Sony WF-1000XM6 unveiled with optimized sound and improved ANC
After a two-year hiatus, Sony has finally released new wireless flagship earbuds. The Sony WF-1000XM6 are being introduced as the successors to the WF-1000XM5, and Sony is convinced that they are the company’s best earphones to date.
New features include the updated Sony V2 processor inside the earbuds, which now offers 32-bit audio processing, compared to the 24-bit of the Sony WF-1000XM5. According to Sony, this change should result in improved clarity, a greater dynamic range, and more detail in the XM6.
The earbuds are equipped with 8.4 mm dynamic drivers and have been individually tuned by Sony’s acoustic engineers in collaboration with several Sony Music recording studios. They support the AAC, SBC, LC3, and LDAC audio codecs, as well as Sony’s DSEE Extreme, which upscales compressed audio files using an AI algorithm.
For users who want to customize their audio output, the Sony WF-1000XM6 offer an updated 10-band equalizer in the Sony Sound Connect app. They also benefit from multipoint pairing via Bluetooth 5.3 (LE), Auracast, Fast Pair, and Swift Pair. The earbuds also support 360 Reality Audio with head tracking.
The second important innovation of the Sony WF-1000XM6 is the QN3e noise cancellation chip, which is used in over-ear headphones WH-1000XM6. The XM6 offer 25% more effective noise cancellation than their predecessors, especially in the mid to high frequency range.
Sony WF-1000XM6 with new ANC system
The ANC system features an adaptive noise cancellation optimizer that analyzes ambient noise and adjusts the sound and noise cancellation in real time to how you’re wearing the earbuds. The updated ANC system utilizes two additional outward-facing microphones, resulting in a total of four microphones per earbud.
Sony also claims that the XM6’s Ambient mode sounds more natural and lifelike. The internal antennas in the earbuds are now 1.5 times larger than those of the XM5 generation, offering a more reliable connection.
The battery life of the Sony earphones is 8 hours, just like the XM5 generation. The charging case allows for two full charges for a total runtime of 24 hours. The XM6 also supports wireless charging and is IPX4 splash-proof.
The Sony WF-1000XM6 are available for pre-order in silver and black for €300/$330 from Sony and will be shipped starting next week.
