Sony WH-1000XM6
Shure SRH1540-BK-EFS
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
Shure SRH1540-BK-EFS
The Shure SRH1540 headphones receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their excellent sound quality, particularly the punchy bass and detailed mids and highs. Users praise the build quality with aluminum and carbon fiber construction, as well as the comfort of the Alcantara ear pads, though some note the clamping force can be tight initially. Common criticisms include excessive cable noise, a high price point that many feel is only justified during sales, and the need for aftermarket ear pad replacements for optimal comfort. Overall, these are considered among the best closed-back headphones in their class, especially for bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality with punchy bass
- High-quality aluminum and carbon fiber build
- Comfortable Alcantara ear pads
- Spare ear pads and cable included
- Great for bass-heavy music genres
Cons
- Excessive cable noise
- High price point, best on sale
- Clamping force may be too tight initially
- Ear pads may need replacement for comfort
- Sound leakage similar to open-back headphones
Scores
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Shure SRH1540-BK-EFS | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.25 kg★ | 0.32 kg |
| Ear Cushion | synthetic leather | Alcantara |
| Headband | synthetic leather | padded |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 40 mm★ |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | 5 Hz |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz★ | 25 kHz |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 46 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB★ | 99 dB |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | LDAC | Shure SRH1540 Premium Closed-Back Headphones with 40mm Neodymium Drivers for Clear Highs and Extended Bass, Built for Professional Audio/Sound Engineers, Musicians and Audiophiles (SRH1540-BK) |
| 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 | 1.8300000429153442 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)
Shure SRH1540-BK-EFS
- Strong build (76th percentile)
- Strong sound (74th percentile)
- Strong social proof (72nd percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (72nd percentile)
- Below average comfort (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Sony WH-1000XM6 offers 3.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 21 of 41 specs.
