I tested Sony's new premium headphones, and they define practical luxury for me

2026-05-19 · Source: News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET · Field: Technology & Digital — Internet of Things (IoT) & Connected Devices · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, medium

Summary

Sony has released the 1000X The Collexion, a special-edition over-ear headphone priced at $650, commemorating a decade of its 1000X-series. This model builds upon the WH-1000XM6, featuring a sleeker design with polished and brushed metal accents, slimmer earcups, a wider headband, and thicker ear pads for enhanced comfort. Internally, it boasts a unidirectional carbon driver for reduced distortion and a new V3 chip processor running DSEE Ultimate for advanced audio upscaling, surpassing DSEE Extreme. While it offers two new spatial audio modes, its noise cancellation, powered by the QN3 processor, is on par with the Sonos Ace or WH-1000XM5, but slightly less advanced than the XM6. The headphones weigh 320g, lighter than Apple's 386g AirPods Max 2, and come with an innovative carrying case that includes a handle.

Key takeaway

For consumers weighing high-end headphone purchases, if you prioritize style, enhanced comfort, and superior audio quality without ecosystem lock-in, the Sony 1000X The Collexion is a strong contender. However, if battery life and peak noise cancellation are your primary concerns, and aesthetics are secondary, you might find the more affordable WH-1000XM6 a better fit for everyday use.

Key insights

Sony's 1000X The Collexion offers premium design and enhanced audio over the WH-1000XM6 at a higher price.

Principles

• Premium materials enhance perceived luxury and comfort.
• Driver design impacts sound clarity and distortion.
• Advanced upscaling improves audio quality.

Method

Sony upgraded the 1000X The Collexion with a unidirectional carbon driver and a V3 chip running DSEE Ultimate for superior sound and reduced distortion, alongside a revamped design for comfort and aesthetics.

In practice

• Consider unidirectional carbon drivers for audio clarity.
• Prioritize DSEE Ultimate for audio upscaling.
• Evaluate headphone comfort for long-term use.

Topics

• Sony 1000X The Collexion
• Luxury Headphones
• Audio Technology
• Headphone Design
• Noise Cancellation

Best for: General Interest, Product Manager, Tech Journalist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET.