Sony Announces WH-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Headphones With Foldable Design

Sony has unveiled the WH-1000XM6 wireless noise-cancelling headphones three years after the launch of the WH-1000XM5. The XM6 comes at a price of $449.99 in the US (approximately Rs 38,430), which is $50 (nearly Rs 4,270) costlier than its predecessor. Sony partnered with leading recording studios such as Sterling Sound, Battery Studios and Coast Mastering to develop the headphone. 

One of the major design features of the gadget is that it can be folded. Each of the arms comes with a joint that allows the headphone to be folded inwards. This ensures the headphone requires less space in the carrying case. This feature was missing in the WH-1000XM5 but was available in the previous models. 

The headphone is available in three colour variants of black, platinum silver and midnight blue.

It comes with an HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 and 12 microphones. Sony claims the processor is 1.5 times faster than the one in the WH-1000XM5. 

“The precise detection of the twelve optimally placed microphones allows the noise cancellation to adapt more precisely to fit you and your environment. Whether you are looking to block out noise on a busy commute or stay focused in the office, your sound experience will be seamless and powerful,” Sony said in a press release.

The headphone comes with an Auto Ambient Sound mode, which makes use of the microphones to filter external sound and allows important information, such as announcements or conversations, to come through. The device utilises six microphones with an AI-based beamforming system to filter background noise. 

The HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 comes with an advanced look-ahead noise shaper for better D/A conversion. This lets the WH-1000XM6 handle the quantisation noise and, at the same time, deal quickly with sudden sound changes.

By using Sony’s LDAC technology, the headphone supports High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless.

As of now, no official information is available about the audio device’s launch in India. Smartprix reported that it could be launched in India in the next three to four months.