Following a collection of leaks, Sony’s a lot anticipated WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones have formally arrived. The brand new mannequin has to observe the WH-1000XM5 that was among the many best-sounding we have ever examined. To that finish, Sony has up to date them in almost each method, from sound to noise cancellation to name high quality.
The WH-1000XM6 has largely the identical design because the earlier mannequin, however there are delicate tweaks. The case is smaller and now has a magnetic lock, whereas the headphones have a brand new uneven headband that is wider than the one on the XM5 for elevated consolation. The facility and mute buttons had been additionally redesigned for improved usability.
Sony was in a position to make some main updates within the noise cancellation (ANC) due to the brand new QN3 chip that is seven occasions quicker than the QN1 from the XM5. It now carries 12 ANC microphones as an alternative of eight to higher detect surrounding noise and makes use of adaptive ANC optimization slightly than auto optimization earlier than. The latter permits the XM6 headphones to push noise ranges down throughout a wider vary of frequencies.
On the sound high quality facet, Sony labored with “world-renowned mastering engineers” to tune audio for improved realism and deeper bass. New driver items supposedly enable for “richer particulars, clearer vocals [and] improved stability due to extra inflexible dome,” together with smoother and extra prolonged excessive frequency copy through a brand new voice coil design. And a brand new characteristic can upmix common stereo to spatial audio utilizing Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound know-how for a encompass sound impact with any music or audio.
Lastly, Sony improved name high quality with up to date noise discount that makes use of “AI beamforming” and 6 mics as an alternative of 4 as earlier than. Battery life is identical at 30 hours with ANC on and 40 hours with it disabled, and you’ll nonetheless stand up to 3 hours of life with simply three minutes of charging.
All of this new tech comes at a worth, because the WH-1000XM6 prices $450, a worth that is $50 greater than the XM5 was at launch. Nonetheless, if it lives as much as Sony’s claims and follows the footsteps of different WH-1000 fashions, it is certain to be among the many greatest wi-fi ANC headphones you may get at any worth.
Learn our full review of the WH-1000M6.
