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Android Authority
4 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Sony's new XM6 headphones are surprisingly easy to repair, even for battery replacements
TL;DR iFixit's teardown of Sony's latest flagship headphones reveals some welcome repairability improvements. The WH-1000XM6's battery is secured with screws instead of adhesive, allowing for easier replacements. The headphone's drivers, USB-C port, audio jack, and button board are also much easier to access. Sony recently unveiled the WH-1000XM6, the highly anticipated successor to one of the best flagship headphones on the market. The new model brings several improvements over its predecessor, including a significantly faster QN3 processor, better ANC, enhanced voice call quality, longer battery life, and more. The XM6 also brings some welcome design changes. Sony has reintroduced the folding mechanism on the new model, which was omitted on the XM5. The company has also added detachable earpads for easier replacement and designed a completely new travel case. But that's not all. Sony has reportedly also redesigned the XM6's insides, which could improve repairability. iFixit has spotted several upgrades that should make the flagship headphones easier to repair. Its teardown reveals that the lithium polymer battery powering the XM6 is secured in a plastic housing with two screws instead of double-sided adhesive, making replacements easy. The modular plate housing the XM6's drivers is also held down by Phillips-head screws and a rubber plug, allowing for straightforward disassembly. Sony has also made the modular USB-C port, audio jack, and button board much easier to access than they were on the XM5. You can check out how easy it is to pull the headphones apart in iFixit's teardown below. Although the company has yet to share a repair manual for the headphones, you can expect it to arrive soon. Sony has published one for the older model, and we don't see why it won't do the same for its latest flagship headphones. As for replacement parts, Sony currently doesn't offer any for the WH-1000XM6 or its predecessor. However, given that the company is actively making changes to improve the repairability of its headphones, there's a chance it could start selling replacement parts soon. What do you think of Sony's decision to make its headphones easier to repair? Would these changes convince you to buy the WH-1000XM6 instead of a flagship headphone from a different brand? Let us know in the comments. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Hypebeast
18-05-2025
- Hypebeast
Sony Launches the WH-1000XM6, its Latest Flagship Wireless Headphones
Summary Sonyhas unveiled the WH-1000XM6, the latest member of its wildly popular 1000X family of active noise-canceling (ANC) wirelessheadphones,introducing several technical and quality of life improvements that are sure to be welcomed by its users. The first thing to note about the WH-1000XM6 headphones is that Sony has brought back the foldable form factor dropped in the WH-1000XM5, which had adopted a rigid design similar to Apple's AirPods Max. This was one of the most common gripes heard among fans of the Sony series and the returning foldability provides users with a bit more flexibility in terms of storage. Powering the WH-1000XM6 headphones is the QN3, an all-new HD noise canceling processor that Sony says is 'seven times faster than the previous model', which uses 12 onboard microphones ('1.5 times more than the WH-1000XM5') and a newly included Adaptive NC Optimizer to continuously monitor 'any form of external noise and air pressure' and adjust in real time. Sony says this delivers 'unmatched noise canceling precision' and adds that users can manually adjust and edit these settings to their liking in its app. The ANC found in Sony headphones is generally considered to be among the best in the industry, making these additions and improvements sound very promising. Internally, the new headphones feature a new, custom-built carbon fiber composite driver unit that Sony describes as having a 'high rigidity' that 'brings out the subtleties in every frequency.' Additionally, the newly designed driver helps to provide richer vocals and more defined instruments that the brand says better conveys 'the emotion' of your music. And, in terms of codecs, the WH-1000XM6 headphones support High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless, as well as Edge-AI and DSEE Extreme that 'upscales compressed digital music files in real time to restore high range sound lost in compression.' Sony is usingAIthroughout its new headphones, including with its 'AI-based beamforming system' that uses six of the 12 onboard microphones to improve call quality by isolating the user's voice from background noise, making the WH-1000XM6 effective for calls 'even in noisy environments.' Scene-based Listening, another new feature, uses AI to get a sense of a user's surroundings and can adjust the level of noise canceling based on both a user's environment and their location. This intuitive new feature is compatible with most popular streaming services including Amazon Music, Apple Music and Spotify. The WH-1000XM6 headphones feature 'up to 30 hours of battery life' with ANC switched on (and even more without, though Sony hasn't disclosed how much more) and just three minutes of charge provides 'three-hours' worth of charge', according to the brand. The new headphones also support LE (low energy)Bluetoothaudio and include multi-point connectivity, meaning they can be paired and simultaneously connected to more than one device at a time. Sony's latest flagship wireless headphones are available now in three colors – 'Black', 'Platinum Silver' and 'Midnight Blue' – priced at£399.99 GBP/$449.99 USD.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- The Independent
Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones have launched – here's everything you need to know
At long last, Sony has just announced the WH-1000XM6, the latest model in its flagship line of wireless headphones. It's been three years since the WH-1000XM5 launched, and while that model set the bar for sound and active noise cancellation, the WH-1000XM6 refines the formula even further, fixing a few long-held design gripes along the way. The most obvious design change? The headphones fold again. Sony has reintroduced a folding hinge on the WH-1000XM6 – something sorely missed on the XM5s. While it's not identical to the older XM4 clamshell fold, it's close, and new metal supports mean that it looks a little sturdier. The headband has been widened, the call quality is improved, and under the bonnet, there's a brand new QN3 processor that's faster and smarter than ever. Paired with a set of 12 microphones, Sony says it delivers its best noise cancellation yet. I've rounded up everything you need to know about the new WH-1000XM6 headphones, with my full review coming shortly. There are a few headline changes on the WH-1000XM6, but let's start with the one everyone wanted: they fold again. After removing the hinge on the XM5s, Sony has brought it back, this time with a sturdier metal mechanism that makes the headphones feel more portable and a lot less awkward to pack away. The new design looks closer to the foldable XM4s, but with chunkier metal supports that look tougher and more refined. Sony's also redesigned the case. There's no more zip, just a magnetic flap that's much quicker to open. It's a small detail, but a welcome one. The headband's been widened too, and now adjusts more smoothly, without the clicky stepped notches from previous models. The controls haven't changed much. You still get swipe gestures for volume and playback on the right earcup, but the buttons have been redesigned so you're less likely to press the wrong one. Power and ANC now have distinct shapes, so they're easier to tell apart by touch. There's also a new double-tap gesture that can mute the mic, something that can be activated in the Sound Connect app. There's a new QN3 processor, which Sony says is seven times faster than the chip inside the XM5. It's paired with 12 microphones (up from 8), so noise cancelling is more dynamic, adjusting in real time to your surroundings. Sony calls this the adaptive NC optimiser, which replaces the older optimiser. The older optimiser was good, but occasionally struggled with variable noise like traffic, so I'm excited to see if this will be an improvement. The sound architecture has also been given an overhaul, too. There's a newly developed 30mm driver built with the same carbon fibre composite materials in Sony's premium Walkman range, and it has been tuned in collaboration with Grammy-winning mastering engineers. Sony says this gives your music better separation, deeper bass and more clarity across the board. There's also a look-ahead noise shaper built into the processor, designed to smooth out sudden changes in volume and reduce distortion when streaming. Sony says that call quality has also been improved. The WH-1000XM6 uses six beamforming microphones, powered by an AI-driven noise reduction system to block out background noise and make your voice sound clearer, even when you're outside. There's also a new wind-noise reduction structure. Other neat extras include a 10-band equaliser – up from the 5-band EQ on the last model – plus a new gaming EQ mode nicked from Sony's inzone line of headphones and a 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature that's designed for movies, turning standard stereo sound into immersive 3D audio. There's also support for Bluetooth LE, LDAC, multipoint pairing, speak-to-chat and DSEE Extreme upscaling. Battery life is the same. You'll get 30 hours with ANC on, but you can listen while charging, which wasn't possible before. Quick charge is still here too, with three minutes plugged in getting you up to three hours of playback. The Sony WH-1000XM6 launches today (15 May). It's priced at £399.99, and comes in black, platinum silver and a new midnight blue colour. That's a £20 bump over the XM5 at launch, which might sting a little, but it's not surprising given that I'm seeing the cost of consumer tech rise across the board. Sony currently sits at the top of my review of the best wireless headphones with the WH-1000XM5. With impressive noise cancellation and impeccable sound quality, they're the headphones to beat. 'Whether it's orchestral music, rap, podcasts or your favourite pop tracks, the WH-1000XM5 handle it all with poise and gumption,' I wrote. They're currently discounted by £20 at Amazon. They're pricey, but still significantly cheaper than the new XM6.
