Customer Ratings & Reviews

I thought I would love these compared to my Bose quiet comfort, but they sound so low, i tried everything to help them sound a bit louder to block out the outside noise but i can still hear outside noise. I do love these If im watching a show or youtube on my ipad, but for music its a no for me

Wasnt two fond of the xm5. But the xm6s addressed almost all of my concerns. Vocal clarity is fantastic but noise canceling may still be a bit better on the QC Ultra from bose

Sony must be endorsing reviewers as their current products are severely flawed. The XM6 have fair sound but are uncomfortable and engender poor heat dissipation…torture. Buy these overpriced cans if you are a MASOCHIST. I returned them for the Sennheiser M4. Connectivity, comfort, and sound are superior. Suffering is won by Sony.

I tried to upgrade from my Sony - WH1000XM2, but I found the Sony XM6 sound not as good for the price. I was expecting a drastic sound quality jump, but was very disappointed. And they were not as comfortable either, I ended up returning them :(

In the box: • WH-1000XM6 headphones • 3.5mm single-ended (SE) audio cable (38-inch) • USB-A to USB-C charging cable (8-inch) • Carrying case Setup: Initial pairing with iPhone 15 was straightforward with or without the Sony Sound Connect app. Design: The case is sturdier than expected and the molded interior cradles the headphones securely. There is a small well with elastic cover to keep the supplied cables secure. The case is equipped with a convenient magnetic latch to keep it closed. The headphones are well made from molded plastic with soft padding on the earcups and headband. The headset features an asymmetric design that allows easy identification of left and right earpieces and slightly offsets the headband from the earcups for a comfortable and secure fit. Operation: Sony Sound Connect app includes some advanced controls: • Noise cancellation: On, Pass Through, and Off (Note: turning ANC off with the NC/ANC button on the left earpiece requires enabling on the Device settings -> System -> [NC/AMB] Button Settings menu.) • 10-band equalizer. +6 to -6 in increments of 1.0 dB • Adaptive sound control allows you to select ANC settings for ambient and voice passthrough levels based on 4 perceived activity settings, sitting, walking, running, and commuting • Bluetooth pairing was simple on iOS phone, digital audio player (DAP), smart TV, and windows laptop. Pairing mode is entered by a long press on the power button on the bottom of the left earcup. The app retains a list of paired devices and can be simultaneously connected to any two of them using the base codec supported by the connected devices. • Touch controls. The touch-pad on the right earpiece allows for multiple (and intuitive) playback and telephony functions. • Wear sensor. When enabled, playback is paused when headphones are removed and restarted when put back on. Telephony: Phone calls were excellent on both ends. The WH-1000XM6 is a great choice for teleconferences and videoconferences. ANC: ANC performance is exceptional! The background is jet black and the pass-through feature works well. Audio Quality: Frequency response and sound stage were assessed with a Hi-Res DAP with LDAC codec, flat equalization, and sharp roll-off filter (on the DAP). I prefer an uncolored frequency response appreciate the flat frequency response without thumping bass or sibilant highs. The involvement of sound engineers in the tuning of the WH-1000XM6 is readily apparent! WH-1000XM6 audio performance is excellent! Bass notes were balanced and precise (featured tracks 1, 2, 7, 11, 15, & 21). Mid-range and vocals are clear and not overshadowed by the bass (featured tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, & 14). Hi-hats and cymbal brushes were well represented and easy to hear (featured tracks 11, 12, 13, 15, & 18). The sound stage was very good. Binaural recordings, jazz, and orchestral recordings were well-presented and spacious with good instrument separation (featured tracks 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, & 24). Battery: Battery life is excellent. A 4-hour teleconference barely move the needle (98% to 90%) with ANC and Bluetooth. Overall: For the excellent telephony, ANC, sound quality, and wired and wireless capabilities, the WH-1000XM6 will be in my go-to headphones for long-distance air travel. ANC performance is the best I have experienced over a range of over-ear and in-ear platforms. My only critique would be the tension of the headset. I have a relatively large head (hat size 7.5 to 7.625 inches) and more than 4 hours of continuous wear was fatiguing. Featured tracks: 1. Laurence Juber: Guitar Noir: Blues De Luxe 2. Miles Davis: Kind of Blue: Flamenco Sketches 3. Nora Jones: Come Away with Me: Don’t Know Why I Didn’t Come 4. Hoff Ensemble: Quiet Winter Night: Dronning Fjellrose 5. Hoff Ensemble: Quiet Winter Night: Ville fjellgutt 6. Bonnie Raitt: Road Tested: Matters of the Heart 7. Joe Satriani, Surfing with the Alien: Echo 8. Julian Webber: Elgar Cello Concerto - Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No.1: Adagio Moderato 9. Vladimir Horowitz: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #3: Finale: Alla breve 10. 2L Test Suite: Concerto Fantastico: Allegro Affetuoso 11. Antoine Dufour: Back & Forth (Side B): Air Ground (electronic) 12. Bill Evans: Everybody Digs Bill Evans: Minority 13. Miles Davis: Kind of Blue: Freddie Freeloader 14. Tori Amos: Crucify: Smells Like Teen Spirit 15. Dr. Chesky: Dr. Chesky’s Sensational, Fantastic, and Simply Amazing Binaural Sound Show!: Westside Blues 16. Dr. Chesky: Dr. Chesky’s Sensational, Fantastic, and Simply Amazing Binaural Sound Show!: Dancing Flute & Drum 17. Oslo String Quartet: The Shubert Connection: Schubert String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D810: III Scherzo. Allegro molto 18. Miles Davis: Kind of Blue: All Blues 19. Yoyo Ma: Elgar Cello Concerto, Op. 85; I. Adagio – Moderato (Elgar) 20. Yoyo Ma: A Gathering of Friends: John Williams Cello Concerto: Theme & Cadenza 21. Stevie Ray Vaughan: Couldn’t Stand the Weather: Tin Pan Alley 22. Yoyo Ma: The Goat Rodeo Sessions: Attaboy 23. Los Angeles Guitar Quartet: Spin: Turn to the Sea 24. Los Angeles Guitar Quartet: Spin: Night Furniture Suite

