Latest news with #headphones
Digital Trends
17 hours ago
- General
- Digital Trends
How to enable Auracast on Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones
Sony's lastest flagship wireless headphones, the WH-1000XM6, are superb in many ways, with great sound, top-notch noise canceling, and improved comfort. They also contain a feature that no other 1000X series model has ever offered: the ability to access Bluetooth Auracast broadcasts. Unfortunately, unlike many of the other features, like spatial audio, EQ settings, and control customization — which can all be accessed with a few taps in the Sony Sound Connect app — getting Auracast to work takes a bit more effort. Here's a brief overview of why Auracast matters and how to take advantage of it on the Sony WH-1000XM6. Recommended Videos Why Auracast? Bluetooth Auracast, which was introduced along with LE Audio in the official Bluetooth 5.2 specification, turns any compatible source device (like a smartphone, laptop, or tablet) into a Bluetooth radio station that can broadcast the same audio to an unlimited number of Auracast-compatible receiving devices (like headphones, earbuds, or speakers). This makes it the perfect way to share audio wirelessly between friends or even large gatherings. Unlike traditional Bluetooth device connections, which require a pairing process before any audio can be streamed, an Auracast broadcast can be found and listened to without any 'handshake' to the source device. All you need is an interface (known as an Auracast assistant) that lets you scan for and tune-in to available broadcasts in your vicinity. If you've ever scanned for an available Wi-Fi access point, it's the same process. In fact, Auracast broacasts, much like Wi-Fi networks, can be open (anyone can listen) or private (you need a password or PIN to listen). When would I use Auracast? Initially, most people will use Auracast in two ways: to share audio from a phone or computer, or to extend a Bluetooth speaker's audio to additional Bluetooth speakers — some brands call this 'Party Mode'. Marshall has just released its first soundbar, the Heston 120, which uses Auracast to extend its surround sound to compatible Marshall Bluetooth speakers. However, over time, we expect to see many additional uses, including: Primary and secondary language soundtracks at movie theaters Wireless headphone and hearing aid connections for TVs at home Wireless headphone connections for TVs in public spaces like gyms or lounges Public address (PA)systems in busy spaces like airports, train stations, or stadiums Audio tours at museums, art galleries, or monuments Virtual PA for conferences and trade shows How do I use Auracast on the Sony WH-1000XM6? Before we get to the specific steps, there's one thing you need to know: The WH-1000XM6 won't support Bluetooth Auracast when connected to iPhones or iPads. The reason is Sony's approach to Auracast as a technology. Instead of providing the Auracast assistant capability within its Sound Connect app, Sony relies on the mobile phone's own software to provide it. At the moment, only select phones with Android 13 or higher possess Auracast assistant functionality built-in. If you want to use Auracast with an iPhone, you'll need a product like JBL's Tour One M3 or Tour Pro 3 — which come with an Auracast assistant in JBL's Headphones app for iOS. For the following steps, we used a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, running One UI 7.0 on Android 15. Check to see if your phone/Android version combination supports Bluetooth Auracast before proceeding. Use the Sound Connect app to switch to LE Audio Bluetooth Auracast only works when the receiving device (headphones, earbuds, etc) uses LE Audio. This is a different mode than the so-called classic Bluetooth connection. Sony ships the WH-1000XM6 in classic Bluetooth mode by default so you need to manually switch it LE Audio mode. Connect the WH-1000XM6 to a phone running Android 13 or higher Open the Sony Sound Connect app Scroll down and select Device Settings Select the System tab Scroll down and select the down arrow next to Classic Audio only under the LE Audio connection setting for headphones section Select the LE Audio Priority radio button Agree to the Change to [LE Audio Priority] dialog box by selecting OK You will see a notification that the headphones must be reconnected, select Check Operating Procedures to see detailed instructions or Cancel Return to your phone's Bluetooth settings Find the WH-1000XM6 in the paired devices menu Unpair or forget the WH-1000XM6 (method may vary by device) Press and hold on the WH-1000XM6's power button until the LED flashes blue and you hear the 'Pairing' voice prompt from the headphones On your Android phone, Google Fast Pair should automatically recognize the headphones and ask you to Connect Once connected, select Done Enter the settings for the WH-1000XM6 from the Bluetooth device menu (method may vary by device) Select the LE Audio option You will hear the headphones disconnect and reconnect Your WH-1000XM6 should now be in connected to your phone via LE Audio. To verify: Return to the Sony Sound Connect app Below the main image of the headphones and the battery life readout, you should see LE Audio displayed If you don't, repeat steps 1-17 Use Android's Bluetooth settings to find and connect to an Auracast broadcast Return to your phone's Bluetooth settings Find the WH-1000XM6 in the list of paired device and enter the settings menu for the headphones (method may vary by device) Scroll down and select Listen to Auracast broadcast If any Auracast broadcasts are available, they will be listed on the following screen Select any available Auracast broadcast You should now hear the audio through the WH-1000XM6
