STEREO GUIDE verdict
A bit overloaded in terms of features, but these true wireless earbuds have a very natural sound, excellent ANC, and top-notch speech intelligibility.
Pros
- Audiophile-neutral sound reproduction, excellent for vocals
- Accurate Representation and Transparency
- Effective yet natural noise cancellation, with or without ANC
- The app's extensive range of features, top-notch equalizer
Cons
- Somewhat limited in terms of dynamics; not very playful
- The bass could be more powerful/punchier
- They only stay in place when there's high pressure in the ear canal; they're not very comfortable
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Tonal balance / transparency9.5
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Bass / Dynamics9
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Usability / Connectivity9.3
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Price / Performance8.8
With the WF-1000XM6, Sony’s sixth generation of its premium true wireless series has been available since the beginning of the year. These fundamentally redesigned earbuds follow the WF-1000XM5 (click here for our review), which set new standards for active noise cancellation and app functionality, but still left room for improvement for audiophiles and casual listeners.
The Japanese company claims to have further improved the ANC, now featuring eight microphones per pair. This is intended to enable a form of beamforming in the directional characteristics, thereby also improving voice quality, which sometimes leaves something to be desired with earbuds.
The list price has barely changed, dropping from 320 to 300 euros. Of course, we’re happy about any products that become a little cheaper rather than more expensive. To be honest, though, it’s also worth noting that in the three years since the XM5 review, prices for TWS earbuds have generally dropped significantly, and even in the under-160-euro price range, it’s now possible to achieve a level of sound quality that was once reserved for premium in-ear headphones.
New Forms, New Technology, Old Values
Given the series’ long-standing success, it’s no surprise that Sony would make few changes to the basic design. The black and matte silver color options have been retained. IPX4 water resistance is sufficient for rain, light sweat while jogging, and similar situations.
However, the shape and size have evolved noticeably from the 5th to the 6th generation. The XM6 protrude noticeably further from the ear, are heavier, and are taller than the XM5, though slightly narrower. The now-matte finish seems to offer slight advantages in terms of grip.
The charging case seems heavier and less ergonomic; instead, it’s more angular and slightly thicker, which we wouldn’t necessarily describe as an improvement. However, the Japanese manufacturer points to a larger driver, which now has a 8.4-millimeter diaphragm diameter and consequently requires more space.
Little has changed in terms of battery life: according to Sony, it lasts up to eight hours with active noise cancellation enabled and 12 hours without; the charging case provides enough power for two full charges. This means you can get up to 24 hours with ANC or 36 hours without, all without needing to plug in.
Sony claims a 25 percent improvement in noise cancellation compared to the previous model. This is made possible, among other things, by a new combination of the eight microphones, the QN3e HD noise-canceling processor, and the Integrated Processor V2.
In addition to the sheer number, Sony relies on adaptive optimization designed to analyze ambient noise and wearing conditions in real time. The goal is more stable attenuation, especially in the mid and high frequency ranges—where everyday noises like voices or office atmospheres dominate. How much progress this actually makes in daily use remains to be seen in our hands-on test.
Bluetooth with LDAC and AAC, but no AptX
Experience has shown that Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection. As expected, Sony highlights the high-resolution-capable LDAC codec, which, however, is only supported by a few smartphones. In addition to this, there are also AAC and the standard SBC. Codecs from the aptX family, which require a special chip, are not included. Android phone owners, in particular, should therefore verify that a high-quality codec like AAC is supported and is actually being used in practice, since experience shows that falling back to SBC results in a significant loss of sound quality.
Sony also promises further development in terms of sound. Internal signal processing now takes place at 32-bit instead of 24-bit, complemented by a redesigned driver with a modified diaphragm structure. Hi-Res Audio Wireless via LDAC remains on board, as does DSEE Extreme for upscaling compressed files.
In addition, the WF-1000XM6 supports 360 Reality Audio, head tracking, and a customizable 10-band equalizer in the Sony app.
Sony Headphones Connect App: Overload of Features
The Sony Headphones Connect app for iOS and Android was already familiar to us from the previous version. The range of features has expanded so significantly that, even after an extended testing period, it still seems overwhelmingly complicated. This is partly due to the fact that functions aren’t organized very intuitively within submenus—sometimes you have to search for a while to find what you’re looking for.
An overview screen shows which devices are currently connected and what is playing through the Sony WF-1000XM6. The display of the active codec is particularly useful, as it allows Android device owners to constantly check whether a high-quality codec like AAC is being used to transmit the signal.
To really make the most of ANC and other settings, you should define different usage scenarios that the Sony WF-1000XM6 can then recognize on its own: Are you at home, on the move, or working out? Aside from the occasionally quirky translation, this is a well-designed system—though it does require a bit of getting used to and necessitates that the software have access to location services.
The same applies to the individual settings for the noise-canceling features. While ANC relies on adaptive control based on external noise, you can fine-tune the transparency mode for announcements and warning signals.
Equalizer for individual sound adjustment
The equalizer for sound adjustment has been expanded to 10 octave bands, which is especially great for musicians and listeners with a basic understanding of audio engineering. You can also save different equalizer curves, compare them, and switch between them quickly—so the app definitely deserves top marks in this area. The presets can largely be ignored, especially since the quirky translations—such as “heavy”—tend to cause confusion here.
Another feature of the app allows you to customize the controls. Not only can you assign functions to the touch controls on the left and right earbuds, but head gestures, voice control, and automatic standby when you remove the earbuds or start a conversation also ensure that the app can be tailored to meet the user’s individual needs.
