It’s getting bloody hard to choose wireless earbuds. Not because there are too few options available—in fact, it’s because there are a lot to choose from, and many of them are very good. But the overcrowded space isn’t going to dissuade Sony from throwing its hat in the ring. If anything, the latest Sony WF-1000XM6 is the company’s attempt to disrupt the competition.
The earbuds come hot off the heels of its big brother, the WH-1000XM6 headphones, which came out just last year. And like the headphones, the XM6 comes bearing new gifts for audio listeners, including a refreshed chip, more noise-cancelling mics, and a new design that helps fit a wider selection of ears.
Previous editions of the XM earbuds line have earned Sony a reputation as one of the leading names for audio, and after using the Sony WF-1000XM6 myself, I feel that that reputation is further cemented. It’s one of the best-sounding devices I’ve used, if not THE best. That being said, it may also not be for everyone.
Design
It’s not often that new editions of tech get bigger in size nowadays, but it is the case for Sony’s sixth generation flagship wireless earbuds. The design of the WF-1000XM6 has been tweaked to be a pill-shaped look that is a little more bulky than the previous generation, mostly to help fit a wider selection of ears.
The earbuds fit my ears pretty well and stay snug inside, but I do have to say, I did feel its presence. The design and size of the XM6 are such that it pushes against the tragus of my ear (had to search for that term!), so I noticed it much more compared to other earbuds I’ve used. Thankfully, it didn’t add to any wearing fatigue even after hours of wearing the earbuds. Unfortunately, for those who like to fall asleep with earbuds on, the XM6s are a no-go as they simply protrude too much and are too bulky to feel comfortable doing so.
One change I do appreciate is the inclusion of a matte texture for the earbuds. The glossy coating on the previous generation was notably infamous for making it more difficult to remove the earbuds from the charging case, so I’m happy to say that this is not a problem with the new matte surface. Plus, it looks more sleek anyway.
Sony’s XM6 are also one of the few earbuds that use foam tips, which, of course, aid with ANC. You’ll also be able to find more foam tips included in the box, varying from XS to L size.
But here’s where it gets contentious. I would consider myself as having average-sized ears and usually opt for medium ear tips for wireless earbuds; the XM6 are the very first earbuds that I’ve had to swap to the large tips to get a perfect fit. I’ve also had a family member try it on, and they couldn’t quite get the right fit, even with the largest size. I can foresee this being a problem for others as well. Third-party foam tips may solve the problem, but that’s an additional cost to an already expensive device.
Once you do manage to get a good fit with your ears, the WF-1000XM6 functions well in terms of usability. Despite having a narrower design, I never had any trouble utilising the touch controls. Whether it be a single tap, triple tap, or long press, the earbuds responded as intended.
I have only one nitpick with its functionality, and that’s with the ANC control. While the Sound Connect app does let me customise the touch controls for each earbud, for the ANC controls, there isn’t an option to turn it off—only to toggle between ANC and Ambient Sound mode. It’s particularly annoying for me as I cycle often, so wind pickup is very noticeable through the ANC and transparency modes. All I want is a quick way to turn it off, but instead, I’m resigned to going through the app first before I set off. Sony, be a friend and do something about this!
Beyond the earbuds, the charging case for the Sony WF-1000XM6 has also received a redesign, though it’s not necessarily for the better. The boxy shape of the case does help it stand upright, but it also makes it more bulky. It’s not exactly a dealbreaker, as the case still fits into my pockets, but it did feel less comfortable to bring around.
Performance
On its audio performance, the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds’ default sound profile is decently satisfying to listen to. There’s a new driver included inside that helps it deliver deeper bass and cleaner mids, which certainly shows. Billie Eilish’s Therefore I Am made for great listening through its punchy beats, while the clarity in the opening drum and guitar sequence in This is How I Disappear by My Chemical Romance heightened my adrenaline more so than other earbuds.
But the best thing about the earbuds is that you can personalise the sound profile even more to your preference. There’s a new 10-band EQ setting (up from 5 on the XM5), which grants finer control over how you’d like the audio to sound. If you are like me though—someone who is a little lazy to fiddle around to find what works best—then there’s a Find Your Equalizer function in the app which does a decent enough job of making a custom EQ for you.
When you finally get the EQ you like, it really feels like the XM6 shows its true potential. I prefer a V-shaped sound signature, and I was thoroughly amazed with the extra rumble delivered on the bass when I got my custom EQ up and running.
Sound performance is one of the highlights of the XM6, but so is noise cancellation. The ANC performance is excellent, almost annoyingly so. The inclusion of the new QN3e chip and increased 8 microphones within the earbuds helps cut off noise within the midrange and low-end frequencies even better, drowning out background chatter in crowded places and rumble from train rides really well whenever I’ve brought it out. It’s to the point where I sometimes lose track of time, all because I’m too engrossed in my music. But of course, getting this level of noise cancellation is also dependent on whether the ear tip fit is good for your ears.
The Ambient Sound mode also works pretty well, almost as if you aren’t wearing the earbuds at all. I’ve had no trouble having conversations while in transparency mode, and the outside noise didn’t have that fake filtered quality to it as some other earbuds have. If there is one slight to it, it’s that it’s still not as good as the AirPods Pro—there’s still some muffle whenever I spoke through the XM6’s transparency mode that the AirPods didn’t have.
While the sound and ANC performance from the Sony WF-1000XM6 have been top-tier, I have also been experiencing some unusual issues during my testing period. Occasionally, I get stuttering audio while using the XM6, similar to if you were to stray too far from your phone while listening to music. It lasts for just a second, but it is jarring.
Initially, I thought that I might have received a faulty device, but the same thing happened even after Sony sent me a new review unit. I’m not quite sure what the cause of this is, but it does happen more frequently whenever I walk through big event spaces. Funan’s atrium was a particular place that triggered it more often. As of writing, Sony is still investigating the issue, and it could very well be something specific to my phone, but I thought it prudent to mention.
Battery
The Sony WF-1000XM6 offers a hefty 8 hours worth of playback with ANC turned on, which is on the higher end compared to other brands of wireless earbuds—it’s been very useful when I’m on a long gameplay session with a low-key title. With the charging case, battery life is extended to 24 hours.
The case can also be charged traditionally with a wire or with a Qi wireless charging pad, which adds flexibility to how you want to bring the earbuds back up to speed.
Verdict
Sony has brought out another outstanding performer with the WF-1000XM6, offering excellent sound and noise cancellation. It’s the device I look for first whenever I am about to go out or simply want to be in the feels with my music library.
But it does come with the caveat that you are able to get a good fit. Getting that perfect seal adds a lot to the listening experience, and I’m not quite sold that the included ear tips can work with everyone. That’s not exactly what you want to experience after forking out a large sum of money for this device.
If audio and sound isolation are of the utmost priority for you, then the Sony WF-1000XM6 is still worth a punt—just see whether you can try it out first before confirming buying it.
Photos by Russell Matthew Loh of the DANAMIC Team.
Sony WF-1000XM6
Pros
- Top-tier Sound Performance
- Excellent ANC
- Customisable EQ to enhance listening experience
- Long Battery Life
Cons
- Bulky Case and Earbuds
- Questionable Fit
- Costlier for its category
