Sony has launched a special anniversary edition of its award-winning noise-cancelling headphones, the WH-1000XX the Collexion, to celebrate a decade of its 1000X series. Priced at £549, these headphones sit above the standard WH-1000XM6 and compete with luxury rivals such as Apple's AirPods Max 2 and B&W's Px8 S2.
The 1000XX feature a sleeker, more refined design with no hard plastic in sight. They are covered in high-quality pleather, with polished stainless steel arms and redesigned ear cups that offer more space and plusher cushions. The headband spreads weight evenly, and the lighter clamping force ensures comfort without sacrificing stability. The result is one of the most comfortable headphone sets on the market, matching Bose and surpassing many higher-priced competitors.
Battery life is rated at 24 hours with noise cancelling active, or up to 32 hours without, which is sufficient for long journeys but less than the 1000XM6. A five-minute charge provides 90 minutes of playback, and a full charge takes about 3.5 hours. Connectivity includes Bluetooth 6 with multipoint, a 3.5mm jack, and USB-C charging.
Noise cancelling is powered by the QN3 chip, handling low and mid-tone noise well but falling slightly short of the 1000XM6 on higher-pitch sounds. However, sound quality is where the 1000XX excel. They support LDAC and feature DSEE Ultimate AI upscaling, delivering exceptional detail, nuance, and separation across all genres. The bass is deep and expansive, mids are warm and vibrant, and highs are sparkling, creating a natural sound. A 10-band equaliser allows further customisation.
Call quality is very good in both quiet and noisy environments. The spatial audio upmixing for movies and games adds immersion, though the music mode is less impressive. Overall, the 1000XX offer supreme comfort and luxurious sound, but at a premium price that may not justify the upgrade for existing 1000XM6 owners.
