The king is back.
Sony’s latest premium WH-1000X noise cancelling headphones were unveiled overnight and I’m happy to report the wait has been worth it. The WH-1000XM6 headphones sound better, look better and feel better than the previous M5 model. They are also more expensive at A$699.95.
THE NAME
These headphones are often called the XM4, XM5, etc. They are actually the WH-1000X Mark 6 headphones. WH means they are wireless headband headphones, 1000X is the model number and the M6 means Mark 6. I’ve been guilty of using the XM6 name before,and for that, I feel great shame. Of course you can call them whatever you want but I thought it was worth pointing out because Sony loves those long model names.
NOISE CANCELLING
The Mark 6 headphones are phenomenally good at noise cancelling. Each model sets the standard when they come out and Sony’s done it again with the 2025 version. It’s been three years since the Mark 5 model was released so you would expect significant improvements.
The Mark 6 HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 is seven times faster than its previous version. It controls 12 microphones, up from eight in the last model. They successfully neutralised sounds from a noisy fridge, espresso machine and heavy rain in Sydney this morning. I’m currently shooting an in-depth review, so make sure you come back soon to see how it really performs.
AMBIENT SOUND
Auto Ambient Sound mode is even better at adapting to your surroundings in real time. balancing music and external sound. The microphone array allows you to take in announcements, conversations, or the general happenings around you. Adjust settings automatically or fine-tune them manually in the Sound Connect app.
SOUND CONNECT APP
Sony has redesigned and renamed its headphones app, calling it Sony | Sound Connect. You really need this to get the most out of your WH-1000XM6 headphones.
Aside from controlling Ambient Sound settings and a range of other settings, you also get a 10-band equaliser that I would encourage users to play with to really dial in the sound profile you like.
AUDIO QUALITY
These headphones have a warm sound that I really like. Bass is excellent but not overpowering. My go-to track for testing is Wuthering Heights by the incomparable Kate Bush. When the bass guitar kicks in after 42 seconds in the song I go straight to heaven. The headphones remain true to the instruments and that means the bass is not overdone. The soundstage is wide, ensuring delightful reproduction in the mids and highs.
The WH-1000XM6 headphones reach the vocal and instrumental highs with plenty of headroom. They never feel like they are under pressure and don’t come close to distortion.
They are also ready for LE Audio, delivering ultra-low latency for flawless gaming and access to broadcasts with Auracast™10. You can read more about Auracast here. Multi-Point and Auto Switch makes switching between devices a breeze no matter if it’s Mac to phone or vice versa.
In short, they are my new favourite headphones,
CALL QUALITY
Phone calls have never been the best on these headphones but they have improved on the Mark 6 model. I appreciate the work Sony has done this area but I think others do it better. Don’t get me wrong, these headphones do a decent job, it’s just that compared with its own music quality, call quality is not in the same league.
DESIGN
The design team of the WH-1000XM6 headphones deserve a thunderous round of applause. The new hinge mechanism allows the headphones to fold up to be packed away or fold flat so they can sit on the top of your chest. The ear pads are incredibly soft and comfortable, plus they care easily removed for cleaning or repair.
The best bit of all is the case. It no longer has a zipper because the clever folk at Sony replaced it with a magnetic clasp. This is so simple but incredibly convenient. It has neat little pocket for a USB-A to USB-C cable and 3.5mm TRS cable. It headphones come in three colours, Black, Platinum Silver and Midnight Blue.
BATTERY
Sony says you’ll get up to 30 hours of music playback and for the first time you’ll be able listen and charge all at once. If you need a quick hit, just three minutes on the charger will give you three hours of listening.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The WH-1000XM6 will be available in Black, Platinum Silver and Midnight Blue in Australia from June 2025. Pre-order available from today, May 16th.
