foldable design that makes them more compact the previous XM5 model. They also come with a travel case so you can toss them in a bag without worrying about them bending, breaking, or getting scratched.So what makes the Sony XM6 headphones so much better than the competition? It’s a lot of little things, honed over many years and models. They have brand-new processors and 12 adaptive microphones built in to provide excellent noise cancellation. That makes them great for blocking out whatever sound is going on around you, so you can focus on your music, podcast, phone call, video conference, or whatever else you do with headphones on. Speaking of calls, Sony says the M6s have, and I quote, “a 6-microphone AI beamforming system” that helps isolate your voice from the noise around you.As for battery life, Sony says you can get up to 30 hours on a single charge. They also feature fast-charging technology that gets you up to three hours of playback with just three(!) minutes of charge time – however, you’ll need an optional USB-PD compatible AC adapter to make that happen. The headband has some bend, so you don’t have to worry about snapping it in half. It’s adorned with a synthetic leather that’s supposed to be super comfortable for long listening sessions. Older Sony XM-Series Headphones Are on SaleSony WH-1000XM5 HeadphonesSony WH-1000XM4 HeadphonesIf you can’t justify the cost of the new XM6 model, consider picking up one of the older models. They’re cheaper to start with, and Amazon also has them on sale for a limited time. They’re nearly as good (though the WH-1000XM5 doesn’t fold at all, a design decision Sony was right to correct with the XM6 model). Even so, the XM5 has been our pick for the best wireless headphones since it came out in 2022. Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.

Should you opt for Sony's tried-and-true headphones or go for the brand's newest model? Here's my advice.

Looking for the best noise-canceling headphones? The Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra are your top two options.

It's been over two years since Sony had a new pair of headphones in its 1000X lineup, but the newly announced WH-1000XM6 seem worth the wait. From the outside, the new ANC headphones look similar to the streamlined WH-1000XM5 from 2022, with the only major change being the return of ear cups that rotate and fold flat. Inside, though, Sony's packed in improvements that put the WH-1000XM6 ahead of the competition in terms of both sound quality and active noise cancellation. That's mostly thanks to the new QN3 processor on the inside, the addition of four new built-in microphones (from eight on the 1000XM5 to 12 on the 1000XM6) and an updated system for adapting ANC performance around fit and pressure. All three combine for noticeably better ANC. Those changes haven't led to shorter battery life either — you'll get the same 30 hours with ANC activated on the WH-1000XM6 that you were able to get on the WH-1000XM5. The WH-1000XM6 is not only able to play spatial audio tracks like the WH-100XM5 and AirPods Max can, the headphones can also convert any stereo track you throw at it into 360-degree audio. For most people, though, the more immediately useful new feature will be the ability to keep using the headphones while you charge them, something oddly missing from previous models. At $450, the WH-100XM6 are a good $50 more expensive than WH-1000XM5 and tiptoeing closer to the exorbitantly priced AirPods Max. The best way to know if Sony's new headphones are right for you is to read Engadget's review and ideally, try them for yourself. Until then, we've put together an overview of how the WH-1000XM6 compare to the WH-1000XM5 and the AirPods Max. WH-1000MX6 WH-1000MX5 AirPods Max Pricing (MSRP) $450 $400 $549 Active noise cancellation Yes Yes Yes Transparency mode Yes Yes Yes Adaptive audio Yes Yes Yes Multipoint connectivity Yes Can switch between 2 Bluetooth connections Fast Pair with Android devices  Swift Pair with Windows 11 and Windows 10 devices Yes Can switch between 2 Bluetooth connections Fast Pair with Android devices Swift Pair with Windows 11 and Windows 10 devices No Automatic device switching between Apple devices only Battery life (rated) Up to 30 hours with ANC on Up to 40 hours with ANC off Up to 30 hours with ANC on Up to 40 hours with ANC off Up to 20 hours with ANC on Up to 20 hours with ANC and Spatial Audio on Up to 20 hours of talk time Wired charging USB-C USB-C USB-C Water & dust resistance No No No Size & weight 8.96 oz 8.82 oz 13.6 oz Chip(s) Sony QN3 Sony QN1 + V1 Apple H1 Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth codecs SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 SBC, AAC, LDAC AAC, SBC Spatial audio Yes 360 Audio 360 Spatial Sound Upmix for converting stereo audio Yes 360 Audio Yes Control type Touch controls for playback and volume NC/AMB button for ANC Touch controls for playback and volume NC/AMB button Digital Crown dial for playback and volume Noise control button for ANC Mics & sensors 12 microphones total: six microphones for calls Touch sensors Accelerometer Gyroscope Eight microphones total: four microphones for calls Touch sensors Accelerometer Gyroscope Nine microphones total: eight ANC mics, three mics for voice pickup (two shared for ANC) Optical sensor Position sensor Case-detect sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/heres-how-the-sony-wh-1000xm6-compare-to-the-wh-1000xm5-and-airpods-max-193706730.html?src=rss

Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless active noise cancelling (ANC) headphones were launched on Thursday. They replace the existing WH-1000XM5 as the Japanese electronics brand's flagship-level headphones and are powered by a new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3. As per Sony, it is up to seven times faster than the previous model and leverages 12 microphones for delivering more precise noise cancellation. The headphones come with LDAC codec support for high-resolution audio streaming along with 360 Spatial Sound technology.Sony WH-1000XM6 Price, AvailabilitySony WH-1000XM6 are priced at $449.99 (roughly Rs. 38,400) in the US and CAD 599.99 (roughly Rs. 51,200) in Canada. They are offered in Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue colourways.The headphones will be available for purchase via Sony.com, Best Buy, Amazon, and other authorised dealers. There is no information about their India availability yet.Sony WH-1000XM6 SpecificationsThe Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless ANC headphones are the successor to the WH-1000XM5, and are said to bring improved ANC and sound quality. They are powered by Sony HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 that is said to offer better performance across the board. Sony claims the WH-1000XM6 was created in collaboration with world-renowned mastering audio engineers at three top recording studios in the industry — Sterling Sound, Battery Studios, and Coast Mastering — for delivering a superior auditory experience.As per the company, the new WH-1000XM6 headphones leverage 12 microphones which adapt the noise cancellation more precisely to your wearing situation and environment. They have a carbon fiber composite material dome and uniquely developed voice coil structure which reproduces subtleties in every frequency. Courtesy of the LDAC codec, the Sony headphones support High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless. Additionally, Edge-AI and DSEE Extreme upscale compressed digital music files in real time to restore the sound lost in compression.One of the standout new features on the Sony WH-1000XM6 is scene-based listening. It is said to leverage sensing technology to automatically play music based on the user activity and adjust noise cancellation levels in line with their environment and location. As per Sony, this feature, along with quick access, can connect to music streaming services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music.For connectivity, the Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless ANC headphones use Bluetooth 5.3 and Bluetooth LE (low energy) Audio, along with support for SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. They also have multipoint connectivity and auto switch for switching between devices. The headphones have an improved design with a soft fit wider headband featuring synthetic leather that is claimed to ensure a pressure-free fit.Similar to the previous models, the headphones employ a combination of button and touch controls, with the latter placed in the ear up. They work in tandem with the Sony Sound Connect app which can be used to adjust settings and fine-tune the listening experience. It enables features such as 360 Reality Audio, hear-through mode, and native hands-free support for Google Assistant and Alexa voice assistant.Sony claims battery life of up to 30 hours per charge (ANC enabled) on the WH-1000XM6, which is similar to the previous model. There's also quick charge functionality that is said to juice up the headphones to deliver three hours of listening time with just three minutes of charge. They also support simultaneous charge and listen. REVIEWKEY SPECSNEWSDesign / ComfortAudio QualityBattery LifeValue For MoneyGoodLooks good, comfortable fit Very good app and features Detailed, well-tuned, flexible sound Impressive active noise cancellation Excellent battery lifeBadA bit expensive Does not fold fully, less portableRead detailed Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones reviewColour BlackHeadphone Type Over-EarMicrophone YesConnectivity WirelessType HeadphonesMore Sony Headphones & Headset For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Sony WH-1000XM6, Sony WH-1000XM6 Price, Sony WH-1000XM6 Specifications, Sony WH-1000XM5, Sony, headphones Shaurya Tomer Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More Related Stories

