Sony appears to be preparing to launch a successor to its excellent WH-1000XM5 active noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones. The latter is already considered the best of its kind, delivering crystal-clear sound in breathtaking silence.
In recent years, Sony has managed to take back the crown of the best active noise-cancelling headphones from Bose, with a series of excellent headphones. The latest of its kind, the WH-1000XM5, remains considered the best on the market. The company is not currently facing any real threat from competition in this segment – which doesn't stop it from preparing a new iteration.
The Dealabs website (via Android Police) spotted a listing (since removed) on Amazon that mentions the new model. Usually, you have to take this type of information with a grain of salt, but this time, the announcement seems to be a blunder by the official Sony account on the e-commerce site. Not only does the page clearly mention WH-1000XM6 headphones; But as a bonus, we have its technical specifications, its price and its release date.
What we know about the Sony WH-1000XM6 is rather promising
First of all, Sony has reportedly put a significantly more powerful QN3 chip inside, which suggests progress in terms of noise cancellation efficiency. This chip is said to be 7 times faster than the QN1 version implemented in the WH-1000XM5. There is something a little surprising right away if this is confirmed. Since, apparently, Sony has never offered a QN2-branded chip in its lineup – suggesting a generational leap.
The headphones are also said to integrate a new and improved DAC converter that delivers reduced sound distortion and more immersive sound. To improve sound quality during calls, six AI-boosted microphones with beamforming technology are said to be part of the package. The quality of the sound captured by the microphones remains an issue for all current headphones and earphones on the market.
Adaptive noise cancellation would be included, as is the case on the most recent model available. Regarding wireless sound quality (in Bluetooth 5.3), the listing mentions the LDAC codec, and the reduction of noise caused by wind. There is also mention of “Speak to chat” and personalized Spatial Audio. Wireless connectivity can accommodate multiple simultaneous pairings.
Since Bluetooth bandwidth is limited, Lossless fans will probably prefer a wired connection. Sony offers a classic jack port (3.5 mm) on these headphones, which should make things quite practical. Even if staying attached to a cable isn't really the case in the age of wireless.
As always, charging would be done via a USB Type-C port. And, beyond that, the battery life would remain unchanged with up to 30 hours of listening time. All with a quick charge (3 minutes delivers three hours of operation). The device would be priced at €388.43 with a launch set for May 15, 2025. However, we advise you not to take this latest information at face value – since the price and release date are often changed before the start of the official teasing period.
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