Sony’s WH-1000X series over-ear headphones have become synonymous with noise-canceling, and it all started with the MDR-1000X, which are coincidentally turning 10 years old later this year. To mark the occasion, Sony is releasing a new pair of flagship headphones and if you thought they would come with a normal name, think again.
Sony’s WH-1000X The ColleXion (pronounced the collection) slots in as the top-of-the-line entry in the WH-1000X series. While they share key components and features with the WH-1000XM6, the new pair offers several enhancements, including a more premium build.
Sony went with a synthetic leather build for the ear cup housing, paying homage to the MDR-1000X. In addition, Sony went with deeper and wider ear pads as well as a larger headband for added comfort. The sides feature stainless steel yokes (hinges) with the same material extending on top of the headband.
Sadly, the new headphones have lost the ability to fold and only swivel inwards like the WH-1000XM5. Sony is also bringing a new case that has an integrated grip handle. The ColleXion also features three buttons, all located on the left ear cup housing, with the power and ANC/ambient mode controls joined by a new spatial mode switch.
Sony has added 360 Upmix support with spatial audio profiles for music, cinema, and gaming. You are also getting native support for DSEE Ultimate audio upscaling, which leverages AI to reproduce lost sound frequencies.
The ColleXion features the same-sized 30mm drivers as the XM6, but Sony is using soft-edge drivers, which are claimed to bring better bass and noise canceling. In addition, Sony claims it optimized the internal circuit board layout, which allowed it to fit a thicker copper substrate, resulting in richer detail, wider soundstage and greater sound depth.
Sony also co-tuned its new headphones with mastering engineers from Battery Studios, Sterling Sound and Coast Mastering.
Elsewhere, the headphones feature a total of 12 microphones split between the two sides with adaptive ANC and beamforming for precise voice pickup. They also feature the same QN3 Noise Canceling Processor as on the XM6s, but the ColleXion is getting a new V3 integrated processor, which Sony claims will offer improved ANC performance and sound processing.
In terms of battery life, the ColleXion is rated at up to 24 hours of battery life with ANC on and up to 32 hours with ANC off. These numbers are lower than the WH-1000XM6’s 30 hours of playback with ANC on and 40 hours with ANC off.
The ColleXion is offered in black and white colors. They will retail for $649/€629/£549, making them $200/€180/£150 more expensive than the XM6s at launch.