2025 Sony has a team of magicians on staff. It’s the only rational explanation I can come up with for how it’s raised the bar for active noise-cancelling headphones year after year. I really thought Sony couldn’t improve upon last year’s model, the class-leading WH-1000XM5. But the WH-1000XM6 (yes, the naming convention still sucks) has so many new features—a revamped design that folds again, a new processor and drivers, and more mics—I can’t argue with the results. The XM6 ANC headphones don’t have many flaws to speak of. Although the estimated 30 hours of battery life is solid, I’m always looking for more time off the charger. Honestly, the only downside is the hefty $450 price tag, but then again, Apple seems to have no problem selling AirPods Max for $550. Sony WH-1000XM6 Sony's WH-1000XM6 outdoes its predecessor in just about every category, making them the headphones to beat this year, noise cancelling or otherwise. Pros Cons At first glance, you may not notice all the refinements that Sony made to the XM6. But I assure you, they all add up to a more comfortable and polished pair of headphones. The leatherette over-ear cups create a nice passive noise-cancelling seal, the headband is wider for better weight distribution on your dome, and it’s great to see Sony listened to feedback and made them foldable again. Even little touches like a larger power button that’s easier to press are worth appreciating. Sony’s playing it a bit safe with the usual black, silver, and midnight blue colorways, but hopefully it’ll roll out more interesting shades down the line. It’s not hard to get the XM6 connected to your smartphone or laptop. The minute you flip the included magnetic hard case open, you’ll get a pairing prompt on your phone, which walks you through connecting the headphones via Bluetooth, and then you’re ready to go. The initial pairing process only takes less than three minutes, but I still wish it was faster, like it is on most modern wireless earbuds. Play your cards right, and you’ll rarely have to touch your phone. Unlike AirPods Max, you can control audio from the touch-sensitive surface on the right ear cup using taps and swipes. A double tap plays and pauses audio or answers and rejects a call, while a forward or backward swipe switches to the next and previous track, respectively. Swiping up or down adjusts the volume, while holding your hand over the earcup launches Quick Attention, which pauses audio until you remove your hand. And if you don’t feel like touching the headphones, you can nod your head or shake it to answer or reject a phone call. © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo The NC/AMB button (noise cancellation and ambient noise mode) also pulls double duty. Press it twice to Quick Access a chosen app (Amazon Music, Spotify, or Endel). You can program a second app to launch with three taps, but you’ll need the Sony Sound Connect app (previously called Headphone Connect) to configure that. I’m always wavering between Bose and Sony when it comes to noise-cancelling tech. Right now, Sony has taken a noticeable lead. In its quest for silence, or at least a quieter environment, Sony has brought its new QN3 processor and 12 upgraded microphones (versus eight on the XM5). It also wouldn’t be 2025 without a healthy dose of AI. To that end, the XM6 has AI noise reduction, which the company says was trained on over 500 million voice samples. The result is some seriously quiet phone and video calls. You also have a refreshed AI Noise Optimizer feature, which works to identify and eliminate pesky ambient noises. I took the XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for a trip on the New York City subway—a place full of random smells and noises. Neither pair of cans did anything for the summer bod funk in the air, but plenty for the latter. In terms of regular train noises (opening and closing doors, moving along the tracks, train announcements, etc.), the XM6 was slightly better at muting the din without any music playing. © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Sony’s newest ANC headphones also did a better job of shielding me from a lover’s spat on the train. I typically hear more ambient sound while wearing Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra. I cued up Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me” on the XM6 and committed myself to minding my own business. Okay, I may have switched over to Ambient Sound to hear some of the juicier details, but not for the whole conversation. Speaking of Ambient Sound, that’s the mode I engage when I’m walking alone at night or in unfamiliar surroundings. It lets in outside noise so you can keep tabs on your surroundings. One minute, I’m hearing nothing but the deep bass and raunchy lyrics in the Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait (The Whisper Song),” and the next, there’s birds chirping and traffic sounds filtered in. Deeper bass, brighter highs, and fuller mids—what a difference a driver makes. The 30mm drivers utilize a more rigid dome construction, which translates into more balanced audio performance. Since my regular playlist covers a wide swath of music genres, I kept the built-in equalizer off to get the flattest frequency possible. That means when I listened to Sevendust’s “Enemy,” there wasn’t any artificial bass being added. It was just me, crisp cymbals, bombastic percussion, an energetic set of electric guitars, and silky smooth vocals juxtaposed against guttural screams. © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Even without