On May 15, the Japanese multinational corporation Sony launched a new flagship noise-cancelling headphone, the WH-1000XM6. It has been a long three years since the launch of the last-generation XM5 headphones, with one design change: the headphones fold up for much easier transportation.
Otherwise, the updates are more development than innovation, however, they are best for customers looking for noise-cancelling headphones with excellent audio quality. These deliver with a big caveat, which is that the latest Sony’s XM6 now retail for close to $50 more than the XM5s.
The XM6 headphones were compared with other best wireless headphones and earbuds, such as Sony XM5s, and others like Dyson OnTrac, Panasonic Technics AZ100 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Essentially, Panasonic does compete head-to-head with the Sonys in the upper-tier level of headphones and earbuds, but they do not offer the best sound ever heard.
The latest products from Sony provide an incredible audio experience, duly upgrading the XM5 series. From an active noise cancellation viewpoint, these headphones are especially well worth mentioning. The sound stood out with its balance, fullness, and quality that I appreciated. For the XM6, the Sony audio engineers worked with audio masters in the U.S., and the results are there whenever you put those headphones on and listen to music.
Like all headphone reviewers, a particular playlist is also there to test the new gear. Some of the vocalist-centred tracks did stand finally clearly and with audible enhancements over the XM5. As far as deep bass lines were concerned, weak hearing was observed.
However, it was surprising to notice the bass line in song selections by Radiohead. Further in the mid- to high-frequency spectrum, vocal tracks such as Adele’s ‘Hello’ and Lewis Capaldi’s ‘Someone You Loved’ were clear, with just as much clarity as the violins in Mozart’s Classical Symphony.
Also check GetAssist’s finest pick of top 9 trusted kids-friendly headphones of 2025.
