Sony’s WH-1000XM6 launched in 2025, and I’ve barely taken them off my head since — but not for the reason you might think.
For me, it’s not that the WH-1000XM6 has unbeatable out-of-the-box sound. I don’t think they do. But it’s everything else you get around the XM6s that keeps me coming back: the untouchable companion app, exceptional ANC, unrivaled equalizer options, long-wear comfort… the list goes on.
So many headphones have launched since then, but it’ll take something special to dislodge Sony’s WH-1000XM6 cans from my head.
Sony’s ANC implementation is one of the best in the business
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is mighty comfortable to wear
Sony’s XM series headphones are known to offer amazing ANC, and the latest-generation device doubles down on that promise. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is amazing at dramatically reducing background sounds. In my room, with the fan running at full speed (I live in a very hot place!), it cut the noise down almost entirely.
If you’re in a room with other people, the ANC is also particularly impressive at eliminating human voices, and, in my experience, it greatly reduces noise from appliances such as a mixer. However, don’t expect it to cut down sounds completely if you’re not playing music. When you play music, the device transports you into a different, uninterrupted dimension.
The real test for any set of ANC cans, though, is a flight; the background droning of the engines and constant chatter is where you want isolation. I recently flew with these headphones and, surpassing my expectations, managed to catch up on sleep because the WH-1000XM6 shielded me from all of that noise. I just wish I’d remembered a better neck pillow!
There is also an Ambient Sound Mode that lets you hear outside sounds or your own voice, similar to transparency modes that you find on other headphones. This is particularly useful when speaking with other people, as you don’t need to take off your headphones. I’ve often found transparency modes overbearing, as the microphones ramp up the local environment more than I would normally experience it. But Sony gets this balance just right.
You can easily switch between ANC and Ambient Sound modes by tapping the dedicated button on the left earcup, or, in the app, manually adjust the intensity of the sound that gets filtered in.
Tying into the excellent ANC is the XM6s design. I’m far from the only person happy that Sony brought back its folding design; If you hated the XM5s design, you’ll be stoked to know the XM6s fold up completely into a neat little ball thanks to the stainless steel hinges. It’s not just that, mind. When I’m traveling, I can easily toss them into my backpack next to my MacBook without them hogging half the space. At around 254 grams, they’re remarkably lightweight, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods, even during long-haul flights.
Extensive audio customization and crystal-clear calls
Tweak the classic Sony sound how you like
Out of the box, the XM6 offers that classic, bass-heavy Sony signature. Honestly, it can sound a bit muddy on some songs if you stick with the XM6’s default settings. But once you dive into the Sony Sound Connect companion app, it’s a completely different story. It features a decent 10-band equalizer that gives you a good range of equalization customization options that are mostly easy to use. With a few tweaks to the low-end, you can dial back the bloat and bring out a seriously tight, punchy sub-bass that doesn’t bleed into the midrange.
I also found the imaging and soundstage decent on the XM6, but not the best. You can use the app to widen up the soundstage. It’s obviously not going to replace a pair of dedicated flat-response studio monitors, but the imaging is highly respectable once you tune it. Small adjustments in the low-mids and minor tweaks to the upper treble make a positive difference, at least for me. When listening to Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb, I could visualize the placement of instruments and vocal layers across the audio spectrum, with everything sounding much clearer and crisper.
The app also offers several equalizer presets, including Heavy, Clear, and Hard. These let you emphasize bass, treble, or both, depending on your preference, and are a handy option if you don’t want to muck around with the custom EQ.
Sound Connect also offers other dedicated listening modes. For example, I prefer Standard mode because it lets me use the equalizer and DSEE settings without altering the listening experience too much.
Background Music mode makes audio sound more distant, like listening to music in a café. For movies, I suggest enabling Cinema mode. It expands the soundstage so well that throwing on a dark, gritty thriller feels like you’re sitting in a mini home theater rather than just staring at a screen.
The app also offers Spatial Sound and Head Tracking, but I’ve never been a fan of those features. Then there’s DSEE Extreme, which uses AI-based processing to enhance compressed audio sources, such as MP3 files and streamed music, helping recover some of the detail lost during compression.
Call quality is another strong suit, though I ran into an issue at first. People on the other end of calls couldn’t hear me, which made me wonder whether the headphones were faulty. Updating the WH-1000XM6 to the latest firmware through the Sound Connect app resolved the issue. After the update, the device did a good job of isolating my voice, keeping calls clear even in noisy environments.
The one reason I keep choosing Sony headphones
After testing the Sony WH-1000XM6, it’s Sony’s ANC implementation that keeps them glued to my ears. I travel frequently, and I’m also a music producer, and I often have to mix those things on the go. Without the XM6 to block out the sound, I’d be constantly distracted. It’s hard to overstate how much of a difference this makes.
Whether I’m listening to music in my bedroom or trying to get a shut-eye when traveling, these headphones don’t disappoint. The compact design, amazing call quality, and extensive customization options in Sound Connect are all top-tier. Not to mention the rock-solid battery life: 30 hours with ANC enabled and 45 hours without, plus hi-res audio support and plenty of other features.
But ANC is the real reason I’m sticking with the XM6 for the foreseeable future. At least until the XM7s land in 2027!
- Battery Life
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30 hours with ANC, 40 hours without
- Wireless?
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Yes (Bluetooth 5.3)
- Microphones
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12 microphones
- Brand
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Sony
- Transducer Size
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30mm
- Frequency Response
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4 Hz – 40,000 Hz
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are flagship wireless over-ear headphones combining industry-leading noise cancellation with a practical foldable design. Powered by Sony’s QN3 processor and twelve microphones, they deliver rich, customizable sound via 30mm drivers, crisp call quality, and 30-hour battery life with ANC enabled, rising to 40 hours without.