Sony has released a special anniversary edition of its award-winning 1000X noise-cancelling headphones, the WH-1000XX the Collexion, to mark a decade of the series. Priced at £549, they are designed to offer a more luxurious experience than the current flagship WH-1000XM6, with plusher materials and a sleeker design.
The headphones feature 5.3mm thinner ear cups and a more slender headband, covered in high-quality pleather with polished stainless steel arms. The redesigned ear cushions provide more space for the ears and a lighter clamping force, making them one of the most comfortable sets on the market, according to early reviews.
Battery life is 24 hours with noise cancelling active, or up to 32 hours without, with a five-minute charge providing 90 minutes of playback. Connectivity includes Bluetooth 6 with multipoint, a 3.5mm jack, and USB-C charging.
Noise cancelling is powered by the same QN3 chip as the 1000XM6, handling low and mid-tone noise well but falling slightly short on higher-pitch sounds. However, sound quality is a standout feature, with support for LDAC and new DSEE Ultimate upscaling technology, delivering detailed, natural audio with deep bass, warm mids, and sparkling highs.
The headphones also offer spatial audio upmixing for movies and games, though the music mode was less impressive. Call quality is strong in both quiet and noisy environments.
