The true Apple AirPods Max alternative

What: Sony WH-1000XM6| Worth: Rs 39,990

How I reviewed the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones

I’ve a easy rule when reviewing headphones: I put on them day by day – not as a result of I would like to check them rapidly and rush to a verdict to satisfy a deadline, however as a result of I’m a headphone consumer first. My job turns into simpler once I spend a whole lot of time with a product, taking notes because it nearly turns into an extension of my persona. 

Anyway, the method of utilizing the Sony XM6 wasn’t a lot completely different from different headphones I’ve reviewed in current months. A typical day with headphones begins as early as 6 am, once I go for my morning stroll, a mixture of brisk strolling and operating, with the XM6 over my ears, listening to music. Round lunchtime, I decide them up once more to look at some YouTube movies or hearken to a podcast. Within the night, I take advantage of the headphones as soon as extra throughout one other stroll, both to hearken to music or take calls. And at evening, earlier than calling it a day, I wind down with some meditative music.

Sony has added help for audio sharing and Google’s Gemini Stay conversational AI assistant tp its flagship premium noise-canceling wi-fi headphones. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)

I observe this routine day-after-day, however when I’m touring for work, I find yourself spending much more time with the headphones, particularly on long-haul flights, the place I typically work with them all through the journey or dive into lengthy gaming classes on my Nintendo Swap that may final for hours. To not neglect, I additionally put on headphones between press occasions, whereas transcribing interviews or writing tales on the bottom. Now you’ll be able to think about how a lot of my day is spent with headphones, nearly as a lot as with my cellphone.

What I preferred 

Light-weight and cozy to put on 

One of many issues that annoys me most about trendy headphones is that there’s a restrict to how lengthy they’ll keep on my head. After some time, fatigue kicks in, and also you simply need to take them off. However the XM6 stunned me. I may put on them for a superb chunk of time-at a stretch-without feeling irritated.

Carrying headphones on a brief flight (say, San Francisco to Los Angeles) often isn’t a difficulty. However I typically take lengthy flights, like Dubai to San Francisco or Delhi to New York. Meaning if I’m carrying a pair of headphones, they should be comfy sufficient to put on for your entire period of the flight.

Simply keep in mind, my solely supply of leisure in the course of the flight is the in-flight system (and fortunately, now you can pair your headphones by way of Bluetooth on choose airways) or the gadget I carry alongside. Once I journey, I carry fewer units and should be very selective, however headphones all the time include me.

There are eight microphones on the skin of the 2 earcups and 4 contained in the earcups. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)

The XM6 headphones have acquired a number of design upgrades in comparison with Sony’s earlier flagship cans. The scarf is wider and a bit flatter, rounded ear cups and even the earcup materials (now replaceable by Sony) has been improved, and a folding design. 

Maybe what gained me over was the XM6’s consolation. They weigh 252 grams (in comparison with the AirPods Max’s 388 grams). Actually, each time I’ve them on my head, I actually neglect I’m carrying them. There’s loads of cushioning on the ear pads and headband, which makes these headphones a delight to put on for prolonged durations. They nonetheless function a matte end together with a fingerprint-resistant coating, which I actually preferred.

One other nice side of the design is the hinges on the finish of every sliding arm on the scarf, which let you fold the headphones for simpler carrying and portability. 

The facility button has additionally been up to date to a round, recessed design, making it a lot simpler to find when the XM6 are in your head. It additionally doubles because the pairing button. The fundamental performance stays unchanged, with the left ear cup housing the facility button, 3.5mm headphone jack, and the NC/AMB button. The USB-C port is positioned on the precise ear cup, which additionally homes the contact controls.

Though I’m not an enormous fan of the contact controls, particularly for adjusting quantity on the precise ear cup, I had no points with double-tapping to pause and resume playback. I do want Sony had taken a leaf out of Nothing’s e-book and added a bodily quantity management curler, just like the rubbery wheel you’ll be able to spin, the one seen on the Headphone 1. The XM6 additionally helps put on detection, that means music mechanically pauses when the headphones are faraway from my head.

The redesigned case

The XM6 have that typical Sony aptitude, and I like that. Much more spectacular is the case. Sure, the case. It’s an ordinary hardshell design, however cleverly engineered, with a recessed compartment and material netting that securely holds the headphones in place, in contrast to the flap-style compartment seen within the XM5 case. The brand new case is rounder, extra compact, and travel-friendly, with a magnetic clasp closure. 

Steadiness sound and terrific noise cancellation 

The XM6 mark the return of Sony’s signature sound, and the good audio high quality that had been lacking in the previous couple of iterations of the corporate’s flagship high-end cans. The brand-new 30mm driver does the trick, and this time, it’s each fascinating and engaging.

