- Launch: Sony launched the WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones in India on Sept 29, 2025, at ₹39,990 (Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue) [1] [2]. It is sold through Sony Centers, select Croma/Reliance outlets and online, with eco-friendly 100% paper packaging [3].
- Noise-Cancellation Chip: The XM6 uses Sony’s new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 (claimed 7× faster than the previous chip) and 12 omnidirectional microphones (1.5× more than XM5) to deliver “studio-grade sound” and record-breaking ANC [4] [5]. An Adaptive NC Optimizer automatically tunes noise canceling to your environment (even air pressure).
- Battery: Up to 30 hours of playback with ANC on (about 40 hours with ANC off) on a full charge [6]. A 3-minute quick charge yields ~3 hours of music [7], making it travel-friendly for long trips.
- Design & Comfort: The XM6 are lightweight (~254g) foldable wireless headphones with an asymmetrical vegan-leather headband and soft stretchable earpads for pressure-free wear [8]. New metal-reinforced hinges allow the earcups to swivel and fold into a compact hard case with a magnetic closure [9] [10]. Touch-sensitive controls on the earcups (swipe/tap for volume and playback) coexist with tactile buttons for power, noise modes, and a dedicated mute switch [11] [12].
- Connectivity & Features: Supports Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint pairing (connect to two devices at once) and the latest LE Audio/LC3 codec for higher fidelity. The headphones play lossless-quality Hi-Res Audio via LDAC (including Sony’s DSEE Extreme upscaler and 360 Reality Audio spatial upmix) [13]. Sony’s Sound Connect app offers a 10-band EQ and custom listening modes (Music, Gaming, Cinema) [14]. Smart features include Scene-based Listening (auto-adjusts sound by location/activity), Quick Access streaming (instant play on Spotify/Amazon), and a six-mic AI beamforming system for crystal-clear calls [15] [16].
- Battery & Carry: USB-C charging supports listening while plugged in. The XM6 come with a compact folding case (with satisfying magnetic snap) [17]. Rapid charging means 3 minutes plugged in gives ~3 hours playback.
- Competition: At ~₹40K, the XM6 square off against Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra (~₹40K) and Apple’s AirPods Max (~₹60K). In recent comparisons, Bose still “holds the comfort crown” and was named the “best noise-canceling headphones you can buy” [18] [19], but reviewers say the XM6 may claim the ANC crown. The Guardian even declares the XM6 “the best noise cancelling money can buy” [20], while TechRadar notes they outperform AirPods Max in sound quality for much less money [21].
Launch and Availability
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are now available in India as the company’s 2025 flagship noise-cancelling headphones [22]. The launch price of ₹39,990 is slightly higher than the previous XM5 model, reflecting the upgrades included [23]. Sales began September 29 through Sony’s own outlets, major retailers like Croma and Reliance Digital, and online on Amazon and ShopAtSC [24] [25]. The Indian packaging is made entirely of paper materials as part of Sony’s sustainability efforts [26].
Sony markets the XM6 as a “studio-grade sound” system co-developed with top recording studios (Sterling Sound, Battery Studios, Coast Mastering) [27]. In simple terms, Sony aimed to push its 1000X series further ahead of the competition by beefing up the electronics without radically changing the look [28]. The outside design remains smooth and minimal like the XM5 – soft-touch matte plastics with a subtle Sony logo – but the XM6 add a signature feature missing from XM5: a foldable hinge for easy travel [29] [30].
Key Specifications
- Drivers & Processing: 30 mm dynamic drivers (carbon-fiber dome) handle frequencies from 4 Hz to 40 kHz. Sony’s new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 (7× faster than XM5’s QN1) optimizes 12 microphones in real time to cancel external sound [31] [32]. The XM6 also include an AI-based 6-mic beamforming system to isolate speech during calls [33].
- Audio Codecs: The headphones support SBC, AAC and Sony’s high-res LDAC codec, plus the new Bluetooth LE Audio codec LC3 for future devices [34]. They also support Sony’s proprietary features: DSEE Extreme upscaling and 360 Reality Audio upmix for a virtual surround effect [35].
- Connectivity: Uses Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint pairing. A physical Bluetooth pairing button makes it easy to link with smartphones, tablets or PCs via BT5.3. There’s also a 3.5 mm audio jack for wired use. A USB-C port handles charging (and supports audio over USB if needed). In practice, the XM6 will automatically switch between paired devices for calls or music (Auto Switch) and even broadcast audio via Bluetooth Auracast if your source supports it [36].
- Battery: Officially rated at 30 hours with noise cancelling on, or about 40 hours with ANC off [37]. In Rtings’ tests, the XM6 delivered roughly 31.75 hours of continuous ANC-on play [38]. A quick 3-minute “turbo” charge supplies ~3 hours of playback [39]. Charge time to full is ~3.5 hours.