CNET
21 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Woot Just Dropped the Dyson Zone Headphones to a New Record-Low Price
Most know Dyson for hair tools like the viral Airwrap or powerful vacuums, but the brand also keeps up with the big brands in the audio market. Of course, price is always a sticking point, regardless of the Dyson product, but that has changed for a limited time. The new Dyson Zone active noise-canceling headphones are now 63% off, reducing the cost to $260 from $700. We don't see discounts this massive every day, so this one might not last long. For $260, you get a blue pair with eight noise-canceling microphones, custom EQ, intelligent signal processing and full-spectrum clarity for optimized, clear sound. The cups are also designed to rest softly on your ears, thanks to micro-suede cushions. If you live in a city or commute often, you'll appreciate the attachable visor that delivers purified air to your nose and mouth without touching your face. And speaking of being on the move, the battery will last up to 50 hours with just audio and noise cancelation, or 4 hours when the air purification feature is active -- perfect for busy days. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. This smart device also lets you monitor air quality and tweak settings using the MyDyson app. At $440 off, this is one of those rare deals that don't come around often. Still, if you think this discount isn't for you, check out our list of the best headphones deals to explore some more options. Why this deal matters Dyson is known for precise engineering, and it shows with this pair of headphones. And a rare 63% off deal lets you grab this premium device for way less than half the original price -- but it might not last for long. Quantities on Woot are always pretty limited. So, if you've been looking to upgrade, this is your chance to score the Dyson headphones for a new low price.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Health
- Telegraph
SnoozeBand Deluxe Sleep Mask Headphones review: I'll never use ordinary earphones at bedtime again
Score: 9/10 We like: Comfortable Fully light blocking 15 day money back guarantee We don't like: Expensive Headphone positioning requires adjustment before use What are the SnoozeBand Deluxe Sleep Mask Headphones? If you like to listen to music or podcasts as you start to drift off each night, you've probably found that your earbuds or headphones can start to cause some discomfort or earache, especially if you're listening for longer periods. I find that I can have my earphones in for around an hour before my ear canals start to protest. But this innovative mask with headphones from SnoozeBand offers an interesting solution to that problem, while also providing cushioning and blackout properties to help you get a good night's sleep. This Deluxe option – priced at £69.99, but sometimes discounted – stood out when I was putting the best sleep masks to the test. Even though it's definitely an investment, it is still considerably cheaper than its main competitor, the Manta SOUND Sleep Mask, which costs more than twice as much. If you've been unsure which of the two would suit you best, you might be interested to read my comparison of the two below. Available in four colours, the SnoozeBand Deluxe combines a soft and adjustable blackout design with ultra-thin 4mm headphones, allowing you to pair it via Bluetooth with your smartphone or tablet to listen to your choice of music, audiobooks or podcasts. It also has some interesting additional features, more on which below. So, if you've already tried the best earplugs for sleeping, share a bed with a snoring partner or are looking for a better option for listening to music for side sleepers, here's everything you need to know about one of SnoozeBand's best selling devices. How we test To test the best sleep masks, I wore each one for several consecutive nights to account for any discrepancies or disruptions in my sleep. Primarily, I was concerned with the comfort, blackout properties and how secure it felt on my head through the night. I also assessed how soft and breathable the fabric was, plus how easy it was to wash and keep clean. Given the additional features of the SnoozeBand Deluxe, I tried both the built-in sounds – which allow you to listen offline, providing a nice alternative to the best white noise machines – as well as connecting it via Bluetooth to my phone to play music playlists and podcasts. In addition to this, I assessed how long one full charge lasted and whether or not I was happy to wear the sleep mask for a full eight hours overnight, taking into consideration whether it positively or negatively impacted the quality of my sleep. Even though I was a big fan of the Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask – with it taking the title of best overall sleep mask – the SnoozeBand Deluxe is my go-to most nights. In fact, I've stopped using traditional earphones at bedtime altogether since trying it, no longer experiencing any earache, pain or discomfort as a result. