Sony WH-1000XM6
Sennheiser HD 599 508697
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
Sennheiser HD 599 508697
The Sennheiser HD 599 SE headphones are widely praised for their exceptional comfort, impressive soundstage, and clear, warm audio. Users highlight the lightweight design, soft velour ear pads, and open-back construction that reduces ear fatigue and allows ambient awareness. While some note the bass can be slightly muffled and there is sound bleed, most agree the value at sale price is outstanding, especially for gaming, music, and piano practice.
Pros
- Exceptional comfort for long sessions
- Impressive soundstage and clarity
- Warm, clear audio profile
- Lightweight and durable build
- Removable cable with adapters
Cons
- Sound bleed from open-back design
- Bass slightly muffled for some
- Requires EQ for optimal sound
- Not ideal for noisy environments
- No included app or ANC
Scores
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Sennheiser HD 599 508697 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | open |
| Foldable | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.25 kg★ | 0.61 kg |
| Ear Cushion | synthetic leather | Leather |
| Headband | synthetic leather | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 38 mm★ |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | — |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz★ | 39 kHz |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 50 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB | 106 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | LDAC | Sennheiser HD 599 - Open Headphones, Special Edition, Black, Wired |
| 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 | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | 3 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 | Water-Resistant |
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)
Sennheiser HD 599 508697
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong sound (74th percentile)
- Below average comfort (6th percentile)6th %ile
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 18 of 41 specs.