Sony WH-1000XM6 review: Strong noise cancelling and improved sound

Sony positions the WH-1000XM6 as its most advanced consumer headphones. They retain the brand's warm, smooth sound with a slight bass emphasis and fewer high-frequency peaks; without ANC the XM6 still sounds fuller than the XM5. Sony 360 Spatial Sound expands the soundstage and is available across platforms, though its processing can make some tracks sound overly processed while others benefit from added depth.

Noise cancellation is a standout feature. The XM6 use 12 microphones and an upgraded QN3 processor Sony says is seven times faster than the XM5's QN1, delivering impressive ANC in busy places like coffee shops, gyms and markets. Ambient sound mode reproduces surroundings naturally, call quality is improved by four additional beamforming microphones, and the headphones let you hear yourself when talking.

One limitation: ANC settings can’t be manually adjusted in the app, so the cancellation can feel overly strong in public situations.

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