Once I listened to “Good” by Guru Randhawa, the monitor had a strong punch; you can nearly really feel it. The sound was well-balanced, hanging the right combination between thumping bass and clear vocals. The bass was by no means overpowering; as a substitute, I constantly acquired a punchy low-end all through.

Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” is one other nice instance of how good the XM6 sounds. Each the vocals and instrumentation felt pure and correct, and Swift’s magical voice carried a lot ardour and freshness that you simply immediately join with the artist. “Pure” is the precise phrase to explain the sensation. 

I listened to a wide range of music on the XM6, bouncing between hip-hop, EDM, jazz, classical, and native Indian music, and these headphones can deal with all of it, with or with out ANC activated. In case you are into jazz or classical music, the XM6 maintains the depth, width, and soundstage wanted for these genres. I don’t understand how audiophiles will react to the XM6, since audio is extremely subjective and the listening expertise varies from individual to individual, however if you’re a music lover, you’ll get pleasure from Sony’s new premium cans.

These headphones work seamlessly with my iPhone, Pixel smartphone and OnePlus pill. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)

The XM6 headphones additionally help high-resolution audio, together with a number of hi-res Bluetooth codecs, most notably, LDAC. LDAC, Sony’s main audio coding know-how, transmits roughly 3 times extra information than standard Bluetooth audio, delivering distinctive high-resolution sound high quality.

The XM6 additionally affords Bluetooth multipoint help for connecting two units without delay, Communicate-to-Chat for hands-free instructions, Fast Entry, and Ambient Sound Mode.

As of late, almost each high-end pair of headphones comes with noise cancellation, and the Sony XM6 is not any exception. Nevertheless, every model takes a distinct method to tuning its noise cancellation. That stated, the noise cancelling on the XM6 is simply as efficient because it was on Sony’s earlier era, the XM5. The brand new headphones have achieved a wonderful job blocking out many on a regular basis noises I’ve encountered, akin to a fan, microwave, keys, sounds from buses and scooters, and bulletins at metro stations.

The XM6’s Ambient Sound mode permits you to hear what’s occurring round you. It’s first rate, however I felt it’s not on the identical stage because the Apple AirPods Max’s Transparency Mode. The headphones’ microphones additionally carried out nicely, in line with family and friends, my voice sounded clear throughout cellphone calls all through testing.

The lengthy battery life 

Among the best issues in regards to the Sony XM6 is its spectacular battery life. Sony claims as much as 30 hours of audio playback with noise cancelling enabled, and I skilled roughly the identical. You don’t want to fret about charging them day by day…possibly simply twice every week in the event you hearken to music for an hour or two every day. Nevertheless, if you’re taking a protracted flight lasting over 13 hours, that’s in all probability the one time you’ll want to consider charging them upfront. These headphones additionally help quick charging, providing as much as three hours of playback from simply three minutes of charging.

What I didn’t like 

Sony’s app isn’t polished

I spent a whole lot of time with the XM6, and the one factor that disillusioned me was the app. I recognize that the headphones come filled with options, a few of that are distinctive to the XM6, however the app interface is so clumsy that it makes accessing these options tough.

The glossy hard-shell protector comes with a intelligent pocket inside for cables and adapters. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)

No IP ranking 

The XM6 headphones don’t have sweat or water resistance, identical to the Apple AirPods Max, which suggests you actually should examine the climate earlier than carrying them exterior. I don’t should assume twice when utilizing wi-fi earbuds, however with the XM6, I’m hesitant to take them out even in gentle rain, as they may malfunction. I don’t need to take a danger with a pair of headphones that value Rs 40,000.

How a lot sound are you able to get for Rs 40,000?

I typically get requested whether or not high-end headphones from Sony, Bose, or Apple even qualify as “audiophile-level.” Personally, I don’t assume the query actually issues. In case you are somebody who loves listening to music, travels continuously, and wishes strong noise cancellation, the reality is- the Sony XM6 sounds good. It doesn’t matter whether or not they carry the “audiophile” label or not.

It’s like evaluating knowledgeable digital camera to a smartphone digital camera: on the finish of the day, what issues is whether or not you preferred the photograph. Equally, headphones just like the XM6 provide loads of energy, an impressively vast soundstage, and strong instrument separation.   

Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM6 are distinctive headphones, however don’t purchase them for sound high quality alone, considering you’ll change into an audiophile or immediately begin listening to intricate particulars, particularly contemplating the Rs 40,000 price ticket. Their predominant promoting factors are comfort and quality-of-life enhancements.