We’re so impressed—and also a bit overwhelmed—by the wide range of features. We only discovered some of these endless possibilities as we went through the testing process, and not every user will actually use every feature. The instructions and checks for properly inserting the earbuds and verifying the seal are exceptionally practical. We immediately turned off the “Background Music” listening mode, a kind of virtual room simulation. We have our doubts about the DSEE sound optimization for lower bitrates, as well as the 360-degree sound, but everyone can try them out for themselves.
Voice control, gesture recognition, and AI integration certainly aren’t for everyone, but for tech geeks, there’s the satisfying feeling that, when it comes to innovative features, they’re at least on par with Apple—if not better.
Effective noise cancellation and a snug fit
When it came to noise cancellation, the Sony WF-1000XM6 held its own, even when compared to its benchmark-setting predecessor, the XM5: the most effective noise cancellation on the market—next only to Bose—sounded surprisingly natural, effectively filtering out the noise of a busy street or an airplane cabin without creating any unpleasant pressure or a feeling of total isolation. However, this only worked when the earbuds were inserted correctly—they must fit absolutely snugly—which, fortunately, can be verified via the app using a few test tones. If there are differences in the bass between the left and right ears in non-ANC mode, or if a phase shift occurs, one of the earbuds isn’t seated properly. This is less noticeable in ANC mode, where the Sony appears to compensate effectively. Otherwise, it remained surprisingly quiet in noise-canceling mode, thereby resolving a criticism of its predecessor—the audible ANC noise in quiet environments.
The manufacturer includes ear canal adapters in four sizes. All are made of thin memory foam, which feels slightly firmer than the foam used in other in-ear headphones. Inserting them requires a slight twisting motion, plus firm pressure, until the ear canal is truly sealed off tightly enough. For those with smaller ear canals or narrow ear cups, this can definitely be a problem; we strongly recommend trying them out beforehand.
Although the Sony earbuds don’t press directly into the ear, after wearing them for a while, you can feel how tightly the foam tips press into the ear canal. Choosing the right size is crucial; you should definitely check the seal in the app a few minutes after inserting them, because you won’t immediately notice if an earbud is inserted incorrectly based on the sound alone.
The Bluetooth connection and pairing with the app are lightning-fast and hassle-free when you press the pairing button on the charging case and the app is already open and ready to go.
Sony WF-1000XM6 Sound Test
With headphones featuring such effective ANC and precise sound customization in the app, the question naturally arises as to whether the ANC affects the sound signature. We’d say: Yes, and to a slightly greater extent with the WF-1000XM6 than with its predecessor, the Sony WF-1000XM5. The bass on Peter Gabriel’s “Put the Bucket Down” sounded richer and fuller in ANC mode, while in normal mode it remains somewhat less powerful.
In both cases, the low end is well-balanced, blends naturally into the sound, and strikes the perfect balance between bass that’s too boomy and bass that’s too dry.
In terms of sound and character, the WF-1000XM6 stays true to its predecessor: with perfect neutrality, a natural and nuanced sound—especially with speech and vocals—it delivers an exceptionally natural listening experience. On R.E.M.’s “At My Most Beautiful,” it rendered the highs with outstanding transparency and silkiness, just as you’d expect from a perfect pair of studio headphones. With some vocals, the low-frequency range is somewhat lean, but this can be corrected quite well using the excellent equalizer in the app. We’d say the WF-1000XM6 is particularly well-suited for long listening sessions; its sound remains surprisingly fatigue-free even with older recordings or over-processed pop music.
Compact design, coziness over dynamism
The comparison with studio monitors also applies to the spatial imaging: voices are positioned with outstanding precision, and you can hear the tail ends of reverberations very clearly; however, the soundstage remains very compact, and depending on the recording, voices sometimes appear to be localized distinctly inside your head.
With dynamic pop, hip-hop, or electronic music, the Sony remained true to its audiophile monitor character: every detail was there, and the bass was deep and substantial. However, the sound remained somewhat soft during peak transients; a truly hard beat never quite came through on Kraftwerk’s “Der Katalog.” As a result, clubgoers in particular will miss a bit of that playful energy and dynamic punch in the sound—for them, the WF-1000XM6 could certainly deliver more.
It worked best with mellow pop and rock, older recordings, as well as jazz, folk, chamber music, and any music intended to promote relaxation.
Test Conclusion and Alternatives to the Sony WF-1000XM6
The Sony WF-1000XM6, despite its fairly high price, stands out with outstanding noise cancellation and a highly detailed app with an almost unbelievable range of features. In terms of sound, it remains true to its predecessor—which is still available at a lower price—with a particularly natural, transparent, and dynamically restrained sound. The WF-1000XM5 is therefore likely to remain the better choice for most music listeners in terms of value for money and comfort, even though the new XM6 sounds a bit more audiophile-oriented and cleaner and is the best in its class for speech intelligibility.
If you’re looking for an even more dynamic sound with impressive bass, you’re better off with the more affordable Cambridge Audio A100 or the similarly priced Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Earbuds 2. The predecessor, the Sony WF-1000 XM5, delivers even more convincing spatial depth with classical and jazz music. We haven’t yet tested the current Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5, which is likely to be the Sony’s main competitor in real-world use.
You can find more options in our list of the best headphones
Technical Specifications for the Sony WF-1000XM6
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: 300 Euro
- Type: In-Ear
- Transducer principle: Dynamic
- Weight: 6.5 g each, case 47 g
- Special Features: Adaptive noise cancellation with transparency mode, IPX4 water resistance, app control, seal detection in the app, 10-band EQ, head tracking
- For more information, visit: www.sony.de
