Headphones That'll Blow You Away: A Review of the Sony WH-1000XM6
Improved Wireless Headset for Olfactometry: Sony WH-1000XM6 Enhancement
By Klaus Wedekind
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Three years, several improvements, and a wallet-busting price tag: The Sony WH-1000XM6 takes a step forward, then several smaller leaps, making it a prime candidate for the title of the best current Bluetooth headphones.
Sony has tackled the criticism of their predecessor, the WH-1000XM5, and made numerous additional detail improvements. The result? A comfortable, compact, and stylish Bluetooth headphone with exceptional sound and outstanding active noise cancellation (ANC).
Comfortable and Compact Design
The WH-1000XM5 was criticized for its rigid headband, which wasn't less than a deal-breaker for many. The new model sports joints positioned just above the ear cups, giving it a more stable, rattle-free construction, and a luxurious, yet practical feel.
Moreover, the new WH-1000XM6 boasts cushier ear cups, providing . Listen up! The Sennheiser HD 505 offers audiophile delights at a budget price more room for ears—making them particularly comfortable, even for those wearing glasses. The headband cushion is also wider and thicker, ensuring a perfect fit that doesn't budge.
When folded, the headphone takes up significantly less space in your baggage compared to the XM5, making it an ideal travel companion. The robust, yet sleek casing features a magnetic closure and an additional compartment for charging and auxiliary cables for added convenience.
Control and Connectivity
The touch control surface on the right ear cup retains its precision for controlling playback, calls, or activating voice assistance. However, Sony also offers the option to answer or end calls manually by nodding or shaking your head—the ultimate in hands-free convenience.
Two tactile buttons adorn the underside of the left ear cup for seamless operation. One button powers the headphones on/off and enables Bluetooth pairing, while the other switches between ANC and transparency mode. Alternatively, you can summon Spotify or Amazon Music, or even Endel by pressing it twice or thrice.
Speaking of voice assistance, Sony's WH-1000XM6 features voice recognition. Speak up, and playback pauses, and transparency mode is immediately activated. You're the boss here: You can customize the sensitivity and the time it takes for transparency mode to deactivate when you fall silent.
All settings are managed through the comprehensive yet easy-to-use Sound Connect app, where you'll find additional features such as automatic app selection, ANC optimization based on activities, and a more detailed equalizer with ten adjustable frequency bands instead of the previous five.
Sound and ANC Performance
The WH-1000XM6's predecessor already boasted excellent sound, but Sony has gone one step further. The new model offers increased detail, definition, and clarity. Sony seems to have honed the dynamics as well, resulting in a sound image that's more cohesive and precise.
An equalizer might only be necessary for those with limited hearing or specific use cases, but these headphones deliver outstanding performance across the board—from bass-heavy beats to the subtlest instrumentals. One such use case is gaming, for which there's a dedicated mode with enhanced footstep and gunshot sounds.
Teufel Real Blue NC 3 in Test Almost Everything is Perfect
In terms of ANC, the new WH-1000XM6 boasts a noticeable improvement over its predecessor. Sony has increased the number of microphones from eight to twelve, which works in harmony with better environmental adaptation tech to constitute an outstanding noise-dampening system.
The WH-1000XM6 reliably filters out noise from busy streets, airplanes, or trains, and is highly effective at office noises such as clattering keyboards or colleagues' conversations. The headphones are unaffected by self-noise even when active, and the transparency mode is both customizable and top-notch.
Call Quality and Battery Life
When put to the test, the WH-1000XM6 features excellent adaptability to loud environments during calls. With six microphones and AI support, the headphones create a beamforming system that captures your voice flawlessly while suppressing ambient noise. Your callers will hear little to nothing from the environment. Plus, the WH-1000XM6 handles wind noise suppression like a champ.
Concerning battery life, the WH-1000XM6 offers 30 hours on a single charge—although we didn't make it all the way through our test period. However, the fact that the display showed 83% after approximately five hours confirms the manufacturer's claim roughly. When the battery is drained, just three minutes on the charger will get you an extra three hours of music. And yes, you can now use the headphones while charging.
Verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a must-try for anyone hunting for the best current Bluetooth headphones. The Japanese company has fixed the design flaws of its predecessor, improved the sound, and taken active noise cancellation to a whole new level. Is it worth the high price tag? You be the judge.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones showcase impressive improvements in sound, comfort, and active noise cancellation (ANC) compared to its predecessor, the WH-1000XM5. With its upgraded design, striking sound quality, and exceptional ANC performance, it's clear that these headphones are not just a step forward but several smaller leaps, making them strong contenders for the title of the best current Bluetooth headphones among gadgets and technology. The headphones' advanced features, such as voice recognition, hands-free controls, and integrated AI support, ensure a high-quality auditory experience that rivals even higher-end models, all wrapped up in a compact and stylish package.