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best sleep product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Fabric Score: 8/10 The fabric of a sleep mask can make or break its wearability. Given that you'll be wearing it for a good number of hours every night, it's important to choose the right type for you. This sleep mask is made from a combination of a cotton outer and nylon inner, both of which look and feel pleasant. I found the padded cotton outer to be nice and plump, but it was the inner nylon fabric that I enjoyed the most. Even though it might not be as breathable as cotton or silk, it has a silky soft feel to it which is rather cooling on the eyes and skin too. I certainly appreciated this on warmer nights, or when I had the heating cranked up. Overall, the mask has a nice heft to it while still being relatively lightweight. Considering that it houses the electrics to power the headphones and the headphones themselves, it doesn't add much weight or bulk around this delicate area of the face. Score: 9/10 Most sleep masks are one size fits all, which is why it is so important that they are adjustable to provide a good fit, no matter the shape or size of your head. Thankfully, the Velcro wrap design here allows you to snugly, yet comfortably, secure it around your eyes and head. It isn't overtly obvious that you need to unfurl the Velcro closure from under a flap of fabric when you first take it out of the box. In fact, if I hadn't checked the website beforehand, I might have been left wondering why I couldn't close the mask around my head. However, when you do have the Velcro closure in place, it was actually one of the strongest Velcro fastenings out of all the sleep masks that I've put to the test. This does mean that it can sometimes take a bit more strength to unfasten the mask each morning. But that's a small price to pay for a closure that seems fit to adhere and hold for many years to come. Blackout properties Score: 10/10 While other blackout sleep masks have a cutout around the nose which allows them to nestle in and block out light, this model has an extra piece of fabric around the nose to account for possible gaps. This, in combination with the snug and cosy fit, blocks out all light. I tested it out in the daytime and with artificial lighting to see if any seeped in, and I was pleased to discover that it provided true blackout qualities, with no light ingress whatsoever. This makes it an excellent choice for travel or if you happen to work night shifts and need to get some shut-eye during the day, when even the best blackout blinds still let in some light. Design Score: 9/10 One of the standout features of this mask is audio via its built-in headphones. You may need to take some time to adjust exactly where the headphones are, in relation to your ears, as they were a centimetre or two off for me at first. But, after taking a few seconds to get them in the right position, I haven't needed to move or readjust them since. The headphones themselves are made of soft foam and are incredibly slim. You can't feel them at all and they almost mould to the ear area, so they're ideal if you mostly sleep on your side. Add in one the best pillows for side sleepers, and you've got yourself a great setup. I didn't feel or notice the controls at the front of the sleep mask either, which surprised me as I thought that they might protrude or press down on the forehead area. If you plan on using this mask when travelling or on-the-go, you can roll up and secure the mask with its elastic strap. It's a nice touch, especially given that travel sleep masks I've used in the past tended to get crushed or take up quite a bit of space in my bag. Performance Score: 9/10 I was more than happy to wear this sleep mask for a full night's sleep, even when I had turned off the headphone function. It didn't slide or move around as I tossed and turned during the night, and it didn't feel particularly obtrusive. After switching from my traditional earphones to the SnoozeBand for just one night, I quickly realised that I wouldn't be going back to that way of listening to music or podcasts in bed. I had no earache and could easily turn the volume up or down as needed. In the past few months I've truly invested in my sleep routine and what I do to get ready for bed, utilising the best pillows and best mattresses – including the best mattress for back pain – to ensure that I wake up refreshed each morning. The SnoozeBand has certainly contributed to helping me drift off at night. If you're worried about it continuing to play after you fall asleep, and in turn running the battery down, you can select an automatic shut off timer for one, two or three hours. Speaking of the battery life, you get around 15 hours playback on a single charge, which should last you for at least a few nights before you need to recharge it. Technical specifications SnoozeBand isn't the only brand to sell sleep masks with built-in headphones. Their biggest competitor, Manta, also has a similar offering. But, at more than double the price, is the Manta SOUND Sleep Mask worth the extra expense over the SnoozeBand Deluxe Sleep Mask Headphones? I've compared the two, and both seem to be a hit with shoppers and reviewers. Should you buy the SnoozeBand Deluxe Sleep Mask Headphones? If you're looking to add a sleep mask to your bedtime or travel routine, and also want to be able to play music, relaxing sounds, your favourite podcast or latest audiobook, these are an excellent