Great product. Great performance. Well worth the price.

Awesome headphones exceeded my expectations on every level!

Highly recommended. Serious upgrade from my Beats.

These are really a step above the rest best headphones I’ve had

Eh I expected better sound. Messed with the eq setting but still just underwhelming. Also when using the dual device function it will spaz out and swich between at will or just cut sound entirely while media continues

I was excited for these after all the hype online and glowing YouTube reviews. But the hype doesn't match the reality. The sound quality is good, but not great. Even after custom EQing the heck out of them, there's something that's still lifeless about them. You can play the same track on the Airpods Max back to back with these, and it's easy to hear how part of the track isn't as vibrant. Though it is a plus that you can customize the EQ to fit your preference. The ANC does a good job, but it's still won't delete the world around you if that's what you're looking for. Low rumbles like an airplane can go away, but things like voices or crying babies on a plane will still come through significantly. Transparency mode was hyped as being much better, but it's still just ok at best. There's a slight whirring tone whenever it's on, so you're still very aware that the sound is processed. Comparatively, the Airpods Max truly make it sound like you're not wearing anything. A few other points – Folding the headphones to get in the case would take some memorization since I kept getting it wrong over and over. The touch controls remain annoying. The earcups are shallow, and my ear slightly touches the fabric in the cup. The price plus protection is now *more* than the Airpods Max. At this price point, there's zero argument for these headphones when the APM are already a better pair.

I expected the sound to be better it’s okay it’s just not what I expected but the noise cancellation is great!

