It has been over two years since Sony released its last flagship earbuds, and the moment has arrived for an update. Introducing the WF-1000XM6, which continues the trend of long names while featuring an updated design and improvements in sound tuning and noise cancellation.
The new earbud model is equipped with two additional microphones compared to its predecessors, promising superior call quality and enhanced adaptive noise cancellation. Sony claims that these earbuds inherit their adaptive noise-canceling technology from the over-ear WH-1000XM6, accompanied by an optimized antenna structure for superior connectivity.
Have these claims been realized, or is Sony merely relying on past successes? After using the XM6s for over a week, we are ready to share our insights. You can watch a quick video version here or continue reading for all the details.
Table of Contents:
- Design
- Features
- Performance
- Battery Life
- Verdict
Design
At first glance, the WF-1000XM6, referred to as the XM6 throughout this review, does not appear significantly different from its predecessors. The new model remains relatively chunky compared to the latest range of true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, sticking out noticeably from the ear.
The XM6s maintain a similar oval shape to previous models but are even longer and heavier than the XM5s, with each earbud weighing 6.4 grams. The combined weight with the charging case totals just over 58 grams.
The charging case, made entirely of plastic with a matte finish, is larger (62 x 26 x 41mm) than that of the XM5 generation. Its sharper corners and generic design feel less premium than the streamlined case of its predecessor. We prefer the curvier, more compact design of the previous generation, and we find the new case less pocket-friendly, which is essential for portable earbuds.
Sony WF-1000XM5 (silver) vs WF-1000XM6 (black)
Focusing back on the earbuds, Sony claims the XM6 features an updated ergonomic shape with an embedded ventilation structure to increase airflow and decrease ear fatigue. While they are comfortable, the added weight is noticeable compared to more traditional earbuds.
Regarding comfort, the XM6 opts for foam ear tips, which provide better passive sound isolation than traditional silicone ones, but they may compromise comfort for some users.
I had a similar experience with the XM5s, as the foam tips tended to expand in my ear canal and create pressure after 20-30 minutes of use. I tried smaller replacement tips (S and XS), but the issue persisted. The only solution for me was to switch to third-party silicone ear tips.
The XM6s in black have a relatively generic appearance. The microphone grilles are color-matched to the body, with subtle gold accents for the Sony branding on both the earbuds and case. The earbuds are IPX4 rated for water and dust protection, which is less impressive compared to competitors who are adopting IP57 ratings.
Features
Sony’s flagship earbuds do not disappoint regarding features. Like previous models in the WF-1000X series, the XM6s include a plethora of features ranging from genuinely useful to somewhat gimmicky.
Most features are controlled via the Sony Sound Connect app, which, although not the most polished software, offers a structured design along with numerous menus and submenus for customization. The touch controls are similar to their predecessors, and users can now remap these controls.
The XM6 generation introduces an updated version of Sony's Integrated Processor V2, now featuring 32-bit audio processing, an upgrade from the 24-bit depth in the XM5s. Sony claims improved clarity, dynamic range, and detail in audio playback. Additionally, the key update is the QN3e noise-cancelling chip inherited from the WH-1000XM6.
According to Sony, the XM6 offers 25% more effective noise reduction compared to the XM5s. Their ANC system features an adaptive noise-canceling optimizer, which analyzes external sounds and adjusts the audio and noise cancellation in real time based on how the earbuds are worn.
Beyond promotional claims, Sony has added an additional outward-facing microphone on each earbud, totaling four microphones per side. This enhancement ensures that the XM6s provide the best noise cancellation among earbuds available today.
The added microphones also benefit the updated ambient sound mode, enabling a more natural reproduction of external sounds without excessive amplification. This feature proved effective during our review. For more details, you can refer to the performance section.
While using ambient mode, voices sounded realistic rather than as if transmitted through a cardboard box.
Another familiar feature is Speak-to-Chat, which activates ambient mode when it detects your speech, allowing conversations without pausing your music.
Speak-to-Chat Controls in the Sony Sound Connect App
This feature offers three sensitivity settings for voice detection, but I found I could trick it by cough and sneezing rather than talking. Nevertheless, it is useful when ordering lunch while keeping your earbuds on.
In conjunction with these updates, Sony has optimized the internal antennas, which are now 1.5 times larger than those in the XM5s, providing more reliable connections in busy environments. During our testing, we did not experience any connectivity issues, a trend seen in many TWS earbuds over the past few years.
The XM6 retains staple features like dual device pairing via Bluetooth 5.3 (LE) and wear detection sensors for automatic play and pause when inserting and removing the earbuds. You also gain access to 360 Reality Audio with head tracking for an immersive experience while watching movies, gaming, or enjoying live concerts.
Sony's adaptive sound control feature also returns, automatically switching between noise-canceling and ambient modes based on your environment and activities.
Adaptive Sound Control and Scenes
The earbuds can automatically toggle the noise-canceling feature for activities like commuting on public transport and enable ambient mode for exercising. While generally effective, we consider it more of a gimmick, as users can easily perform these tasks using the built-in touch controls.
Addressing gimmicks, the XM6 also introduces head gestures, allowing users to accept incoming calls by nodding or rejecting them by shaking their heads. We did not test this feature, but it is becoming increasingly common in earbuds.
