Sony WF-1000XM6

We've arrived at the sixth generation of what, for some, is one of the absolute benchmarks in the world of wireless earbuds. Sony is in no rush, and it shows, having let over two years pass since the launch of the previous model before unveiling the WF-1000XM6.

We had the opportunity to fly to Belgium, specifically to Daft Studio, for the official launch event. It was an enlightening experience because speaking face-to-face with the technicians and engineers directly involved in the development allows you to understand how much work goes into every single millimeter of plastic and silicon.

Despite fierce competition from Apple, Samsung, and Bose (to name just three), Sony seems determined to continue its journey, one of constant refinements rather than mere aesthetic revolutions. The result is a product that places great emphasis on sound quality, despite still having some ergonomic quirks that have become part of the Japanese brand's DNA.

Renewed technique

Under the hood, there are many technical innovations, even if they might be overlooked at first glance. The beating heart of the system is the new QN3e HD Noise Cancelling Processor, a chip that Sony inherited directly from the award-winning WH-1000XM6 (the over-ear version, so to speak) to manage the complexity of the eight total microphones, or four for each earbud.

Alongside it is the Integrated Processor V2, which has been evolved to support 32-bit audio processing, a significant leap from the 24-bit of the previous generation, resulting in much more refined signal management and dynamics. The 8.4 mm dynamic drivers have been redesigned with a soft-edge structure to promote bass extension and a more rigid center dome to maintain highs clarity.

On the connectivity front, we find Bluetooth 5.3, which guarantees support for the LDAC, AAC, SBC codecs and the latest LC3 for LE Audio, as well as compatibility with Auracast for public broadcasts. The internal antenna has been enlarged by one and a half times compared to that of the XM5, a technical detail that helps maintain a stable connection even in places where wireless signals are difficult, such as large train stations, airports or crowded areas. The declared battery life is around 8 hours with active noise cancellation, but during our tests we filtered to 10 hours, demonstrating that Sony was rather conservative in its official estimates.

New homes

The design marks a clear departure from the glossy rounded shape of the XM5. Sony has returned to a more square shape that provides a significantly better grip thanks to the entirely matte finish. There's a small ridge on the side that greatly helps you grip the headphones without them flying off like bullets, a problem that was, if not frequent, definitely possible with the previous model. However, this increase in volume has an impact on the case: it's taller and more angular than before, and while it's flat on top and bottom to facilitate wireless charging, we admit it doesn't fit well in jeans pockets compared to the more curved shapes of the competition.

The new Sound Connect app has undergone a redesign that finally introduces granular adjustment of the 10-band equalizer, allowing you to adjust the sound much more precisely than the old 5-band equalizer. We found the 360° sound feature completely useless, a technology that suffers from the lack of content supported by major streaming services, as well as the background music mode, which is supposed to simulate ambient sound but in practice only ends up pushing the sound too far away from your ears. The excellent Quick Attention system remains, allowing you to instantly lower the volume by covering the left earbud, one of the most convenient and clever features Sony has ever created.

I listen

Moving on to actual listening, the sound of these XM6s is simply excellent. There's a naturalness and warmth that makes them above average, likely also the result of the fine-tuning work done in Sony Music's recording studios. Compared to the XM5s, which now seem almost anemic, the new arrivals offer an enviable sonic fullness without ever descending into boominess.

Instrument separation is very good, and the soundstage is wide enough to never feel closed in. The QN3e chip does a good job of noise cancellation, especially at muting human voices and mid-frequency noise. Call quality surprised us positively: the AI beamforming microphones and bone conduction sensor isolate voices very well, making them crystal clear for the other person even if you're walking in traffic or waiting for a bus in the wind. One critical point, however, remains the fit for those with small ears; the generous size and proprietary foam tips can cause a feeling of excessive pressure after half an hour of use.

Promoted!

The Sony WF-1000XM6 are officially arriving on the Swiss market at a price of CHF 249. This is a significant figure, but it's absolutely in line with the technological quality offered and surprisingly lower than prices seen in other international markets. It's a product that focuses entirely on maturity: the connection stability is impeccable, the audio quality is at the top of the category, and the call performance finally lives up to the name they bear. If you own the XM5, the technical innovations (although present) may not justify an immediate purchase, unless you have specific problems. For everyone else, especially those coming from models from three or four years ago, the leap is clear. Sony hasn't revolutionized the concept of headphones, but it has refined every technical edge (unfortunately leaving a few too many physical edges on the case) to deliver what is, in all respects, the best interpretation of sound according to the Japanese giant in 2026.