Android Authority
15-05-2025
- Android Authority
Sony listened! The WH-1000XM6 are here with a foldable design and big upgrades
My favorite noise canceling headphones are finally getting a refresh, and I couldn't be more stoked. Yep, the Sony WH-1000XM6 have officially landed, three long years after the WH-1000XM5 hit the market. I haven't gotten my hands (or ears) on them just yet, and our friends over at SoundGuys more expertly take on sound quality (review link below), but I'm really excited about what's new. Finally foldable First off, the WH-1000XM6 are foldable. That's right, Sony finally listened. These new cans come with an upgraded metal hinge design that allows them to fold and fit into a smaller, magnetic case. That's a welcome change from the large zip-up case that the WH-1000XM5 would fit in unfolded. The updated design also includes a wider, asymmetrical headband that promises more comfort during long listening sessions. Sony has tweaked the button layout too. The power and mic mute/unmute buttons have been redesigned for easier, more intuitive use. And just like the rumors predicted, the WH-1000XM6 now feature detachable earpads, making them much easier to replace when they eventually wear out. The rest of the layout stays the same, including the USB-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack. Unfortunately, while the USB-C port is here, it still doesn't support digital audio input. What's new inside? Now, design tweaks are cool, but the real magic is under the hood. The WH-1000XM6 are powered by Sony's new QN3 processor and feature a 12-microphone array, delivering improved Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC) and better ambient sound handling. Sony has also added real-time upmixing for 360 Reality Audio, which should make spatial audio even more immersive. One of the best upgrades is that you no longer need to feel around for the ANC button. With the WH-1000XM6, you can now toggle noise cancelation using voice commands, which would be super handy while you're juggling multiple things. In terms of connectivity, the headphones support Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast, and they default to Bluetooth LE Audio on Pixel phones running Android 16, so no manual toggling is required. Battery life has also gotten a solid boost, as per my colleagues at SoundGuys. The Sony WH-1000XM6 now last over five hours more than the XM5s, which is impressive. Pricing and availability Sony WH-1000XM6 Sony WH-1000XM6 Good sound quality • Top of the line app • Excellent ANC MSRP: $449.99 The next iteration of the best Sony headphones The Sony WH-1000XM6 is every bit a worthy successor to Sony's other ANC headphones as you'd hope. They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users. However, the lack of cutting-edge connection options might be an issue as the years go by. See price at Amazon The WH-1000XM6 retail for $449.99, which is a $50 bump from the WH-1000XM5. A bit pricier, sure, but with all these upgrades, it might just be worth it. For the full deep-dive review, head over to our sister site, SoundGuys, and check out what they have to say about the WH-1000XM6.
Android Authority
09-05-2025
- Android Authority
Sony finally breaks the silence on WH-1000XM6 launch date!
The Walkman Blog TL;DR The Sony WH-1000XM6 are launching on May 15. The headphones leaked just a day ago, with an Amazon listing revealing their complete specifications and a separate leak revealing their design. Sony has now officially confirmed the launch date. Three years in the making, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are finally on the horizon. Sony has officially confirmed that its next-generation noise canceling headphones will launch on May 16. Yes, we're just days away from the debut of what could be the best ANC headphones of the year. The confirmation comes via Sony Australia, which posted a teaser video on Instagram revealing the launch date. The short clip shows the silhouette of a pair of headphones with the timestamp May 16, 2 AM AEST — translating to May 15, 12 PM ET for those in the US. Sony Australia This announcement comes hot on the heels of an early Amazon listing that spilled the beans on most of the XM6's key specs (see table below). One of the standout upgrades is the introduction of a new QN3 processor, reportedly seven times faster than the QN1 chip found in the WH-1000XM5, promising even more powerful noise cancelation and smarter audio processing. Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise cancelling QN3 HD Noise Cancelling 12 microphones Multi Noise Sensor technology Auto NC Optimizer Battery 30 hours 3 minutes of fast charging = 3 hours Audio 30mm drivers Hi-Res Audio DSEE Extreme 10-band EQ LDAC Other features Adaptive Sound Control Quick Attention Background Music Personalized Spatial Audio Wind Noise Reduction 360 Reality Audio with head tracking Speak to Chat Connectivity Multipoint connection Bluetooth 5.3 Ports USB-C 3.5mm jack Dimensions Height: 25.69 cm Width: 20 cm Depth: 7.83 cm Weight: 254 g In-box Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones Carrying case USB Type-C charging cable 3.5mm Jack audio cable (length 1.2m) Colors Black Platinum Silver Midnight Blue Design Foldable Adjustable Closed Compatibility Android iOS PC Mac Meanwhile, a fresh leak from The Walkman Blog has given us our best look yet at the WH-1000XM6. The leaked images of the headphones show off redesigned ear cups, a thicker, foldable hinge, and a wider headband — all signs that Sony is prioritizing comfort and durability. Perhaps one of the most exciting rumors is that the WH-1000XM6 might finally offer water resistance, a long-requested feature that was notably absent from its predecessor. The timing of the launch is also worth noting. The WH-1000XM6 are landing just days after Sony's latest flagship phone, the Xperia 1 VII. Looks like Sony is firing on all cylinders this May
