Sony WH-1000XM6: the design and features we want Sony’s next headphones to deliver

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Noise-Canceling Wireless Headphones,Sony,Spatial Audio

Sony dropped the WH-1000XM5 in 2022, which means the XM6 is probably around the corner. Here's what we think Sony needs to keep its top spot.

Sony ’s 1000X series of wireless, noise-canceling headphones have consistently topped our headphone recommendation lists, and with good reason. With every generation, Sony finds ways to deliver a better experience, whether it’s improved active noise cancellation , better sound quality, a more comfortable fit — or all three at once.

Design Headphone comfort is directly affected by weight. With the XM5, Sony went to extremes to pare down that weight as much as possible. The result can’t be denied — the XM5 are some of the lightest, comfiest cans you can buy. But not everyone was thrilled with the way Sony achieved that feat. By removing the fold-up hinges and the classic fork-mounted earcups from the XM4, the XM5’s design proved too radical for some.

Noise cancellation and transparency No matter how good companies like Apple, Sony, and Bose get at providing us with silence when we want it, and transparency when we don’t, it seems there’s always room for improvement. The XM5 wowed us with both of these features. And yet the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones managed to do them better still. Historically, ANC has been Bose’s main strength. But if anyone can push the state of the art further, it’s Sony.

Long before Apple made spatial audio a household term, Sony actually had its own version of Immersive Audio called Virtual Phones Technology . It was included as an app-based sound effect mode on the WH-1000XM3, but Sony removed it when it launched the XM4 in favor of Sony’s nascent 360 Reality Audio format.

Since I don’t see Sony adopting Qualcomm’s more efficient aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec anytime soon, its only real option for top-notch, hi-res lossless audio on the WH-1000XM6 is to keep the analog connection, which requires a high-quality DAC/amp.

Noise-Canceling Wireless Headphones Sony Spatial Audio Wireless Headphones

 

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