Sony WH-1000XM6 review: An audio heavyweight with a few caveats

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

It's been three years since Sony released the last iteration of its revered WH-1000X series over-ear headphones, and there couldn't be bigger shoes to fill.

The WH-1000XM5 are considered by consumers and industry experts to be some of the best headphones on the market, with high marks for their comfort, sound, software features, and excellent noise-canceling capabilities.

Also: Are open-ear headphones viable in 2025? This pair made a bold statement at first listen

Now, the WH-1000XM6 are here, positioned as Sony's most advanced (and expensive) consumer headphones to date. But with so many fabulous headphones on the market and the XM5 being as good as they are, is the upgrade worth nearly $500? Let's find out.

How do they sound?

The XM6 feature Sony's typical warm and smooth sound profile, characterized by minimal peaks and ...