Sony 1000XX Review: Experience Supreme Comfort and Quiet Luxury with The Collexion Headphones!

Sony has unveiled a new set of noise-cancelling headphones to mark the tenth anniversary of its acclaimed 1000X series. This latest edition has been crafted to offer a more luxurious feel, a slimmer profile, enhanced comfort, and superior sound quality compared to its predecessors.

The first 1000X model hit the market in 2016, sparking a competitive battle with Bose and its renowned QuietComfort range. This rivalry fueled rapid advancements in noise-cancelling technology, as both brands strived to surpass each other with each new iteration.

Sony’s new creation draws from the advancements of the previous six versions of the 1000X, refining these elements not to replace the reigning noise-cancelling champions—the WH-1000XM6—but to introduce a more opulent option featuring premium materials and a sleeker design.

Priced at £549 (€629/$649/A$1,000), the WH-1000XX the Collexion is positioned above the 1000XM6, which costs £349, and competes directly with other high-end models like the £499 Apple AirPods Max 2 and the £629 B&W Px8 S2, among others.

The design of the 1000XX is similar to its siblings but with some notable differences. These headphones don’t fold for travel and are less bulky, featuring ear cups that are 5.3mm thinner and a more streamlined headband. They are finished with high-quality faux leather and boast polished, sandblasted stainless steel arms, avoiding any use of hard plastic.

The user experience is exceptionally smooth, from adjusting the fit with the sliding arms to the luxurious feel of the metal. The real highlight, however, is the redesigned ear cups, which offer more room and softer cushions compared to standard models. The sleek headband expands across the head when worn, distributing weight evenly without exerting excessive pressure, ensuring the headphones stay comfortably in place.

These are among the most comfortable headphones I’ve experienced, on par with the best from Bose and surpassing more expensive competitors.

Battery performance delivers approximately 24 hours of playback with noise-cancelling active, or up to 32 hours when turned off, which although impressive, falls short of the 1000XM6. A quick five-minute charge provides up to 90 minutes of listening, and a full charge requires about 3.5 hours.

Technical Specifications

• Weight: 320g

• Driver Size: 30mm

• Connectivity Options: Bluetooth 6 with multipoint, 3.5mm jack, USB-C for charging

• Supported Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3

• Estimated Battery Life: 24 hours with ANC activated

Superior Sound and Effective Noise Cancellation

The 1000XX leverages the QN3 chip and noise-cancelling technology from the 1000XM6, achieving an impressive ambient sound mode and commendable, though slightly less effective, noise cancellation compared to its sibling. It adeptly handles low and mid-tone sounds like engine noise but doesn’t completely eliminate higher-pitched background noises such as conversations and keyboard typing. Nonetheless, the noise cancellation is still quite effective for a high-end model.

Where these headphones excel is in their sound quality. They support the high-quality LDAC Bluetooth audio codec from Android and feature a new, more advanced AI-powered music upscaling technology called DSEE Ultimate, developed by the new V3 companion chip. This technology enhances the quality of compressed music significantly, improving standard streaming and the AAC format used by iPhones. The headphones also include a 3.5mm cable for a wired connection, though the USB-C port is only for charging.

The audio output is remarkable, revealing new layers in familiar tracks with exceptional clarity, depth, and separation of sound. They produce rich bass, vibrant mids, and crisp highs for a balanced and natural listening experience. They perform exceptionally well across various music genres, particularly shining with classical, jazz, and other intricate musical compositions. Out of the box, they sound great, but they also come with a 10-band equalizer for further sound customization.

The V3 chip also introduces advanced spatial audio features, creating surround sound effects from stereo tracks. The movie and game modes are quite immersive, although the new music mode didn’t impress as much as traditional stereo.

Call quality is excellent in various environments, with clear sound transmission and effective background noise suppression.

Environmental Considerations

These headphones are constructed with 25% recycled plastic and are designed with replaceable ear cups and a screw-in battery that can be replaced by a service center. They also feature a battery care system to extend the battery’s lifespan.

Pricing Details

The Sony 1000X the Collexion is priced at £549 (€629/$649/A$999.95), making it a premium offering in the market. For context, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is available for £349, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 for £349.95, the B&W Px8 S2 for £629, and the Apple AirPods Max 2 for £499.

Overall Assessment

The 1000XX from Sony prioritizes supreme sound quality and comfort, employing high-quality materials for a refined feel. They offer a discreet luxury aesthetic and effectively mute external noise, making them some of the most comfortable and stylish over-ear headphones available, particularly in black. With a robust 24-hour battery life, versatile connectivity options, and effective noise cancellation, they provide a seamless user experience.

The standout feature is undoubtedly the sound quality, providing a detailed and natural listening experience that brings new life to familiar music. While the high cost might be a consideration, they are positioned competitively within the high-end audio market.

Pros: Exceptional sound quality, utmost comfort, advanced 360/spatial audio, support for Bluetooth multipoint and AAC/LDAC, 24-hour battery life, excellent controls and user interface, improved repairability.

Cons: High price point, lacks water resistance, non-folding design, no USB-C audio capability, noise cancellation not on par with WH-1000XM6.