option. Being fully blackout and comfortable enough to wear all night quickly made the mask a must for me. I continue to use them to this day, and I'm not sure that I could go back to sleeping with a traditional pair of earphones after using this clever design. Yes, if: You want to comfortably listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks or white noise without worrying about earache You're looking for a fully blackout design You want to try it out before you commit to keeping it – thanks to the 15 day money back guarantee No, if: You need a more budget-friendly option You don't listen to music or podcasts before bed SnoozeBand Deluxe Sleep Mask Headphones FAQs Do SnoozeBands block out snoring? Sleeping close to someone who snores can wake you up in the middle of the night, disrupting your sleep cycle and making it difficult to get back to sleep. A SnoozeBand Deluxe headband might not completely eliminate especially loud snoring, but it can dampen the sound and reduce awakenings and make it easier to fall back asleep thanks to their audio capabilities and cushioned fit. How do you set a timer on a SnoozeBand? There are three automatic shut-off timers to choose from, deactivating the audio after 60, 120 or 180 minutes. You press the middle button on the front of the mask twice to cycle through the available settings. A voice prompt, which you will hear through the headphones, will confirm the selected timer setting. How long does it take to charge a SnoozeBand? Fully charging the SnoozeBand Deluxe typically takes between one and two hours. Does the SnoozeBand help with tinnitus? SnoozeBand claims to have 'received a lot of positive feedback from customers with tinnitus who have found SnoozeBand extremely helpful in managing their symptoms,' and that its team has 'previously worked with an NHS sleep facility that supports patients suffering from tinnitus.' Tinnitus has various causes, including exposure to loud sounds, ear infections and abnormal bone growth in the ear. Although using a SnoozeBand might feel helpful, it's important to consult with your GP to identify the cause of your tinnitus and get the right treatment.
Geeky Gadgets
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Geeky Gadgets
Sony WH1000 XM6: Essential Setup & Pro Tips
The Sony WH1000 XM6 headphones represent a sophisticated blend of advanced audio technology and intuitive design, offering users an immersive and highly customizable listening experience. The video below from WhatGear provides actionable tips to help you harness their full potential. From activating essential features to fine-tuning settings, you'll discover how to optimize sound quality, enhance usability, and seamlessly integrate these headphones into your daily routine. Watch this video on YouTube. Activating Essential Features for Optimal Performance Unlocking the full capabilities of your Sony WH1000XM6 headphones begins with allowing key features that enhance performance and sound quality: DSEE Extreme: Activate this feature to upscale compressed audio files, delivering sound that closely resembles high-resolution audio. Activate this feature to upscale compressed audio files, delivering sound that closely resembles high-resolution audio. 360 Reality Audio: Complete the setup process to customize audio output based on your unique ear shape, creating a deeply personalized and immersive sound experience. Complete the setup process to customize audio output based on your unique ear shape, creating a deeply personalized and immersive sound experience. Spatial Sound and Head Tracking: Enable these features to enjoy a three-dimensional audio environment, perfect for movies, gaming, or music sessions that demand a heightened sense of immersion. By activating these features, you ensure your headphones deliver the premium audio experience they are designed for right from the start. Customizing Sound Profiles for a Personalized Experience Tailoring the sound to your preferences is key to maximizing your listening experience. The Sony WH1000 XM6 offers several tools to help you achieve this: Equalizer: Adjust the built-in equalizer to fine-tune bass, treble, and midrange frequencies, creating a sound profile that matches your preferences. Adjust the built-in equalizer to fine-tune bass, treble, and midrange frequencies, creating a sound profile that matches your preferences. LDAC Codec: If your device supports it, enable LDAC for superior wireless audio quality, making sure every detail of your music is preserved. If your device supports it, enable LDAC for superior wireless audio quality, making sure every detail of your music is preserved. Low-Latency Mode: Activate this mode for gaming or video streaming to minimize audio lag and improve synchronization between sound and visuals. These settings allow you to customize the audio output, whether you're an audiophile seeking precision or a casual listener looking for balanced sound. Enhancing Battery Life Through Smart Power Management Efficient power management is essential for extending the battery life of your headphones. Implement these strategies to ensure they are always ready for use: Auto Power-Off: Enable this feature to automatically turn off the headphones when they are idle, conserving battery life. Enable this feature to automatically turn off the headphones when they are idle, conserving battery life. Pause Functions: Activate auto-pause, which stops playback