Sony WH1000XM6 Sandstone

I love taking my Sony WH-1000XM6 with me everywhere. The foldable design makes it easy to fit in my bag. The sound and noise cancelling are very good. I just think it's a shame that it's not waterproof.

Foldable design The ear cushions of the XM6 are foldable. This way I make the headphones more compact. The included case is also not very big, so it fits in my backpack without any problems. In this sturdy case I can safely take the headphones with me when I'm not wearing them. I find that the headphones sit comfortably on my head. The headband is wide, so I hardly feel it pressing. I wear the headphones all day without them bothering me.

Strong noise cancelling The Sony WH-1000XM headphones are known for their good noise cancelling. The XM6 is no exception. This model has even better noise cancelling than its predecessor. I test the headphones in the kitchen while standing next to the extractor hood. My extractor hood is very loud, but with the noise cancelling switched on I can't hear it at all. I also listen to music in the office with the noise cancelling on. I can't hear my colleagues talking and can focus well on my work. If I want to hear more of my surroundings, I turn on the Ambient Sound Mode. This allows me to hear my ambient sounds extra clearly. I use this in traffic, for example, so that I can hear cars and cyclists approaching.

Clear voice I use the headphones for online meetings with colleagues. I always turn off the noise cancelling, so that I can hear my own voice well. The XM6 has 6 microphones that pick up my voice. This makes my voice sound clear and distinct. However, I have to be careful not to turn the sound of the headphones up too loud. If it is too loud, the microphones will pick up the sound of the person I am talking to and create an echo.

Powerful sound The sound of the headphones is powerful and detailed, which allows me to fully enjoy the music. The voices of my favorite artists sound clear and I can hear the lyrics well. I also like songs with a lot of bass and I am very enthusiastic about the bass reproduction of the XM6. The heavy tones sound deep. In the Sony Sound Connect app I find an equalizer with which I adjust the sound to my preference. For example, I make the bass even stronger, which I like with dance music.

The Sony XM6 is a good pair of headphones; regardless of the price, the audio and noise canceling quality are truly top-notch. However, there are several things that make these headphones unworthy of the price if you already own an older premium pair, such as the XM4. Although the sound quality is excellent, it's not noticeably better than that of the XM4, nor is the noise canceling quality. The comfort is also significantly worse compared to the XM4. The headset is heavier and puts more pressure on the ears. The XM4 and other lighter headphones will therefore cause fewer headaches when worn for extended periods.

A positive aspect of these headphones is the connectivity. They easily connect to multiple devices simultaneously, and the connection is very stable. The XM6 also supports Bluetooth 5.3, meaning it supports LE audio, which the XM4 does not. The Sony Sound Connect app on the XM6 also offers more options than the XM4, such as cinema mode, but these are more gimmicks than useful features.

In short, the XM6 is a very good pair of headphones, provided you don't already have a cheaper one. It's not worth the upgrade from the XM4, or at least not for €449.

I am very happy with these headphones. I am autistic and quickly overstimulated by loud or unexpected sounds. That is why I was looking for headphones with really good noise cancelling. The XM6 does not disappoint in that respect. When I put them on, it feels like everything around me becomes silent for a moment. That gives me peace.

What I also like is that the sound is very clear and full. Whether I am listening to music, watching a movie or turning on a podcast - everything just sounds good. The battery lasts a long time. I use them quite a lot and charge them about once every four days, usually at night. Ideal, because you hardly have to look at them.

The range is also surprisingly good. My phone was downstairs and I walked through the house without any problems. No interference, just keep listening to music. I find that really handy. There are a few things that are a bit less. Connecting to three devices at the same time (for example TV, phone, computer) is difficult. Sometimes I have to reconnect. Admittedly, that is a luxury problem. I also prefer not to wear them around my neck when I'm not using them, because then the ear cups press into my neck. On warm days, my ears quickly get warm from the headphones. The fit is otherwise fine, even with glasses on. Although my ears just touch the inside of the cups.

The headphones are light, so I can wear them for a long time without them feeling heavy. That's nice, especially when I use them a lot. In short: if you, like me, are sensitive to sounds and are looking for peace and good sound, then these headphones are highly recommended. I was able to test these headphones for a few weeks!