Sony’s newest cans are an iterative replace — there’s a new hinge, improved sound high quality, and a model new carrying case. Consolation has improved due to the thicker headband, and there is a lot better name high quality. Its 30 hours of battery stays unchanged, nonetheless. They’re much less a leap up and extra a lateral step.
The XM5 have been round for a whereas now, however they’re no much less wonderful years after their preliminary launch. Nice noise canceling, strong sound high quality and a snug match make for a pair of headphones that is been at the high of our greatest record for fairly a while. They’re nonetheless accessible, making them a cheaper different.
The Sony WH-1000xM5 have had a great three-year run as the finest noise-cancelling headphones general. They surpassed Bose’s prime choices to change into the class’s high possibility and set new requirements for lively noise cancellation, sound high quality, and sensible controls.
I’m at all times utilizing them for journey and work, particularly when my AirPods Professional 2 want recharging. My spouse can also be a enormous fan and jacks my pair when I’m not wanting.
Upgrading to a different model by no means crossed my thoughts till the Sony WH-1000xM6 had been introduced. These next-gen cans launched again in Might, and the firm was gracious sufficient to supply me a pattern upfront.
I spent the previous month testing them to see how they stack up towards their predecessor, discovering few distinctions and quite a few similarities in the course of.
So, are the WH-1000XM6 my new go-to headphones? Let’s simply say that I haven’t handed the WH-1000XM5 to my spouse simply but. Scroll all the way down to learn my professional opinion.
The place the Sony WH-1000xM6 impress
I’m digging the WH-1000xM6’s audio enhancements. Regardless of using the identical 30mm drivers and proprietary applied sciences as the WH-1000xM5, all the pieces sounds wonderful.
Bass, steadiness, and definition are equally nice. DSEE Excessive expertise works wonders by growing the constancy on poorly engineered tracks for clearer presentation. The LDAC codec streams hi-res audio at CD-like high quality on appropriate gadgets when jamming to the finest music streaming providers.
Bonus options like the customized five-band EQ with excellent presets enable for loads of sound personalization.
Hello-Res Audio and spatial audio are fine-tuned on the WH-1000xM6, and it exhibits when listening to complicated recordings. Depth and instrumental layering are emphasised. The content material additionally sounds extra immersive. 360 Actuality Audio is OK on the WH-1000XM5.
ANC can also be superior on Sony’s newest headphones. The brand new Adaptive NC Optimizer function adjusts efficiency by totally analyzing the exterior sounds in your atmosphere.
There are 12 mics beneath the hood that block out undesirable distractions throughout the frequency spectrum. Not all noises are silenced. Excessive-pitched screams and sirens are audible, particularly when listening to music at average quantity or with the Secure Listening function enabled.
The WH-1000xM5 are nonetheless a noise-cancelling stunner. They use eight mics and twin processing (QN1 and V1 chipsets) to get rid of ambient noise at an elite stage. Sony’s Auto Optimizer function is strong and routinely selects the finest ANC setting on your present atmosphere, although I want the Adaptive NC Optimizer for its accuracy.
The WH-1000xM5’s 20-level Ambient Sound mode is great at selecting up each peep with precision from a number of toes away. This listening mode is simply as efficient on the WH-1000xM6.
The place the Sony WH-1000xM6 present little to no progress
Sony’s versatile management scheme of bodily buttons, contact sensors, and voice help (Google Assistant/Siri) is saved intact. All inputs are extremely attentive to presses, swipes, faucets and voice instructions.
Particular options like Fast Consideration and Converse-to-Chat return and work properly; the former lowers audio to about 10 p.c when putting your hand over the proper ear cup. A mute/unmute button was added to the WH-1000xM6. Whereas a considerate inclusion, it’s not one thing we see getting used steadily.
Listeners will discover Ambient Sound, Fast Consideration, and Sony’s auto-mute options (Converse-to-Chat, put on detection) extra handy for reinforcing consciousness. The purpose is that these two fashions function 95% alike.
In addition they include equivalent battery life. You’re getting as much as 30 hours with ANC on, and 40 hours of steady playback when the function is disabled. That interprets to about a week’s value of average listening time (5 hours day by day), relying how you utilize both set of cans. Excessive quantity and choose options (e.g., DSEE, spatial audio) drain battery life by about 3 to six hours.
Fast charging went untouched; a 3-minute cost generates 3 hours of playtime when utilizing a USB-PD (energy supply) appropriate charger. I anticipated a little extra playtime from the WH-1000XM6, or not less than smarter battery life administration, however Sony thought in any other case.
Much less-expensive options like the $249 Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 and $349 Marshall Monitor III boast as much as 100 hours of listening time. The WH-1000XM6’s battery life seems lame compared.
The place the Sony WH-1000xM6 disappoint
The WH-1000XM5 are, to my ears, the superior calling headset and one among the finest headphones with a mic for voice and video calls. Readability, noise discount, voice seize, and wind resistance are all terrific.
Apparently, the WH-1000XM6 use AI beaming mics and AI noise discount for sharper name high quality that extracts voices from rowdy backdrops. It’s barely noticeable. That’s to not say the WH-1000xM6’s name high quality isn’t high tier. The WH-1000XM5 is simply higher for voice calls.
One other controversial take is the WH-1000xM6’s craftsmanship. Some critics suppose it’s a noteworthy step up from the earlier entry. I don’t. The WH-1000xM6 and WH-1000xM5 are constructed from the identical recycled supplies and artificial leather-based.
They share the identical minimalist look and colorways. Additions like the mic mute/unmute button, redesigned energy button, and wider, asymmetrical headphone band for optimum consolation give the WH-1000xM6 minimal aptitude.
The smaller carrying case with magnetic lock is what actually makes them extra interesting, not less than from an aesthetic standpoint.
My remaining ideas
Are Sony’s new flagship headphones higher? Sure, however by an extremely small margin. Simply how small? Right here is how I charge them towards their older sibling.
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Sony WH-1000xM6 |
Sony WH-1000xM5 |
|---|---|---|
|
Value and worth (5) |
3 |
5 |
|
Design (15) |
12 |
11 |
|
Controls (10) |
9 |
9 |
|
Sound high quality (20) |
19 |
18 |
|
Lively noise cancelling efficiency (20) |
19 |
18 |
|
Particular options (15) |
14 |
13 |
|
Name high quality (5) |
3 |
4 |
|
Battery life (10) |
9 |
9 |
|
Whole rating (100) |
88 |
87 |
A one-point victory isn’t all that convincing. Moreover, the WH-1000xM6 are simply too costly proper now. I get that Sony felt pressured to extend the value by $50 in preparation for the tariff state of affairs affecting the international economic system. All the audio enhancements are enormously appreciated as properly. Nonetheless, there’s extra worth in the WH-1000xM5, which presently promote for $298 on Amazon as of this writing, and they’re typically on sale.
Improve to the WH-1000XM6 if cash is not any object. In any other case, be completely satisfied figuring out you’ll get outstanding noise-canceling and sound efficiency from the WH-1000xM5 for practically $150 much less.
