Sony is back with new WH-1000XM6 heaphones that sound impressive
Sony has a very long tradition of making excellent wireless headphones. The Japanese firm's WH-1000XM4s (launched in 2020) are still much-loved by those who own them. The award-winning WH-1000XM5s (which arrived in 2022) then refined the experience further, adding better sound and a new look. Now, there are some new cans to choose from, and they appear even more impressive than anything Sony has launched before.
Unsurprisingly, they are called the Sony WH-1000XM6, and they look set to improve on what were already some of the best headphones money could buy.
Firstly, Sony says its Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is now its most 'advanced' yet, meaning owners should only hear the music and not annoying background sound.
This has been achieved thanks to an advanced processor and 12 clever microphones that are dotted all over the headphones. Hopefully, this update means you can still enjoy a podcast when sitting in a noisy cafe or having a screaming baby near you on a plane.
When you don't want ANC, you can tap a button on the side to let audio in or simply place your hand over the ear cup to hear what's going on around you. That's perfect for those times when you walk into a coffee shop to order a latte and don't want to take them off.
Next, there's improved audio with Sony saying the upgraded sound has been developed in collaboration with world-renowned mastering engineers. The collaborative team of Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated engineers includes Randy Merrill (Sterling Sound), who has worked with the likes of Ed Sheeran; Chris Gehringer (Sterling Sound), known for his work with Lady Gaga and Mike Piacentini (Battery Studios), who has mastered tracks for Bob Dylan.
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To help boost things further, the new WH-1000XM6 also supports the best formats, including High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless. Plus, there's DSEE Extreme, which upscales compressed digital music files in real time to restore high-range sound lost in compression.
If you don't like what you are hearing, all the settings can be adjusted in the Sony Connect app with the WH-1000XM6 even featuring a 10-band EQ for the ultimate precision.
Of course, many of us now use headphones for videos as well as music. To help make a boxset binge feel more immersive, 360 Reality Audio Upmix for Cinema has been added, which brings a spatial sound experience just like you are in a movie theatre.
Along with sounding great, another vital feature of headphones is the way they look and feel.
Sony has refined things again this year with the WH-1000XM6, which features a soft-fit wider headband infused with vegan leather and earpads designed for all-day usage. They also fold up neatly like origami and can be popped into their carry case.
At launch, you'll find three colours including Black, Platinum Silver and Midnight Blue.
Other extras worth a mention include long battery life, fast charging, improved voice calls and Scene-based Listening.
This new intuitive feature uses sensing technology to automatically play music according to your activity and adjust noise cancellation level based on your environment
They sound pretty mighty, but so does the price. They cost £400, which is pretty expensive, especially as you can currently get the older WH-1000xm5s for just £279.
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'Sony today announced the WH-1000XM6 wireless noise cancelling headphones – latest edition of its award winning 1000X series that set a new standard for premium audio and personal listening experiences,' Sony explained in an email sent to Express.co.uk.
'Building on the legacy of the 1000X series, this latest model combines premium sound with the best noise cancelling1 in a seamless design to create an unparalleled audio solution for music lovers, fashionistas, travellers and professionals alike.'
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Tom's Guide
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Yahoo
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Hold fire if you're shopping for a drawing tablet – new Wacom Cintiqs are coming
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Wacom Cintiq tablets have long been a fixture in our pick of the best drawing tablets, and we'll soon have a new trio of devices to review. The Japanese company has today announced the launch of a new generation of Cintiq pen displays with a thinner builds and higher resolution. We're told the new Wacom Cintiq 16, Cintiq 24 and Cintiq 24 Touch will have a slim, fanless design to reduce noise and make them more practical for moving about. The 24-inch models will be nearly half the thickness of the previous 22-inch mode at just 21mm. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 The new Cintiq 16 gets a resolution boost from 1,920 x 1,080 to 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. The 24in models (pen-only or pen + touch) have QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 and will come with an adjustable stand. All three models support USB-C connection. They'll still use the existing Pro Pen 3. Direct bonding minimises the gap between pen tip and cursor. They'll also inherit the more expensive Cintiq Pro range's anti-glare etched glass, replacing the previous models' film to better reduce reflection and eye fatigue. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 Wacom's also announced the launch of a new Pro Pen 3 Wood Grip as an optional extra. It says this provides a more natural feel in the hand. The tablets are slated for released in the northern hemisphere summer, so I presume within the next couple of moths. You'll be able to learn more at the Wacom websit. For comparison, see our pick of the best Wacom tablets.
