- Sony WF-1000XM6 earphones launch today (February 12) for $329 / £249
- They promise improved noise reduction and sound quality
- The new design is 11% thinner, with a larger antenna for a better connection
Sony has unveiled its new WF-1000XM6 earphones – their latest high-end noise-canceling true wireless offering. The Sony WF-1000MX6 costs $329 / £249 (approx. AU$475) and is available immediately from major retailers.
TechRadar has already spent several weeks testing the new earphones, and you can read our in-depth Sony WF-1000XM6 review if you want to get straight to our verdict, or you can watch our video review just below.
Or, if you want the headlines on the key areas Sony has changed in the new model to help them compete with the best earphones on the planet, read on below!
1. Improved noise reduction
Sony says the new earphones will deliver a 25% improvement in noise reduction compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones, with particular improvements in mid and high sound. There are now eight microphones on the earphones to capture sounds, combined with a new processor called the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3e – a variant of the chip in the impressive Sony WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones.
There’s improved real-time optimization of the active noise cancellation, and Sony says its new ear tips should also create a better seal to increase noise blocking.
2. Better sound quality
Sony has developed an interesting new speaker driver for these earphones with a dual-material design. The outer edge is softer, intended to help deliver deep and controlled bass, while the center is stiff for crisp mids and highs. Like the WH-1000XM6, Sony has also taken a new approach to tuning in collaboration with studio sound engineers for a more neutral sound profile.
Sony also notes that its audio processing has been upgraded from 24-bit to 32-bit, although any Hi-Res Audio support is still limited to LDAC.
3. Upgraded call quality
Sony says the new earbuds use two microphones on each bud for AI-boosted beamforming to pick up your voice more clearly, plus a bone conduction sensor to add extra clarity aimed at making speech clearer on calls.
There’s also an AI-powered background noise reduction system, again similar to what you get on the Sony WH-1000XM6 over-ears.
4. A new design
Sony has pointed out that the new earphones are 11% “slimmer” than the previous model, although the new shape also makes them bigger in other ways – but Sony says the overall effect is that they should be more ergonomic.
An advantage of the new design is that the antenna is now significantly larger, which Sony says will improve connection stability and reliability.
It’s definitely true when you take them out of the case – Sony has added a little edge so they’re easy to grip when they’re taken out of the case. The case is larger than the case of the XM5 earphones, but it’s tall and slim – still very portable.
5. More features and a different app
What Sony launch would be complete without new smart features? The XM6 earphones have a few tricks up their sleeve – some practical, some more interesting.
You’ll need to use the Sony Sound Connect app instead of the old Sony Headphones app, and in there you’ll find a new 10-band EQ to customize the sound if you want, as well as a nice ‘Find My EQ’ feature that lets you change the sound to your preference without having to know what you’re doing.
There’s also a Background Music Effect feature that makes the music sound more ambient (like it’s coming from the speakers in a cafe, for example), which can be great when you’re working.
Sony also supports Bluetooth LE Audio and the LC3 codec here, offering the ability to set the earphones to prioritize sound quality over Bluetooth connection stability or vice versa.
Much remains the same
Battery life from the buds is still quoted at 8 hours (24 hours from the case), they have Sony’s DSEE Extreme audio upscaling to enhance low-quality streams, they have Sony features including a customizable Ambient Mode, Quick Access, and so on.
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