Sony Launches $330 WF-1000XM6 Earbuds to Take on AirPods Pro 3

[MacRumors]

Sony today announced a new set of earbuds that are designed to compete with the AirPods Pro 3. The $330 WF-1000XM6 Truly Wireless Earbuds feature Active Noise Cancellation with a 25 percent reduction in noise compared to the prior-generation XM5 earbuds, with improved performance in the mid-to-high frequency range that's common in everyday environments.

The earbuds use Sony's HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3e with an adaptive noise canceling optimizer and four microphones on each earbud to detect sound to cut out. The earbuds analyze external noise and wearing conditions in real time to improve noise canceling performance.

Sony's XM6 earbuds are smaller than the AirPods Pro 3 because there is no stem, and they include noise isolating silicone ear tips with a USB-C charging case. Sony redesigned the earbuds with a more ergonomic shape that's meant to follow the natural curves of the inner ear to reduce discomfort, and the XM6 is 11 percent slimmer than the XM5. The updated design also reduces internal noises like footsteps and chewing sounds.

The battery in the XM6 earbuds lasts for up to eight hours, and the charging case provides an additional 24 hours.

More processing power delivers better sound, and Sony says the earbuds have a new driver unit that combines different materials on the dome and the edge. The soft edge offers deep bass, while the rigid dome provides clear and extended high frequencies. Sony is also using AI to restore compressed files in real time to improve sound quality.

For phone calls, there are two microphones and a bone conduction sensor on each side, with the earbuds using AI beamforming to isolate and capture the wearer's voice even in crowded environments.

Sony offers Adaptive Sound Control, Auto Play, multi-device support, and integrated voice assistance, with Google Gemini Live built in.

Reviews suggest the WF-1000XM6 earbuds are almost on par with the AirPods Pro 3 when it comes to noise cancellation. According to SoundGuys, the XM6 had an 88 percent average reduction in loudness across all frequencies, just behind the 90 percent average of the AirPods Pro 3. Passive isolation was better than the AirPods Pro 3 passive sound reduction.

Engadget felt that Sony's earbuds struggled with human voices and had fit issues, but The Verge said the earbuds tuned out conversations better than other ANC earbuds, including the AirPods Pro 3.

TechRadar said the AirPods Pro 3 had noticeably better ANC, Business Insider preferred the XM6 noise canceling, and CNET said the XM6 offered better sound quality than the AirPods Pro 3.

Sony's new earbuds are available from the Sony website for $330.

Article Link: Sony Launches $330 WF-1000XM6 Earbuds to Take on AirPods Pro 3

 

[Rychiar]

do these other brands of buds do Spatial Audio?

 

[Mity]

I bought the WF-XM4 (in-ear) and I could not keep them in my ears even when listening casually at home. I tried using them on the treadmill and they would fall out very easily. Sounded great but horrible ergonomics.

I also bought the WH-XM4 (over-ear) and they're fantastic! I can EQ them and they also have an on/off button, which apparently is a "feature" that Apple can't seem to implement on the AirPods Max. Also much lighter than the APM.

 

[syklee26]

To me nothing beats airpods pro in noise cancelling. Xm5 was a disappointment. Plus it is difficult to hold. If you are an iphine user, just stick with airpods.

 

[MacMediaNet]

The comparison with Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) would be interesting.

 

[joshwithachance]

At $80 (30%) more I severely doubt many would go with these over the Pro 3s. Especially since AirPods work pretty much just as well with Android as they do Apple devices.

 

[BeatsByTim]

do these other brands of buds do Spatial Audio?

Spatial audio is a gimmick.

 

[jz0309]

That's a steep price given that you can get APP typicall under $200...

 

[geoelectric]

I bought the WF-XM4 (in-ear) and I could not keep them in my ears even when listening casually at home. I tried using them on the treadmill and they would fall out very easily. Sounded great but horrible ergonomics.

I also bought the WH-XM4 (over-ear) and they're fantastic! I can EQ them and they also have an on/off button, which apparently is a "feature" that Apple can't seem to implement on the AirPods Max. Also much lighter than the APM.

My XM4s stayed in well, but they were super chunky, and the case was just a little too big to comfortably carry, at least compared to the AirPods Pro. I wonder how much that's changed in the newer models.

I think the biggest friction for me is that the APP3s are just that darned good, and I already have them. Those are the ones that consistently would back themselves out of my ears in years past, but for whatever reason, these new ones seat much, much better.

 

[MacMediaNet]

Spatial audio is a gimmick.

And it drains the battery.

 

[contacos]

do these other brands of buds do Spatial Audio?

Is that the head move thingy? My Samsung Buds 3 Pro has that as well

 

[B4U]

do these other brands of buds do Spatial Audio?

Sony's headphones have 360 Reality Audio.

 

[erikkfi]

Not saying the Sonys are any better, but people praising the AirPods Pros' noise cancellation have clearly never heard how they completely fail to deal with wind noise.

 

[gusping]

To me nothing beats airpods pro in noise cancelling. Xm5 was a disappointment. Plus it is difficult to hold. If you are an iphine user, just stick with airpods.

I bought the XM4s and they were great for the warranty period, and the within a matter of weeks, the battery life went tanked to 40mins and NC effectiveness reduced significantly. Not to mention the integration with iOS was awful. I will not make the mistake again. My current APP 3s are night and day better.

 

[JesterJJZ]

I have the previous gen, love them. I've never used any Apple earbuds that sounded remotely acceptable.

 

[Kottu]

Spatial audio is a gimmick.

Yes, it may be. But when I use AP pro with my Apple TV, it does make sense.

 

[Rychiar]

Sony's headphones have 360 Reality Audio.

and that works with apples atmos music and videos?

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think the WF-1000XM6 is actually better-suited for Android users, especially if you have a cellphone that supports Sony's own LDAC codec. The current Samsung Galax S25 and Google Pixel 10 includes LDAC support. iPhone users are still better off with the AirPods Pro 3 with its tight integration with the iPhone.

 

[MacMediaNet]

To me nothing beats airpods pro in noise cancelling. Xm5 was a disappointment. Plus it is difficult to hold. If you are an iphine user, just stick with airpods

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are better in noice cancelling.

 

[unobtainium]

Sony has this terrible strategy of pricing their stuff WAY over the competition, not just a modest amount. Unfortunately the products are not always that much better, at least not enough to justify the price difference. This has already destroyed their TV division, they should really re evaluate the strategy.

 

[B4U]

and that works with apples atmos music and videos?

Cannot tell you that, I do not use Apple music.
The 360 reality audio works like Dolby Atmos from what I can find.

 

[sw1tcher]

At $80 (30%) more I severely doubt many would go with these over the Pro 3s. Especially since AirPods work pretty much just as well with Android as they do Apple devices.

AirPods won't provide Android users with high res audio support (LDAC). These Sony's will.

 

[DocMultimedia]

I love the headphone version of these. Great noise reduction. But I can't handle earbuds. I bought the latest ones from Apple and wore them once. Should have returned them, but they are just sitting on a shelf with my other electronics I never use after day one.

 

[Meatwad]

If Sony made a low latency 2.4GHz dongle for these I’d buy them so fast as gaming earbuds.

 

[joshwithachance]

AirPods won't provide Android users with high res audio support (LDAC). These Sony's will.

These are teeny tiny wireless earbuds... Who cares? Are audiophiles really using something like this for THAT type of listening?