Three long years. That's how long it took Sony to unveil the sixth generation of its 1000X headphones, a true benchmark in the field of active noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones. During this wait, the competition didn't sit idly by: Bose, JBL, Marshall, and Sonos sharpened their weapons, each offering serious alternatives. But with this WH-1000XM6, Sony is making a strong comeback, focusing on controlled evolution rather than revolution. A winning bet? Spoiler: yes, hands down.
A familiar design, but more practical
While we were expecting a major aesthetic overhaul for this new model, Sony is instead playing the continuity card. The design of the WH-1000XM6 remains understated and elegant, in direct line with that of the M5. However, some welcome adjustments correct the small flaws of the previous model.
First notable improvement: the return of a folding design. The Mark 5 had abandoned this essential feature for nomads. Good news, the M6 regains this ability to fold, which greatly facilitates its storage in the provided case. This, moreover, has also evolved with a magnetic closure system instead of a long zipper. Faster to handle, more elegant, it marks progress as discreet as it is well thought out.
Wearing comfort: a benchmark of its kind
The WH-1000XM6 is not only practical, it also pays attention to its ergonomics. The headband has been redesigned, slightly widened, to distribute pressure more harmoniously on the head. The result is clear: no more discomfort on the top of the head that some users felt with the M5.
The ear cushions, still memory foam, are thicker and softer. Their vegetable leather covering provides a high-end feel. Weighing only 254 grams, the headset is quickly forgotten once placed on the head. The revised inclination of the earcups allows for better adaptation to the user's morphology, further enhancing overall comfort.
The result? You can wear these headphones for hours without feeling the slightest fatigue. During our test, we chained together several extended sessions—commuting, listening at home, phone calls—without ever wanting to take them off.
High-end finish, premium materials
Sony isn't changing a winning formula. The WH-1000XM6 retains the premium materials that have made the range so successful: thick, durable matte plastics for the shells, metal for the headband, and vegetable-tanned leather for the areas in contact with the skin. The assembly is impeccable, and the impression of robustness dominates. These headphones inspire confidence and seem built to last.
Be careful, however, with the matte surfaces of the earbuds, which are particularly susceptible to fingerprints. A small microfiber cloth won't go amiss to keep this gem in perfect condition.
Connectivity: the essentials, but still a shortcoming
Connectivity-wise, no surprises. There's a USB-C port under the right earpiece, used only for charging. Good news, though: it's now possible to listen to music while charging, which wasn't the case on older models.
But there's a nasty surprise: still no audio support via USB-C. Sony continues to reserve wired listening for the 3.5mm jack port, located under the left earpiece. A questionable choice at a time when many smartphones have given up on this connection. Audiophiles will therefore have to equip themselves with adapters or favor high-quality codecs like LDAC, provided they have a compatible Android device. On iPhone, you'll have to make do with AAC, which remains very decent but less powerful.
In terms of controls, Sony relies on a combination of physical buttons and touch controls. The Bluetooth power/pairing button and the ANC/transparency toggle button are easy to use, while the touch surface on the right earpiece lets you control playback, volume, and navigation. Responsive, fluid, and intuitive, this touch interface remains one of the best on the market.
An ultra-complete application, sometimes too much so
Sony headphones also mean the Sound Connect mobile app. And here, the Japanese brand really goes all out—perhaps even too far for some. The app is impressively comprehensive, unparalleled on the market. But its complexity may put off more than one.
It must be said that everything is there: 10-band equalizer, sound presets, hearing-based personalization, noise reduction control based on the environment, "Speak-to-chat" mode that activates transparency as soon as you speak, head movement detection, multipoint management, codec used, audio compression level... It's a real dashboard for demanding audiophiles.
Good news, the WH-1000XM6 is now compatible with Bluetooth LE Audio (in beta), with Auracast technology. This standard allows you to connect to audio sources broadcast in broadcast, provided that the equipment is compatible. During our test, we were unable to get it to work with the JBL Tour One M3's Smart Tx — final compatibility appears to be yet to come.
Even more formidable active noise reduction
Historically, Bose has always been considered the ultimate benchmark in noise reduction. But in recent years, Sony has gradually closed and then surpassed this gap. With this Mark 6, the Japanese manufacturer is hitting even harder thanks to a new HD QN3 chip, 7 times faster than the previous one, and the integration of 12 microphones, four times more than on the previous model!
The result is simply stunning. Whether on a plane, a train, an open space, or on the street, the headphones work wonders. Background noise disappears almost entirely, low frequencies are effectively erased, and even human voices—traditionally more difficult to attenuate—are significantly reduced.
In return, transparency also gains in quality. Thanks to its array of microphones, the XM6 reproduces the sound environment with remarkable fidelity, right down to sound localization. The whole thing resists wind quite well, an often tricky point for this type of headset.
For hands-free calls, Sony uses 6 microphones in a beam directed towards the mouth. Software processing filters out background noise, and although some artifacts remain, the voice always remains intelligible, even in noisy environments. A very appreciable performance in a professional context.
Mastered sound reproduction
Sony wouldn't be Sony without exemplary audio mastery. This WH-1000XM6 maintains a sound signature oriented towards generous bass, a hallmark of the 1000X series. But make no mistake: this bass is deep, responsive, and well-held. It doesn't overflow, doesn't mask the rest of the spectrum, and knows how to be discreet when necessary.
The midrange is warm and perfectly reproduced, especially the voices, which gain in presence and naturalness. The treble, for its part, rises high without ever becoming aggressive, with beautiful definition. The overall dynamics are impressive: whether it's an explosion in a film or a symphonic crescendo, the Mark 6 responds with precision.
The new 30mm carbon fiber composite drivers undoubtedly have a lot to do with this. Sony says it worked for the first time with three renowned external mastering engineers to refine the sound, and it shows.
Special mention goes to the 360 Upmix mode, an audio processing designed for video content. It allows dialogue to be better distinguished in a film or series, by placing it slightly forward in the soundstage. The effect is stunning, and it becomes difficult to return to traditional listening after experiencing it.
Solid battery life, quick recharge
With 30 hours of battery life announced, the WH-1000XM6 is on par with its predecessor. In our tests, we easily achieved this duration in mixed use with ANC activated. It's not the most durable headset on the market (the Marshall Monitor III does better), but it's still more than enough for everyday use.
The icing on the cake is that Sony offers a very effective quick charge function: in just 3 minutes of charging, you get 3 hours of listening time. A great way to help out if you forget to bring something before going out.
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