Sony WH-1000XM6
Focal Lensys Professional
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
Focal Lensys Professional
The Focal Lensys closed-back headphones receive high praise for their neutral yet engaging sound signature, wide soundstage for a closed-back design, and exceptional vocal clarity. Build quality is described as solid plastic that feels durable, though some users note the coiled cable is heavy and pulls on one side, and the earpad material may wear over time. Overall, they are considered a strong value in the sub-$1k range, especially for audiophiles and music producers, but the $700 price tag gives some buyers pause.
Pros
- Neutral yet engaging sound signature
- Wide soundstage for closed-back headphones
- Exceptional vocal clarity and presence
- Solid build quality for the price
- Comfortable for long listening sessions
Cons
- Coiled cable is heavy and pulls on one side
- Earpad material may wear over time
- Plastic build feels less premium
- Price considered high at $700
- Not perfectly flat for critical monitoring
Scores
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Focal Lensys Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.25 kg★ | — |
| Ear Cushion | synthetic leather | memory foam |
| Headband | synthetic leather | sturdy yet flexible |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 30 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 1 | 2★ |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | — |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz★ | — |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 26 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB★ | — |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | LDAC | — |
| 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 | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3★ | — |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, PBP | — |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | — |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | — |
| Detachable Cable | ✓★ | — |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | — |
| Range | 10 m★ | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 30 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 3 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 3 minutes for 3 hours playback | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | — |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | — |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | — |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri, Google Assistant | — |
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | — |
| App | Sony | Sound Connect | — |
| 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)
Focal Lensys Professional
- Strong user sentiment (72nd percentile)
- Strong comfort (67th percentile)
- Below average connectivity (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
- Below average build (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 22 of 41 specs.