It’s been three years since Sony released the last iteration of its revered WH-1000X series over-ear headphones, and there couldn’t be bigger shoes to fill.
The WH-1000XM5 are here, positioned as Sony’s most advanced (and expensive) consumer headphones to date. But with so many fabulous headphones on the market and the XM5 being as good as they are, is the upgrade worth nearly $500? Let’s find out.
How do they sound?
The XM6 feature Sony’s typical warm and smooth sound profile, characterized by minimal peaks and piercing in the higher frequencies, and a slight emphasis on the bass. Atmospheric alternative rock like The 1975’s Pressure produces clear vocals, transparent instrumentals, and a tight bass response.
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Like all headphones, turning off ANC or ambient noise creates a more neutral sound that most people may find dull or uninspiring. However, the XM6’s sound without added noise features is noticeably fuller than the XM5, which sounds more tinny and grainy.
Most ANC-enabled headphones engage dynamic tuning with added noise features turned on, and the XM6 are no different. Turning on noise cancellation or ambient sound brings more color and vibrancy, creating a more enjoyable listening experience.
The XM6’s ambient sound mode is also impressive, naturally replicating the noises around you. Microphone quality for phone calls is fantastic, and the ambient noise mode offers a significant amount of sidetone so you can hear yourself talk, too. Sony says adding four more beamforming microphones is responsible for clearer call quality.
The noise cancellation is powerful; my only gripe is that settings can’t be manually adjusted in the app. Therefore, you’re stuck with superpowered ANC in public, which isn’t always ideal.
Design and comfort
The design of Sony’s WH-1000X line of flagship over-ear headphones has always been utilitarian and functional, rather than flashy, eye-catching, or particularly stunning. That ethos hasn’t changed with the XM6.
Every design choice that separates the XM6 from its predecessor was made purely for improved functionality for the end user, and enhanced aesthetics from those improvements are in the eye of the beholder.
The XM6’s battery life isn’t improved compared to the XM5, so the new generation also promises 30 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled and 40 hours without. However, a new feature is that you can listen to the XM6 while changing them, like the Beats Studio Pro. However, the XM6 do not support audio via USB-C, and they will connect to your listening device via Bluetooth while charging.
Sony’s headphones are typically stacked with software features, and the XM6 have all of Sony’s software bells and whistles. The Sony SoundConnect app includes equalizer settings, multifunction button customization, Speak-to-Chat, which lowers your music when the headphones sense you’re conversing with someone, location-based noise cancellation, and plenty more features.
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A new feature called Head Gestures allows you to answer or decline phone calls by nodding or shaking your head, which is one of my favorite features I use on my AirPods Pro 2. The XM6 also sport touch controls on the surface of the right earcup, which are just as reliable as the XM5’s.
ZDNET’s buying advice
The new Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra