Latest news with #NoiseCancelling
The Verge
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Bose is offering an extra 25% off refurbished headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers
Some of Bose's best headphones, earbuds, and speakers were nicely discounted for Prime Day, but just because the event has ended doesn't mean the deals are over. Bose is currently offering discounts on a range of refurbished products, plus an extra 25 percent off on top of that with code SUMMER25. For example, Verge-favorite QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are down to $284.25 ($165 off) at Bose, the lowest price we've seen yet. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are also down to $186.75 ($113 off) at Bose, another all-time low (and another Verge favorite). Bose's latest flagship headphones are a replacement for the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, and offer a more travel-friendly design, spatial audio, better call quality, excellent comfort, and some of the best noise cancellation around. Read our review. The QC Ultra Headphones are the perfect noise-canceling headphones for travel, offering excellent audio performance and a design that's comfortable to wear for long stretches. In his review, former Verge senior reviewer Chris Welch said the wider headband on the QC Ultra Headphones didn't cause any discomfort over extended use. While the headphones feature the same drivers found in Bose's older Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, the QC Ultra Headphones include a new Immersive Audio mode, which is the company's take on spatial audio. The QC Ultra Headphones also offer 24-hour battery life and noise cancellation that's among the very best. They can block the annoying drone of a plane's engine and give you peace and quiet in a noisy coffee shop. Additionally, Bose's transparency mode, which the company calls 'Aware,' continues to improve with a more natural sound — nearly reaching the standard set by the AirPods Max. With dynamic, rich sound and the best noise cancellation available in true wireless earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a terrific pick if you want to listen to your music in peace. Read our review. Meanwhile, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer the best noise cancellation of any earbuds we've tested. They deliver excellent audio quality and a satisfying bass, surpassing the sound quality offered by Apple's AirPods Pro. Like the QC Ultra Headphones, the QC Ultra Earbuds have an immersive audio mode, providing the illusion that you're not wearing earbuds at all. Plus, the earbuds offer around six hours of battery life, IPX4 water resistance, and a comfortable fit thanks to stabilizer wings, ensuring they stay secure in your ear. Bose's refurbished store is also offering great deals on the Ultra Open Earbuds, which with the code are down to $186.75 ($113 off), and the Smart Ultra Soundbar, which is down to $524.25 ($475 off), both of which are all-time low prices. If you're looking for a portable speaker, the SoundLink Flex is $74.25 ($75 off), another all-time low. Bose says its refurbished products undergo thorough testing and cleaning before they're resold, and they're backed by the same one-year warranty as new products. Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we've tested sent to your inbox weekly.
The Guardian
09-07-2025
- The Guardian
Sony WH-1000XM6 review: raising the bar for noise-cancelling headphones
Sony's latest top-of-the-range Bluetooth headphones seek to reclaim the throne for the best noise cancellers money can buy with changes inside and out. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. The Sony 1000X series has long featured some of the best noise cancelling you can buy and has been locked in a battle with rival Bose for the top spot. The WH-1000XM6 replace the outgoing XM5 model and cost £399 (€449/$449/A$699) – far from cheap but not the most expensive among peers either. The outside design looks very similar to their predecessors, with smooth, soft-touch plastic bodies, plush earpads and headband, and a subtle Sony logo on the arms. The earcups now swivel and fold to allow the headphones to be more compact for travel in a redesigned hard fabric case with a magnetic clasp. The new headphones are light but feel solid and ready for the rigours of travel or a commute. They fit well, with enough pressure to keep them in place without any discomfort, though the Bose QC Ultra are more comfortable. The earcups of the XM6 are slightly shallow compared with the Bose, which made getting a proper fit with glasses a little trickier. The right earcup has a responsive touch panel to handle playback and volume controls with swipes and taps, which works well unless you're wearing gloves. The left earcup has a power button, a 3.5mm headphones socket and a button for toggling noise-cancelling modes. The XM6 can connect with two devices simultaneously through Bluetooth 5.3 and support the SBC, AAC and LDAC audio formats. They also support Bluetooth LE (LC3), the next generation of Bluetooth audio connectivity, which has yet to see widespread adoption but is good for future-proofing. Call quality is very good, sounding natural and full in either quiet or noisy environments, with the option of side tone, where you can hear yourself through the headphones. Weight: 254g Drivers: 30mm Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, 3.5mm, USB-C charging Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 Rated battery life: 30 hours ANC on The headphones lasted slightly longer than their rated 30 hours in testing, managing more than 32 hours between charges using noise cancelling, which is very competitive and certainly