Summary
- Sony’s new XM6 headphones may debut as soon as next week.
- The WH-1000XM6 will apparently feature a faster QN3 chip for enhanced noise cancellation and sound quality.
- The headphones could cost $50 more in the US.
Despite launching three years ago, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is still the flagship headphone to beat. They deliver exceptional sound quality and ANC that rivals cannot match. In the tech world, though, three years is almost a lifetime, and despite no major shortcomings, Sony’s flagship headphones are starting to show their age. A new leak has now spilled the beans on the much-anticipated WH-1000XM6, including its potential release date and steep price.
Reddit user peruho first spotted the listing of the Sony WH-1000XM6 on Amazon Spain, and while it was quickly taken down, the team at Dealabs managed to retrieve the full specifications.
Sony’s upcoming flagship headphones will use an HD QN3 processor, which is reportedly up to seven times faster than the QN1 chip used in the WH-1000XM5. Sony seems set to skip a generation and go straight to QN3, as it never used a QN2 processor on its headphones.
The headphones will also supposedly feature an advanced Digital-to-Analog converter that reduces distortion and delivers a more immersive sound quality. They will also house six AI-powered beamforming microphones, which should help with voice call quality and noise cancellation.
Other features include adaptive noise cancellation, Hi-Res audio streaming with LDAC codec support, Speak to Chat, Wind Noise reduction, and personalized Spatial Audio. The headphones will also purportedly feature Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connection, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm jack.
The battery life on the new model will seemingly remain unchanged, with a runtime of up to 30 hours. A quick 3-minute charge would be enough to provide three hours of use.
Sony WH-1000XM6 might be all about the QN3
Based on the leaked specs, the most significant upgrade on the WH-1000XM6 appears to be the new QN3 processor. Its faster performance should help with noise cancellation and sound quality.
Sony introduced a fresh look with the WH-1000XM5, and while functional, it came with a major drawback: the headphones no longer fold. As a result, they’re noticeably bulkier to carry, especially when stored in their case. Hopefully, Sony will address this drawback with the XM6s.
The next-gen premium Sony headphones may retail for $450 in the US, making them $50 more than the XM5s. Without a noticeable improvement in sound quality and ANC, though, it may be hard to justify the steep price tag, especially since the XM5s are almost always available with a $50 to $100 discount.
If money isn’t a concern, you’ll be glad to know that Sony’s next flagship headphones could launch between May 14 and 16. In the UK, the headphones will apparently cost 400 GBP.
