Sony WH-1000XM6: Wireless Headphones with ANC and Hi-Res Audio

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC), a QN3 processor and Hi-Res audio support. They offer up to 30 hours of listening with ANC enabled or up to 40 hours without it. You can connect them via Bluetooth or a 3.5 mm audio cable.

Noise cancellation with the QN3 processor

The active noise cancellation system uses an HD QN3 processor and 12 Multi Noise Sensor microphones to detect ambient sound. ANC adapts to the environment and can help reduce noise on public transport, on busy streets and in quieter spaces. Its effectiveness depends on the surrounding noise; ANC does not eliminate every sound.

Hi-Res audio and supported codecs

The headphones support Hi-Res audio and have a stated frequency range of 4 to 40,000 Hz. Frequency range alone, however, does not determine listening quality or establish whether a device supports Hi-Res audio.

The available wireless codecs are SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3. LDAC enables high-bitrate audio transmission, although its use and the resulting quality depend on the connected device and transmission conditions. The availability of each codec also depends on support from the source device.

Bluetooth, NFC and wired connectivity

The WH-1000XM6 use Bluetooth 5.3 to connect wirelessly to compatible devices. They also support NFC for easier pairing with a compatible device.

Alternatively, you can use the 3.5 mm jack and supplied audio cable. This is useful for connecting to a source without Bluetooth and bypasses wireless transmission and its compression. A wired connection does not, however, mean that active features such as ANC or Bluetooth will work when the battery is depleted.

Calls and voice control

The headphones use six microphones and AI technology to process voice during calls. This helps identify the user's voice and filter out background sounds, which may improve call clarity in noisy environments. Results depend on the conditions, and background noise may not disappear entirely.

The model also provides access to voice assistants, allowing compatible device functions to be controlled by voice without handling the headphones.

Battery life and accessories

The stated battery life is up to 40 hours without ANC and up to 30 hours with ANC enabled. Actual battery life depends on how the headphones are used. With quick charging, three minutes of charging can provide approximately three hours of playback; results depend on charging and usage conditions.

The package includes a hard carrying case, a USB-C charging cable and a 3.5 mm audio cable. The headphones can therefore be used wirelessly or with a compatible wired source.