Sony Announces WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones With Foldable Design

[MacRumors]

Sony has announced its new WH-1000XM6 wireless noise-canceling headphones. The good news is that the company has brought back the foldable design that was absent from its predecessor, the WH-1000XM5. The bad news is that it's stuck with the same naming convention, which sounds less like headphones and more like a dot-matrix printer from the 70s.

The WH-1000XM6 headphones now happily fold up into a redesigned carrying case with a magnetic closure instead of a zipper, making it more compact and travel-friendly than the XM5's. Otherwise, the overall aesthetics remain largely unchanged, but Sony claims the new model delivers significantly improved noise cancellation, a better Ambient Sound (transparency) mode, and enhanced audio quality.

Powering the enhanced noise cancellation is Sony's new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3, which works in conjunction with an expanded array of 12 microphones – 1.5 times more than the previous model. The company says this processor is seven times faster than its predecessor, allowing for more precise real-time noise adaptation.

Sony has also introduced several new software features, including Scene-based Listening, which automatically adjusts settings based on your activity and environment. The headphones also support LE Audio with Auracast for broadcast listening capabilities.

Battery life remains unchanged from the WH-1000XM5 at 30 hours, although Sony notes that a quick three-minute charge provides up to three hours of listening time. You can also charge this model and listen to your music at the same time.

Sony says it has collaborated with recording engineers from prestigious studios including Sterling Sound, Battery Studios, and Coast Mastering to fine-tune the improved sound profile.

It sounds promising. The only real downer seems to be the fact that Sony has priced these cans at $449.99 – $50 more than the previous model. Whether the improvements justify the price jump is the main question. These are unashamedly plastic headphones, after all. MacRumors should have a hands-on review of Sony's latest flagship headphones soon.

The WH-1000XM5's come in Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue, and are available to buy from the Sony website and all the major electronics retailers.

Article Link: Sony Announces WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones With Foldable Design

 

[xiJulian_]

Meanwhile the AirPods Max team is busy designing new colors

 

[thelion7]

Sony has announced its new WH-1000XM6 wireless noise-canceling headphones. The good news is that the company has brought back the foldable design that was absent from its predecessor, the WH-1000XM5. The bad news is that it's stuck with the same naming convention, which sounds less like headphones and more like a dot-matrix printer from the 70s.

The WH-1000XM6 headphones now happily fold up into a redesigned carrying case with a magnetic closure instead of a zipper, making it more compact and travel-friendly than the XM5's. Otherwise, the overall aesthetics remain largely unchanged, but Sony claims the new model delivers significantly improved noise cancellation, a better Ambient Sound (transparency) mode, and enhanced audio quality.

Powering the enhanced noise cancellation is Sony's new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3, which works in conjunction with an expanded array of 12 microphones – 1.5 times more than the previous model. The company says this processor is seven times faster than its predecessor, allowing for more precise real-time noise adaptation.

Sony has also introduced several new software features, including Scene-based Listening, which automatically adjusts settings based on your activity and environment. The headphones also support LE Audio with Auracast for broadcast listening capabilities.

Battery life remains unchanged from the WH-1000XM5 at 30 hours, although Sony notes that a quick three-minute charge provides up to three hours of listening time. You can also charge this model and listen to your music at the same time.

Sony says it has collaborated with recording engineers from prestigious studios including Sterling Sound, Battery Studios, and Coast Mastering to fine-tune the improved sound profile.

It sounds promising. The only real downer seems to be the fact that Sony has priced these cans at $449.99 – $50 more than the previous model. Whether the improvements justify the price jump is the main question. These are unashamedly plastic headphones, after all. MacRumors should have a hands-on review of Sony's latest flagship headphones soon.

The WH-1000XM5's come in Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue, and are available to buy from the Sony website and all the major electronics retailers.

Article Link: Sony Announces WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones With Foldable Design

Looks good but I think I’m gonna wait for the WH-2000XM71384729fhskriwnfiaor

 

[appleuser21]

As an owner of the WH-1000XM5, I can't wait for them to broke down so I can justify buying the AirPods Max.

 

[bluecoast]

Meanwhile the AirPods Max team is busy designing new colors

And usb c ! These guys are busy.

 

[snipr125]

Sony have priced these to compete with the Bose quiet comfort Ultra which retail for the same £450 price (although can be had for £350 ish on Amazon etc).

