Sony WF-1000XM6 tested: fine-tuning the reference
12.2.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Christian Walker
With the WF-1000XM6, Sony has perfected its recipe for success: better sound, stronger noise cancelling and more wearing comfort. Not a revolution, but evolution.
With the WF-1000XM6, Sony is once again raising the bar for true wireless in-ears. The predecessors were already considered the reference in terms of noise cancelling, sound and range of functions - with the sixth generation, Sony is further refining this recipe for success. The focus is not on spectacular individual features, but on noticeable improvements in all relevant disciplines. Sony has added one or two useful new functions.
Processing and design: unobtrusive but high-quality
At first you might think: this thing is bigger than its predecessor. How can it fit better in the ear? The answer is simple: although the Bud is larger, it is eleven per cent narrower. Sony has designed it as an elongated oval instead of a «lump» like its predecessor.
This corresponds to the shape of the inner ear - the headphones are less compressive. You also feel less pressure in the ear canal, as Sony once again uses memory foam instead of classic silicone for the supplied tips. This means they fit your ear canal better. Sony supplies four sizes.
The surface has a high-quality look, with slightly different textures depending on the colour variant. Sony has eliminated the high-gloss finish of the predecessors - and therefore your fingerprints. You can remove the earphones more easily because they slip less without the gloss. Otherwise, the WF-1000XM6 remain true to their line: they don't want to be a fashion statement, but a precise tool.
The charging case is more angular and larger. I like it because it is clearly symmetrical. The case now supports wireless charging via the Qi2 standard. The buds themselves provide eight hours of charging time, with a further 24 hours in the case.
Free tip: Wear the WF-1000XM6 vertically in your ear. That sounds banal, but it's crucial. In my case, they didn't fit perfectly at first - because I inserted them incorrectly. The full potential only became apparent once they were inserted correctly and vertically: better fit, stronger bass, more effective noise cancelling. A classic case of «RTFM». It is also worth testing the fit of the attachments in the Sound Connect app. I found out that I need a size M attachment on the left, but one in S on the right.
Sound: detailed down to the last hertz
Sony does not rely on showmanship. With the WF-1000XM6, you won't experience a «wow effect» in the first five seconds, but rather a long-term pleasant, very precise sound. This is particularly evident when you specifically test individual frequency ranges with suitable tracks.
Tweeters: brilliant and unagitated
The track contains fine impulses, quiet textures in the background and highly compressed vocals that can quickly come across as sharp. The WF-1000XM6 play extremely cleanly here. The treble is airy and detailed, without any artificial boosting. Sibilants remain controlled, even at higher volumes. A particularly positive aspect is that the upper frequencies retain their clarity even with active noise cancelling. Many in-ears smooth out highs too much to avoid fatigue - here Sony manages the balancing act between precision and long-term suitability.
Midrange: natural, present and harmonious
The mid-range is traditionally one of Sony's greatest strengths - and the WF-1000XM6 confirms this. Adele's voice is clearly in the centre. It is neither set back nor overemphasised, but exactly where you would expect it to be. Instruments such as piano or acoustic guitars benefit from the high resolution in the mid-frequency range. I find it particularly pleasant that voices do not hide even in more complex arrangements. Podcasts, audio books and phone calls sound extremely natural and relaxed.
Low frequency range: deep, structured, not overdone (unless you want it to be)
The track builds slowly, with deep, sustained bass runs that can quickly become muddy. The WF-1000XM6s deliver a mature bass foundation here. The bass reaches deep down and remains clearly contoured. Instead of maximum pressure, you get structure and control. I find the clean separation between sub-bass and lower mids particularly convincing - nothing pushes itself to the fore. If you want more bass, the equaliser in the app can help. The drivers offer enough reserves without the sound tipping over. Ex works, they remain true to their line: powerful, but never dominant.
Sound tuning via app - the «optician test» for the ear
Source: Florian Bodoky
The Sony Sound Connect app offers above-average features. What I find particularly exciting is the function for personalised sound identification, which is reminiscent of an optician's eye test: you listen to different sound profiles and decide which one sounds better or worse. Step by step, the system approaches your personal ideal sound. In practice, this works surprisingly well. The result is subtle but audible - less of an effect, more of a fine-tuning. Ideal for beginners. If you want to intervene more deeply, there is also a freely adjustable 10-band equaliser available.
Background mode - when you need to concentrate
Background mode is another practical feature. If you activate it in the app, the headphones switch from classic headphone mode to a kind of «background noise». You still hear music, but it seems to come from the room - like in a café. That helps me when I'm writing texts because I can concentrate better without having to do without music. You set how «big» the room in which the music is playing should be. The reverb and intensity are adjusted accordingly. Important: This is not a transparency mode. The XM6 continues to actively suppress ambient noise.
Source: Florian Bodoky
Talking on the phone is fun
The XM6 employs eight microphones for noise cancelling and telephony. There are four in each earpiece: two on the outside, two on the inside. Together with the new QN3e ANC processor, they reduce ambient noise by 25 per cent more than its predecessor, according to the manufacturer. I can't measure that. What I do clearly notice, however, is that instead of cutting off sounds harshly, the XM6 reduces them evenly.
The environment appears calmer and more stable, without a feeling of pressure or artificial silence. For phone calls, it also relies on a bone sound sensor. This detects your voice via vibrations in the jaw - regardless of the ambient noise. In this way, it separates your voice from wind and background noise. During the test call, the person I spoke to was extremely satisfied.
Battery: solid and suitable for everyday use
With active noise cancelling, you get up to eight hours of battery life per charge, up to 24 hours in total with the charging case. That's not a record, but it's competitive. I find it particularly practical that the case supports wireless charging according to the Qi2 standard and is also charged via USB-C. In everyday life, you can easily get by for several days without a power socket.
In a nutshell
Good in-ears are getting even better
The WF-1000XM6 is a consistent further development. The sound, noise cancelling, wearing comfort and app functions work together harmoniously to create a well-rounded overall picture. I particularly like the subtle sound improvements and the successful customisation via the app. Once you get used to the correct, vertical fit, they reward you with one of the best true wireless experiences currently available. In short: Sony does almost everything right here.
Pro
- Good sound
- Good app
- Good telephony
Contra
- requires patience at the beginning
- Battery good, but not revolutionary
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
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