Very recently, Sony released its latest headphones, the WH-1000XM6. These headphones are superb. Many journalists and influencers have praised them. However, a question arises. How do they stack up against their predecessors? The XM5 and XM4 were already exceptional headphones. So, does this new version justify its price? Is it better to opt for an older, perhaps cheaper, model?

In this article, I won’t just list the technical specs. I want to offer you concrete feedback. Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 better because it’s the newest and most expensive? Or can an XM4 still satisfy most users? And the XM5, how does it position itself between these two benchmarks? Because, for me, the XM4 was a better option than the XM5 at the time.

Prices: A Clear Initial Distinction

Let’s start by clarifying the prices. The Sony WH-1000XM6 has just been released. It is priced at €450. Next to it, we have the XM5, launched in 2022. Its current price is €329. Finally, there’s the XM4. I personally acquired mine for €170 refurbished. You can find it new on Amazon for around €270. So, don’t worry. It’s easy to find it around the €200 mark. With these prices established, we have a good basis for comparison.

Design and Finish: The Aesthetic Evolution

In terms of design, I find all three headphones very well-finished. Yes, some might find them a bit “plasticky” compared to the competition. But honestly, it’s acceptable.

The XM4: Robustness and Classic Design

Look at my XM4. It has seen some use since its release. Yet, it remains very sturdy. I observe a visibly older design on the XM4 than on the other two. True, it feels a bit less “premium” than the newer models. But frankly, looking at it, it’s still very presentable. The XM4’s arms recall an older style. They resemble those of gaming headsets. Despite this, the XM4 remains solid. For example, since I’ve had it, I only have some minor wear on the faux leather on the plastic. That’s it. Otherwise, it’s practically like new, apart from a few scratches from falls. When you look at the foam all around, it’s still very well preserved. It’s very surprising. When I press on it, it always bounces back.

XM5 and Sony WH-1000XM6: A Shared Modern Aesthetic

As for the XM5 and Sony WH-1000XM6, they clearly share similar lines. It’s almost the same headset with a few minor differences. The Sony WH-1000XM6 actually regains an option that the XM5 had lost compared to the XM4. So, we have two sleek and modern designs. I just observe a slight change in the power and volume buttons on the Sony WH-1000XM6. The XM5 had kept the same buttons as the XM4.

Headband Foam: Notable Differences

Now, let’s examine the headband foam. On the sleeker designs (XM5 and Sony WH-1000XM6), it’s much thinner than on the XM4. To the touch, the Sony WH-1000XM6‘s headband feels less comfortable. You directly feel the headband’s structure. It’s clearly the headset with the thinnest foam there.

This might bother some people on the crown of their head after long listening sessions. The headphones might start to feel heavy. Regarding the XM5, it’s the same principle as the XM6 for the headband foam. It’s a bit more padded. It’s a bit thicker, but not a game-changer. For the XM4, as you might have seen, the foam is much, much thicker. To illustrate, on the XM4, it’s really denser. You have a comfortable margin compared to the other two. On the XM6 and XM5, it’s quite similar. Wearing the Sony WH-1000XM6, I already feel the headband. With the XM5, I still have a bit of cushioning.

Arm Maneuverability

As I was saying, the Sony WH-1000XM6 and XM4 have an additional advantage. Their arms retract. On the XM5, for some unknown reason, this option was gone. The XM5 is therefore a more rigid headset. It is also less maneuverable.

Comfort: Which Adapts Best?

The question is: which is the most comfortable? First, regarding weight, the three generations are very close. They all weigh around 250 grams. So, on this point, the difference won’t be a factor. You won’t feel a noticeable weight variation on your head.

My Personal Comfort Ranking

So, in my opinion, which are the most comfortable headphones? In first place, I put the XM5. I’m talking about comfort when the headphones are on the ears. Second, I place the Sony WH-1000XM6. Its approach is very similar to the XM5’s. And in last position, I rank the XM4. I find them the least comfortable of the three.

Sensations on Ears and Head

For the XM5 and Sony WH-1000XM6, the comfort approach is very similar. They both envelop the ears much better than the XM4. It’s really very pleasant for long journeys. Around the neck, however, they don’t fit very snugly. This remains true even when fully loosening the headband. But why place the XM5 ahead of the Sony WH-1000XM6? It’s because with the Sony WH-1000XM6, I feel the internal mechanism in my ears after a while. The drivers, the microphones, I perceive them eventually. On long flights where I sleep with the headphones on, I feel it. It can become painful.

Flexibility and Fit

Then, if you’re looking for more maneuverable and flexible headphones, the XM4 does a bit better. The XM5 and XM6 are really rigid. You almost fear breaking them when adjusting them. For larger heads, I find the XM4 more suitable. But to return to why I ranked them last for overall comfort: in transit, I feel the mechanism in my ears even more than with the Sony WH-1000XM6. For 13-hour flights, it becomes unbearable. Eventually, you take them off.

