Video summary

Sony 1000X Collexion vs XM6: It's NOT Even Close!

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

Sony WH-1000X Collection (1000X) vs Sony WH-1000XM6 (XM6) — a head-to-head review focused on whether upgrading from XM6 is worth it.

Key features mentioned (common + 1000X-specific)

  • LDAC support on both devices.
    • Note: iPhone users won’t get LDAC out of the box; the reviewer used a QCC dongle to unlock LDAC and aptX features.
  • 10-band EQ carried over from XM6.
  • Lossless wired audio requires a 3.5mm stereo cable (not USB-C, per the setup described).
  • Spatial audio is the standout:
    • XM6: excellent cinema mode for TV/movies/gaming/YouTube.
    • 1000X: upgraded to 360 upmix with multiple modes (music/cinema/gaming), plus claimed improvements in driver/sound quality.
  • Noise canceling hardware:
    • Both use Sony QN3 processing.
    • 1000X adds a V3 integrated processor, tied to spatial audio improvements.

Comfort (main pros/cons)

XM6 advantages / issues

  • Pros: Very light at 252.8 g; described as the lightest flagship in its tested category.
  • Cons:
    • Too-strong factory clamping force: takes about 1 month to loosen; still noticeable even after a year.
    • Shallow ear cup interior presses the ears/fabric against the drivers, with heat and wear pressure reported.

1000X advantages / issues

  • Pros:
    • More relaxed clamping force
    • Reworked ear cups with more interior space and an inward angle—ears barely touch the inside.
    • Overall comfort rated higher.
  • Cons:
    • Heavier: 311.2 g (about 58 g more than XM6), noticeable when worn back-to-back.

Comfort scores

  • 1000X: 9.0/10 (could potentially reach 9.5 if clamping relaxes more)
  • XM6: 8.5/10

Features / battery / build & practicality (combined category)

Battery life (clear trade-off)

  • XM6: 30 hrs ANC on / 40 hrs ANC off
  • 1000X: 24 hrs ANC on / 32 hrs ANC off

The reviewer calls this disappointing and below average versus class expectations, citing competitors such as Sennheiser Momentum 4/5/HD 630 with roughly 57–60 hrs.

Build quality & materials (major 1000X win)

The 1000X is praised as “another league” in build:

  • Stainless steel hinges
  • Metal reinforcement on hinges (XM6 still uses more plastic overall, though it’s reinforced)
  • Soft vegan leather described as more premium/realistic than XM6’s more synthetic feel

By contrast, XM6 is described as plasticky/cheap-feeling for its price.

Travel / practicality

  • Both include travel cases.
  • XM6 case is more compact because XM6 folds/collapses, while 1000X does not.
  • Both are considered good daily drivers, but 1000X scores higher overall.

Features / build / practicality scores

  • 1000X: 9.5/10
  • XM6: 9.0/10
  • Main drawback preventing “perfect” for 1000X: battery life below class average.

Noise canceling (controversial; same hardware but different behavior)

  • Both use QN3 processing, with 1000X also having an extra V3 chip.
  • Per the reviewer’s research/testing:
    • 1000X lets through more high frequencies intentionally to preserve sound quality/tonality (a more “transparent” ANC approach).
    • This results in less total noise blocking than XM6—especially for highs.
    • It’s still considered “good enough” for everyday use and audio/video.

Noise canceling scores

  • XM6: 10/10
  • 1000X: 9.5/10 (downgraded from perfect; reviewer hopes a future firmware update could bring it closer to XM6 behavior)

Comparison made

  • XM6 is described as one of the top ANC performers, “only second” to AirPods Max 2 (ranked #1 by the reviewer).

Sound quality (where the reviewer disagrees with some consensus)

The reviewer expected 1000X to sound essentially the same as XM6 (mostly comfort/cosmetic refresh). Instead, they reported major differences:

  • 1000X: sounds wider, with better soundstage and a more balanced/neutral/smooth/linear profile.
  • XM6: described as warmer/darker neutral-ish but muddy (bass bleeds into mids) and includes a treble peak causing sibilance.

Other notes:

  • The reviewer emphasizes tuning accuracy and improvements:
    • 1000X is said to have reworked drivers, improving clarity/fidelity.
    • 1000X allegedly performs well out of the box with LDAC and needs less EQ.
    • XM6 is said to require LDAC + 10-band EQ to sound “satisfactory.”
  • Potential caveat: perceived “differences” may depend on whether listeners truly use full LDAC high-res.

Sound quality scores

  • 1000X: 9.1/10
  • XM6: 8.7/10

The score includes LDAC + 10-band EQ + cinema mode, which the reviewer states is better on 1000X.

Value / pricing

  • XM6: $398 on Amazon (retail $458)
  • 1000X: retail $649.99 (new)

Reviewer’s take:

  • 1000X isn’t “incredible value,” but is worth it as an all-in-one package if you can afford it.
  • If you want best sound quality per dollar, the reviewer suggests other options (example: Sennheiser HD 630 for $500).
  • However, since XM6 is about $250 less on sale, the reviewer says they’d have “no problem” paying for XM6—especially since they personally use XM6 heavily already.

Value scores

  • 1000X: 8.0/10
  • XM6: 8.0/10

Both are “worth it,” but neither is “best value.”

Overall scores & verdict

Overall (rounded) scores

  • 1000X: 9.1/10
  • XM6: 8.9/10

Concise verdict

  • Recommendation: If you can afford it, upgrade to the Sony 1000X Collection.
  • The reviewer claims the 1000X fixes all key XM6 problems except:
    • heavier weight
    • less battery life
  • Biggest upgrade drivers:
    • comfort (reworked cups/clamp)
    • spatial audio / cinema mode (360 upmix)
    • improved sound quality/tuning
  • Caution: expect slightly reduced ANC effectiveness (especially highs), though firmware could potentially improve it.

Unique points mentioned about the product(s)

  1. 1000X is 58 g heavier than XM6; weight is noticeable.
  2. XM6 comfort issues: strong clamp force (~1 month to loosen; still felt after a year) and shallow ear cups causing pressure.
  3. 1000X comfort fixes: relaxed clamping + more/angled interior space → barely touches ears.
  4. Both support LDAC; iPhone needs a workaround/dongle for LDAC/aptX features.
  5. Both include 10-band EQ, and lossless wired requires 3.5mm cable.
  6. Spatial audio is a major differentiator: 1000X has 360 upmix and improved cinema/gaming modes.
  7. Practicality note: spatial audio may work with pass-through on non-Apple TV devices (contrasted with some AirPods behavior).
  8. Battery is a major trade-off: XM6 lasts longer (ANC and non-ANC).
  9. Build quality: 1000X praised for stainless hinges + reinforcement + premium vegan leather; XM6 criticized as cheap-feeling/plasticky.
  10. Noise canceling: despite the same QN3 chip, 1000X allows more highs intentionally → slightly less effective ANC.
  11. Hope for a firmware update to match XM6 ANC aggressiveness.
  12. Sound quality differences are substantial: 1000X is wider, cleaner, more neutral, smooth treble, with improved resolution/separation/detail via driver redesign.
  13. XM6 sound issues (per reviewer): muddy bass/mid bleed and treble sibilance peak.
  14. Value: both are “worth it,” but not incredible value; 1000X is mainly justified by all-in-one improvements.

Speaker breakdown

  • Single primary reviewer throughout; no separate distinct speakers indicated in the subtitles.

Original video