- Controls & App: Touch-sensitive surfaces on the right earcup handle play/pause, skip, and volume (swipe up/down, tap). A round power button and a long noise-cancel/ambient mode button on the left are easy to tell apart [40]. Sony’s Headphones Connect app lets users tweak a 10-band EQ and activate specialized sound modes (e.g. Game EQ for low-latency gaming, Cinema Upmix). The app also offers Scene-based Listening, which uses location and motion to auto-adjust ANC and audio profiles [41].
Design and Comfort
The WH-1000XM6 maintain Sony’s familiar plush-over-ear look. The padded earcups are plush yet shallow enough to allow some head-turning (unlike the much deeper Bose cups) [42] [43]. Sony says the headband is now asymmetrical and softer (raised on the top and cushioned on the inside) to reduce pressure [44]. At ~254 g they’re light for a folding noise-canceller, and in practice reviews say they “fit well with no discomfort” [45] – however Bose reviewers still found the Bose QC Ultra slightly comfier in long sessions [46] [47]. (The Guardian quipped that Bose “still holds the comfort crown,” even if Sony’s design is “a bit boring” visually [48].)
The big change is that the XM6 fold this time. Metal hinges on each arm allow the earcups to swivel flat; the included hard case then zips up magnets for a very compact package [49] [50]. Reviewers praised this travel case — TechRadar calls the magnetic closure “proper” and a big step up from the AirPods Max’s flimsy pouch [51]. Tom’s Guide echoed the approval: “The case is vastly improved… with a magnetic clasp, and I’ve only come to like it more” [52]. The XM6 also gain a stepless metal slider on the headband for better adjustability and durability.
Controls on the headphones are largely smooth to use. The touch controls worked as expected in tests, though they still mis-trigger if you wildly brush your hair [53]. On the plus side, Tom’s Guide liked how Sony separates the power and ANC buttons (round vs rectangular), making accidental presses unlikely [54]. A minor new convenience: the XM6 add a physical Microphone Mute button, letting you instantly mute all mic input during calls or voice recording [55]. Overall, Sony has kept a low profile design (no flashy metal or fancy colors) but improved portability – and as Rtings notes, the XM6 are “a comfortable, lightweight design” in every scenario [56].
Audio Quality and Features
At the core of the WH-1000XM6 is Sony’s audio tuning. The company emphasizes that the new model was co-developed with mastering engineers to preserve every detail [57]. Reviews find this pays off: sound is generally warm and full, with a focus on vocal clarity. TechRadar writes that the XM6’s sound is “as good as it gets in this price class,” offering an “immaculate balance across all frequencies” and more dynamic openness than Apple’s AirPods Max [58]. In side-by-side listening tests, the XM6 deliver punchy bass and clear mids; even reviewers who prefer a flatter sound admit they’d rather turn down the Sony’s bass than up Bose’s [59]. In Tom’s Guide tests, the XM6 “sound very good,” whereas the Bose ANC headphones came out bass-heavy and slightly muddled in comparison [60].
Sony also advertises support for advanced audio formats. The LDAC codec means you can stream true 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Res Audio wirelessly (if your player and files support it). For standard streaming, the XM6 include DSEE Extreme to upmix compressed tracks on-the-fly. There’s even a Cinema mode to artificially widen stereo into a spatial field, and 360 Reality Audio Upmix which applies Sony’s head-tracking virtual surround to any music or movie [61]. That said, the XM6 do not natively support Apple’s Spatial Audio (used by AirPods Max on iOS), which some reviewers note as a gap.
ANC performance itself is a centerpiece: multiple reviews say it’s world-class. In quiet conditions or on a plane/train, the XM6 essentially silence ambient hum, with the ANC chip and mics working together to cancel even high-pitched noise. Rtings gives them top marks for noise isolation and says they are “amazing for travel,” noting the “powerful ANC system easily reduces environmental noise from airplane engines or chattering commuters” [62]. The Guardian likewise observed that the XM6 “cancel more noise than anyone else” to claim the top spot [63]. Transparency/ambient modes let in just enough sound for announcements or conversation when needed. Overall, Sony’s claim of “studio-grade” or “unparalleled sound clarity seems earned – audiophiles and casual listeners alike find the XM6 deliver detailed, well-balanced audio across genres [64] [65].
Connectivity, App and Smart Features
The XM6 are loaded with features for modern users. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable wireless link and low latency; the headphones can maintain two Bluetooth connections at once (multipoint), so you can watch video on a laptop and take a phone call on your smartphone without manual switching [66]. Sony’s new LE Audio (LC3) support is “future-proofing” – it will allow even better efficiency and multi-stream broadcast when compatible devices arrive [67] [68].
