Sony WH-1000 XM6: her foldable highness is back
15.5.2025
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Pictures: Christian Walker
After a three-year break, Sony has launched its next flagship over-ears. The sixth iteration of the WH-1000 series improves on its predecessor in every respect. Still, there’s a small fly in the ointment.
Sony is staying true to its big redesign from 2022, it’s not going back to that techie look. However, the Japanese company has listened to its fans. You can turn the ear cups by almost 180 degrees again and, above all, fold them so that you can transport them more comfortably. Looks like fellow editor David Lee bet right. Not that I can tell what was actually bet, mind you.
At the same time, the frame got a little wider – which should also please happy customers. The previous model had a very narrow band, which would create pressure in some places and cause headaches for some. Once again, the WH-1000 XM6 is a few grammes heavier than its predecessor – it weighs 252 grammes, which is two more than the last model. Still, that’s nothing you need to worry about.
Sony is also remaining true to its design with an oval, fabric case. One cool addition: instead of a zipper with that fragile slide, this model uses a magnetic closure, like on a clutch handbag. I prefer the satisfying «plop» much more than the zipper, which was always destined to break sooner or later.
In terms of operation, Sony continues to indulge in minimalism: there are only two buttons on the left ear cup. First, the elongated, narrow button, which switches between noise suppression and ambient mode. The latter lets outside noise through, which can be useful in everyday life. Then there’s also a flat, round power button for switching the device on and off as well as Bluetooth pairing. A very short tap will make a voice to tell you the charge level. All other controls use touch gestures. The port for the 3.5-mm jack cable is at the back, the holy grail for Bluetooth haters.
On the right you’ll find the USB-C port for charging. Sony has included the right cable for both connections. Incidentally, it’s a bit of a shame the headphones need to stay switched on even if you’re listening to music via the jack cable. Still, at least the battery lasts for 30 hours – just three minutes of charging will get you another three use hours.
One thing that doesn’t surprise me, but still bothers me, is the silicone/synthetic leather ear cups. Practically all manufacturers use these. They’re so omnipresent that I’m beginning to wonder: am I the only one struggling with these? As soon as I put on the headphones on warmer days, rivers of sweat run down my neck after ten minutes and heat starts to build up. A breathable fabric would be the icing on the cake here. Removable and washable, of course, just like Apple did with its Airpods Max.
Sound: an acoustic comforter for grown-ups
Sony is remaining largely true to its proven sound signature. With a 30-millimetre driver, the Japanese company has found a good way to make the sound feel intense and perceptible, without falling into pure heavy bass. On the contrary: the XM6 displays an acoustic sophistication that leaves its already impressive predecessor in the dust. As always, it supports LDAC and DSEE.
The latter is particularly interesting if you belong to the vast majority of people who listen to compressed – i.e. lossy – music such as MP3. DSEE is an upscaling technology that aims to improve this sound by restoring details that have been lost during compression. You can activate this in the Sound Connect App.
Clarity and clear details at the top end
The treble quality of the Sony WH-1000 XM6 produces a balanced level of detail without tipping over into unpleasant sharpness. In Skinny Love by Bon Iver, the plucked guitar strings and delicate overtones of Justin Vernon’s voice dominate the soundscape. The headphones reproduce these nuances with noticeable restraint – they sound present, but never intrusive.
Upper frequency ranges appear slightly smoothed, making longer listening sessions more pleasant. Hissing sounds in voices are audible but gentle, a controlled presence. Hi-hats and airy acoustic instruments retain their clarity without attracting attention with sharpness or harshness.
This gentle treble tuning primarily supports the audiophile pop or singer-songwriter genres. Listeners who prefer the analytical treble reproduction of studio monitor headphones may miss some added brilliance here. Overall, the WH-1000 XM6 produces a soft, clean and problem-free high-frequency soundscape – musical rather than clinical.
