Versus Engine
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Specs, price and the one trade-off that actually decides it — Sony WF-1000XM6 against Sony WH-1000XM6, side by side.
Cheaper to start
Sony WF-1000XM6
Starts about $120 lower.
Rated higher
Sony WH-1000XM6
9.5 vs 9.3 on our design scale.
Standout
Sony WF-1000XM6
Bone-conduction voice sensing gives unusually clean call audio in noise
Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony's flagship earbuds at $329.99, with a redesigned driver and eight-microphone cancellation.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Bone-conduction voice sensing gives unusually clean call audio in noise
- Strong cancellation for the form factor
- Gemini Live integrated rather than bolted on
Cons
- Assistant features assume Google's ecosystem
- Isolation still trails over-ear models
- Fit is tip-dependent and fatiguing over long sessions
Specifications
- microphones8
- processorQN3e
- AMBIENT SOUND—
- AMBIENT SOUND MODE—
- ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE OPTIMIZING—
- audio_processing32-bit
- AUTO AMBIENT SOUND—
- BATTERY CHARGE METHOD—
- BATTERY CHARGE TIME—
- BATTERY LIFE (CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATION TIME)—
- BATTERY LIFE (CONTINUOUS MUSIC PLAYBACK TIME)—
- battery_anc_off—
- battery_anc_on—
- battery_buds_anc8 hours
- battery_with_case24 hours
- BLUETOOTH™ VERSION—
- bodyCopyCrafted with mastering-engineer insight and advanced noise-cancelling technology, the WF-1000XM6 delivers faithful, detailed sound. The refined ergonomic design keeps the fit natural for listening that lasts.
- catchCopySound mastered. Noise cancelled.
- CORD LENGTH—
- CORD TYPE—
- DIRECTION OF MICROPHONE—
- driver8.4mm
- DRIVER UNIT—
- DSEE Extreme—
- EFFECTIVE RANGE—
- equalizer_bands10
- form_factor—
- FREQUENCY RANGE—
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE—
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE (BLUETOOTH™ COMMUNICATION)—
- HEADPHONE TYPE—
- IMPEDANCE (OHM)—
- INPUT(S)—
- MAGNET—
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION—
- PASSIVE OPERATION—
- PERSONAL NC OPTIMIZER—
- PLUG—
- PROFILE—
- QUICK ATTENTION—
- SUPPORTED AUDIO FORMAT(S)—
- SUPPORTED CONTENT PROTECTION—
- UNIT OF MICROPHONE—
- WEARING STYLE—
- WEIGHT—
Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony's flagship over-ears at $449.99, prioritising soundstage and fidelity over portability.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Soundstage and low end no in-ear can match
- Cancellation competitive with the category leaders
- More neutral tuning than the warm alternatives
Cons
- Comfort trails Bose on very long sessions
- Bulky to pack compared with earbuds
- Premium price in a crowded tier
Specifications
- microphones12
- processorQN3 HD Noise Cancelling
- AMBIENT SOUNDYes
- AMBIENT SOUND MODEYes
- ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE OPTIMIZINGYes
- audio_processing—
- AUTO AMBIENT SOUNDYes
- BATTERY CHARGE METHODUSB
- BATTERY CHARGE TIMEApprox. 3.5 hrs
- BATTERY LIFE (CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATION TIME)Max. 24 hrs (NC ON), Max. 28 hrs (NC OFF)
- BATTERY LIFE (CONTINUOUS MUSIC PLAYBACK TIME)Max. 30 hrs (NC ON), Max. 40 hrs (NC OFF)
- battery_anc_off40 hours
- battery_anc_on30 hours
- battery_buds_anc—
- battery_with_case—
- BLUETOOTH™ VERSIONBluetooth Specification Version 5.3
- bodyCopy—
- catchCopy—
- CORD LENGTHApprox. 3.94 ft
- CORD TYPESingle-sided (detachable)
- DIRECTION OF MICROPHONEOmni directional
- driver—
- DRIVER UNIT1.18 in
- DSEE ExtremeYes
- EFFECTIVE RANGEApprox. 32.81 ft
- equalizer_bands—
- form_factorOver-ear, closed back
- FREQUENCY RANGE2.4 GHz band (2.400 0 GHz - 2.483 5 GHz)
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE4–40,000 Hz (JEITA)
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE (BLUETOOTH™ COMMUNICATION)20–20,000 Hz (44.1 kHz sampling) 20–40,000 Hz (LDAC 96 kHz sampling 990 kbps)
- HEADPHONE TYPEClosed
- IMPEDANCE (OHM)48 ohm (1 kHz) (when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned on), 16 ohm (1 kHz) (when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned off)
- INPUT(S)Stereo Mini Jack
- MAGNETNeodymium
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTIONYes
- PASSIVE OPERATIONYes
- PERSONAL NC OPTIMIZERAdaptive NC Optimizer
- PLUGGold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug
- PROFILEA2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, CSIP, MCP, VCP, CCP, PBP, GMAP, A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, CSIP, MCP, VCP, CCP
- QUICK ATTENTIONYes
- SUPPORTED AUDIO FORMAT(S)SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
- SUPPORTED CONTENT PROTECTIONSCMS-T
- UNIT OF MICROPHONEMEMS
- WEARING STYLEOver Ear
- WEIGHTApprox. 8.96 oz