Sony has officially launched the WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones, which promise to evolve the noise-cancelling experience with improved real-time optimisation to block out distractions.
The successor to 2022’s five-star WH-1000XM5 promises a “dramatic leap” in noise-cancelling and sound-quality thanks to an advanced new processor combined with an improved adaptive microphone system and better noise cancelling algorithms.
The design is practically identical, save for a wider headband with a “pressure-free fit” and a magnetically closing case. Battery life remains stellar. There is a bit of a price bump though. Let’s dive into the vital stats on what could soon become the best noise-cancelling headphones in our line-up.
Noise-cancelling nous
Sony is debuting a new QN3 processor which is seven-times faster than the QN1 processor within the XM5 headphones. The processor also tunes the microphones in real time in noise cancelling mode, ensuring your listening experience is even less disturbed by changing external factors.
With four additional microphones (12 in total) precisely placed at different points on the headphones, the XM6 model enables “the noise cancellation to adapt more precisely to fit you and your environment,” Sony claims.
Those microphones are also put to good use in the improved Auto Ambient Sound mode to “let in what matters: announcements, conversations or the world around you.”
Meanwhile, Sony’s new Adaptive NC Optimiser algorithm does a better job of adapting to changes in air pressure as well as external noise.
The new 30mm driver, which has been specifically optimised for noise cancelling, as well as boosting audio clarity.
Sound quality
There’s still Hi-Res Audio support over wireless, LDAC and DSEE Extreme upscaling functionality to remove the fuzz from older tracks. However, Sony is adding a new 10-band EQ to help dial-in the sound. There’s also a new Game EQ mode which was “developed with Sony’s expertise from its INZONE range to enhance sound quality for first person shooter gaming.”
There’s also support for the company’s 360 Reality Audio Upmix for Cinema tech to give spatial audience a movie-theatre like boost.
Battery Life
The XM5 offered battery life of 30 hours with noise cancelling turned on (40 hours with NC off) and a charge time of around 3.5 hours.
Sony says the same 30 hours battery life is possible with the XM6, and even faster charging is possible. Three minutes of USB-C charging will get you three hours of charge. You can also listen while charging too.
Release date
The Sony WH-1000XM6 will be available to purchase in Black, Platinum Silver and Midnight Blue from later this month. Sony is yet to pinpoint a date.
Price
A slight point of contention here as Sony is raising the price for the WH-1000XM6 compared to the previous generation. They’ll cost £400 in the UK, which is a £20 increase. Whether the improvements here justify the price point remains to be seen.
The XM5 are still an incredible pair of noise-cancelling over-ear headphones and they can be nabbed for as little as £279 right now.