A warm heart at the centre of it all
Mids form the emotional centre of all music – and this is exactly where the WH-1000 XM6 shows its greatest strength. In Adele’s Someone Like You, the voice takes centre stage. The headphones emphasise them with a warm presence that conjures remarkable intimacy. This full constellation lends the sound a velvety, full-bodied note.
The accompanying piano remains clearly defined and blends in harmoniously. Yet despite the warmer tuning, the headphones don’t distort the sound character, it stays natural. Strings and background instruments retain their spatial depth. Even with more complex arrangements, the WH-1000 XM6 produces a clear and comprehensive sound. However, it does smooth out some details slightly in the upper mid-band, which improves long-term audibility at the cost of minimal precision. Overall, it delivers a semi-emphasised, emotional sound that really comes into its own with vocal and acoustic pieces.
Controlled deep tones
The WH-1000 XM6 brings out the bass range with clear tuning and rich volume. In Time by Hans Zimmer, the track begins subtly before building up dramatically with deep orchestral waves. The headphones convey these crescendos with rich depth that envelops the listener without exaggeration or blurring. I particularly notice the precise control in these low frequencies. Even with dense arrangements, the headphones maintain structure and order – nothing sounds muddy or overloaded. It presents subbasses clearly without making them physically intrusive, as some bass-heavy models do. Its tuning conveys cinematic depth rather than power – it focuses on atmosphere rather than pure punch.
Overall, the XM6 delivers a full, pleasant bass that benefits both electronic productions and orchestral soundtracks. True, it sometimes lacks that final kick on modern hip-hop tracks, which real bass enthusiasts may miss. For most listeners, however, it crafts a convincing balance – deep, controlled and covering an impressive space. Bass fans can still make improvements in the new app’s 10-band equaliser.
Impressive noise suppression, revolutionary Ambient Mode
Following the motto «the more, the better», Sony has installed a total of twelve microphones in its latest device. Each microphone should pick up external noise and block it with inaudible counter-sound at the same frequency. In my test, I exposed the microphones to both the commuter noise at Zurich’s main station and to a large London station. Not a peep reached my ears.
The game changer for me, however, is the improved Ambient Mode. While all these passthrough modes became infamous with dropouts, unpleasant inherent noise and unnaturally amplified external sounds, Sony has done a better job. I can still hear some noise, but outside sounds are just as natural as if I wasn’t wearing headphones at all. This isn’t just pleasant for conversations or train announcements, it also allows me to hear traffic while using over-ears. Depending on the traffic situation, this could be extremely dangerous with other models.
Of the twelve microphones in question, six are AI-supported. True, AI is often a marketing buzzword, but it makes sure I’m easily understood during calls in this case. I can also hear the other person perfectly – even with Ambient Mode on, which allows some outside noise in. One unavoidable drawback: I’d like to actually hear my own voice during calls. Still, there’s a clear improvement on its predecessor here.
In a nutshell
I mean, what could they have done better?
With the WH-1000XM6, it’s clear that Sony listens to its users’ feedback. The redesigned headphones remain true to the clean, minimalist look of the XM5, but bring back the foldable headband – a plus for on-the-go use. The wider headband should also suit many who suffered from some uncomfortable pressure with the predecessor. When it comes to operation, Sony has stuck to its simple concept: two physical buttons are enough, while users control all other features via touch gestures – logically and intuitively. The new case with its magnetic closure looks more stable and higher quality than the previous zipper. Its sound impresses with warmth, clarity and controlled bass tones, benefitting from top-level ANC. The new ambient mode sounds so natural that users can easily use it in everyday life, even in the midst of street noise. There’s only one drawback: the artificial leather on the ear pads. It hardly lets any air through and quickly causes heat to build up in warm weather. Nevertheless, Sony delivers a well thought-out overall package with the WH-1000XM6.
Pro
- Sound
- Quality of calls
- ANC/Ambient Mode
- Foldable is back
Contra
- Jack operation still uses battery power
- Ear cups get sweaty quick
Header image: Chris Walker
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
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