 

[iDento]

Good. I still think the WH-720n is a better value.

I hope I got the name right.

 

[bluecoast]

Looks good but I think I’m gonna wait for the WH-2000XM71384729fhskriwnfiaor

I sometimes wince at the apple product marketing names - are the AirPods Pro really pro ? - but Sony beats them hands down for appalling product names.

Get the people back who came up with the Walkman and PlayStation names please!

 

[deckard666]

I will stick with my Bathys thanks but good on Sony for trying (yeah I know mine are several hundred more expensive but they wiped the floor with the XM5s.)

 

[arkitect]

Glad they brought back the foldable design! 👍

Currently on the WH-1000XM4 — and they're still going strong.

But these look so tempting.

Edit:

Oh and Apple, contrast and compare… This is a case.

Not this…

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Yes, but Apple’s latest TV show and laptop missing ports? I mean.

 

[zombierunner]

Getting them soon ... come on apple make a proper AirPods Max 2

 

[attohs]

Get the people back who came up with the Walkman and PlayStation names please!

Walkman model names are the same mess. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sony_Walkman_products

 

[EllZ89]

Sony has announced its new WH-1000XM6 wireless noise-canceling headphones. The good news is that the company has brought back the foldable design that was absent from its predecessor, the WH-1000XM5. The bad news is that it's stuck with the same naming convention, which sounds less like headphones and more like a dot-matrix printer from the 70s.

im sorry.... what?

its a bad thing theyve upped the number in their product code?

don't tell apple that about their phones :smh:

 

[galangel]

looks good but i’ll wait for the khaki air-pod max, who needs better lows when i can match my headphones to my socks

 

[levitynyc]

I have the XM4s and my wife has the XM5s. Regardless. Both of them are absolutely light years ahead of whatever Apple is currently making.

 

[Roadster Lewis]

Good. I still think the WH-720n is a better value.

I hope I got the name right.

I have these, they definitely feel (and look) cheap, performance is good though. I was considering the more expensive Sonys, but not if they are “unashamedly plastic”, and for my usage/budget cheaper over ear headphones and AirPods is a better combination than one set of expensive headphones.

 

[bluecoast]

Walkman model names are the same mess. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sony_Walkman_products

Urgh you’re right. But at least it’s ‘Walkman WM223’ etc.

I guess Sony has a track record here. I wonder why ? Maybe hardware engineers are in charge of product marketing?

 

[TracerAnalog]

Come on Apple! Get it together! Oh and can you please introduce a proper sleep mode for my AirPods Max? They drain battery like crazy when not in use... and I'm not putting them in that silly case to activate sleeping with a magnet. How about a proper OFF switch? One little button? Or press and hold on the wheel?

 

[TechWhisperer]

Meanwhile the AirPods Max team is busy designing new colors

It’s beyond embarrassing. We need a second coming je Steve Jobs.

 

[Maxis]

I ordered a pair because neither the AirPods Max nor the AirPods Pro blocks out (one hell of a) noise from my kids.

 

[TechWhisperer]

I have the XM4s and my wife has the XM5s. Regardless. Both of them are absolutely light years ahead of whatever Apple is currently making.

In what way? Can you elaborate?

 

[lk400]

The bad news is that it's stuck with the same naming convention, which sounds less like headphones and more like a dot-matrix printer from the 70s.

Come on Tim. We can do without your editorial, opinion piece here. There’s nothing wrong with the naming. Sony are a Japanese company, and this kind of product naming is common here. It’s logical and has meaning in the broader product line. Not every product needs to use conventions that you are personally comfortable with and associate with being “modern”.

 

[lk400]

Good. I still think the WH-720n is a better value.

I hope I got the name right.

Much better value. But don’t fold, don’t come with a case, and the ear cups are shallow so presses on your ear. I still pick these up over my XM4 and my AirPods Max when I travel, as they are just a great beater with excellent battery life and everything you need.

 

[ectospheno]

In what way? Can you elaborate?

I’m not OP but I can provide my perspective. The reviews you read for Sony’s top end active noise cancellation aren’t hyperbole. They really are that good. The only people I know who don’t like them fall into two main camps: those who have never tried them and those who can’t afford them. I own AirPods for convenience but when I really want to enjoy myself I put on the Sony.