when you remove the headphones, reducing unnecessary power consumption. Activate auto-pause, which stops playback when you remove the headphones, reducing unnecessary power consumption. Noise Cancellation Management: Disable noise cancellation or ambient sound modes when they are not needed to save energy. By adopting these practices, you can maximize the battery life of your headphones without compromising on functionality. Adapting Features to Fit Your Lifestyle The Sony WH1000 XM6 headphones are designed to seamlessly integrate into your daily activities, offering features that adapt to your environment and routine: Ambient Sound Control: Adjust ambient sound levels or enable auto ambient sound control to dynamically adapt to your surroundings, making sure situational awareness when needed. Adjust ambient sound levels or enable auto ambient sound control to dynamically adapt to your surroundings, making sure situational awareness when needed. Adaptive Sound Control: Set this feature to automatically switch sound modes based on your activity, such as walking, running, or staying stationary. Set this feature to automatically switch sound modes based on your activity, such as walking, running, or staying stationary. Location-Based Settings: Register frequently visited locations, such as your home or office, to enable automatic sound adjustments tailored to those environments. These adaptive features make the headphones versatile, making sure they complement your lifestyle and enhance your listening experience in any setting. Advanced Connectivity and Intuitive Control Take full advantage of the advanced connectivity and control options available with the Sony WH1000XM6 to streamline your experience: Bluetooth LE: Use this feature for faster, more efficient connections and secure audio sharing with password-protected broadcasts. Use this feature for faster, more efficient connections and secure audio sharing with password-protected broadcasts. Voice Commands and Gestures: Enable hands-free control for tasks such as playback, volume adjustments, and activating specific features, making interactions more convenient. These tools enhance usability, allowing you to manage your headphones effortlessly while staying focused on your activities. Streamlining Everyday Use with Convenient Features Simplify your daily interactions with the Sony WH1000XM6 by using these practical features: Customizable Touch Controls: Assign specific functions to touch gestures, providing quick access to frequently used settings. Assign specific functions to touch gestures, providing quick access to frequently used settings. Speak-to-Chat: Automatically pause playback and enable ambient sound when you start speaking, making sure seamless transitions between conversations and listening. Automatically pause playback and enable ambient sound when you start speaking, making sure seamless transitions between conversations and listening. Background Mode: Simulate speaker-like audio playback for casual listening or multitasking, offering a more relaxed listening experience. These features enhance the versatility of your headphones, making them more user-friendly and adaptable to various scenarios. Maintaining Your Device and Protecting Your Hearing Preserving the longevity of your headphones and making sure safe listening habits are crucial for an optimal experience: Smart Volume Control: Monitor and limit sound levels to protect your hearing during extended listening sessions. Monitor and limit sound levels to protect your hearing during extended listening sessions. Settings Backup: Save your preferences via your Sony account, allowing for easy transitions between devices without losing your custom configurations. Save your preferences via your Sony account, allowing for easy transitions between devices without losing your custom configurations. Firmware Updates: Regularly update your headphones to access the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes, making sure peak performance. By following these practices, you can maintain your headphones in excellent condition while safeguarding your hearing. Additional Tips for a Seamless Experience Consider these extra tips to further enhance your day-to-day use of the Sony WH1000XM6: Rename Your Headphones: Customize the Bluetooth name to avoid confusion when connecting in crowded spaces or shared environments. Customize the Bluetooth name to avoid confusion when connecting in crowded spaces or shared environments. Organize Connections: Manage paired devices to quickly switch between them, making sure a smooth and hassle-free experience. These small adjustments can significantly improve the convenience and efficiency of using your headphones. Unlocking the Full Potential of the Sony WH1000XM6 The Sony WH1000 XM6 headphones combine state-of-the-art technology with practical features to deliver a premium listening experience. By following this guide, you can optimize sound quality, enhance usability, and adapt the headphones to your unique needs. Whether you're enjoying music, gaming, or working, these headphones provide the tools for a truly immersive and personalized audio journey. Advance your skills in Sony WH1000 XM6 by reading more of our detailed content. Source & Image Credit: WhatGear Filed Under: Gadgets News, Guides, Technology News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones have major design change that I love – but are they worth it?
