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For audiophiles who love the sound of silence along with their music, the Sony noise-canceling headphones are the ones to beat — and yet we tap our fingers as we wait for the highly anticipated Sony WH-1000XM6.
After a decade of Bose winning the headphone race, Sony famously unveiled the WH-1000XM3 in August 2018. The much-loved XM4 followed two years later in August 2020, dethroning the Bose QuietComfort 35 as the tech favorite with the admirable XM5 in 2022.
When can we wrap the XM6 model around our ears? We think we are waiting until around mid-2025, but until then, we round up the latest rumors.
Key Takeaways
- Sony WH-1000XM6’s expected release date is May 2025 — nearly three years on from the admired XM5.
- Rumors suggest a return to the much-loved foldable design, and we hope to see the inclusion of Audeze planar magnetic drivers.
- It is possible we will see AI-driven audio adjustments, but audiophiles might prefer more manual control.
- We expect Sony WH-1000XM6’s price to be in the $400 – $500 range — with the older model (XM5) receiving a price cut in November 2024.
What Is the Sony WH-1000XM6?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the incoming model of noise-cancelation headphones, building on the wildly successful XM5 with an improved design, longer battery life, and next-gen noise cancellation.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are currently the best all-rounder noise-canceling wireless headphones, but they are over two years old and expected to be replaced soon.
There is no room for complacency from Sony. It is a market where some fans will pay $400 – $600 for headphones, and many have complained about the inability to fold the current top models, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Apple’s AirPods Max.
Hopefully, this will be something Sony will rectify with the release of the new Sony WH-1000XM6. But what else can we expect?
Sony WH-1000XM6 Expected Release Date
With no official announcements from Sony, we believe the lack of high-profile leaks means we are most likely to see the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones in May 2025. We arrived at this by playing detective and following a trail of clues.
NO SONY XM6 SERIES IN 2024
As we were already getting a hunch that there has been no FCC listings or any sort of updates regarding the XM6 we can finally confirm that there will be NO successor to the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 this year . It will be coming in the FIRST HALF of… pic.twitter.com/rPC4Jiy041
— INSIDER SONY (@INSIDERSONY) June 4, 2024
The first part of this proved to be true with new LinkBuds models launching in October 2024, which could mean the premium range gets a release in the first half of 2025.
That also means a sequel to Sony’s slinkier cousins, the WF-1000XM5 wireless noise-canceling earbuds could also be on the horizon along the same timeline. They were first launched in May 2023, so it would constitute a quicker turnaround than the WH-1000XM5.
It is also worth mentioning that both XM5 ranges underwent price cuts, which could suggest Sony is looking to clear stock ahead of a next-gen release.
The latest release information came out at the end of last year. The Walkmanblog uncovered import information from Vietnam that could be the WH-1000XM6.
Initially, it was thought to be the new WH-CH730N, but that was manufactured in China, which led to further digging. The next update confirmed Vietnam was the import location, not where the product was made. The place of export was Malaysia, where the previous models of the WH-1000XM series were made.
Below is the import information. The code references and YY2984 model number are unlikely to mean much to anyone who hasn’t worked on the headphones at Sony, but the timing could hint at the release window. This type of testing can happen anywhere from three to six months ahead of a launch, which could be further confirmation of a May 2025 release for the WH-1000XM6.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Features
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE) acquisition of Audeze is another small clue as to why there is a longer wait for the Sony WH-1000XM6.
Its planar magnetic drivers are expected to improve sound and noise canceling features and secure a footing in the increasingly lucrative gaming headset market.
Sony noise canceling, combined with Audeze’s planar magnetic drivers, would deliver the moment that makes it stand out from the rest of the market.
It’s important to distinguish that the acquisition initially seems more about gaming headsets than their consumer models. Still, the prospect of a crossover to make this happen would be exciting.
At a time when every brand is obsessed with AI everywhere, it’s pretty easy to predict we will see additional AI features in the Sony WH-1000XM6. But, there is an increasing disconnect between brands going all in on AI and the customer experience.
When it comes to an expensive new pair of headphones, many audiophiles prefer to manage their own ANC rather than have AI decide the level they should get.
A welcome return to the foldable earcup design reminiscent of the XM4 would be a big hit with users. With some online complaining that the XM5s were uncomfortable, larger, deeper earcups for long-haul flights and longer listening sessions would be another quick win.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 should feature a series of minor improvements. One obvious area of improvement would be better water and sweat resistance, potentially with an IPX4 or IP54 rating. With all devices moving to USB-C, we also hope to see a USB-C port for not just charging but also connecting audio.
We will also take any boost in battery life over the XM5’s claimed 30 hours of music playback (user comments suggest 20 hours of playback was a more realistic expectation).
Sony WH-1000XM6 Expected Price
Nearly four years have passed since Apple shocked the world with a seemingly ludicrous launch price of $549 for the AirPods Max. Fast forward to 2024, and we have the $599 Master & Dynamic MW75 and $699 for the Bowers & Wilkins Px8.
The price of premium headphones is on the rise, and although we would love to see the Sony WH-1000XM6 launched for $400, it could be anywhere between $400 and $500.
The Bottom Line
Sony currently has the best noise-canceling headphones on the market, with the WH-1000XM5, but these much-loved cans will be three years old by May of next year. The competition is catching up, and all eyes will be on whether Sony can maintain its top spot with the release of the WH-1000XM6 next year.
Top of our wishlist would be a foldable WH-1000XM6 with improved active noise cancellation (ANC), a more comfortable fit, and Audeze’s planar magnetic drivers for under $500 as the cherry on the cake. It’s a big ask, but these are just a few of the things we are wishing for at Techopedia Towers.
FAQs
When is the Sony WH-1000XM6 coming out?
What are the 2025 Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones?
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References
- Sony YY2984 – New Wireless Headset Appears (update 2) (The Walkman Blog)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment to Acquire Audeze, a Leader in Audio Technology and Developer of Award-winning Headphones for Gaming (Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- INSIDER SONY on X (X)
