When I reviewed the Sony WH-1000XM6 for the first time, my conclusion was fairly straightforward: if noise cancellation mattered above everything else, these were the headphones to beat. Months later, that assessment has not really changed.
The XM6 still sound excellent. There is real weight to the bass without it overwhelming the mix, vocals come through with warmth and clarity, and busy tracks retain enough detail that you can still notice the smaller instruments and production touches. They work just as well for a long music session as they do for films, flights and the daily commute. More importantly, they remain headphones I actively want to use.
Sony’s ANC is still among the finest you can get, while the transparency mode is genuinely useful rather than an afterthought. Battery life remains reassuringly strong, and the return of the folding design makes these far easier to pack than their predecessor.
There are, however, a couple of frustrations that have become clearer over time. The clamp is still a touch firmer than I would prefer, while my biggest complaint is oddly tied to the feature Sony does best: noise cancellation.
So, after months of use, are the WH-1000XM6 still worth nearly ₹40,000?
Sony WH-1000XM6 Long-Term Review: Design
After several months of commuting, flights and being repeatedly packed into bags, the Sony WH-1000XM6 have held up extremely well. The construction still feels reassuringly sturdy, and the folding hinges have not developed any looseness or creaking. That is particularly important here, given how often these are likely to be carried around.
At roughly 254g, the XM6 look a little more substantial than they actually feel. They are not featherweight, but they are far more manageable than Apple’s AirPods Max. Put the two side by side and the difference is obvious: Sony’s headphones are much easier to wear through a film, a long playlist or a workday.
The ear cushions have aged well too. They remain plush, sit comfortably around the ears and create a good seal before the active noise cancellation even gets involved. They do get warm after extended listening, but that is a familiar compromise with leatherette-style over-ear pads. Unless a headphone uses fabric cushions, some warmth is almost inevitable.
Sony also made the right call by reviving the folding mechanism. The XM5 were awkward to pack because of their fixed design, whereas these fold down neatly into the supplied case. The magnetic closure on that case is a small but genuinely useful touch.
Comfort is where the experience becomes less straightforward. The headband cushioning is fine, though the older XM4 still had the better-padded design. More noticeably, the clamp remains tighter than I would like. It may have eased slightly with use, but after a few hours, the pressure around my head is still hard to ignore.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Long-Term Review: Noise Cancellation
The WH-1000XM6 remain exceptional when it comes to active noise cancellation. Sony’s QN3 processor and 12-microphone array make short work of the familiar low-frequency sounds: aircraft hum, air conditioners, traffic and the steady rumble of a train. What has impressed me more over time is their ability to reduce sounds that are less constant.
Conversations nearby, office keyboards, station announcements and the general chaos of a commute are all pushed much further away than you would expect. You are not placed in complete silence, of course, but the XM6 make it remarkably easy to focus on music, a film or simply your own thoughts.
Transparency mode is equally strong. It is Sony’s most convincing effort yet, with voices sounding natural and environmental noise coming through clearly enough to have a quick chat without taking the headphones off.
There is one caveat, and it is a personal one. I remain sensitive to the pressure-like sensation created by aggressive ANC, and the XM6 have not changed that. The technology is outstanding, but anyone who finds ANC uncomfortable should try these before committing.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Long-Term Review: Sound Quality
Put on a good track and most of the WH-1000XM6’s minor frustrations become much easier to forgive. Sony’s tuning remains one of the most enjoyable in this category, offering warmth, solid bass and a level of detail that keeps music engaging across genres.
The low end is abundant, but it has better definition than the bass on the WH-1000XM4. It adds heft without becoming a shapeless thud, and that lets the rest of the track stay intact. Ghost’s Mary on a Cross is an excellent showcase for this. The bassline has proper presence, yet there is still clarity around the vocals and instrumentation.
The same balance carries over to French Montana’s Unforgettable and Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd’s Moth to a Flame. These are tracks where bass can easily dominate, but the XM6 retain enough separation for background textures and smaller elements to remain audible. With Arctic Monkeys’ Do I Wanna Know?, the headphones capture the dense weight of that signature guitar line while giving the drums enough force to make the song feel lively.
Sony also handles vocals very well. Adele’s Rolling in the Deep and Skyfall sound clear, textured and controlled, without the higher notes becoming tiring. Arijit Singh’s catalogue is similarly rewarding, as his vocals stay well placed in the mix without pushing the accompanying instruments too far back.
The XM6 are not only for music. They make films and shows more immersive too. Watching Dhurandhar 1 and Dhurandhar 2, I could pick up on background effects and ambient sounds that would often blur together on less capable headphones. Their soundstage remains fairly close and intimate, rather than vast. But given these are portable, wireless noise-cancelling headphones, the overall sound is outstanding.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Long-Term Review: Battery And Features
Sony’s claimed 30-hour battery life with ANC enabled has held up well in everyday use. Even after months with the WH-1000XM6, charging is rarely something I need to plan around. They comfortably last through commutes, work sessions and travel, which is exactly what a premium pair of noise-cancelling headphones should do.
Fast charging is another real advantage. Sony says just three minutes of charging can deliver hours of playback, and it remains one of those features that proves its worth in a hurry. If you notice the headphones are low moments before leaving home, a brief top-up can be enough to get you through the day.
There are two areas where the XM6 feel less forward-looking. First is the battery. Given the price and the otherwise durable construction, a replaceable battery would have made a great deal of sense. The headphones are built well enough to remain usable for years, but like most wireless audio products, declining battery health will eventually limit their lifespan.
The second issue is USB-C audio. Sony retains the 3.5mm port, so wired playback is still possible when the battery dies. However, phones increasingly lack headphone jacks, while USB-C is now standard almost everywhere. Letting users connect via USB-C and listen without Bluetooth would have been a far more useful implementation.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Long-Term Review: Verdict
Living with the WH-1000XM6 for several months has not radically changed my view of them. It has simply made their strengths and weaknesses easier to understand.
Sony still delivers outstanding sound, phenomenal active noise cancellation and one of the best transparency modes in the business. Battery life remains excellent, the construction has proved durable, and bringing back the folding hinge makes these much more practical for travel than the XM5.
There are familiar limitations. The clamp remains firmer than I would prefer, while the ANC pressure effect can be genuinely unpleasant for those sensitive to it. USB-C audio should be present on headphones this expensive, and long-term battery replacement deserves more attention too.
Even so, the XM6 have earned their place in my daily rotation long after the review period ended. For anyone who wants exceptional ANC and richly enjoyable sound in one portable package, they remain a superb choice.
