+ Advantages:
– Design polyvalent, confort optimal.
– High quality sound, excellent noise reduction.
– Long battery life.
+ Limitations :
– Lack of interactive AI features
– The price has increased compared to its predecessor.
+ Editorial tips:
The Sony WF-1000XM6 earphones are a worthwhile upgrade with their comfortable design, rich, detailed sound and natural noise reduction, suitable for both work and exercise.
The main point to consider is the increase in price and the fact that the interactive AI features are not particularly exceptional compared to the competition.
Design and user experience
The WF-1000XM6 earphones retain their bean shape, without a stem. Sony is currently one of the few headphone manufacturers to maintain this design. Most other brands have opted for models with a stem, similar to those of the AirPods Pro.
Compared to its predecessor, the XM5, the most notable change is the matte finish. This finish provides a more pleasant user experience than the glossy design of the previous generation. Thanks to this improvement, the headphones are easier to hold, more comfortable to wear and less prone to fingerprints on a daily basis.
According to the manufacturer, the XM6 is approximately 11% thinner than its predecessor. However, from the outside, users will have difficulty perceiving the improvements brought by this new design.
On the XM5 version, some users complained of a slightly loose or uncomfortable fit in their ears. This problem was almost entirely resolved on the XM6 generation. The housing has been redesigned and fits comfortably in the ear canal.
Sony also provides this product with four different sizes of replaceable foam ear cushions. Soft and very elastic, these pads allow prolonged wear without pain. On the other hand, they are difficult to clean and less durable than silicone pads.
In addition, Sony has redesigned the helmet’s vents to reduce the pressure exerted when worn. This design helps minimize discomfort and ear obstruction during prolonged use.
All these small improvements make the XM6 earbuds easier to wear and provide a more comfortable user experience. Users can also use them for various activities like sports, running or skipping without worrying about losing them.
The charging case has also been improved. Its flat design allows it to sit perfectly on a table or wireless charger. The front LED indicator is discreet and only lights up during operation, giving the case a more minimalist and modern overall design.
In terms of controls, the XM6 earphones are touch sensitive on both earpieces. Users can customize gestures (short or long presses) to modify features according to their habits. However, their bean shape presents some limitations, as volume adjustment by touch swipe is not possible.
Sound quality and noise reduction thanks to AI.
The Sony WF-1000XM6 headphones are equipped with an 8.4mm driver. The sound quality of this model is true to the characteristics of Sony audio products, providing an overall balanced and detailed experience, without excessive emphasis on any frequency.
Inheriting the characteristics of the WH-1000XM6, the WF-1000XM6 also integrates the QN3e and V2 processing chips, allowing 32-bit audio processing. This headset fully supports the most common audio codecs such as SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3.
These earphones provide optimal performance with Android smartphones, as these devices transmit high fidelity audio using the LDAC standard. On the other hand, with an iPhone, they only support compressed audio transmission in AAC format.
The XM6 notably integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the quality of compressed digital music files in real time. DSEE Extreme technology recognizes instruments, genres and individual elements in a song, restoring high frequencies lost during compression.
This feature is particularly useful, especially since most users now stream music through popular apps like YouTube Music, Spotify or Apple Music. However, many songs on these platforms are only available in compressed format. In this case, the AI will be responsible for improving the audio quality and optimizing sound processing.
On the sound side, the bass remains a strong point, offering an ample and powerful soundstage without excess or loss of detail in other frequencies. As for the mids and highs, the voices are reproduced with a beautiful roundness and ideal warmth, offering a clear sound without aggressiveness in the highs.
The device also reproduces the sound space very well, the instruments and the singers’ voices being perfectly separated. With instrument-rich pieces, such as acoustic music or jazz, the listener can clearly distinguish each layer of sound and the background noises of the instruments.
It’s unfortunate that this product only supports Bluetooth 5.3 instead of the newer Bluetooth 6.0. In practice, the headphones perfectly meet entertainment needs, such as watching movies and maintaining a stable connection. However, they are not really suitable for video games, especially fast-paced FPS shooters.
Active noise reduction (ANC) is also one of the major improvements in the XM6 version. The headset incorporates 8 ANC microphones (4 on each earcup), which represents a 25% improvement in noise reduction performance compared to the XM5 version.
Compared to the AirPods Pro 3, the Sony WF-1000XM6 offers a very different noise reduction experience. Apple’s product aims to almost completely eliminate external noise, thus immersing the user in an extremely quiet environment. However, this solution can sometimes cause a feeling of muffling with prolonged use of the noise reduction.
The Sony WF-1000XM6 headphones take a radically different approach. When active noise reduction is activated, they do not seek to completely isolate the user from ambient noise. On the contrary, the noise is reduced to a very low level so that the user is not disturbed by their environment. This allows him to pay attention to his surroundings without feeling claustrophobic or excessively isolated.
In familiar environments like offices, cafes or while traveling, Sony headphones deliver excellent performance. A journalist from the daily Dan Tri was also able to test their noise reduction during a bus trip between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat. The headphones perfectly attenuated the engine and wind noise. The roars and whistles of the wind have been pleasantly filtered out.
Call quality on the XM6 has improved significantly compared to the previous generation. The headset is equipped with two microphones and a bone conduction sensor on each side, combined with AI algorithms for more accurate voice pickup. Even outdoors or in a café, the headset maintains good voice quality while reducing ambient noise to a level sufficient for the other person to hear you clearly.
These headphones are compatible with phones via the Sound Connect app. This application allows users to deeply customize the equalizer to modify the sound and enable advanced features such as “Speak to Chat” or adaptive sound control.
However, compared to AirPods Pro 3 and other headphone models, the AI features Sony has equipped these earbuds with remain relatively limited. The device does not support interactive AI features such as instant translation.
Regarding battery life, Sony indicates that the WF-1000XM6 earbuds offer around 8 hours of use with noise reduction enabled and a total battery life of around 24 hours with the charging case. Without active noise reduction, battery life is around 12 hours. These earbuds are also fast charging compatible, allowing immediate use after just a few minutes of charging.
Résumé
Sony WF-1000XM6 headphones are sold in Vietnam at a price of 8 million dong. In the same segment, they compete with several models such as the Apple AirPods Pro 3, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
Compared to its predecessor, the Sony WF-1000XM6 represents a complete upgrade with a practical design, providing a comfortable and secure fit for a variety of uses, from work to exercise.
This would be an interesting option for demanding users looking for high-quality sound and a quiet environment to work with complete concentration.
However, the product still has some limitations, including the lack of interactive AI features such as instant translation. Additionally, the price increase of 2.5 million VND compared to the previous generation is a drag for the average user.
Source : https://dantri.com.vn/cong-nghe/danh-gia-sony-wf-1000xm6-doi-thu-canh-tranh-cua-airpods-pro-3-20260402170337801.htm