long enough for a couple of weeks of commuting. They charge via USB-C in about 3.5 hours and can be used via Bluetooth or the headphones jack while being charged. Inside the XM6 is the first chip upgrade in quite a few years. The new QN3 processor is seven times as fast as the previous model and supports 12 microphones for detecting unwanted noise, delivering some of the most impressive noise cancelling I've experienced in a long time. Most good noise-cancelling headphones handle the low rumbles of engines and other roar-type sounds well, but even the best struggle with higher pitch tones such as keyboard taps and background chatter. Here is where the XM6 have raised the bar, doing a better job than others of neutralising those annoying higher tones, so much so that train and bus announcements were almost inaudible, particularly when listening to music. They also have a very good, natural-sounding ambient mode allowing you to clearly hear the outside world. There are 20 different levels to choose from or a system to automatically adjust it depending on the background noise. It can also allow voices through while blocking other sounds. The headphones produce the sort of rounded, well-controlled and detailed sound you should expect from a market leader. They deliver power and solid bass when needed, while preserving detail across the range with excellent separation of tones. They can be a little clinical in some tracks that require a more raw sound, such as Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit. They have a warm and slightly bass-accentuated profile out of the box that is a great listen, but a full equaliser allows you to adjust the sound to taste. The XM6 also support various sound modes, including a novel background music feature that makes it sound as if you're in a cafe or living room, plus a cinema audio mode for movies. They can also be used with Sony's 360 Reality Audio system or Android's built-in spatial audio system including head tracking with supported phones. The headphones are generally repairable and were praised for a more repairable design by the specialists iFixit. The earcups can easily be removed. The headphones are made with recycled plastic. The Sony WH-1000XM6 cost £399 (€449/$449.99/A$699.95). For comparison, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra cost £350, the Sonos Ace cost £449, the Beats Studio Pro cost £349.99, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless cost £199 and the Fairbuds XL cost £219. Sony has set a new bar for noise cancelling with its sixth-generation 1000X series headphones. The WH-1000XM6 cut out more of the difficult higher-tone noise such as background chatter better than any other rivals. The rest is a refinement on previous models. Quality sound makes them a delight to listen to. They are light and comfortable to wear with good controls. Solid 32-plus-hour battery life, a folding design and an excellent case make them easy to live with. Bose still holds the comfort crown with the QC Ultra, Sony's design is a bit boring and they certainly aren't cheap at £400, even if some rivals cost a lot more. But if you want the best noise cancelling money can buy, the WH-1000XM6 are it. Pros: new best-in-class noise cancelling, great sound, spatial audio, light and comfortable, fold up for travel with great case, Bluetooth multipoint, Bluetooth LE/LC3 support, 32-hour battery life, good controls, good cross-platform control app, more repairable design. Cons: expensive, dull-looking, no water resistance, spatial audio limited with an iPhone.
The Guardian
09-07-2025
- The Guardian
Sony WH-1000XM6 review: raising the bar for noise-cancelling headphones
Sony's latest top-of-the-range Bluetooth headphones seek to reclaim the throne for the best noise cancellers money can buy with changes inside and out. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. The Sony 1000X series has long featured some of the best noise cancelling you can buy and has been locked in a battle with rival Bose for the top spot. The WH-1000XM6 replace the outgoing XM5 model and cost £399 (€449/$449/A$699) – far from cheap but not the most expensive among peers either. The outside design looks very similar to their predecessors, with smooth, soft-touch plastic bodies, plush earpads and headband, and a subtle Sony logo on the arms. The earcups now swivel and fold to allow the headphones to be more compact for travel in a redesigned hard fabric case with a magnetic clasp. The new headphones are light but feel solid and ready for the rigours of travel or a commute. They fit well, with enough pressure to keep them in place without any discomfort, though the Bose QC Ultra are more comfortable. The earcups of the XM6 are slightly shallow compared with the Bose, which made getting a proper fit with glasses a little trickier. The right earcup has a responsive touch panel to handle playback and volume controls with swipes and taps, which works well unless you're wearing gloves. The left earcup has a power button, a 3.5mm headphones socket and a button for toggling noise-cancelling modes. The XM6 can connect with two devices simultaneously through Bluetooth 5.3 and support the SBC, AAC and LDAC audio formats. They also support Bluetooth LE (LC3), the next generation of Bluetooth audio connectivity, which has yet to see widespread adoption but is good for future-proofing. Call quality is very good, sounding natural and full in either quiet or noisy environments, with the option of side tone, where you can hear yourself through the headphones. Weight: 254g Drivers: 30mm Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, 3.5mm, USB-C charging Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 Rated battery life: 30 hours ANC on The