Sony has released a special anniversary edition of its award-winning noise-cancelling headphones, the WH-1000XX the Collexion, to celebrate a decade of the 1000X series. These headphones are designed to be plusher, slimmer, and more comfortable than ever, aiming for a more luxurious experience rather than replacing the current flagship WH-1000XM6.
Design and Comfort
The 1000XX feature a sleek design with polished stainless steel arms and high-quality pleather, eschewing hard plastics. The ear cups are 5.3mm thinner and offer more space for ears, while the headband spreads weight evenly. This results in exceptional comfort, among the best in class.
Specifications and Battery
- Weight: 320g
- Drivers: 30mm
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 6 with multipoint, 3.5mm, USB-C charging
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
- Battery: 24 hours with ANC, 32 hours without; fast charge gives 90 minutes in 5 minutes
Noise Cancelling and Sound Quality
Using the QN3 chip from the 1000XM6, noise cancelling is very good but not the best on the market, particularly for high-pitched sounds. However, sound quality is exceptional, with support for LDAC and DSEE Ultimate upscaling. The headphones deliver detailed, natural audio with deep bass, warm mids, and sparkling highs, excelling with classical and jazz.
Features and Controls
The left ear cup hosts power, noise cancelling, and sound mode buttons, while the right has USB-C and a touch panel for playback. The Sony Connect app provides a 10-band equalizer. Spatial audio upmixing is available for movies and games, though the music mode is less impressive. Call quality is clear in all environments.
Sustainability
The headphones use 25% recycled plastic, have replaceable ear cups, and a screwed-in battery designed for serviceability, with a battery care mode to prolong life.
Price and Verdict
Priced at £549 (€629/$649/A$1,000), the 1000XX sit above the £349 1000XM6 and compete with luxury rivals like Apple AirPods Max 2 and B&W Px8 S2. They offer fantastic sound, supreme comfort, and a refined aesthetic, but lack water resistance, do not fold, and have inferior noise cancelling compared to the 1000XM6. For those prioritizing sound quality and comfort over absolute noise cancelling, they are an excellent choice.