Design and comfort While the all-new XM6 borrow some of the same minimalist styling as the XM5, Sony's made enough changes here that it feels like an upgrade. The earcups are rounder and more sculpted, ditching that slightly squared-off look that never quite grew on me. They look more polished, with no seam running down the side of the earcups. But beyond the cleaner design, one of the first things you'll notice is that they fold again. After abandoning the hinges on the XM5, Sony's brought them back, and it genuinely makes a world of difference. The headphones now collapse inwards into a much more travel-friendly shape, making them easier to chuck into a bag. The only annoying bit? Despite the smaller footprint, the case is still just as big as the zip-up one that came with the XM5. That said, I genuinely love the design of the new case. You fold the headphones up, pop them in and close the lid. It's instant – it clicks shut with a magnetic flap, so there's no faffing about trying to line up a zip. You still get an internal pocket for cables, and the whole thing feels sturdy and protective. There's also a wider headband. It's still wrapped in that soft vegan leather, but the underside is now flatter and thicker towards the back, so it's easier to tell which way round to wear them without feeling around for the tactile L marker. The tweak is supposed to improve comfort and weight distribution – and maybe it will for some people – but I actually found its predecessor more comfortable. The new fit has a firmer clamping force that improves sound isolation, but after long sessions, I started to feel a bit of pinch at the crown. It's not unbearable, but a little more noticeable than I'd like. The XM5s felt more relaxed on my head, especially when wearing them for a full day. They didn't fall off or rattle around my head when I was wearing them at the gym, however. Talking of tactile markers, the power button has a small but welcome glow-up. It's now circular and slightly recessed, making it much easier to locate by touch, so no more thumbing around the cup wondering if you've just hit the ANC toggle by mistake. That's still a longer, flatter strip, so the two are thankfully easy to tell apart without looking. You can also turn the ANC button into a microphone mute button in the Sony Sound Connect settings – this will mute and unmute your mic if you click the ANC button twice. There are minor changes to the touch controls, but they feel more responsive this time around. I didn't find myself repeating gestures as often as I did with the XM5. There's still no haptic feedback, but there are sound effects, so you know when swipes and taps are registered. The XM6 come in black, platinum silver and a new midnight blue colour. Overall, it's just a much more refined pair of cans compared to the XM5. Features The WH-1000XM6 are just as feature-packed as ever. If you've used the XM5s, most of this will feel familiar. Speak-to-Chat (which pauses your music the moment you start talking) isn't turned on by default anymore, a welcome change if, like me, you've always found it more annoying than helpful. Quick Attention mode is still here and works well – just cover the right earcup and it'll pipe in the outside world without you having to fumble with buttons. You've also got support for LDAC, high-res wireless audio, multipoint for two devices, and DSEE Extreme upscaling. But there are new tricks worth flagging. The first is auto switch, a feature borrowed from Sony's newer LinkBuds Fit and LinkBuds Open. It automatically switches the music to your LinkBuds speaker when you return home (or pause your music on your headphones). Leave the house, and it'll switch it straight back to your headphones again. It's a really neat little feature. One of my other favourite features from the LinkBuds is also here: Background Music mode. This pushes your music outwards, so it feels like it's coming from a distance, a little like listening to a playlist in a café. It's really good if you need to focus but don't want it to be completely silent. It'll stop you from singing along to tracks because it sounds so far away. The XM6 also feature a new QN3 processor that's said to be seven times faster than the QM1 chip in the XM5. It powers smarter noise cancelling, with a new