Additionally, the XM6 features optional voice control, enabling users to operate key functions using voice commands. However, the wake-up phrase "Hey Headphones" must be followed by any desired command, replacing the standard touch controls.
This feature supports multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, French, and German. However, its performance was subpar in our testing; simple commands like "volume up" weren’t recognized reliably. Although we were using a pre-production unit of the XM6s, sticking to touch controls turned out to be more convenient and accurate.
Performance
Audio Quality
Sony set a high standard with the WF-1000XM5, which has remained one of the best premium earbud options for over two years. The XM6 features updated 8.4mm drivers, designed by Sony’s acoustic engineers in collaboration with numerous affiliated recording studios.
The XM6 supports AAC, SBC, LC3, and LDAC audio codecs, along with Sony’s DSEE Extreme. This AI-driven algorithm upscales low-quality, compressed music commonly found on streaming platforms.
From the moment the XM6s are in your ears, music sounds more expansive than expected from earbuds. The bass is robust yet balanced within the overall soundscape. This balanced bass approach distinguishes the XM6 from many competitors that emphasize low frequencies excessively.
Audio from the XM6 is sharper and warmer than the XM5s, offering a wider dynamic range and excellent detail in reproducing vocals and instruments. Few competitors can match the XM6's skill in instrument reproduction. Additionally, they reach volumes that are significantly louder than most alternatives; typically, you won’t need to exceed 50% volume even in loud environments.
Clarity in the high range is superior to what the XM5 offered. Most users will find the default soundstage tuning satisfactory, but Sony also includes an updated 10-band equalizer in the Sony Headphones app, replacing the previous 5-band EQ and allowing more extensive customization of audio output.
Sony’s “Find Your Equalizer” feature is also available, providing a user-friendly approach to achieve a custom EQ profile without dealing with frequency sliders.
Noise Canceling
Effectively mitigating unwanted noise has been Sony's strength, and the XM6 undoubtedly stand out as the finest noise-canceling earbuds we’ve tested. The combination of the upgraded QN3e noise-canceling chip and two additional outward-facing microphones empowers the XM6 to effectively reduce daily noise disturbances.
The XM6 can significantly block out ambient sounds even without music playback. Adding music or podcasts, even at lower volumes, provides a disconnect from common distractions like traffic or busy public transport.
Comparing the XM6 and XM5 in typical office, street, and public transport settings highlighted the enhanced ANC configuration. The XM6 effectively cancels repetitive mid and high-frequency noises—often the most intrusive sounds, including speech, traffic, and airplane cabin noise.
Sony's improved ambient sound mode indeed provides clearer sound reproduction of the surrounding environment. Although some inherent hiss accompanies noise-canceling earbuds, the XM6’s ambient mode manages to sound remarkably natural compared to competitors.
Distortion in incoming speech is significantly reduced, and users can enable an additional filter that isolates incoming voices while minimizing other noises.
Call Quality and Connectivity
The XM6 also excels in call quality, delivering exceptional voice capture. They effectively isolated my voice during calls, even amid bustling street noise.
In a typical demonstration of the divide between budget and premium earbuds, activating ambient mode during calls resulted in clearer sound transmission on our end.
Regarding latency, the XM6s performed better than average, showing some lag when watching videos, but noticeable latency during gaming sessions.
Connectivity was flawless during our testing, with no dropped connections or interruptions. Multipoint pairing functioned as intended, allowing quick transitions between devices, and the connection remained strong even when moving more than 10 meters from the audio source.
Battery Life
Sony claims that the XM6s provide 8 hours of playback with ANC activated. The charging case offers two complete recharges, equating to a total of 24 hours of battery life. Our tests yielded 8 hours and 15 minutes of playback with the AAC codec and ANC enabled, a slight improvement over the XM5s' approximately 7.5-hour battery life.
When it’s time to recharge, going from 0-100% for both the earbuds and the case takes 80 minutes. Wireless charging is also available but takes twice as long. Additionally, Sony has incorporated a battery care feature for the earbuds, limiting charging to 80% to prolong battery lifespan.
Verdict
Sony hasn’t completely revolutionized the WF-1000XM6; rather, they are an iterative upgrade to the already impressive WF-1000XM5 with enhanced audio warmth and more powerful ANC. Priced at €300/$330, the XM6s are among the most expensive wireless earbuds available, yet they offer top-tier sound, exceptional noise cancellation, and improved microphone performance, making them an excellent choice in the premium TWS segment.
It may seem peculiar, but in terms of design, Sony has taken a step backward with both the earbuds and the case, as both are larger and heavier than the previous generation. Personally, we prefer the fit and aesthetics of the earlier models.
While the XM6 provides solid battery life, competitors are now exceeding 10 hours per charge. With a bit over 8 hours available from the XM6s and two full recharges from the charging case, it falls slightly behind current market offerings.
As brands like Apple and Samsung shift towards “AI-enabled” earbuds that feature on-device real-time translation and health monitoring capabilities, Sony continues to prioritize refined audio quality and effective noise cancellation. We support this approach, and if the price is not a concern, the XM6s are undoubtedly worth the investment.
