Sony WH-1000XM6 launched with studio-tuned audio better ANC, and a foldable design

Sony WH-1000XM6

Sony has officially launched the WH-1000XM6, the newest iteration in its acclaimed noise-canceling headphone series—and it arrives with upgrades across the board, along with a steeper price tag of $450 (approx. Rs 37,500).

Touted as offering “studio-level accuracy,” the XM6 headphones have been tuned in collaboration with top mastering engineers like Randy Merrill and Mike Piacentini. The 30mm driver now includes a high-rigidity carbon fiber dome and redesigned voice coil, which Sony claims enhances clarity and detail. Audio processing is also smarter, thanks to a new digital-to-analog converter with a look-ahead noise shaper that optimizes dynamic range in real-time.

Codec support covers SBC, AAC, LDAC, and the newer LC3, with DSEE Extreme upscaling and 360 Reality Audio on board. A new “Upmix for Cinema” feature turns standard stereo tracks into spatial audio. There’s still a 3.5mm jack for wired playback, though digital USB-C audio remains absent.

On the noise-canceling front, the XM6 features a massive 12-microphone setup powered by Sony’s new QN3 HD processor—reportedly seven times faster than the XM5’s QN1 chip. This drives the new Adaptive NC Optimizer, which dynamically adjusts to ambient conditions more effectively. Auto Ambient Sound and call quality also see AI-driven improvements, particularly through smarter beamforming mic arrays.

While the XM6’s Rs 37,000+ price might feel steep, older models like the XM5 (Rs 29,000) and XM4 ( Rs 25,000) now offer compelling alternatives—especially for users who don’t need every bleeding-edge feature.