Products
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony WH-1000XM6
Tested using Methodology v2.0
Updated Nov 24, 2025 05:58 PM
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Tested using Methodology v2.0
Updated Oct 30, 2025 02:32 PM
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TypeOver-ear
Noise CancellingYes
EnclosureClosed-Back
Bass Amount
Very Emphasized (5 dB)
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
Treble Amount
Balanced (0 dB)
MicYes
Sound Signature
Warm
TypeOver-ear
Noise CancellingYes
EnclosureClosed-Back
Bass Amount
Very Emphasized (5 dB)
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
Treble Amount
Balanced (-1 dB)
MicYes
Sound Signature
Warm
Our Verdict
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 succeed the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless by two generations, and while both share a familiar design language and similarly warm sound profile, the XM6 pull ahead in several key areas. Their active noise cancelling is noticeably more effective in the mid-range, particularly against background chatter in spaces like cafés or open offices. Microphone performance is another standout, with clearer voice reproduction and more robust noise handling during calls. They also support additional features, including expanded virtual surround options, LC3 codec compatibility, and minor refinements to the onboard and in-app controls. That said, the XM4 remain a solid value pickup; they offer respectable ANC, and a more forgiving fit that sidesteps audio delivery consistency issues, especially for users who wear glasses or frequently adjust their headphones.
Variants
- WH-1000XM4 (Black)
- WH-1000XM4 (Midnight Blue)
- WH-1000XM4 (Silver)
- WH-1000XM6 (Black)
- WH-1000XM6 (Midnight Blue)
- WH-1000XM6 (Platinum Silver)
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Black
WH-1000XM4
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Black
WH-1000XM6
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Midnight Blue
WH-1000XM4
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Midnight Blue
WH-1000XM6
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Silver
WH-1000XM4
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Platinum Silver
WH-1000XM6
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Main Differences for
Sports And Fitness
Sports And Fitness
Threshold
Sports And Fitness
7.4
7.4
Comfort
8.0
7.5
Full Comparison
Sound
Sound Profile
Sound Profile
Normalization Frequency
400 Hz
500 Hz
Bass Amount
Very Emphasized (5 dB)
Very Emphasized (5 dB)
Treble Amount
Balanced (0 dB)
Balanced (-1 dB)
Sound Signature
Warm
Warm
Frequency Response Consistency
8.1
6.0
Consistency L
Consistency R
Std. Deviation
0.80 dB
1.30 dB
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
7.6
7.8
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
5.2 dB
4.6 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
20 Hz
20 Hz
Low Bass
4.49 dB
4.83 dB
Mid Bass
5.5 dB
4.8 dB
High Bass
5.6 dB
3.95 dB
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
8.9
8.7
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
1.58 dB
1.74 dB
Low Mid
1.24 dB
2.33 dB
Mid-Mid
-0.07 dB
-0.8 dB
High Mid
-1.15 dB
-0.11 dB
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
8.4
8.6
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
3.01 dB
2.82 dB
Low Treble
-1.71 dB
0.03 dB
Mid Treble
1.38 dB
-2.49 dB
High Treble
-2.88 dB
-1.17 dB
Peaks/Dips
7.9
7.3
Peaks/Dips Graph
Peaks
1.2 dB
1.57 dB
Dips
1.46 dB
1.85 dB
Stereo Mismatch
8.7
7.3
Frequency Response Mismatch
Phase Response Mismatch
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.03 dB
0.59 dB
Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch
1.11 dB
0.99 dB
Weighted Phase Mismatch
1.5°
1.6°
Cumulative Spectral Decay
CSD
PRTF
3.5
6.2
PRTF
PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)
3.11 dB
4.49 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
8.34 dB
6.56 dB
PRTF Distance
1.8 dB
11.62 dB
Harmonic Distortion
7.7
9.4
Harmonics Levels
THD Ratio
WHD @ 94 dB SPL
0.23%
0.06%
WHD @ 104 dB SPL
0.80%
0.12%
Electrical Aspects
Impedance
Sensitivity @1kHz-1V
115.1 dB SPL
119.5 dB SPL
Bluetooth Max SPL
104.6 dB
104.9 dB
Virtual Soundstage
4.1
7.3
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
On/Off
On/Off
Speaker Modeling
On/Off
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
Presets
Head Tracking
No
On/Off
Virtual Surround
360 Reality Audio
360 Reality Audio
Test Settings
Firmware
2.6.0
2.0.2
Power
On
On
Connection
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Codec
SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
Test Instrument
Audio Precision APx517B
Audio Precision APx517B
EQ
Off
Off
ANC
On
On
Tip/Pad
Default
Default
Microphone
Integrated
Integrated
Design
Style
Design Picture 2
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Enclosure
Closed-Back
Closed-Back
Wireless
Yes
Yes
Transducer
Dynamic
Dynamic
Comfort
8.0
7.5
Comfort Picture
Weight
0.6 lbs
0.56 lbs
Clamping Force
1 lbs
0.8 lbs
Controls
7.6
8.1
Controls Picture
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use
Good
Good
Feedback
Decent
Good
Call/Music Control
Yes
Yes
