Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, HD NC Processor QN3, 12 Microphones, Adaptive NC Optimizer, Mastered by Engineers, Studio-Quality, 30-Hour Battery, Midnight Blue

I have a headphone problem, or so my wife says. I’ve owned the Apple AirPods Max, the Sony XM5’s, the Bose QC and QC Ultra the QC 45’s and 35’s both I and II, the Sonos Ace, and the Beats Studio Pro. Going into my XM6 purchase, my favorite are/were the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. I bought the QuietComfort Ultra during Prime Day for an unbelievable $329! I have found that they offer the best combination of comfort, sound and ANC for the price. So, how does the XM6 compare? The ANC is second to none. I augment our central air with a window unit, which sits right behind my head, and I can completely eliminate its sound. But static sounds are pretty easily muffled by most of newer ANC headphones, so how about dynamic sounds like a tv or normal conversation? The XM6 excel there, too. Put simply, they offer the best ANC of any of the aforementioned headphones. They are also pretty comfortable and clamp down relatively tight, though I haven’t found anything to be as comfortable as either the QC or QC Ultra. The XM6 are designed to be over ear headphones, yet my ear doesn’t seem to fit inside the cup like other over ear headphones. This, in my opinion, makes them less-comfortable then they could/should be. However, the memory foam is a nice touch and does help.The sound is well-balanced and pretty good right out of the box, though I had to make use of the ten-band EQ to get them to sound just a tad better than my QC. With my current EQ settings, I would say they offer the clarity of the Apple AirPods Max, but with the bottom end of my Bose QuietComfort. The bass isn’t overpowering, it’s actually pretty accurate (after EQ tinkering).In the final analysis, the XM6 offer the best sound of any of the headphones I mentioned, but not by much. Furthermore, the ANC is superior to everything else I’ve owned, but not by a staggering amount.So, which should you buy? If you’re like me and in search of the best possible sound, and won’t settle for anything less than the best ANC, then get the XM6. If, however, you prioritize comfort and value, and don’t mind making some very minor concessions regarding sound and ANC, then get the Bose QuietComfort or the QC Ultra (wait until you catch them on sale, which is pretty often). I hope that helps. Happy listening!Update: “6/02/2025: Intermittent crackling in left speaker. Had to return them. I have replaced them, though.Update 06/07/25: I received the replacement pair and everything seems great.I neglected to mention in my previous review how great the Sony app is and how customizable the XM6 are. First, you get a ten band EQ, instead of the Bose three bands. Additionally, there are some awesome (optional) features that are missing from Bose. Sony has speak to chat, which mutes your music and puts your headphones in aware mode when you speak. Also, there is an option to accept or reject calls by simply nodding or shaking your head, which is very cool. If you’re into features like that and general customization, then the Sony XM6 are for you.UPDATE 06/17/2025. Started hearing crackling again in the right speaker this time. This time I did a Google search to see if others were having the same problem, and it seems like turning on DSEE Extreme could be the culprit at high volumes. The DSEE Extreme setting is supposed to upscale compressed files. I turned off the setting and no more crackling. I replayed the same part of the same song with and without it engaged, it it’s definitely the DSEE Extreme. Consequently, I’ve turned off that setting and now everything seems fine.

They're just good at everything and actually sound pretty good now too.Noise cancelling works very well. Sony has always been good at reducing common noises without the feeling of being in an airplane cabin. While Apple is fine too, Bose sometimes gave me that cabin pressure feeling.The transparency mode is much better now and on par with Apple.Microphone is very good for meetings. It really removes all the fan noise, office environment, and lawn worker noises.Fit and comfort works for me. I don't have giant ears, but I've always preferred headphones that don't touch my ears. These are just barely big enough for that. My head is on the smaller side, but the clamp holds the headphone up well and doesn't need a lot of pressure on the top head band to stay in place. Maybe a little more head padding or wider head band would be better but not really an issue for me. Being pretty light helps a lot here.XM4 style folding is back. It's seriously better than the XM5s. Travels so much easier. BUT they will pinch you when unfolding if you're not paying attention.The Sony doesn't pull out hair like some other headphones do.Two device bluetooth that just works. Laptop, phone, apple tv, whatever.Charges really fast.Zipperless case is amazing! It's just so simple and easy. Also, the pouch that holds accessories, like the cable and plugs actually hold! The cables and adapters from the XM4 case were always falling out. Don't even get me started on the Apple "case".They sound good! The XM3 and XM4 both sounded... fine. I swapped to more comfortable pads on both of those when I had them and it also helped improve the sound (less bass bloat). The Apple and Bose both sound good also, but the Sony app has a 10-band equalizer now which makes it so much easier to make it sound how you actually like it. While it's still not a fully adjustable EQ, it's good enough and makes a huge difference. I don't understand why this isn't standard for every powered headphone.The appearance and feel is exactly what I want. These are travel and work headphones. I don't want ridiculous bling or branding. I'm not trying to make a fashion statement. I don't want a huge "steal me" sign on my head. These blend in and I'm totally happy about that. They also feel "fine" which again is perfect for when I don't really want to think about how I'm treating my daily drive headphones. I have some very nice headphones which stay home, and I treat like art. That's not what the Sony's are for. I'm not worried when I bump then into things or just set them down on a desk or toss onto a piece of furniture. I don't need a more premium look for feel.These are great headphones and easily the best Sony XMs yet.

If you want premium noise-canceling headphones that actually deliver, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is hard to beat. The sound quality is rich and immersive, the noise cancellation is top-tier, and they’re comfortable enough for all-day wear. Whether you're commuting, working, or just zoning out, these headphones get the job done.Pros:Incredible Noise Cancellation: Blocks out everything from subway rumble to chatter in a café. Easily one of the best out there.Excellent Sound Quality: Clear highs, deep bass, and crisp mids. Everything sounds clean and detailed.Super Comfortable: Softer ear pads and a better headband make these way more wearable for long sessions.Smart Features: Multipoint connection, touch controls, spatial audio, and customizable EQ settings add real convenience.Foldable Design: Nice to see Sony bring back the foldable style — makes packing them way easier.Cons:Pricey: These are definitely on the expensive side. You’re paying for quality, but not everyone wants to drop this much.Same Battery Life: Still capped at 30 hours, which is solid but hasn’t improved from the previous model.Bottom line:If you care about sound, comfort, and real noise cancellation, the WH-1000XM6 is worth it. Pricey, yes — but they feel like a real upgrade where it matters.