headphones lasted slightly longer than their rated 30 hours in testing, managing more than 32 hours between charges using noise cancelling, which is very competitive and certainly long enough for a couple of weeks of commuting. They charge via USB-C in about 3.5 hours and can be used via Bluetooth or the headphones jack while being charged. Inside the XM6 is the first chip upgrade in quite a few years. The new QN3 processor is seven times as fast as the previous model and supports 12 microphones for detecting unwanted noise, delivering some of the most impressive noise cancelling I've experienced in a long time. Most good noise-cancelling headphones handle the low rumbles of engines and other roar-type sounds well, but even the best struggle with higher pitch tones such as keyboard taps and background chatter. Here is where the XM6 have raised the bar, doing a better job than others of neutralising those annoying higher tones, so much so that train and bus announcements were almost inaudible, particularly when listening to music. They also have a very good, natural-sounding ambient mode allowing you to clearly hear the outside world. There are 20 different levels to choose from or a system to automatically adjust it depending on the background noise. It can also allow voices through while blocking other sounds. The headphones produce the sort of rounded, well-controlled and detailed sound you should expect from a market leader. They deliver power and solid bass when needed, while preserving detail across the range with excellent separation of tones. They can be a little clinical in some tracks that require a more raw sound, such as Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit. They have a warm and slightly bass-accentuated profile out of the box that is a great listen, but a full equaliser allows you to adjust the sound to taste. The XM6 also support various sound modes, including a novel background music feature that makes it sound as if you're in a cafe or living room, plus a cinema audio mode for movies. They can also be used with Sony's 360 Reality Audio system or Android's built-in spatial audio system including head tracking with supported phones. The headphones are generally repairable and were praised for a more repairable design by the specialists iFixit. The earcups can easily be removed. The headphones are made with recycled plastic. The Sony WH-1000XM6 cost £399 (€449/$449.99/A$699.95). For comparison, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra cost £350, the Sonos Ace cost £449, the Beats Studio Pro cost £349.99, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless cost £199 and the Fairbuds XL cost £219. Sony has set a new bar for noise cancelling with its sixth-generation 1000X series headphones. The WH-1000XM6 cut out more of the difficult higher-tone noise such as background chatter better than any other rivals. The rest is a refinement on previous models. Quality sound makes them a delight to listen to. They are light and comfortable to wear with good controls. Solid 32-plus-hour battery life, a folding design and an excellent case make them easy to live with. Bose still holds the comfort crown with the QC Ultra, Sony's design is a bit boring and they certainly aren't cheap at £400, even if some rivals cost a lot more. But if you want the best noise cancelling money can buy, the WH-1000XM6 are it. Pros: new best-in-class noise cancelling, great sound, spatial audio, light and comfortable, fold up for travel with great case, Bluetooth multipoint, Bluetooth LE/LC3 support, 32-hour battery life, good controls, good cross-platform control app, more repairable design. Cons: expensive, dull-looking, no water resistance, spatial audio limited with an iPhone.
GSM Arena
08-05-2025
- GSM Arena
Sony WH-1000XM6 emerge in Amazon listing ahead of launch
Nearly three years since the launch of the WH-1000XM5, Sony is finally ready to introduce a new version of its premium over-ear headphones. Sony's highly anticipated WH-1000XM6 made an unexpected appearance in an Amazon Spain listing (since deleted), revealing a plethora of key specs and pricing ahead of their launch. Sony WH-1000XM6 leaked image (credit: Reddit) A Reddit user also posted a leaked image of the headphones revealing their redesigned headband and folding hinges, which would be a move back to the XM4 design, making the headphones easier to store. The XM6 are set to bring a multitude of improvements over their predecessor, including a new QN3 HD Noise Cancelling processor. According to the listing, the QN3 is 7x faster than the QN1 chip inside the outgoing XM5s. This should improve the sound quality coming from the headphones as well as their noise cancellation. WH-1000XM6 listing on Amazon Spain Sony will opt for 30mm dynamic drivers and is bringing a total of 12 microphones (6 on each side) with Multi Noise Sensor technology with AI enhancements. The XM6 are also retaining their Hi-Res Audio, LDAC and DSEE Extreme support alongside the 360 Reality Audio with head tracking. The listing also confirms a 10-band customizable EQ, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint pairing. The XM6 are also getting Adaptive Sound Control, Quick Attention mode, Background Music, Wind Noise Reduction, and Speak to Chat. Battery life is rated at 30 hours with a 3-minute quick charge bringing back three hours of playback. The XM6's listed dimensions are 25.69cm x 20cm x 7.83 cm, with a weight of 254 grams. They will be available in Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue. The retail package consists of a carrying case, a USB-C cable, and a 1.2m 3.5mm cable. Sony XM6 will cost $449.99 and are expected to launch as early as next week between May 14 and May 16. Via (in French)