Noise Cancellation: Technology in Action

The overall quality of the three headphones is really good. Even if the finishes are a bit less premium than some competitors. I’m mainly talking about the latest version, the Sony WH-1000XM6. Because when you look at the XM4, given its price, there’s nothing better on the market.

The Striking Evolution of Noise Cancellation

Now, let’s talk about noise cancellation. Clearly, comparing the Sony WH-1000XM6 and XM4, there’s a world of difference. You see the technological evolution between generations. I tested this in three different environments. I cranked up the speakers. Sorry, neighbors! Of course, during these tests, I played with the three modes: ambient, off, and active noise cancellation. This way, you can clearly perceive the difference. And I admit, I much prefer the Sony WH-1000XM6 on this point. Furthermore, by design, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones already offer better passive sound isolation.

Connectivity: The Little Extras That Count

Alright, let’s talk a bit about connectivity. Approximately, they offer similar options. You’ll find a jack on all models. Besides that, only the Sony WH-1000XM6 can be used while charging. They all have a USB Type-C port.

Bluetooth and Specific Features

They all integrate Bluetooth, with different generations. For example, the latest, the Sony WH-1000XM6, has Bluetooth 5.3. The XM5 has Bluetooth 5.2. The XM4 has Bluetooth 5.0. But where the Sony WH-1000XM6 has a huge advantage is with the Auracast feature. This allows you to stream your music to multiple compatible devices. On another note, the XM4 is the only one with NFC. However, this technology isn’t very useful today.

Battery Life: Similar Endurance

Regarding battery life, it’s practically the same for all three models. It’s nothing revolutionary compared to the competition. But it’s more than enough. It’s amply sufficient for a round trip from Paris to Shanghai. And even to last a week with moderate use. Let’s get back to practicality.

Call Quality: Being Heard Clearly

The other question concerns audio call quality. Are they good? I recorded three different audio tracks to evaluate this. I conducted tests outdoors. Included wind and ambient noises. Each headset was subjected to the same conditions. Overall, they all perform honorably. However, the newer models seem to benefit from improvements. The Sony WH-1000XM6, notably, offers appreciable clarity for the person on the other end.

Audio Quality: The Sound Verdict

Now, the most interesting part: what’s the audio like?

Supported Audio Technologies and Codecs

Regarding supported codecs, it’s practically the same. You’ll get SBC, AAC, and LDAC. But the Sony WH-1000XM6 also offers, for example, the LC3 codec. All three also feature DSEE Extreme technology. Basically, it’s for audio upscaling. You activate this option in the Sony app. By the way, the app has had a nice overhaul. It has become much more modern and pleasant. It’s simpler, it’s neat. And you clearly understand what you’re activating.

My Detailed Audio Quality Ranking

So, here’s my ranking for the best audio headphones. First, unsurprisingly, I place the Sony WH-1000XM6. Yes, it’s the latest. But yes, it’s the best. It offers clearer sound. Instrument separation is better. You also get new spatial audio options. And you have additional options for audio customization. Clearly, these Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones impressed me. The difference is noticeable compared to the XM5. It’s less marked compared to the XM4.

Because I place the XM4 second for audio quality. Yes, these headphones are a gem. I always base my opinion on the price. So yes, they are a bit less balanced than the Sony WH-1000XM6. But by tweaking the profiles a bit, you get interesting results. Personally, I love bass. When you customize your XM4 a bit, you get much more bass. Yes, perhaps less balanced, but that’s what I’m looking for.

And finally, I put the XM5 last. Far be it from me to say these headphones sound bad. But I personally find them a bit less good. They offer very good sound, certainly. But I much prefer the other two.

My Final Verdict: Which Sony Headphones to Choose?

So, to conclude, is it worth switching to the latest Sony WH-1000XM6? My answer is clearly no, if your main criterion is value for money. For me, the XM4 remains a very, very good compromise. I remind you that I bought it for €170. And I bet you can find it even cheaper. It remains a very, very safe bet, especially at its current price. Frankly, at this price, there’s nothing on the market that does better.

So yes, if you have an unlimited budget and you don’t necessarily care about the absolute best value, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best of the three. Yes, absolutely. If you already own the XM4 or even the XM5, switching to the Sony WH-1000XM6 can be a good thing. But don’t expect a monumental difference. Is it worth buying the Sony WH-1000XM6 just because it’s the best? I don’t know. Because it’s still about €250 more expensive than the XM4.

I hope this comparison helps you. I tried to give you a classic user experience. An experience for someone who just wants good headphones.