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Back in May 2025, Sony refreshed their premium wireless headphones with the latest WH-1000XM6 model that features best-in-class audio and noise-canceling features that sets the bar. Over the last few years, Sony has been known for their wireless headphones with premium sound and all-day comfort for different types of listeners.
And now, for the first time since their release, the Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones are on sale for up to 15% at retailers, like Sony.com, Walmart and Amazon, with prices starting at just $388.
The premium wireless headphones are refined with the return of the foldable design from past models for more portability when traveling. In fact, the new magnetic case is slimmer than the previous model. They also come with a wider headband to accommodate various head shapes for comfortability.
Sony
Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones
On sale starting at $399 (reg. $459), the Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones are available at Sony.com, as well as Walmart and Amazon. The wireless headphones come in three colors, including black, midnight blue and silver.
In addition, Variety spoke to Sony’s audio mastering engineer at Battery Studio, Mike Piacentini on the headphones’ development and expert tuning. “These have become my daily use headphones outside of the studio,” Piacentini tells Variety.
“We are always setting out to create the best pair of headphones possible,” he continues. “From the tuning of the driver to how thick the foam should be on the headphone cups. Everything alters the sound just a little bit, and we’re taking into account little micro adjustments to ultimately hit the sonic targets we’re aiming for. I’m really proud of the work we’ve done with this particular pair of headphones.”
Music is the centerpiece of the Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones. Piacentini fine-tuned them to express the most natural sound, as possible, with an ear towards complimenting audiophiles and casual listeners, alike.
“Since music is always the primary driver for my decisions during the tuning process,” he shares, “I approach that process from a similar perspective to the professional grade headphones, as I want what I’m hearing to be reflective of the sound in my studio. I A/B (test) the prototypes against headphones and speaker systems in my mastering room to try and achieve a flat frequency response relative to the sounds I’m trying to create as an engineer.”
Additionally, Piacentini emphasizes the importance of customization. Since all people have different tastes in music, it’s very unlikely that we listen to our favorite songs the same way. However, the WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones makes it possible to curate your own listening experience.
“My personal favorite new feature, included in the updated software app, is the 10-band EQ that anyone can use to tweak the sound even further to their personal tastes,” he says. “I really appreciate how precise it is for a consumer level EQ. It allows the consumer to fine tune the sound in a way that can tailor their personal experience as much as possible.”
In 2026, the Sony WH-1000XM6s have advanced features with 12 microphones placed throughout the headphones to enhance noise-cancellation and deeper audio immersion. By comparison, these new headphones have four more microphones than the Sony WH-1000XM5s, which were released in 2022.
Audio has also been upgraded with studio-level sound and Sony’s “360 Reality Audio Upmix” for immersive and cinematic experiences. “I wanted the sound to be as immersive as possible for a pair of headphones,” says Piacentini. “As most consumers are experiencing spatial audio.”
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