Sony WH-1000XM6
Beats Studio Pro
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
Beats Studio Pro
The Beats Studio Pro headphones receive mixed to negative feedback from users. While many praise the sound quality and noise cancellation, a significant number report persistent issues with crackling or static in one ear, often requiring replacements. Comfort is a major concern, with several users finding the ear cups too tight and painful after short use. Build quality is also criticized as cheap and plasticky, leading some to recommend competitors like Bose or Sony.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Sleek and stylish design
- Good bass response
- Convenient volume control
Cons
- Crackling or static in one ear
- Uncomfortable tight ear cups
- Poor build quality (cheap plastic)
- Wind noise issues with ANC
- Short battery life
Scores
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Beats Studio Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.25 kg★ | 0.26 kg |
| Ear Cushion | synthetic leather | UltraPlush engineered leather |
| Headband | synthetic leather | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 40 mm★ |
| Drivers | 1 | 1 |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | 20 Hz |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz★ | — |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 1 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB★ | — |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | LDAC | Beats Studio Pro Premium Wireless Over-Ear Headphones- Up to 40-Hour Battery Life, Active Noise Cancelling, Great for Travel & Commuting, USB-C Lossless Audio, Apple & Android Compatible - Deep Brown |
| 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 | Spatial Audio |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | fully-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★ | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 30 hrs | 40 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | 3 hrs | 2 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | 3 minutes for 3 hours playback | 10 Minutes for 4 Hours |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | — |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri, Google Assistant | Siri |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | Sony | Sound Connect | Android Only |
| 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)
Beats Studio Pro
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong sound (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (1st percentile)1st %ile
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 8 of 41 specs.