spatial audio or Cinematic mode, the XM6’s soundstage is seriously generous. I can really make out the finer vibrations of the twang of the guitars on “Raised Right” by Reyna Roberts. The violin and vocals were just as clean, where I could hear some of the plosives as Roberts enunciated words like “night” and “taught.” But what about the low end? No, the XM6 don’t go as hard on the bass as the Sony’s Ult headphones. But I discovered they still bring the boom as I listened to Pop Smoke’s “Dior.” The bass was nice and weighty but didn’t overwhelm the violin, hi-hats, or the Nextel chirps and other electronic elements throughout the drill track. Whether I’m watching a movie or listening to music, spatial audio has become one of my favorite features to indulge in. Seriously, cue up a music service that supports Dolby Atmos or Sony’s 360 Audio format—you’ll thank me. It’s a cool, almost eerie feeling to move your head from right to left or up and down and have the music respond to your location accordingly. It essentially creates your own personal concert hall. Spatial audio is at its best watching action scenes, as the gunfire and subsequent explosions gain an extra dimension of immersion. Previously called Headphone Connect, the renamed Sound Connect app retains all previous functionality while adding new features. While I love a kitchen sink approach to features, I have a feeling that many users won’t touch more than 50% of them. Speak-to-Chat, Spatial Audio, Ambient Sound Control, Adaptive Sound Control, and multipoint pairing are all present. Something new to the scene is Listening Mode, which lets you toggle between Standard, Background Music, and Cinematic modes. The first one is pretty straightforward: you listen to your music with whatever settings you’ve got enabled. Background Music lowers the volume so you can carry on a conversation. The audio is a bit diffused, but you can still bop without losing too much detail. Cinematic mode is the exact opposite and expands the soundstage. It’s not on a par with spatial audio, but it’s the mode I recommend using when you’re watching movies or TV. (If you’re concerned about protecting your hearing, the app has a Safe Listening feature that tracks your sound allowance as advised by the World Health Organization. It can also track how much ambient noise the cans have protected your ears from.) There’s also Scene-based Listening (SBL). This goes hand-in-hand with Adaptive Sound Control. Where the latter automatically adjusts noise cancellation based on your location, SBL will start playing music from your chosen player based on activity or location. You can set it to play at the start of your commute, while you’re taking a jog or working out at the gym and the app will learn your habits and adjust ANC levels accordingly. © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo My only complaint is that some of the cooler features, like spatial audio and Find Your Equalizer, aren’t front and center. Instead, they’re tucked away in smaller menus that aren’t easy to navigate. You really have to hunt for the setting you’re looking for. I already mentioned the XM6 has a set of 12 microphones on each side, half of which are beamforming devices designed to focus on picking up your voice. Combine that with the AI Reduction technology, and you’ve got crystal clear calls whether you’re connected to a smartphone or laptop. I was most impressed with how well the AI reduction worked. Whether I was in a busy coffee shop or walking down a construction-laden street, my callers reported little to no background noise. That doesn’t mean that they totally blocked out the jackhammer I walked by or the overhead train. The headphones muted them and all but killed any wind resistance, but certain noises don’t totally disappear. The XM6 has the same 30 hours of battery life (with noise cancellation on) as the XM5, with a quick charge that translates to three hours of power after being plugged in for three minutes. The battery shoots up to 40 hours if you disable the noise cancellation. Keeping the volume at about 50%, I’ve only had to charge the headphones twice over the course of a week. While I would have loved for Sony to give the XM6 even more battery life, that doesn’t mean the company didn’t give us some sort of improvement. Unlike previous headphones in the WH-1000 series, you can charge the XM6 while they’re in use. Instead of having to face a long commute from Brooklyn to the Bronx sans music or ANC, I just plugged them into my Anker battery pack and maintained my peace on the train. I’m going to do my damnedest to stop doubting Sony when it comes to outdoing itself. But it’s so hard when it seems like the company’s ANC headphones can’t get any better. Because let’s be clear, the XM5 landed on many a best noise-cancellation headphones list. But the Sony WH-1000XM6 has taken just about everything I loved about its predecessor and given it a big update. Better driver? Check. New processor? Yep. Actually useful AI features? You betcha. The result is a refined and feature-packed pair of premium ANC headphones with best-in-class ANC and a comfortable, albeit safe design.