Best headphones purchased so far very good quality and flexible

I have been on a journey to find the best over ear headphones for me. I've gotten to the point where earbuds are not for me, except for very specific reasons (gym, working outside). Over ear headphones just feel so much more immersive and comfortable to me. I have a previous version of this series, and was very excited to get the Sony WH-1000XM6s because active noise cancellation is about as important to me as sound quality and immersion. I was impressed with the previous model I have, but I didn't like other aspects. Since traveling has become more of a priority for me, being able to pack them compactly, as well as maintaining comfort for long periods were musts, and these deliver. The fold is back! And I am impressed with how small these feel now in the case. As far as ANC is concerned, I prefer less white noise when I have them on. Some other headphones I've tried and used do a great job of ANC, but have an audible hiss to me. These do not. I don't think you can get rid of it entirely because that is the point, it cancels outside noises, but the XM6s have an uncanny quiet to them in ANC mode. I will also say the transparency on these is crazy. It really opens up sounds on the outside which is useful if I'm around the house or walking, where sounds are a safety must, but I want a great music experience. The XM6s also step up Sony's efforts for immersion with the surround sound virtualizer that I find really effective for movies and videos. I will say I do prefer standard sound for music though. Fortunately they are both here. I got the blue color and was a little worried about smudges from finger oil. I can say it isn't bad. There is some, but it's not hard to wipe and they seem to resist it somewhat. The blue is a great navy blue that is sort of understated and sharp. The controls on the right ear cup are as intuitive as past models, and I get used to swiping quickly. The sound is so good. Out of the box, I was ok with the sound, but the XM6s now have a 10-band equalizer in the app. This has allowed me to dial in my preferred sound, and I have two custom settings for two different kinds of listening. You are also able to set up profiles in the apps based on locations, so if you are at home hanging out, it detects that and sets your prescribed settings for that location. Then when you're on the move it will switch to that mode and it seems to be pretty good at detecting these events. I am actually impressed. Overall, it feels like there is intelligence in these headphones, with style, with sound, and with interactivity. I love them. Don't hesitate getting these either as a new entry into Sony sound or as an upgrade. These will be my new headphones for a while!

Upgraded to these from the WH1000XM5, not happy with the upgrade. When talking on the phone it sounds like to others that I am in a bathroom, and its hard to hear me. But music and videos sound good.

Definitely a upgrade from the previous xm5's however sometimes they slightly fold in on themselves if you don't put them on right

Ok. No better than the beats headphones. No noticable difference.

Sony took a few years to make the jump to light speed from their WH-1000XM5 to their new flagship ANC 'phones, the WH-1000XM6. I am something of a headphone enthusiast and while I belong to the wonderful online community at head-fi, I am nowhere near as, shall we say, "intense" in my pursuit of Headphone Heaven as some folks are. That said, I have owned the XM4 version of these headphones albeit briefly as I was far from impressed with them, choosing to keep my Sennheiser Momentum 3 headphones for the superior looks and playback of my music. I later moved to the excellent Bose QC45 headphones and found their ANC to be superior to the Momentum 3 and then I bought the Momentum 4s and thought that was it for me! Nope. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is vastly superior in both ANC and musical reproduction to anything else I have bought with my own money. Outside of looks the Sony is a MAJOR upgrade from the Momentum 4 'phones. Looks are subjective I know but so too are personal perceptions on sound quality and I can only state that I prefer the Sony WH-1000XM6. They are light in weight, never fatigue even after several straight hours of listening to music and did I mention their ANC is excellent? Well, it is. I own a diesel pickup and it can be kinda loud. Not as loud as my Harley but still...With my truck idling the WH-1000XM6 reduced the level of noise to an acceptable (to me) level. The Harley? Ummmm...Not so much. That thing is too loud. The new processor on the WH-1000XM6 is said to be several times faster than the previous generation XM5's setup. And in my case, the battery lasts for even more hours than my other wireless headphones! Over several days use with the ANC engaged, I made it past 32+ hours of total time on a single full charge! That is impressive. I listen at low to moderate levels but again, I left the ANC on all the time I used the headphones. WoW! The two DSP modes, "Background" and "Cinema" seemed a bit gimmicky (in use) to me. Background makes the music sound as if it were in another room, just down the hall if you will. No thanks. "Cinema" seems to be an "expander" of sorts in the same was as my late '80s Sony TV had with the Hughes SRS, Sound Retrieval System, activated on the built in speakers. Expaaaaanisve. It's different and it may sound great to some folks. No harm in trying it, really. I did not use these for movies as I have a 9.2 Atmos setup for viewing films but that is my preference. I took walks in and around my neighborhood during peak traffic hours and the Sony did just fine handling the ever changing dynamic of traffic noise hurled at it. It has 12 microphones to "listen" and then adapt its Active Noise Cancellation to and it flat out WORKS! Mind you, these are residential and small business oriented surface streets but early morning traffic is quite busy and sometimes will back up for a mile or more. Real world noisy. I like the ease of use on these headphones. I turn it on and it instantly connects to my iPhone 16 Pro Max. I can request Siri to call or text anyone I know and the Sony's microphones conveyed my requests flawlessly. Using the headphones for phone calls was also quite good. No problems at all with any facet of your standard phone call. Build quality is excellent and I expect them to last for years so long as they are not mistreated/neglected. As a retired Electronics Technician, I take care of my equipment. I have a 50+ year old Sony stereo receiver that still works as new! Sony makes a quality product and I have no doubts that the WH-1000XM6 will live up to my reasonable expectations in the years to come. I can say without reservation that I recommend these because they really are the new standard for Wireless ANC Headphones. I think their looks are nowhere near as classic as headphones such as my Sennheiser Momentum 3s (and 4s!) but again, looks are highly subjective ergo I would not mark the Sony WH-1000XM6 down for that as it looks very nice in a high-tech purposeful manner. They look fine and work fabulously! Time and technology march on. With the new Sony WH-1000XM6, you will be able to block out the background noise of the world and do as the Doobie Brothers sang so many years ago and "Listen To the Music". The new Sony WH_1000XM6 lets you do just that. Highly recommended? Indeed!

