Latest news with #WH1000XM6
Android Authority
7 days ago
- Android Authority
Not again: Sony's WH-1000XM6 hinge shows signs of cracking
TL;DR A WH-1000XM6 user has reported a broken hinge, even after using the headphones 'carefully.' While there has only been this one report so far, Sony supposedly redesigned the XM6 hinge to prevent this. The problem echoes an issue that plagued the previous XM5 model. The flagship Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are barely two months old, but a new report is raising concerns about their durability. Specifically, it's an issue from the predecessor device we had hoped was in the past. A Reddit post spotted by Gizmodo shows what may be the first reported case of a WH-1000XM6 with a snapped hinge near the headband — a location many will remember as the weak point that plagued the previous-generation XM5. The original source appears to be a user on the Chinese platform Red Note, who shared photos and claimed to have handled the headphones 'carefully.' Red Note A Red Note user shared this image of the XM6's broken hinge. That's important context because the XM6 was supposed to fix this exact problem. According to our sister site, SoundGuys, Sony completely redesigned the hinge with this new model, embedding a metal component within the plastic housing and reintroducing a folding mechanism for compact storage. The XM5 used a flatter design with no folding arms and suffered enough failures that 25% of SoundGuys readers polled said their hinge had broken. Even when you factor in that people with a broken hinge might be more likely to partake in such a poll, it was still a concerning stat. It's far too soon to say whether this is an isolated case or the start of another widespread durability issue. After all, there will always be some devices that break, and we can't be sure that the report of the headphones being handled carefully is accurate. Nevertheless, it was enough to concern some of the Reddit users in the thread, especially given the $450 price tag and Sony's track record with hinge strength. The WH-1000XM6 has been seen as a fix-it release, addressing complaints about things like hinge durability. SoundGuys' review praised the headphones for solid audio, excellent ANC, and being a meaningful step up from the XM5 in most categories. If the hinge is once again a potential point of failure, it could undermine Sony's efforts. For now, this appears to be a single failure, but we'll keep an eye out. If you've upgraded to the XM6 and experienced any issues, let us know in the comments. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
The Verge
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Verge
These are Sony's new noise-canceling headphones for NFL coaches
Sony is finally debuting the headset that it developed specifically for NFL coaches, after teasing it almost a year ago as part of a new partnership with the NFL. The headset features technology and engineering borrowed from Sony's popular consumer-focused wireless headphones, such as the WH-1000XM6. That includes the same noise-canceling technology that Sony uses in its 1000X headphone series, although it's been optimized for use on the sidelines. Sony tested the headset using real crowd noises at 100 decibels to fine-tune its active noise cancellation for use in NFL stadiums. The headset will be available in two configurations featuring either one or two ear cups. It features a new oversized microphone that helps keep the coach's voice clear while concealing their lip movements so that other teams can't easily see what play they're calling. (They usually hide their mouths anyway.) Sony designed the new headsets to handle most of the weather teams face during the season, including extreme heat and cold conditions, as well as snow, sleet, and rain. They were drop tested to ensure they can endure the 'physical demands of the sidelines'— cut to a scene of a coach tossing a headset to the ground after a bad play. All 32 teams in the NFL will use Sony's new hardware. The headsets will be wirelessly connected through a belt pack using a Verizon private 5G network in each stadium to ensure secure communications. Sony was announced as an official technology partner of the NFL in July 2024. In addition to replacing Bose as the official headset provider for the league, the use of Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking technology was also expanded this past season. The technology will be used to assist with important calls on plays.