Sony WH-1000XM64.5 ExcellentBottom LineSony's high-end WH-1000XM6 headphones feature foldable earcups, new driver tuning, and noise cancellation that rivals the best from Bose.US Street Price$449.99Learn MoreSony WH-1000XM6 ReviewVSBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones4.5 ExcellentBottom LineThe Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones pump out robust sound and offer the best noise cancellation of any over-ear models we've tested.Street Price1699.0Learn MoreBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Review Table of ContentsPriceDesignComfortCases and CablesBluetooth and ConnectivityBattery LifeMobile AppNoise CancellationTransparency ModeSound QualityMic Quality PriceIf you want the best over-ear noise-cancelling headphones available, be prepared to pay up. None of these models comes cheaply. It's not entirely surprising that Apple has the priciest pair of the bunch at $549—the AirPods Max are also the oldest. The brand-new Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones cost a cool $449. Bose now has the "cheapest" pair of the bunch with its two-year-old QuietComfort Ultra ringing in at $429.99. Winner: Bose QuietComfort UltraDesignAll three headphones have their own look and defining features. Sony's resembles the previous model, with a matte plastic look and a lightweight build. They come in three colors (Black, Midnight Blue, or Silver), and the earcups can fold flat for portability. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, meanwhile, are mostly plastic, even more compact when folded, and come in four colors (Black, Lunar Blue, Plum, or White Smoke).Left to right: AirPods Max, Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra(Credit: Christian de Looper)Aesthetically, the AirPods Max stand out thanks to their metal build and clean lines. They have removable earcups and come in the most color options, including Blue, Midnight, Orange, Purple, and Starlight. Their use of metal makes them heavier, but ensures they look the most luxurious. They also have a fantastic rotating digital crown for adjusting the volume and controlling other features.Winner: AirPods MaxComfortBose QuietComfort Ultra(Credit: Christian de Looper)The metal build of the AirPods Max makes them the heaviest of the three (13.6 ounces), but doesn't impact their comfort as much as you might expect. They're good at distributing weight across the top of your head, and their plush earcups don't clamp down too tightly. Nonetheless, both the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (8.8 ounces each) are more comfortable. Of the three, the lower clamp force and thicker padding of the Bose headphones make them the most comfortable for extended listening.Winner: Bose QuietComfort UltraCases and CablesWhile the AirPods Max may look the most high-end, the same can't be said of their meme-worthy rubber case, which is more of a barely there cover-up than a case. They only come with a USB-C cable, though you can use it for lossless USB audio. To connect them to a 3.5mm source, you’ll need to buy Apple’s USB-C to 3.5mm adapter separately.Left to right: AirPods Max, Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra(Credit: Christian de Looper)Both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM6 come with a clamshell hard case and the cables you need for both charging and wired listening. They each include a USB-A-to-USB-C charging cable, while the Bose headphones have a 2.5mm-to-3.5mm cable for their smaller input port, and the Sony headphones have a standard 3.5mm cable. Sony's carrying case has a magnetic clasp instead of a zipper, but I prefer the smaller leather case that comes with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra.Winner: Bose QuietComfort UltraBluetooth and ConnectivityAll three headphones support the standard SBC Bluetooth codec, and they all have AAC on top of that. That’s where Bluetooth codecs end on the AirPods Max, though. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones add support for AptX Adaptive, which works with compatible Snapdragon-powered phones. As has been the case with Sony's high-end headphones for years, the WH-1000XM6 also support LDAC, which works with most modern Android phones, and LC3, which is becoming more common on Android devices.AirPods Max(Credit: Christian de Looper)Both the Bose and Sony headphones have Bluetooth multipoint for connecting to two devices simultaneously. If connecting to multiple Apple devices is your goal, the AirPods Max enjoy a significant ecosystem benefit—they can switch seamlessly between any Apple device (Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, Mac) signed into the same iCloud account. Sony gets the win here for codec support (LDAC works with more phones than AptX Adaptive and LC3 is a nice addition), while Apple gets the win for versatile ecosystem connectivity (as long as you use Apple devices).Winner: Tie (AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM6)Battery LifeNone of these headphones stand out when it comes to battery life. The AirPods Max have a rated battery life of 20 hours with noise cancellation on, but you might find that you get less actual listening time if you don't put them in their case every time you take them off (they enter standby mode rather than turn off completely). The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones step that up to 24 hours, while the Sony offers 30 hours of listening and the fastest charging. While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones can get three hours of listening from 15 minutes of charging, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones can get three hours of listening from just three minutes of charging. Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6Mobile AppThe mobile experience associated with these three headphones is starkly different. On the surface, the AirPods Max appear to be the most bare-bones. Rather than rely on a separate app, their settings are integrated deeply in your iPhone's operating system. To access them, you have to wade through the Bluetooth settings menu where you can tweak things like noise modes and automatic head detection, but there's no EQ. You can also tweak some settings through Control Center, including spatial audio settings. Recommended by Our EditorsSony WH-1000XM6(Credit: Christian de Looper)The Bose app is minimalist and easy to navigate. The main screen grants you access to noise modes, Bluetooth settings, button shortcuts, and a rudimentary EQ. It lets you tweak what it labels as bass, mid, and treble, but doesn't specify which frequencies each slider affects.Sony's Sound Connect app offers far more control than Bose. You can set up your noise modes, button shortcuts, and location-based noise settings. You also have access to a comprehensive 10-band EQ, with bands ranging from 31Hz to 16kHz. Apple beats the others on depth, but Sony keeps everything in one spot and has the best EQ.Winner: Tie (AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM6)Noise CancellationUntil the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones arrived, Bose was the clear winner when it came to noise cancellation. The QuietComfort Headphones silence most environmental sounds. The AirPods Max offer respectable ANC, but it can't compete with Bose or Sony offerings, both of which excel at dampening ambient noise, whether you're on a plane or in a busy coffee shop.Bose QuietComfort Ultra(Credit: Christian de Looper)Sony has a slight edge when it comes to complicated settings like a city bus or a busy cafe, spaces that have uneven bursts of sound that Bose isn't quick enough to cut. Bose still delivers excellent ANC, but it's no longer head and shoulders above the competition, and Sony takes the win in this category.Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6Transparency ModeAirPods Max(Credit: Christian de Looper)While the AirPods Max trail behind the other two in ANC, they're a clear winner when it comes to transparency mode, which lets you hear your surroundings. They deliver natural and consistent audio and don't introduce the hiss that Bose and Sony do. Winner: AirPods MaxSound QualityAll three of these headphones offer outstanding sound quality. The 40mm drivers in the AirPods Max deliver deep bass and the best high-end response of the three, but the lack of a user-adjustable EQ is frustrating.The Bose headphones also offer excellent bass response with clear highs, but those highs aren't quite as crisp as they are on the AirPods Max. The audio also doesn't really feel as spacious as the AirPods Max, which have a wider soundstage and can sometimes come across as overly processed. Lastly, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones have a slightly sculpted sound, removing some of the mids that Bose keeps. If you want to change the sound signature, Sony offers the best EQ to do so.Sony WH-1000XM6(Credit: Christian de Looper)If spatial audio is important to you, then the AirPods Max are the best of the bunch, as long as you use them with Apple devices. The AirPods Max can