I got them right before a trip. Super bass heavy, little midrange: my go to tracks for testing (Pink Floyd Time, and Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love) proved to be muddy, and they lacked the snap I'd expect. A bunch of eq alterations via the app AND the phone helped but never got them to anything better than good. Noise cancelling: I was excited about the new updates as I was flying across the pacific. Unfortunately, they did not seal completely, so engine noise was quite noticeable. I could get them to seal temporarily, but they'd shift a bit then BRRRR. Swapping with my wife's XM3s showed how much better the older model was (primarily due to fit). The case seemed OK but hanging onto my travel pack (which I've done for years with my zippered case) with just a magnetic closure did not give me sense of security Needless to say, I've returned them and gone back to my quite old XM3s with Wicked Cushion ear pads.

I'm genuinely impressed by the Sony WH1000XM6 headphones. The build quality, comfort, sound, noise cancellation, look, and app customization options are all top notch. I also recently purchased the Bose QC Ultra so I have been able to compare the two. There is no doubt that the Sony's are my favorite, and I've already returned the Bose. The WH1000XM6 are more comfortable, with a better fit for my large head, but they also fit my daughter's head well. The Sony's are also less flimsy and seem more durable, so I'm confident they will last. As for sound, The EQ customization is superior in the Sound Connect app making. They also sound better to my ears right out of the box. The noise cancellation is about the same, but with the Sony's, I have not experienced the "ear suck" that was so bad with the Bose. With the inclusion of the Find Your Equalizer feature in Sony's Sound Connect app, I was easily and quickly able to dial in the sound to my personal preference. Out of the box, I felt that the bass was a little lacking, but I prefer a bass heavy profile. I have listened to music, shows, and games post EQ adjustment, and all sound spot on, clear, and crisp. I have listened for hours and my ears do not get sweaty and I have not had any ear or head pressure fatigue. The padding is comfortable and not overly thick or thin. It's taking a while to get used to the touchpad controls on the right earpiece, but I think I'll get used to it. You really have to properly tap or swipe to get the right response. One feature I really appreciate is passive wired mode. I often plug into my Switch or PlayStation Portal, and being able to listen without powering on the headphones is a must for me—something the Bose can’t do. Adaptive Sound Control is a feature I do not use. I tried it out but it switches modes just getting up off the couch and moving around, so it's a bit much for use around the house. I could see it being useful out and about though. I also do not use the different listening modes. They seem unnecessary. Battery life has been solid. I haven’t pushed it to the limit, but I’ve listened all day on multiple occasions and only charged them at night. No issues there. The WH-1000XM6 are, without a doubt, the best wireless headphones I’ve ever owned. Highly recommended.