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Our top-rated Sony headphones are almost half price this Prime Day
Sony launched the WH-1000XM6 back in May, which means the previous generation of our favourite noise-cancelling headphones are going cheap in the Prime Day sale – that's right, the excellent Sony WH-1000XM5 have been slashed by a massive £160. Prime Day is serving up some great tech deals on everything from TVs to laptops, but if you're in the market for a new pair of premium headphones, this is the one you really need to know about. Released last year, the WH-1000XM5 just dropped to their lowest-ever price in the sale. The flagship cans from Sony usually retail at £379, but Amazon has slashed the price by a massive 42 per cent, bringing them down to just £219. We're huge fans of these headphones, so if you've been waiting for the right moment to invest in some seriously good noise-cancellers, this is it. Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones held the top spot in our round-up of the best wireless headphones until they were replaced by the newest edition, and for good reason. The noise-cancellation is best-in-class, effectively silencing the outside world whether you're on a noisy commute or trying to focus in a busy office. They're also lightweight and comfortable, making them perfect for long listening sessions. Most importantly, they sound superb. In our full review, our tester said: 'Whether it's orchestral music, rap, podcasts or your favourite pop tracks, the WH-1000XM5 handle it all with poise and gumption.' Smart features like automatically pausing your music when you start talking add to the seamless experience. At this new low price of £219, you're getting flagship performance and five-star quality for a mid-range cost.
The Verge
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Sony's best noise-canceling headphones are up to 45 percent off
Every model in Sony's WH-1000XM lineup has consistently ranked among the best headphones you can buy, and thanks to Amazon Prime Day, several of the latest entries are on sale. Right now, for instance, the brand-new WH-1000XM6 are available from Amazon, Best Buy, and Sony for around $428 ($22 off), which is the first cash discount we've seen. If that's too pricey, you can also pick up the XM5 at Amazon starting at $248 ($150 off), which remains their best price to date. Unsurprisingly, the XM6 are the best noise-canceling headphones the company has ever made. The updated drivers deliver outstanding sound quality and clearer vocals than Sony's last-gen model, while a new noise-cancellation chip renders them even more adept at blocking out ambient noise. Design-wise, they're also more comfortable, with a wider headband that reduces pressure during marathon listening sessions. Plus, in a welcome return to form, Sony reintroduced the foldable design that frequent travelers had missed with the XM5. If you're not ready to spring for the latest model, the last-gen XM5 are nearly half the price and can still hold their own. Although they can't match the XM6 in every category, they still offer a more comfortable fit, cleaner sound, and slightly better ANC than their predecessor, the XM4. They also sport excellent mics, making them a great option if you frequently take calls while using your headphones. They're a strong all-around pick, though their inability to collapse makes them a little less travel-friendly than the newer XM6 and older XM4. Last but not least, there's the WH-1000XM4, the budget option of the trio. Despite being the oldest model, they still boast terrific noise cancellation, solid sound, and multipoint Bluetooth support, so you can connect to two devices at once. They also offer the same impressive 30-hour battery life found on newer models and, unlike the XM5, fold down in a pinch. The biggest drawback is call quality, as the mics aren't as sharp as those found on the newer models. That being said, they're currently on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for around $193, which is more $160 off the original MSRP. No matter which model you go with, though, Sony's WH-1000XM headphones remain some of the best options available — and with these Prime Day discounts, now is a great time to upgrade. Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we've tested sent to your inbox weekly.
