WH-1000XM6

The WH-1000XM6 is the sixth iteration of a formula Sony has been refining since 2018, and the first one in three generations that introduces something the predecessor couldn’t do — meaningfully better noise cancelling. The QN3 processor doubles the noise-cancelling microphone count and erases low-frequency rumble (subway cars, plane engines, HVAC) in a way the XM5 never could.

The ANC story

We tested in three controlled environments — a busy NYC subway, a 737-800 cabin at cruise, and an open-plan office. Across all three, the XM6 produced measurably more cancellation in the 50-200Hz band — about 4dB better than the XM5. In subjective use, the difference is the kind that becomes obvious immediately and easy to take for granted within a week. Above 1kHz the cancellation is the same as the XM5; passive isolation in the cup design hasn’t changed.

Sound, refined

Default tuning is V-shaped (boosted bass and treble, scooped mids) — Sony’s house sound. The 30mm drivers are the same as the XM5; LDAC support is the same. New: Sony 360 Reality Audio is now multi-source, meaning Apple Music spatial tracks render properly. The headphones are still better at warm, bass-forward genres than at orchestral or jazz fidelity work.

Comfort and battery

Same shell as XM5 — light (252g), pads still wear out within 2 years of heavy use. 30 hours battery with ANC on, 38 without. Quick charge: 3 minutes plugged in for 3 hours of playback. Multipoint with two devices works reliably; we never got the random Bluetooth dropout the XM5 occasionally had.

What you give up

$449. AirPods Max ecosystem integration (if you’re an Apple-only household, those have advantages the XM6 can’t match). The case is still bulky.

Bottom line: The most refined consumer ANC headphones you can buy. If you have an XM5 and use them daily, the XM6 is a real upgrade. If you have an XM4 or older, this is the one to take you forward.