Product highlights

closed-back, over-the-ear headphones with active noise cancellation 

flexible, foldable headband with large, breathable earcups 

wide headband and synthetic leather ear pads with generous cushioning 

dynamic 30mm drivers with carbon-fiber composite diaphragm domes 

automatically adjusts to the level of external sound 

new processor is seven times more powerful than on previous models 

strengthens noise cancellation for human voices and higher-frequency sounds 

six microphones in each earcup capture ambient noise and improve call clarity 

Ambient Sound mode automatically balances music and external sound based on your situation 

Adaptive Sound Control uses movement sensors to adapt noise cancellation 

Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless music listening and phone calls 

Bluetooth LE Audio support for lossless streaming with compatible devices 

LDACand AAC decoding provides high-quality music streaming from compatible devices 

multipoint connection for pairing to two devices at once 

free Sony Sound Connect app for Apple® and Android™ lets you adjust settings 

personalized Sony 360 reality audio experience with optional head-tracking 

10-band EQ in app for custom sound adjustments 

earcup touch controls let you answer calls, play/pause music, skip tracks, and control volume 

tactile button for toggling noise cancellation and Ambient modes 

built-in six-microphone system enhances speech for clear phone calls 

AI-based noise reduction algorithms isolate speech from background noise 

summon your phone's voice assistant on your phone to ask questions, dictate texts, and control music by voice 

requires one-time setup through the app  

music automatically pauses when headphones are removed 

built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 30 hours of wireless use with noise cancellation (40 hours without) 

three minutes of recharging provides enough power for three hours of listening 

includes USB-C cable for charging 

47" audio cable with 3.5mm plug for wired use 

frequency response: 

• 4-40,000 Hz (wired) 
• 20-40,000 Hz (wireless, LDAC mode) 
• 20-20,000 Hz (wireless, non-LDAC) 
• carrying case with magnetic latch for quick packing and unpacking 
• headphones fold to neatly fit into case 
• sustainable packaging made from recyclable blended recyclable material 
• weight: 8.96 oz. 
• warranty: 1 year 

What's in the box

• Over-ear headphones (Platinum Silver) 
• 48" Audio cable (Straight 3.5mm plug on one end and right angled 3.5mm plug on other end) 
• 8.5" USB charging cable (USB-A on one end and USB-C on other end) 
• Storage case 
• Reference Guide 
• Warranty sheet 

About this item

Written by Crutchfield's Jeff Miller

Sony levels up the performance of their flagship noise-canceling headphones

Meet Sony's newest top-of-the-line wireless headphones, the WH-1000XM6. It's always big news when Sony releases a new over-ear "XM" model, and this feels like another giant step forward. The two previous generations — both the WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5 — still hold their own against the best headphones today. Now, somehow, the WH-1000XM6 offer one of the more impressive leaps in performance between generations that I've seen in all my years of covering headphones.

What's new?

You can read my full review of the Sony WH-1000XM6 now. And I can report that not only do their list of upgrades look good on paper — but all these special ingredients make for a superb final dish.

• Even better noise-canceling: Sony's new QN3 chip with seven times faster processing plays a hand in everything from the sound quality to the touch controls — and it really helps enhance the noise cancellation. That upgraded processor works with 12 built-in microphones to read the room and cancel noise across all frequencies, in real time. (That's up from the nine mics found inside the XM5s.)
• Wider, flexible, and foldable headband: Earcup size and weight are similar to the previous-gen XM5s, but the headband is wider for better weight dispersion and comfort. Based on my experience, this could help relieve the headband from pressing into the crown of the head (my one quibble with the XM5 fit). Perhaps more notably, the XM6s fold up for travel — at their strong, infused-metal hinges — and fit neatly into an included compact travel case.
• Bluetooth 5.3 (with multipoint): This newer version of Bluetooth makes for a stronger, more reliable connection to most phones and devices. Like with the XM5s, multipoint lets you connect to two devices at once. So, for example, you can switch back and forth from your phone and laptop. And these are the first headphones in the XM series that support Bluetooth LE Audio for lossless streaming with compatible devices.

• Well-rounded sound with influence from Sony Music: Sony tweaked the design of their quick-moving, carbon-fiber composite 30mm drivers for a sound that's more linear across all frequencies. They've turned to the deep bench of audio engineers affiliated with Sony Music for guidance, inspiration, and feedback. "They truthfully represent the sounds of the recordings that we work so hard to make," said legendary mastering engineer Randy Merrill (a multiple-time GRAMMY® winner). "They have excellent bass response...great soundstage, stereo width, and great presence and detail."

• Quick opening/closing magnetic case: We latched on to this small, but important detail for frequent travelers. Sony revamped the case so that it's smaller, loses the zipper, and conveniently snaps open and shut with a satisfying magnetic clasp.

Sony's app lets you fine-tune the settings

Sony's hyper-adaptive noise cancellation is taken up a notch by their Sound Connect app — a free download for Apple® and Android™. This app gives you direct control over what noises you let in or keep out. You can customize the level of noise cancellation or ambient sound based on your task, movement, or even location.

The app gives you several other controls and lets you customize the sound, too. There's are sound presets available along with a 10-band EQ for personalize adjustments. This speaks to my inner "headphone nerd" — I rarely see apps that let you tune the sound so finely.