Sony WH-1000XM6
Audio-Technica ATH-R50X
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
Audio-Technica ATH-R50X
The Audio-Technica open-back headphones receive praise for their comfortable fit, lightweight design, and detailed soundstage that reveals nuances in music. However, the stock cable is widely criticized as poor, and some users find the tuning shouty or bright, recommending the R30x or R70xa instead. Overall, they are seen as a good value for the price, especially for mixing and guitar playing, but the cable and pad longevity are concerns.
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight design
- Detailed and revealing soundstage
- Good bass response for open-back
- Great value for the price
- Crisp and clear audio
Cons
- Poor stock cable quality
- Shouty or bright tuning for some
- No replacement head pads available
- Short cable lacks 1/4" adapter threads
- Long cable can be a hazard
Scores
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Audio-Technica ATH-R50X | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | open |
| Foldable | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.25 kg | 0.21 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | synthetic leather | velour |
| Headband | synthetic leather | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 45 mm★ |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | 5 Hz |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz | 40 kHz |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 50 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB★ | 93.30000305175781 dB |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | LDAC | Audio-Technica ATH-R50x Professional Open-Back Over-Ear Reference Headphones, Black, 3-Pack |
| 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 | — |
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)
Audio-Technica ATH-R50X
- Strong social proof (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong sound (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong build (76th percentile)
- Strong comfort (67th percentile)
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (22nd percentile)
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Sony WH-1000XM6
No current pricing available
Audio-Technica ATH-R50X
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 19 of 41 specs.
