Sony’s latest noise-cancelling headphones are here, the WH-1000XM6, and while they might look a lot like the XM5s, the upgrades under the hood could make a real difference.
Announced on 15 May 2025, they stick to Sony’s minimalist redesign introduced with the XM5 — no folding hinges, just smooth curves and plenty of padding. But this year’s model adds smarter active noise cancelling thanks to a new QN3 processor, more microphones (12, up from 8), and what Sony calls “scene-based listening” — a feature that tries to learn and predict your noise preferences based on where you are.
More mics, faster chip, smarter silence
Noise cancelling is the headline feature, as always, and Sony says the XM6 does it better than ever. The new chip processes noise faster and works with more microphones, and the headphones can now automatically adjust based on your environment — whether you’re on a plane, at a coffee shop, or walking around Joburg’s city centre.
Sony’s also made the sound profile cleaner and more “studio-accurate”, thanks to input from Grammy-winning engineers. It’s the kind of detail audiophiles will care about — but most people will probably just notice the punchier bass and clearer vocals.
Calls should sound better, too. Sony is using six beamforming mics and AI voice isolation to reduce background noise, and there’s finally a dedicated mute button.
Same look, slightly better fit
Design-wise, Sony’s playing it safe. The XM6 looks almost identical to the XM5 — and that’s probably fine, since the XM5 was already more comfortable than its foldable predecessors. The new model tweaks the materials slightly and uses a metal hinge for better durability, but the core shape and feel remain the same.
You still get 30 hours of battery life, fast charging (3 minutes = 3 hours), and multipoint connectivity. LE Audio and Auracast support are here, too — useful if you’re into low-latency audio or plan to share sound between devices.
And yes, there’s a Post Malone ad campaign, because of course there is.
Coming soon
The Sony WH-1000XM6 will be available in Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue, and hits stores in South Africa in August 2025 for R10,999.