The Guardian
09-07-2025
- The Guardian
Sony WH-1000XM6 review: raising the bar for noise-cancelling headphones
Sony's latest top-of-the-range Bluetooth headphones seek to reclaim the throne for the best noise cancellers money can buy with changes inside and out. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. The Sony 1000X series has long featured some of the best noise cancelling you can buy and has been locked in a battle with rival Bose for the top spot. The WH-1000XM6 replace the outgoing XM5 model and cost £399 (€449/$449/A$699) – far from cheap but not the most expensive among peers either. The outside design looks very similar to their predecessors, with smooth, soft-touch plastic bodies, plush earpads and headband, and a subtle Sony logo on the arms. The earcups now swivel and fold to allow the headphones to be more compact for travel in a redesigned hard fabric case with a magnetic clasp. The new headphones are light but feel solid and ready for the rigours of travel or a commute. They fit well, with enough pressure to keep them in place without any discomfort, though the Bose QC Ultra are more comfortable. The earcups of the XM6 are slightly shallow compared with the Bose, which made getting a proper fit with glasses a little trickier. The right earcup has a responsive touch panel to handle playback and volume controls with swipes and taps, which works well unless you're wearing gloves. The left earcup has a power button, a 3.5mm headphones socket and a button for toggling noise-cancelling modes. The XM6 can connect with two devices simultaneously through Bluetooth 5.3 and support the SBC, AAC and LDAC audio formats. They also support Bluetooth LE (LC3), the next generation of Bluetooth audio connectivity, which has yet to see widespread adoption but is good for future-proofing. Call quality is very good, sounding natural and full in either quiet or noisy environments, with the option of side tone, where you can hear yourself through the headphones. Weight: 254g Drivers: 30mm Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, 3.5mm, USB-C charging Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 Rated battery life: 30 hours ANC on The headphones lasted slightly longer than their rated 30 hours in testing, managing more than 32 hours between charges using noise cancelling, which is very competitive and certainly long enough for a couple of weeks of commuting. They charge via USB-C in about 3.5 hours and can be used via Bluetooth or the headphones jack while being charged. Inside the XM6 is the first chip upgrade in quite a few years. The new QN3 processor is seven times as fast as the previous model and supports 12 microphones for detecting unwanted noise, delivering some of the most impressive noise cancelling I've experienced in a long time. Most good noise-cancelling headphones handle the low rumbles of engines and other roar-type sounds well, but even the best struggle with higher pitch tones such as keyboard taps and background chatter. Here is where the XM6 have raised the bar, doing a better job than others of neutralising those annoying higher tones, so much so that train and bus announcements were almost inaudible, particularly when listening to music. They also have a very good, natural-sounding ambient mode allowing you to clearly hear the outside world. There are 20 different levels to choose from or a system to automatically adjust it depending on the background noise. It can also allow voices through while blocking other sounds. The headphones produce the sort of rounded, well-controlled and detailed sound you should expect from a market leader. They deliver power and solid bass when needed, while preserving detail across the range with excellent separation of tones. They can be a little clinical in some tracks that require a more raw sound, such as Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit. They have a warm and slightly bass-accentuated profile out of the box that is a great listen, but a full equaliser allows you to adjust the sound to taste. The XM6 also support various sound modes, including a novel background music feature that makes it sound as if you're in a cafe or living room, plus a cinema audio mode for movies. They can also be used with Sony's 360 Reality Audio system or Android's built-in spatial audio system including head tracking with supported phones. The headphones are generally repairable and were praised for a more repairable design by the specialists iFixit. The earcups can easily be removed. The headphones are made with recycled plastic. The Sony WH-1000XM6 cost £399 (€449/$449.99/A$699.95). For comparison, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra cost £350, the Sonos Ace cost £449, the Beats Studio Pro cost £349.99, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless cost £199 and the Fairbuds XL cost £219. Sony has set a new bar for noise cancelling with its sixth-generation 1000X series headphones. The WH-1000XM6 cut out more of the difficult higher-tone noise such as background chatter better than any other rivals. The rest is a refinement on previous models. Quality sound makes them a delight to listen to. They are light and comfortable to wear with good controls. Solid 32-plus-hour battery life, a folding design and an excellent case make them easy to live with. Bose still holds the comfort crown with the QC Ultra, Sony's design is a bit boring and they certainly aren't cheap at £400, even if some rivals cost a lot more. But if you want the best noise cancelling money can buy, the WH-1000XM6 are it. Pros: new best-in-class noise cancelling, great sound, spatial audio, light and comfortable, fold up for travel with great case, Bluetooth multipoint, Bluetooth LE/LC3 support, 32-hour battery life, good controls, good cross-platform control app, more repairable design. Cons: expensive, dull-looking, no water resistance, spatial audio limited with an iPhone.
