Audio nerds are happy. Sony has finally released its popular successor WH-1000XM5 headphonesAnd the new headphones bring valuable improvements and great Sony sound to the new generation.
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WH-1000XM6 The headphones are here, and their key highlights include classically rich sound, improved noise cancellation, and reform headset designs for comfort and portability. The headphones share similarities with their predecessors, such as battery life and general design.
However, it comes with a new (and more expensive) price of $450 at launch. That’s especially the price Sony’s WH-1000XM5 Just keep dropping.
That asks the question: which headphones should you buy? Do you choose the latest Sony headphones or do you need to go with a proven one? I’ll break it all down.
specification
|
Sony WH-1000XM5 |
Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|
|
Available colors |
Black, Midnight Blue, Silver, Smoky Pink |
Black, Midnight Blue, Silver |
|
Frequency range |
2.4000-2.4835 GHz |
2.4000 GHz -2.483 5 GHz |
|
Bluetooth version |
5.2 |
5.3 |
| Spatial audio | Limited to the platform of your choice | Available on any platform |
| battery | Turn on ANC for 30 hours | Turn on ANC for 30 hours |
| Noise Cancellation Optimizer | Use Personal ANC Optimizer | Use Adaptive-Anc Optimizer |
| input | Stereo Mini Jack (3.5mm) | Stereo Mini Jack (3.5mm) |
| price | $400 | $449 |
You will need to purchase the Sony WH-1000XM6.
1. You need richer audio
Sony’s flagship headphones provide the best sound in the game. Listening to music on the XM6 is simply a joy. The audio is rich and robust, capturing the width and depth of your music. These are my favorite headphones for the sound quality I’ve tested so far.
Review: Sony WH-1000XM6
Part of the reason is that the XM6 includes new drivers that make music richer, more clearly called it, and smoother overall. This makes XM6 headphones perfect for audio nerds who listen to the best of their music and are willing to pay a little more for an upgrade. Plus, the XM6 is the first model to support spatial audio on any streaming platform, so you can experience Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound anytime.
2. You need the best noise cancellation
Sony adds four more microphones to the XM6 headphones, adding a total of 12 overall, improving noise cancellation capabilities. These headphones are simultaneously powerful but not completely isolated, providing the perfect noise cancellation for long distance flights and marathon work sessions. They distract and keep it to a minimum while the music is played.
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The reason I say the quality of the microphone is not completely isolated is because you can listen to podcasts or even listen to chatter even if you’re not playing audio. Sony offers the strongest audio (and noise cancellation) when the music is playing. This does a great job of blocking sounds in the presence of music, unlike other noise-cancelling headsets like Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones, but does not provide excellent audio quality while playing.
3. You need a travel-friendly design
The Sony WH-1000XM4 had a foldable design that most people enjoyed. This made it easy to pack into a packed backpack or carry-on device. The WH-1000XM5 didn’t include its foldable design – and people weren’t happy about it. Thankfully, the XM6 headphones bring back its design elements, making them portable and perfect for travel.
You need to buy the Sony WH-1000XM5…
1. I shop on a budget
Saving money is the best these days, and $450 is not cheap for a pair of premium headphones. The XM5 is sold regularly during sales events such as Prime Day, Memorial Day, and Black Friday.
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Planning your purchase correctly will allow you to win sweet discounts on your XM5 headphones, especially ahead of Memorial Day weekend, when high-tech discounts are in full swing at retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.
2. Additional colorways are required
The two headphones may be similar, but they get another colour from the XM5 lineup than from the XM6 lineup. The XM5 and XM6 share most color options, except for the smoky pink color you get with the XM5 model. If this color is calling you, it won’t be found in the XM6 lineup. You must choose XM5 instead.
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It’s possible that Sony could introduce another colour to the XM6, but the company released the XM5’s smoky pink colour two years after its first release, so you might have to wait.
