Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony
95 Overall Score
vs
Focal Utopia
Focal
23 Overall Score
What Buyers Say
Sony WH-1000XM6
No customer feedback yet
Focal Utopia
82 out of 100 low confidence 9 reviews
The Focal Utopia 2022 is widely praised for its exceptional clarity, detail retrieval, and realistic sound that reveals new layers in familiar music. However, several users caution that it requires high-quality amplification and DAC to shine, and some find the treble harsh, the headband creaky over time, and the soundstage narrower than competitors like the Sennheiser HD 800 S. Overall, it is considered a top-tier audiophile headphone but not universally enjoyable for all music tastes.
Pros
- Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
- Realistic, immersive sound
- Reveals new layers in familiar music
- Tight, articulate bass
- Premium build quality
Cons
- Requires high-quality amp and DAC
- Harsh treble for some listeners
- Heavy weight
- Headband creaks over time
- Narrow soundstage compared to HD 800 S
Sound quality 8
Clarity and detail 6
Amplifier and dac requirements 4
Treble harshness 2
Build quality 3
Soundstage 2
Scores
Commute
Budget
Gaming
Work
Studio
Calls
Music
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Focal Utopia | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | open |
| Foldable | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.25 kg★ | 2.70 kg |
| Ear Cushion | synthetic leather | Perforated lambskin memory foam |
| Headband | synthetic leather | genuine leather |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | Beryllium |
| Driver Size | 30 mm★ | — |
| Freq Min | 5 Hz | 5 Hz |
| Freq Max | — | 50 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 80 Ω |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | LDAC | — |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3★ | — |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | — |
| Detachable Cable | ✓★ | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 30 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 3 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 3 hours playback | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓★ | — |
| Mic Count | 12★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | — |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | — |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | — |
| Features | ||
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | — |
| App | Sony | Sound Connect | — |
Pros & Cons
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Strong social proof (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (89th percentile)89th %ile
Focal Utopia
- Below average connectivity (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average comfort (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Verdict
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
Scores 95 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 15 of 31 specs.