Sony WH-1000XM6
Focal Utopia
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 Utopia
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
Scores
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★ | — |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | 5 Hz |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz | 50 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 80 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 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
Scores 96 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 21 of 41 specs.