Sony’s WH-1000XM headphones have become immensely popular since their introduction, winning numerous Awards along the way. Therefore, its successor — the XM6 — has long been anticipated with great anticipation.
The Walkman Blog first reported the discovery of import documents with code YY2984 that appear to show a hinge for this new model, though we can’t tell whether or not it folds back like its XM4s counterparts. Bluetooth 5.3 support and PCB Inverse-F antenna support were also listed in these filings.
Price
Three years have passed since Sony first unveiled their flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones, yet their high-end pair still maintains its market dominance despite rival models increasing in cost – such as AirPods Max at PS379/$399 and other premium wireless pairs like Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless that offer similar performance at higher price points.
Sony’s XM5s offers high-end features at an affordable price, but there are still some areas for improvement in its current model. USB-C audio would make for a much more future-proof design and rival models such as Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ($180), Beats Studio Pro ($350) and Sonos Ace ($350) all include this connectivity option – perhaps making this move to improve future iterations such as the upcoming XM6s more prudent.
Sony headphones lag behind in offering touch control interfaces that have become common among most brands recently. The XM5s make use of Android app Headphones Connect as their touch control solution; however, more intuitive controls would be great on future pairs like this pair. Finally, battery life could also be improved upon; current XM5 models provide 30 hours of use which doesn’t compare well against Marshall Monitor IIIs which can last for 70+ hours!
Design
Sony offers an expansive catalog of headphones, from cheap wireless earbuds to superior wired over-ear models. However, there remains one gap in their portfolio: high-end wireless models capable of rivalling Apple AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Sonos Ace headphones.
That is why the headphones community is eagerly anticipating Sony’s anticipated WH-1000XM6 flagship model’s anticipated arrival. If it follows in its predecessors footsteps, these headphones should offer unparalleled sound quality and features set – but what else can we expect them to provide?
One difference could be detachable ear pads. Sony had concealed its nameplate and serial number along the inner pad edge on XM5, so having these removable earpads could facilitate faster repairs or upgrades. Sony may use clips or screws for attachment, making this an interesting possibility.
Sony could make another enhancement by improving battery life. Although their WH-1000XM5s boast impressive 30 hours of playback time, some rival products may offer even longer battery life. Finally, we would love for Sony to include support for aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec which enables low latency audio streaming as well as Hi-Res formats up to 990kbps/96kHz with 24-bit sampling support.
Features
Sony’s flagship noise-canceling headphones offer many features for their money. They feature dual microphones, support aptX Adaptive for lower latency, and come with Sony’s headphone app to adjust EQ settings. Furthermore, automatic ear detection means music will pause when you take off or put back on headphones; and support SBC, AAC, hi-resolution LDAC Bluetooth codecs as well as DSEE Extreme technology which improves low-quality digital music files.
These headphones feature a comfortable fit and light weight design, making them more portable than some rivals. Their soft leather earcups have cushioned pads for cushioning comfort; and their adjustable headband fits most heads and ears comfortably – though may be tight for smaller users. While not intended for exercise or heavy rainfall or sweat environments, these headsets can still perform effectively in light rain or sweat conditions.
The WH-1000XM5 headphones are comfortable, but may feel cheap when compared to competitors that provide more durable materials. Furthermore, its hinge design can make folding them for compact storage difficult; competitors such as Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Marshall Monitor III both feature collapsible models.
Performance
Sony noise cancelling headphones are among the finest available, yet their premium design and extended battery life come at a cost. Their WH-1000XM6’s can compete with Apple AirPods Max 2 for noise cancellation and sound quality; to stay ahead, Sony must deliver some key upgrades to these XM6 models.
As it stands, we’ve received some clues as to what may be included. One theory suggests the possible presence of Sony’s audio codec which supports high-resolution music files as well as lossless LDAC Bluetooth codec. If this were implemented it could provide output up to 24-bit resolution while still remaining compatible with older devices.
Other indications point towards a revised hinge that allows folding functionality for users who requested it with the XM5. As for features, the WH-1000XM4 features proximity sensor technology that pauses media when you take off or take on headphones – this feature may make an appearance in XM6 models as well.
The FCC filing uncovered by The Walkman Blog suggests a spring 2025 release date for Sony’s XM6 wireless headphones, although their Short Term Confidential (STC) expiry date does not correspond with any specific product name or type – making it hard to know whether it applies specifically to them or another update to Sony’s flagship headphones like these two year cycle updates.
