High-end headphones should deliver sound quality that makes you feel like your $300 was well spent. They should also support advanced features like spatial audio, hi-res playback, and EQ customization. Over the past few years, audio experts have turned to Sony’s WF-1000XM line, and for good reason. Wireless earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM6 and even the older WF-1000XM5 are flagship in-ear headphones that many audiophiles prefer over the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Pro 2.
In a comparison of the Sony XM6, AirPods Pro 3, and Bose QC Ultra earphones, PCMag actually chose the AirPods as best overall, but favored the The Sony Sound Connect app also lets you choose from multiple audio presets for a different sound signature, or you can use the 10-band graphic equalizer to create a personalized listening profile. The Sony XM6 also beats the AirPods Pro 3 in codec support: the former supports Sony’s LDAC and LC3 formats, in addition to AAC and SBC, while the latter supports only AAC and SBC.
Additionally, Sony’s DSEE Extreme technology does an excellent job of upconverting MP3 files and other low-quality audio formats. This feature is especially useful if you have a library of ripped or downloaded tracks that might need a frequency boost here or there. While it doesn’t produce MP3 audio as detailed and immersive as a FLAC master, DSEE does a good job of making it sound good. It’s also very easy to turn the feature on and off.
Industry-acclaimed sound quality and customization are Sony must-haves
Sony has been making premium wireless earbuds for a while now, and you can still get your hands on a new set of XM5 earbuds while supplies last. At $280, they’re cheaper than the current flagship XM6 headphones, which cost $330. Our friends at What Hi-Fi even compared the older Sony XM5 to the AirPods Pro 3 and preferred the former for sound quality. “(The XM5 is) simply more revealing in the finer textures of instruments and vocals, providing more depth to piano notes and tighter bass.”
Oh, and let’s not forget the fact that people love Sony’s XM headphones and earbuds for another key feature: the industry’s best active noise cancellation (ANC).
If you’re looking to mask noise on a bus or plane, the hum of the HVAC, and/or chatty co-workers, the Sony XM6 and XM5 headphones offer excellent ANC. You’ll also be able to use the Sound Connect app to customize ANC performance to best suit your daily environment and lifestyle.
Sony’s memory foam ear tips also create a tight in-ear seal, so you won’t have to deal with sound leaks disrupting those around you. Keep in mind that you’ll probably want to replace the tips after several months to a year (the foam style is not designed to last as long as silicone). Sony offers several ear tip sizes, so you’re bound to find at least one set that’s perfect for you and your ears.