Volume Control
Yes
Yes
Microphone Control
No
Mute/Unmute
Channel Mixing
No
No
Noise Cancelling Control
On/Off
On/Off
Talk-Through
On/Off
On/Off
Additional Controls
Voice Assistant
Voice Assistant
Portability
6.1
6.2
Portability Picture
L
7.4" (18.8 cm)
7.5" (19.0 cm)
W
6.1" (15.5 cm)
6.1" (15.4 cm)
H
2.0" (5.1 cm)
2.0" (5.0 cm)
Volume
90.00 in³ (1,474.83 cm³)
87.63 in³ (1,436.00 cm³)
Transmitter Required
No
No
Case
8.0
8.0
Case Picture
Type
Hard case
Hard case
L
8.3" (21.1 cm)
8.3" (21.0 cm)
W
6.6" (16.8 cm)
7.4" (18.9 cm)
H
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.6" (6.5 cm)
Volume
126.00 in³ (2,064.76 cm³)
157.43 in³ (2,579.85 cm³)
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build Quality Picture
Stability
7.0
7.0
Stability Picture
Headshots 1
Angled Picture
Side Picture
Headshots 2
Front Picture
Rear Picture
Top
Top Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Isolation
Noise Isolation - Full Range
9.5
9.7
Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph
Noise Cancelling
Yes
Yes
Overall Attenuation
-27.13 dB
-28.40 dB
Bass
-24.80 dB
-20.10 dB
Mid
-25.37 dB
-32.30 dB
Treble
-31.92 dB
-34.19 dB
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
9.7
9.9
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph
Airplane Noise Attenuation
-23.51 dB
-24.43 dB
Airplane Noise Isolation Audio
Office Noise Attenuation
-22.93 dB
-24.09 dB
Office Noise Isolation Audio
Street Noise Attenuation
-26.02 dB
-26.88 dB
Street Noise Isolation Audio
Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
Female Voice 1
Male Voice 1
Female Voice 2
Male Voice 2
Leakage
7.1
8.4
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
39.28 dB
31.11 dB
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
Yes
In-Line
No
No
Boom
No
No
Detachable Boom
No
No
Mic
Yes
Yes
Recording Quality
6.1
7.7
Microphone Frequency Response
Recorded Speech
LFE
269.09 Hz
20 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
2.11 dB
4.24 dB
HFE
3,726.47 Hz
7,240.77 Hz
Weighted THD
65.861
N/A
Gain
11.46 dB
20.34 dB
Noise Handling
5.6
8.2
SpNR
SpNR
11.47 dB
58.59 dB
Noise Gate
No
Always On
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
6.0
8.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
5.0
8.5
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
Active Features
Battery
8.7
9.2
Battery Type
Rechargable
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
37.7 hrs
31.75 hrs
Additional Charges
0.0
0.0
Total Battery Life
37.7 hrs
31.75 hrs
Charge Time
2.3 hrs
1.75 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
Auto-Off Timer
Auto-Off Timer and Standby Mode
Audio While Charging
No
Yes
Passive Playback
Yes
Yes
Charging Port
USB-C
USB-C
App Support
8.0
8.0
App Picture
App Name
Sony| Headphones Connect
Sony Sound Connect
iOS
Yes
Yes
Android
Yes
Yes
macOS
No
No
Windows
No
No
Equalizer
Graphic + Presets
Graphic + Presets
ANC Control
On/Off
On/Off
Mic Control
No
No
Room Effects
No
Yes
Playback Control
Yes
Yes
Button Mapping
Yes
Yes
Surround Support
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Wired Connection
9.9
9.8
Cable Picture
Analog Audio
Yes
Yes
USB Audio
No
No
Detachable
Yes
Yes
Length
4.00 ft (1.22 m)
3.94 ft (1.20 m)
Connector
1/8" TRS
1/8" TRS
Latency - Analog
0.3 ms
0.4 ms
Latency - USB
N/A
N/A
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Connection
Analog
Analog
Bluetooth Connection
8.6
8.8
Bluetooth Version
5.010
5.3
Multi-Device Pairing
2 Devices
2 Devices
Quick Pair (Android)
Yes
Yes
Quick Pair (iOS)
No
No
Line Of Sight Range
299.00 ft (91.14 m)
334.65 ft (102.00 m)
Latency - SBC
245 ms
212 ms
Latency - aptX
N/A
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
N/A
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
N/A
N/A
Latency - LDAC
237 ms
230 ms
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Codec
SBC
LDAC
AAC Support
Yes
Yes
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
0.0
0.0
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
N/A
Latency - Dongle
N/A
N/A
Recorded Latency
N/A
N/A
PC Compatibility
Analog
Audio Only
Audio Only
Wired USB
No
No
Non-BT Wireless
No
No
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
Audio Only
Audio Only
PS4 Wired USB
No
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
No
PS5 Analog
Audio Only
Audio Only
PS5 Wired USB
No
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio Only
Audio Only
Xbox One Wired USB
No
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Audio Only
Audio Only
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Base/Dock
0.0
0.0
Type
No Base/Dock
No Base/Dock
USB Input
No
No
Line In
No
No
Line Out
No
No
Optical Input
No
No
RCA Input
No
No
Dock Charging
No
No
Power Supply
No Base/Dock
No Base/Dock
Check Price
Black
WH-1000XM4
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Black
WH-1000XM6
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Midnight Blue
WH-1000XM4
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Midnight Blue
WH-1000XM6
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Silver
WH-1000XM4
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Platinum Silver
WH-1000XM6
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