actually process surround sound input, instead of artificially adding the effect to stereo sources (assuming the content offers it, of course).So while the AirPods Max have the best audio out of the box, the Sony offers much deeper customization, supports higher-quality sources, and works with more devices, making it a tie.Winner: Tie (AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM6)Mic QualityThe microphones across all three headphones are perfectly sufficient for voice calls. Bose offers a little more body than Apple or Sony, but not as much clarity and detail. The AirPods Max microphone is crisp and detailed, but of the three, Sony's headphones deliver the best experience thanks to their half-dozen microphones and improved beamforming technology.Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6

Reviewers Liked Improved sound Class-leading noise cancellation Highly intuitive touch controls Supremely comfy Return of folding design improves portability Can finally charge during use Replaceable earpads Reviewers Didn't Like Price increase over previous model Speak-to-Chat still needs work Spatial audio upmixing is a useless gimmick Still no audio over USB-C Fragile-feeling articulating hinges The headband could use a bit more padding No aptX HD support Feature-rich app may be overwhelming for casual users Competitors and Related Products Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets. Expert reviews and ratings 94 The crown is safe once again. Sony has managed to overhaul its flagship headphones in all the right ways that keep the 1000X line atop our best headphones list. By Engadget on May 15, 2025 80 Although they’re not the radical upgrade I was hoping for, the Sony WH-1000XM6 make some minor improvements to Sony’s flagship noise-cancelling headphones. They lack a wide soundstage, but they deliver crystal-clear vocals for close to 30 hours without fail. By Tom's Guide on May 15, 2025 90 These sound better than the latest Bose model, offer better noise canceling, and are generally better to use. Compared to the equivalently priced AirPods Max, all those things are also true, except that you might be enough of an iOS stan that the AirPods integrate better into your ecosystem. In any case, I’d strongly recommend you check out a pair of Sony’s new flagship headphones before you make a purchasing decision. They’re one of the finest wireless pairs of headphones ever made. By Wired on May 15, 2025 100 Sony’s wireless headphones deliver a performance more than befitting a flagship pair of wireless headphones. Comfort levels are great, they’re nice to use, ANC is excellent, call quality is class-leading, and sound quality can match anything at this level. Simply sensational. By What Hi Fi? on May 15, 2025 90 The Sony WH-1000XM6 are a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones that combine the best design elements of their predecessors, while levelling up the sonic and ANC capabilities of what came before. With super-clean touch controls, an ultra-comfy fit and a ton of features at your disposal, there’s a lot to love about these headphones, even if they do come at quite the cost. By TechRadar on May 15, 2025 90 Sony's high-end WH-1000XM6 headphones feature foldable earcups, new driver tuning, and noise cancellation that rivals the best from Bose. By PCMag on May 15, 2025 100 Sony’s legendary noise-cancelling headphones get even better, with the return of foldability, superb sound, and jaw-dropping ANC performance. By Stuff on May 15, 2025 93 Sony upgraded the design and performance of its flagship noise-canceling headphones, pushing them slightly ahead of the competition. But not surprisingly, their price has also increased. By cnet on May 15, 2025 Their higher-than-ever price might push Sony loyalists to explore what else is out there, and 1000XM5 owners shouldn’t feel any rush to spend the $450. But if your older Sony earbuds are on their last legs, these could be worth saving up for. By The Verge on May 15, 2025 Hands on: The WH-1000XM6 are amazing. They’re probably the new champs as far as wireless headphones go. But if you’re a happy WH-1000XM5 owner, I wouldn’t feel any pressure to upgrade. And if you’re looking to buy, it’s hard to ignore that Sony’s current discount on the XM5 brings them in at $100 less than the XM6. By DigitalTrends on May 15, 2025 Load More Reviews…

Sony upgraded the design and performance of its flagship noise-canceling headphones, pushing them slightly ahead of the competition. But not surprisingly, their price has also increased.