Sony WH-1000XM6, the king of noise cancellation is back

Two years after the launch of the XM5, Sony is updating one of its flagship products, the brand's over-ear headphones that seek to isolate external noise.

The new WH-1000XM6 are arriving in a very different market than the one that existed two years ago, as noise cancellation has become a star feature for brands and, in addition, there are new rivals, such as Dyson or Sonos .

But Sony has a clear path forward, and if for years its entire technological focus has been on ensuring that external noise doesn't interfere with audio quality, this idea remains the same. And even strengthens.

Sony presents a device very similar in design to previous generations, except for the fact that its new headphones fold back as users requested. Almost all the new features are on the inside.

More cancellation

Sony claims the XM6 have the best noise cancellation on the market, according to its research. The firm has compared its headphones to the top 10 brands (by market share) in the noise-cancelling over-ear headphone market. But as with everything, you'll have to test them.

For now, on paper, they have interesting improvements that promise very good cancellation. The processor they carry is seven times faster than its predecessor, the QN3 HD Noise Cancelling processor controls 12 microphones in real time, being 1.5 times faster than its predecessor, the WH-1000XM5. These twelve microphones have precise detection that allows noise cancellation to adapt to the user's environment.

Thanks to the new Adaptive NC Optimizer, they are able to adjust to any type of external noise and atmospheric pressure.

When choosing Ambient Sound mode, Sony also opts for improvements, as they also use real-world environment adaptation to balance music and outside sound. Multiple microphones filter out noise or allow only the important information to pass through: announcements, conversations, or what's happening around you.

In terms of sound quality, Sony has partnered with mastering engineers to ensure that its headphones allow you to hear music as it was intended.

The Grammy-nominated and award-winning engineering team includes Randy Merrill (Sterling Sound), who has worked with talents such as Ed Sheeran; Chris Gehringer (Sterling Sound), known for his work with Rihanna and Lady Gaga; Mike Piacentini (Battery Studios), who has mastered tracks for Bob Dylan; and Michael Romanowski (Coast Mastering), whose portfolio includes Alicia Keys and the iconic Star Wars soundtracks for Episodes 4, 5, and 6.

The QN3 HD Noise Cancelling processor also features an advanced noise-cancelling filter that predicts and optimizes noise quantization.

Using the Sony Connect app, you can access the 10-band equalizer or create a sense of spaciousness with the Background Music Effect. Gamers can also enjoy the Game EQ, developed by Sony's INZONE experts to improve sound quality in FPS games. And for movie watchers, the WH-1000XM6 features 360 Reality Audio Upmix for Cinema, which delivers a spatial sound experience with 2-channel stereo sound.

For calls, the new XM6 isolates your voice from background noise . With the AI-based six-microphone beamforming system, the WH-1000XM6 picks up your voice while filtering out noise. The AI-optimized noise reduction algorithm eliminates background sound while isolating your voice, and the multi-directional microphones and voice recognition technology ensure that your conversation is heard clearly.

Another new feature is Scene-based Listening, a feature that uses sensing technology to automatically play music based on your activity, as well as adjust the level of noise cancellation based on your surroundings and position.

The WH-1000XM6 also allows you to listen and charge at the same time, and thanks to fast charging, you get a charge of up to three hours in just three minutes.

The design of the WH-1000X series remains the same, with minor changes, such as a wider, vegan leather headband. They're also foldable again (the previous version wasn't), and according to Sony, the folding mechanism has been created using advanced metal injection molding to ensure a long, sturdy fold.