Sony WH-1000XM6
Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
What Buyers Say
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 earns praise for its exceptional noise cancellation, clear sound quality, and comfortable fit for many users, with several calling it the best headphones they've owned. However, a significant number of reviews highlight serious drawbacks: uncomfortable clamping force and shallow earcups causing pain, buggy multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, a fingerprint-prone finish, and disappointing customer service regarding warranty repairs and promised free gifts. While the ANC and audio are top-tier, comfort and reliability issues prevent it from being a universal recommendation.
Pros
- Exceptional noise cancellation
- Clear and detailed sound quality
- Comfortable for many users
- Long battery life
- Foldable design
Cons
- Uncomfortable clamping force
- Shallow earcups causing pain
- Buggy multipoint Bluetooth
- Fingerprint-prone finish
- Poor customer service
Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
The Marshall Monitor III headphones receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their excellent sound quality, comfort, and luxurious design. Users praise the clear, detailed audio with good bass and soundstage, as well as the effective noise cancellation and long battery life. Minor criticisms include ear warmth during extended use and a desire for slightly higher volume output.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Comfortable ear cushions
- Effective noise cancellation
- Long battery life (70 hours)
- Luxurious design and build
Cons
- Ear warmth during extended use
- Desire for slightly higher volume
- Slightly large fit for some
- Pause delay could be shorter
Scores
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.25 kg | 0.25 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | synthetic leather | PU leather |
| Headband | synthetic leather | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 32 mm★ |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | 20 Hz |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz★ | 20 kHz |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 46 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB★ | 91.69999694824219 dB |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | LDAC | SBC, AAC |
| Surround | Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones, HD NC Processor QN3, 12 Microphones, Studio-Quality, New Sandstone Color | Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless | Sony | Sa | — |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, PBP | — |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | — |
| Range | 10 m | 10.100000381469727 m★ |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 30 hrs | 100 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | 3 hrs | 2.5 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | 3 minutes for 3 hours playback | 15 minutes gives 12 hours of playtime |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | — |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | — |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri, Google Assistant | Voice assistant |
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | — |
| App | Sony | Sound Connect | Marshall Bluetooth app |
| Gaming Mode | ✓★ | — |
| Water Resistance | Waterproof | — |
Pros & Cons
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong sound (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (22nd percentile)
Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
- Strong battery (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong connectivity (96th percentile)96th %ile
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 8 of 41 specs.