adaptive NC optimiser that adjusts on the fly depending on your environment and how much you're moving (but more on that below). There's now a dedicated Cinema mode that upmixes stereo sound into Sony's 360 Reality Audio. I tried this while watching a couple of shows on Netflix and was genuinely surprised by how immersive it felt. Dialogue still sounded clean and centred, but ambient effects and music had a bit more air and spatial separation. Is it Dolby Atmos? No. But for stereo content, it's surprisingly convincing. There's also a new ten-band EQ (up from the 5-band EQ on the XM5), including a dedicated Gaming preset, plus support for Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast, though there's not much that takes advantage of those just yet. One neat upgrade is that you can now listen while charging – something the XM5 didn't allow. Sadly, there's still no USB-C audio, so wired playback is limited to the 3.5mm jack. Noise cancellation and call quality Sony's noise cancellation has always been among the best, but the WH-1000XM6 improve that even further, making noise cancellation more consistent and natural. The XM5 had a slightly annoying lag with the ANC when the noise level changed. I found that if I walked from a quiet room into a noisy office, I'd hear that swoosh of sound sneak in before the ANC kicked in to silence it. It wasn't a deal-breaker, but it was distracting. I'm pleased to report that doesn't happen on the XM6 in my initial tests. With the new adaptive NC optimiser, it now feels much more stable and immediate. It handles shifts in environmental sound well without drawing attention to itself. It's better in every way. It's not quite as forceful as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which still has a kind of vacuum-seal feel, but the XM6 is less fatiguing and more natural over long sessions. Wind noise was barely an issue in testing, even when walking outdoors or near traffic. Saying that, I still think ambient mode is better on the AirPods Max. While it's definitely improved, and you can hear practically every sound in your environment, the AirPods always make it sound like you're not wearing any headphones at all. There's still a little bit of blunting of environmental sounds with these headphones. In terms of call quality. Sony's new beamforming setup now uses three mics per earcup instead of two, and combined with some clever AI, it's remarkably good at isolating your voice. I made a few long calls in loud environments and didn't get a single 'Can you repeat that?' back. However, it still struggles a little with the wind. If you wanted better and more subtle noise-cancelling from your headphones, Sony's really delivered with the XM6 on first test. Sound OK, Sony's done it. These are my favourite-sounding noise-cancelling headphones right now – and I don't say that lightly. I already liked the tuning on the XM5s, but I always found that the bass lacked a little richness. These fix that issue and bring the sound to an all-new level. 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. Even without playing around with any EQ settings, the XM6 sound more spacious and balanced. When I listened to the vocals on Olivia Rodrigo's Sour, I could feel more depth and better separation in the mids. Bass is stronger too, but not in a showy way; it's less murky, more present. The rubbery synth bassline on MGMT's Little Dark Age used to feel a bit bloated on the XM5s, but here it's tight and punchy, gliding underneath the track without swallowing everything else. Dan Romer's Station Eleven score also sounds sparse and intimate. The XM6 do a better job of capturing string swells, with a sense of texture that wasn't quite as defined on the XM5. If you're coming from the XM5s, it's a clear step up, and I think the XM6s are more musical than the Bose QC Ultra or the AirPods Max. After a few days of listening, these are excellent. As for battery life, it's still rated at 30 hours – the same as the XM5 – but I haven't had long enough with them to say how accurate that claim is just yet. They've held up well so far, even with ANC on, but I'll need more time to test them properly across longer stretches. Still, in 2025, 30 hours doesn't feel quite as generous as it used to. Plenty of cheaper models can eke out more.
