Welcome to the ‘First Look’ of the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION headphones.
Kind of product?
The Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION (model number WH-1000XX) is a wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphone and the new flagship sitting above the existing WH-1000XM6 line. Sony is releasing the model to mark the tenth anniversary of the 1000X series, which began in 2016 with the MDR-1000X. It is not a limited edition, but a full-fledged new model that will exist alongside the XM6.
Brand?
Sony, a leading name in wireless noise-cancelling audio for a decade with the 1000X series.
Current price?
The suggested retail price is €630 (£550), available since May 2026 in Platinum and Black.
What’s in the box?
- Carrying case with magnetic closure (bag-like design, larger than the XM6’s case)
- Connection cable (approx. 1.2 m)
- Reference guide
- Warranty card
Features?
- Drivers: newly designed 30 mm bespoke driver with a unidirectional carbon-composite dome, co-tuned with professional mastering engineers
- Processing: QN3 chip paired with a new Integrated Processor V3
- DSEE Ultimate: the first headphone to feature this AI-based upscaling technology for compressed music files
- 360 Reality Audio Upmix: three modes (Music, Cinema, Game), controlled via a dedicated button on the left earcup
- Noise cancelling: the same hardware as the WH-1000XM6 — 12-microphone array and Adaptive NC Optimizer — plus 6 beamforming microphones for call quality
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 6.0 with SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 (Auracast-ready), multipoint connection
- Battery: max. 24 hours with NC on, max. 32 hours with NC off; full charge in approx. 3.5 hours
- Weight: 320 grams (versus 253 grams for the XM6); impedance 48 ohm
- Materials: stainless steel accents, vegan leather that took two years to develop
- No IP rating; the model does not fold, which Sony attributes to durability considerations
Key Specifications
- Model: Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION (WH-1000XX)
- Type: Wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphones
- Price: €630 / £550
- Colors: Platinum, Black
- Driver: 30 mm, unidirectional carbon-composite dome
- Processor: QN3 + Integrated Processor V3
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 6.0, SBC/AAC/LDAC/LC3, multipoint
- Battery: max. 24h (NC on) / 32h (NC off)
- Weight: 320 g
- Available since: May 2026
Closer look?
What stands out immediately when picking up the COLLEXION is the choice of materials: where the XM6 is mostly plastic, this model feels premium right away thanks to the metal and soft vegan leather covering the entire exterior. The headband is wider and the padding noticeably thicker, with a lighter clamping force — for us, this results in one of the most comfortable Sony headphones yet, even during longer listening sessions. The extra weight is barely noticeable while seated.
On the sound side, Sony clearly sets a different priority than with the XM6: audio comes first, not ANC. Noise cancelling uses the same hardware as the XM6, but the different ear pads mean slightly less passive isolation, resulting in marginally lower ANC performance. Sonically, we notice a richer, fuller low-to-midrange with clear highs, though the bass can feel somewhat dominant in some genres — something an EQ adjustment via the Sony | Sound Connect app quickly improves.
For whom is this product?
The COLLEXION targets listeners who value sound and finish over pure ANC performance and battery life: those already familiar with the XM line but ready for a more luxurious execution, or users looking for a headphone that competes with the likes of the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 or the Focal Bathys. For those primarily seeking the best value for money, longer battery life, or a foldable design, the WH-1000XM6 remains the logical choice.
Conclusion?
The Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION is not a simple upgrade of the XM6, but a deliberate statement: a headphone built without a price ceiling, designed to show what Sony can achieve in terms of material choice, comfort, and sound. We consider it a successful celebration of ten years of the 1000X line — though the WH-1000XM6 remains the wiser choice for most listeners. For those ready to take that step up, the COLLEXION genuinely offers something different.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION differ from the WH-1000XM6?
The COLLEXION weighs 320 grams against 253 grams for the XM6 and uses the same noise-cancelling hardware — a 12-microphone array with Adaptive NC Optimizer — but its different ear pads give slightly less passive isolation and therefore marginally lower ANC performance. The bigger difference is in materials and comfort: metal and vegan leather across the entire exterior where the XM6 is mostly plastic, a wider headband, noticeably thicker padding and a lighter clamping force.
What other premium headphones does the COLLEXION compete with?
It’s positioned to compete with headphones like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 and the Focal Bathys, aimed at listeners who value sound and finish over pure ANC performance and battery life.
What is DSEE Ultimate, and why is it notable on this model?
DSEE Ultimate is an AI-based upscaling technology for compressed music files. The 1000X THE COLLEXION is the first Sony headphone to feature it.
How is the 360 Reality Audio Upmix controlled on the COLLEXION?
Through a dedicated button on the left earcup, which switches between three modes: Music, Cinema and Game.
Does the 1000X THE COLLEXION fold for travel, or carry a water-resistance rating?
No — the model has no IP rating and does not fold, which Sony attributes to durability considerations.
