Sony WF-1000XM6 Bluetooth headphones review: full power

Sony has released a new generation of its in-ear headphones – WF-1000XM6. They have slightly changed their shape compared to their predecessor, received a new processor, an improved noise cancellation system, more microphones and generally made a noticeable technological step forward.

Design and ergonomics of the Sony WF-1000XM6

The housing of the Sony WF-1000XM6 headphones has become 11% thinner for a better anatomical fit. In the ear, these are still quite bulky devices, but from the point of view of ergonomics there are no comments. There is a sensor zone on the outside of each headphone. There are proximity sensors for automatic pause when removing the headphones from the ears.

The plastic surface has a practical matte coating, which is pleasant to the touch and does not slip in your hands. It is convenient to take them out of the case and thanks to a small recess for which it is convenient to grab the headphone with your fingers.

At the same time, the case itself remained large. If in the previous generation it was rounded like a pebble, now it is a small box with straight ends and strongly rounded corners. When opened, an LED lights up. Its color will indicate the approximate charge level. On the back side there is a USB Type-C charging connector and a button that activates the connection mode with a new device.

The Bluetooth headphone case is protected from splashes of water and sweat according to the IPX4 standard. They are universal and it’s cool that one top-sounding solution is also suitable for active leisure.

The package also includes a USB-C cable, ear pads of different sizes – SS/S/M/L and documentation.

Bluetooth Sony WF-1000XM6 features

An updated 8.4 mm speaker with improved distortion reduction technology is responsible for sound reproduction.

The voice transmission system now combines a bone conduction sensor and AI algorithms trained on 500 million voice samples. Therefore, the Speak to chat function works without errors, pausing the audio when the user starts to speak. At the same time, the system does not react to extraneous voices. So in the middle of a crowded street, the headphones will ignore other conversations until you start speaking yourself.

Sony WF-1000XM5 TWS used the Sony V2 processor and a separate HD noise cancellation processor QN2e and supported 24-bit audio signal processing. The new WF-1000XM6 are equipped with a QN3e chip with support for 32-bit audio processing. This provides cleaner sound, better midrange detail and clearer separation of instruments.

The new Bluetooth Sony headphones now have four, not three, as their predecessor, microphones, which improved voice quality and noise cancellation. Nominally, the manufacturer says that the ANC efficiency has been increased by 25%.

For connection stability, the manufacturer installed an internal antenna, which has become 1.5 times larger compared to the previous model.

Wireless connection is now implemented via Bluetooth 5.4. The next version of the protocol is characterized by support for the LE Audio, codec LC3 and technology Auracast.

Auracast technology allows a single source (smartphone, TV, laptop) to broadcast an audio signal to an unlimited number of headphones around.

LE Audio also has integrated support for modern hearing aids at the architecture level. People with hearing impairments can connect their medical devices directly to smartphones or Auracast systems in public places.

The battery life of TWS headphones is up to 8 hours with noise cancellation turned on and reaches 24 hours with the charging case. The headphones support fast wireless charging.

Sony Sound Connect application

The Sony Sound Connect branded mobile application offers a standard 5-band graphic equalizer, and for the new model it is already 10-band, which allows you to more accurately adjust the balance of low, medium and high frequencies.

In the program, you can also select different operating modes and make settings:

1. select the noise-canceling system operating mode – so that you can hear the surroundings or not
2. listening mode – standard or quiet, so that you can hear the surroundings well.
3. activate ANC adaptability to changing environmental conditions – in the office, public transport or at home, the headphones will filter noise differently
4. activate conversation mode – the audio will pause while you speak
5. select the priority of sound quality or connection stability
6. activate connection to multiple devices

Impressions of the Sony WF-1000XM6

The Sony WF-1000XM6 headphones made a positive impression thanks to the combination of high-quality sound and new standards. Today, it is not so often that there is a whole pool of comprehensive updates of audio devices from generation to generation. The new WF-1000XM6 sit comfortably in the ears, and the updated ergonomics make use comfortable even for a long time.

I especially liked the effective noise cancellation system, which allows you to completely immerse yourself in the music. The sound has become even cleaner and more detailed, and the instruments are well separated even in complex compositions. The auto-pause function and the Speak to Chat mode, which quickly responds to the owner’s voice, turned out to be useful. It is also nice that the headphones are protected from moisture and are suitable not only for everyday use, but also for sports.

Sony WF-1000XM6 Bluetooth Headphones Specifications

Rating:

+ ergonomics

+ battery life

+ sound

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