Sony has two parallel flagship series that run in tandem: One is their over-ear X series, and its smaller counterpart is the WF series, which are In-Ear headphones. Model updates alternate: Sometimes new over-ear headphones are launched, sometimes in-ear headphones. This year it’s the turn of the In-Ear headphones, and we received them for an early pre-launch review.
Design and Build of the WF-1000XM6
Unlike the previous generation, the XM5, the new generation has been completely redesigned, inside and out. We’ll touch on the interior in the next section, but externally it features an oval capsule shape, as opposed to the rounder design of previous years. Another design change is the two ventilation slits fixed on the body of the earbud instead of just one – Sony claims this reduces ear pressure and even prevents us from hearing our own chewing echoes, allowing the headphones to stay in place even during lunch.
What Sony has traditionally preserved, and rightly so, is the use of memory foam ear tips (commercially known as Comply) instead of silicone, which most companies use. In my opinion, this material is far more comfortable to compress inside the ear canal, especially since it adapts precisely to your personal ear canal. Additionally, Sony includes four different sizes in the box (made of fully recyclable cardboard, plastic-free for environmental reasons), which can also be adjusted via the app (see below).
The case has also been redesigned, with a smooth, oval look that is more attractive than ever. The charging indicator is on the front, the USB-C port is on the back, and next to it, the pairing button (a great solution for quickly connecting the headphones to devices). Other than that – the appearance is completely smooth except for the SONY logo on the top of the lid.
Finally – the colors this year are standard black, and stone gray, which is the one I received, and in my opinion, it’s stunning.
Sound Quality
The changes, as mentioned, are not just cosmetic but also deep under the hood: Besides new audio processors, the internal speakers are new 8mm drivers, along with new antennas 1.5 times larger than the previous generation for improved reception and connection stability.
The microphone array has also been redesigned so that noise cancellation in calls works on two levels: Using artificial intelligence and a bone conduction microphone, an established technology that prevents noise by picking up your voice directly from the jawbone rather than air conduction like a regular microphone (though the headphones also have standard mics).
And how does all this advanced hardware affect sound quality? Good question. Here, the software comes into play, or rather the Sony app, which offers these headphones new features not available before.
Most headphones allow you to perform a fit test to ensure they sit well in your ears. Sony took it a step further, allowing you to test the fit with different sizes of ear tips against each other to find the best fit. Another feature, not new but still original, is the ability to change the sound stage to different room sizes – from a small room to a café space – for those accustomed to background noise who want to replicate the feeling even when not in a café.
The sound of the WF-1000XM6 can be described as clear and clean but not cold. The bass is warm and surprisingly strong given the size of the headphones, and the sound is very balanced (of course, you can adjust it with the equalizer). For example, you can clearly hear the bass hits of Bootsy Collins in Groove is in the Heart or Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough, in Quincy Jones’ unique sound.
In my regular test playlist, similar results appeared: Balanced and full sound even in metal hits like Train of Consequences or Metallica’s Enter Sandman, with strong bass alongside precise treble and cymbals. In live recordings, such as Alchemy by Dire Straits, you can even hear the wind in the microphones as if you were part of the audience at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, with Knopfler’s acoustic guitar clearly audible.
Speaking of Quincy Jones, Soul Bossa Nova with his big band orchestra sounds wonderful, with balanced and detailed sound that doesn’t compromise any frequency from high to low. Only in Swan Lake were the timpani slightly muffled, but that’s about my only complaint about the sound.
Noise Cancellation, Call Quality, Interface
The crown jewel of these headphones is noise cancellation. Sony has truly done an outstanding job, extending noise cancellation even to frequencies beyond just low-frequency engine hums. I tested the WF-1000XM6 in a conference hall with thousands of people and on long flights, and the results are very impressive for relatively small headphones – they practically silence the entire environment and provide quiet not only from engine noise like jets or car engines but also from ambient noise. True, they still haven’t solved screaming babies (I was promised they’re working on it…), but for everything else, yes. In my impression, this is the best noise cancellation in the category.
Call quality is excellent thanks to AI-based noise cancellation, and test calls had outstanding audio for the other party.
The interface is touch-based, which is generally precise and pleasant to use, although sometimes random placement of the headphones in the ears caused changes in noise cancellation mode or paused music. Well, not perfect (which is why I generally prefer traditional hardware buttons).
Battery Life
Battery life is rated at eight hours per charge cycle, and a full day (24 hours) of operation with the case. I tested this on two long flights, and battery life was as promised, even a bit more: After two flights and almost continuous use for 14 hours, the case’s charge was at 53 percent, meaning the stated battery life holds true and even more. Excellent. Add the fact that the case also supports wireless charging via Qi, and you have a very strong battery setup.
Bottom Line
Sony has made a serious leap forward with the WF-1000XM6. The new engineering and design from scratch have done their part, and the investment is evident – these are headphones that are close to perfect: From exceptional noise cancellation to excellent sound and call quality, new tuning options in the app (and almost forgot: Support for surround sound), to battery life that meets and even exceeds the claims.
The WF-1000XM6 are not cheap. Their price in Israel will be almost NIS 1,200. But if you are looking for premium, uncompromising In-Ear headphones – these are the ones for you.
Sony WF-1000XM6
Rating: 9.5
Recommended retail price at time of writing: NIS 1,190