Turn Up the Sound with Sony WH-1000XM6: The Headphones That Bring Joy to Your Ears
Headgear for Odor-Detecting Lingual Exploration: Sony WH-1000XM6
By: Klaus Wedekind
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After a three-year hiatus, Sony is back with a bang in the 1000X series. The WH-1000XM6 is not just an upgrade, but a headphone that truly delights the listener, escaping criticism and offering a top-tier Bluetooth headphone experience. But, be prepared to dig deep into your pocket for the auditory pleasure.
Sony addressed the criticism of the WH-1000XM5 by making significant detail improvements, resulting in a comfortable and compact Bluetooth headphone that delivers excellent sound and outstanding active noise cancellation (ANC).
Comfortable and Flexible Design
The rigid headband of the WH-1000XM5, which made it difficult to fold compactly, has been replaced with joints that sit just above the ear cups. Now, they give a stable impression, free from rattling or creaking noises.
Moreover, the new model is more comfortable. Sony added thicker cushions to the ear cups, allowing for better air circulation and ease of wear. The passive noise cancellation has also been slightly improved. Another comfort enhancement is a wider and thicker cushion on the headband.
The WH-1000XM6 fits securely yet comfortably, folding into a more compact case than the rigid predecessor, taking up significantly less space in luggage. The box is robust yet stylish and features a practical magnetic closure and an extra compartment for charging and auxiliary cables.
User-Friendly Controls
The control setup has remained largely unchanged. There is still a precise touch surface on the outer side of the right ear cup for controlling playback through taps and swipe movements. It's also used for calls. However, you can now answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head if desired.
The left ear cup features two buttons that are easy to find and distinguish with your thumb. One button is used for turning on and off and Bluetooth pairing, while the other is mainly used to switch between ANC and transparency mode. You can also call up streaming services like Spotify or Amazon Music and the sleep and relaxation app Endel with it.
Another practical function is voice recognition: When you start speaking, playback stops, and transparency mode is started. The sensitivity can be adjusted in two stages or automatically adapted to the environment. You can also set how long it takes for the mode to end when you are silent.
Comprehensive App
All settings are made in the Sound Connect app, which is praised for its comprehensiveness and well-designed interface. Here, you also have the option to automatically start a music application for certain activities or to adjust ANC to activities.
In this app, you'll now find not only numerous preset modes but also a more detailed equalizer with ten adjustable frequency bands instead of the previous five. Additionally, you have the option to restore lost details in real-time using AI for compressed audio files or transform stereo sound in videos into 3D audio[1].
Note: High Resolution Audio, 3D Sound via the Bluetooth codec LDAC, and Sony's 360 Reality Audio are also available features.
Exceptional Sound and ANC
The predecessor already had excellent sound, but the WH-1000XM6 takes it up a notch, delivering more detail, definition, and clarity[1]. Sony has seemingly improved the dynamics as well. The difference might be subtle, but the sound image appears more cohesive and precise overall.
It's worth mentioning that the XM6 offers an expanded EQ customizer with 10 bands instead of 5. This upgrade allows for tailored, personalized sound experience[2].
An equalizer might only be necessary for those with limited hearing or specific use cases. However, the headphones perform incredibly across all music genres. Gamers will appreciate that the WH-1000XM6 supports Bluetooth LE Audio with extremely low latency, enabling a seamless gaming experience. Additionally, it supports the Auracast standard, allowing you to use your own headphones for audio tours during museum visits or other group activities.
Outstanding Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Sony has improved the active noise cancellation (ANC) by increasing the number of microphones from eight to twelve. As a result, the WH-1000XM6 not only suppresses disturbing noises more effectively than its predecessor, but it also adapts better to the environment[1][3]. The traditional ANC self-noise is minimal, and the sound remains unaffected by the function.
The transparency mode allows you to adjust the strength of the effect continuously or leave it to an automatic setting. Additionally, you can choose to let voices through when using ANC[3]. In practical tests, the WH-1000XM6 has been praised for effectively reducing ambient noise in busy streets, on airplanes, or trains[3].
Excellent Impact on Calls and Battery Life
In noisy environments, the WH-1000XM6 delivers impressive performance during calls, as six microphones and AI support create a beamforming system that captures the voice exceptionally well and effectively suppresses background noise[3]. The endurance of the headphones is not remarkable, but still very good. Sony claims up to 30 hours. Tests showed roughly that claim, and the headphones can be used while charging[3].
Final Verdict
If you're seeking the current best Bluetooth headphones, look no further than the WH-1000XM6. Sony has comfortably addressed the design flaws of the WH-1000XM5 and taken sound and active noise cancellation to a new level. At 450 euros, the price may seem steep, but the headphones certainly offer a worthwhile listening experience.
References:
[1] "Sony WH-1000XM6," Sound Guys, https://www.soundguys.com/sony-wh-1000xm6-review-2022.html
[2] "How to Use the Custom EQ on Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones," Lifewire,https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-the-custom-eq-on-sony-wh-1000xm6-headphones-5209044
[3] "Are the Sony WH-1000XM6 worth it? | Are the Sony WH-1000XM6 a good choice for Headphones? - Best Buy," https://www.bestbuy.com/site/are-the-sony-wh-1000xm6-worth-it-are-the-sony-wh-1000xm6-a-good-choice-for-headphones---best-buy/6471203.p
[4] "Sony WH-1006XM6 Headphones," Tom's Guide, https://www.tomsguide.com/us/sony-wh-1000xm6-review,review-6892.html
[5] "The WH-1000XM6 have incredible noise cancelation, but is it better than the Bose 700?," Digital Trends, https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/sony-wh-1000xm6-vs-bose-700/
He might prefer the sony WH-1000XM6 headphones over other gadgets due to their exceptional sound and outstanding active noise cancellation (ANC) technology, as proven by various tests and reviews. Furthermore, the sony WH-1000XM6 headphones offer a user-friendly control setup and an app with comprehensive customization options, enhancing the listener's comfort and personalized sound experience.
