Sony WH-1000XM6 review: Super fast charging headphones

News.com.au

3 days ago

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Confession time: I've never been an over-ear headphones person. I've always preferred earbuds, specifically Apple AirPods. They've always done the job for me: discreet, portable and decent enough sound.
But after spending the past two months using Sony's latest release – the WH-1000XM6 – I finally understand what I've been missing, especially when it comes to sound quality and noise cancellation.
One super handy feature I've come to love is the touch panel on the right ear cup, which lets you control your music with a simple tap or swipe – no need to touch your phone at all. It absolutely blew my mind the first time I used it!
So if you're thinking about switching to over-ear headphones, or you're a loyal Sony fan debating whether the upgrade is worth it, let me save you some time: yes. But if you're still on the fence, here's my full, honest breakdown of the experience.
$699.95 at Sony
Other ways to buy:
$698 at Amazon
$699 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Sony's 1000X series is widely regarded as elite and the best on the market.
Since the series debut with XM2s in 2017, Sony has consistently raised the bar for what over-ear headphones can and should offer.
The WH-1000XM6 improves on the already well-loved XM5s (released three years ago in 2022) with meaningful upgrades in noise cancellation, sound quality and portability that make this version well worth it.
HOW WE TESTED THE SONY WH-1000XM6 HEADPHONE
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I used the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones consistently over two months – on public transport, in the office, during walks, while working at home, watching TV shows and movies on my laptop. and on a domestic flight.
HOW WE EVALUATED THE HEADPHONES
DESIGN AND COMFORT
My aversion to over-ear headphones has always come down to the look and feel. To me, they seemed bulky and heavy.
But trying the XM6s changed my mind pretty quickly.
First, they actually look good. I opted for the platinum silver but they also come in classic black and a midnight blue.
They feel sleek and premium, not clunky or oversized. They're also very lightweight at just 254 grams. I'd imagined they'd weigh heavily on my head but they didn't at all.
Where they really won me over though was the comfort – even after wearing them for long stretches of time.
The redesigned headband is wider than the previous version for better support and the ear cups are soft and cushioned.
The fit is secure but not tight and you can adjust them to fit exactly how you want. I wore them during a four-hour flight and on long office days and never once felt uncomfortable. Which is more than I can say for my AirPods Pro, which start to feel intrusive and irritating in the ears after a couple of hours.
Unlike the XM5, the XM6 is now foldable thanks to a reintroduced hinge. They fit into a compact carry case that closes with a magnetic latch, a much easier way to open than the previous zipper-style cases.
FEATURES
The Sony WH-1000XM6 comes packed with features that are actually useful and make life easier (and better).
The headphones are clearly labelled left and right, a small but helpful touch, especially because the right ear cup is where the magic happens.
On the right ear cup, you'll find the touch controls, which let you adjust volume, skip tracks, pause and play music, or even fast-forward – all just by tapping or swiping.
It's intuitive and responsive, and I found myself absolutely loving the convenience of not needing to pull my phone out constantly.
There's also an automatic pause/play feature that detects when you've taken the headphones off and pauses playback instantly, then resumes when you put them back on. Again, small detail but once you've got it, it's hard to go back.
The XM6s can also be connected to two devices at once, meaning you can be listening to music on your laptop and still take calls on your phone without needing to disconnect or switch anything manually.
You can also download Sony's companion app, which opens up even more possibilities: from customising your equaliser settings to choosing from preset sound profiles or letting the app suggest one for you based on your preferences. It's a great way to take full control of your audio experience.
SOUND QUALITY AND NOISE CANCELLATION
This is where the Sony WH-1000XM6 truly proves its worth. The sound quality is superb – clear, rich and detailed.
Sony collaborated with world-renowned mastering engineers at top recording studios to 'allow you to hear your music as it was meant to be'. And I have to say, I really noticed the difference.
Listening to music on these headphones felt like rediscovering some of my favourite tracks. It really does offer superior audio and an immersive and intimate music experience.
It's not just music either. Watching TV shows or movies – whether on a plane, a train, or my laptop at home – felt upgraded thanks to the spatial audio, which genuinely gives you that surround-sound feel like you're at the cinema.
As for the all-important noise cancellation? It is not only top tier but the best I've ever experienced.
The new processor is seven times faster than the one in the XM5s and the addition of 12 microphones allows for incredibly accurate noise detection and silencing.
Whether I was in a noisy office, a packed metro or sitting near a crying toddler on a flight, the XM6s let me stay in my own peaceful bubble.
Most impressively, when I was working from home while my partner was on a (very loud) call just a metre away, I could barely hear a thing.
The Adaptive Sound Control is also much smarter now, automatically adjusting to your activity (walking, sitting, commuting) and filtering in the sounds you might actually need to hear.
I'm usually not a fan of using wireless headphones or earbuds for phone calls (I still find wired earphones with a mic offer the best sound quality).
But after testing these headphones, I found the experience pretty good. The six-microphone, AI-powered system does a solid job of focusing on your voice and filtering out background noise, making it easier to be heard in busy environments.
I wouldn't rely on them in very loud or crowded spots like a cafe but they worked well for me while walking around and chatting with a friend.
BATTERY LIFE
The battery life is excellent. Sony promises up to 30 hours with active noise cancellation and I found that to be pretty accurate. I've only had to fully charge them twice over two months of regular use.
But the real clincher for me is the fast-charge function. Just three minutes of charging gives you three hours of power.
And unlike the XM5s, you can now use the XM6s while they're charging so if you ever forget to charge them up ahead of time (guilty), you're not stuck.
PRICE
At $699.95, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are undeniably an investment. But in this case, I genuinely believe you get what you pay for. These are headphones built to last and will continue to deliver for years.
You can buy them at Sony, Amazon and The Good Guys.
If you, like me, have never owned over-ear headphones – or you're looking to upgrade your current pair – the Sony WH-1000XM6 should be top of your list.
Sony has once again delivered on its reputation for high performance audio tech. These offer a real improvement over the XM5s, with better sound, noise cancellation and a foldable design.
For anyone who values great audio, ease of use, and a little peace and quiet in this noisy world, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are worth the price tag.
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