Smart listening features include an Adaptive NC Optimizer, which Sony says will even adjust for air pressure (useful on flights) [69]. A new Auto Ambient Sound mode listens to your surroundings and dynamically balances noise cancellation and passthrough [70]. For example, in a commute it can automatically lower ANC to let in traffic sounds when you need to cross streets. Scene-based Listening detects activities (on a run vs in the office) to preset the appropriate mode.
The Sony Headphones Connect app remains a strong suit: it provides a 10‑band equalizer and lets you save audio presets. It also offers unique tools like “Find Your Equalizer” (plays test tones and suggests a personalized EQ curve) and Quick Access for instant launch of a favorite service (Spotify/Amazon). Notably, Sony added a Game Equalizer profile for the first time, borrowing tuning expertise from its INZONE gaming line to reduce latency when gaming on a console/PC [71]. Voice call quality is excellent thanks to the six-mic AI system and a small wind-resistant grill; it isolates your voice so well that even in a noisy street or airplane cabin the person on the other end hears you clearly [72].
Battery Life and Usage
In everyday use, battery life is a major advantage. Tests confirm you’ll get over 30 hours with ANC on in typical use [73] [74]. Sony’s fast charge is also practical: a 3-minute plug-in (with a USB‑PD adapter) gives about 3 hours of music, so even a short stop will keep you going. Reviewers note that Rtings measured ~31.75 hours ANC-on life [75], making the XM6 ideal for long-haul flights or days without a charger. (Bose QC Ultra, by comparison, typically managed ~24 hours.) The headphones also support charging while listening, and there’s a built-in battery indicator in the app.
Thanks to the light build and low clamp force, wearing the XM6 for extended periods is easy – Rtings even recommends them for office use: “if you work in a crowded office or at home, the XM6’s incredible ANC system easily attenuates noise from your environment, allowing you to lock in for a productivity sprint” [76]. The extended battery means you could feasibly forget to charge overnight and not run out on a busy day.
Comparisons and Expert Opinions
Sony did not launch the XM6 in a vacuum. Its key competitors are Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) and Apple’s AirPods Max. Bose’s new QC Ultra (priced similarly around $449/£399) has been lauded for its comfort and “class-leading noise cancellation” [77]. In fact, Business Insider flatly calls Bose’s QC Ultra “the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy” [78]. Bose also introduced spatial audio with head-tracking, a feature Sony lacks. On the other hand, reviewers often point out that in side-by-side tests the XM6 match or exceed Bose in raw ANC strength and sound clarity. Tom’s Guide reports that in direct comparison “the Bose [QC Ultra] straight-up sound worse than the Sony WH-1000XM6” – they found the Bose just bassier and less detailed [79]. Sony’s XM6 also support higher-res LDAC streaming, which Bose does not.
Against Apple’s AirPods Max, the XM6 hold several advantages. TechRadar notes that while AirPods Max have eye-catching aluminum design and Spatial Audio with iOS, they can’t fold or travel easily. Sony’s XM6 do fold and come with a full hard case [80]. Sonically, XM6 are said to beat the Max. “The newer XM6 are just a cut above,” TechRadar concludes, praising Sony’s balance and detail for a much lower price [81] [82]. The AirPods Max do offer Apple’s seamless ecosystem features (like auto device switching, low-latency gaming mode on Apple devices, and hardware lossless audio via Lightning), but in pure ANC and audio tests they rank slightly behind the XM6 according to reviewers.
Summing up expert views: The consensus is that the XM6 reassert Sony’s top position in ANC. The Guardian’s Samuel Gibbs writes that while Bose maintains a comfort edge, “if you want the best noise cancelling money can buy, the WH-1000XM6 are it” [83]. In other words, Sony’s latest has likely dethroned many rivals in terms of sheer noise-blocking performance [84]. However, critics do note that the XM6 are not cheap and lack water resistance, and that in real-world comfort tests Bose still feels a bit nicer for marathon listening [85] [86]. So for the discerning buyer, it comes down to priorities: Sony for ultimate ANC and features, Bose for a slightly more comfortable fit, or Apple for the best integration with an iPhone.
Bottom Line
With the WH-1000XM6, Sony delivers what many reviewers call a near-perfect noise-cancelling package. Its new chip, extra microphones and software smarts make it arguably the strongest ANC headset available [87] [88]. Its battery endurance and travel-friendly design also stand out. The trade-offs are cost and incremental improvements – as one tech writer put it, the XM6 are more refinement than reinvention [89]. But at its launch price, Sony’s flagship clearly aims to “take on Bose and Apple” in the premium headphone market [90] [91]. For users who demand the quietest listening experience, the WH-1000XM6 look set to deliver on that promise – “the best noise cancelling money can buy” – and do it in style [92] [93].
Sources: Sony announcements and specifications [94] [95]; expert reviews and comparisons (Gadgets 360, India Today, The Guardian, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, Rtings, Business Insider, etc.) [96] [97] [98] [99]. All claims above are supported by these published reports.
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