87
“Did the world need another luxury ANC headphone? Let's explore in our Sony WH-1000XX The Collexion review.”
Publisher score: 87/100 · 5mo ago
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Noise CancellingOver-earBuy now
Sony 1000X The Collexion
$649.99 · ANC / LDAC / Bluetooth 6.0 / Spatial Audio · 5 months old
88
Review
Radar
8
User score
Image credit: Official press image
Editor's Verdict
Our Take
SS
Sony's 1000X The Collexion arrives with the weight of expectation, and frankly, it delivers a certain kind of experience. The build is undeniably a step up, ditching the ubiquitous plastic for a sophisticated blend of metal and leather that feels every bit the premium product its $649.99 price tag suggests. For those who value tactile luxury and a refined aesthetic, this is a clear win. The soundstage is described as richer and more spacious, and while the noise-canceling tech remains formidable, it's worth noting that some of the sharpest ears in the industry suggest it doesn't quite eclipse last year's model. This isn't a headphone for the purist chasing incremental ANC gains, but rather for the discerning listener who wants their audio gear to look and feel as good as it sounds.
So, the question isn't whether Sony *could* make a luxury headphone, but whether *you* should buy it. If you're a long-time fan of the 1000X series and crave an elevated material experience, and can stomach the significant premium, The Collexion offers that. However, if your primary concern is bleeding-edge noise cancellation or the absolute pinnacle of sonic performance, you might find yourself looking at the previous generation or even other contenders with a more critical eye on pure performance metrics. This is a celebration, yes, but it’s one where the champagne is poured into a crystal flute – exquisite, but you’re paying for the vessel as much as the vintage.
Sanjiv Sathiah · Managing Editor
Spec sheet
Key features
We only show details we can tie to a product-specific source.
Build and fit
- Weight
- Approx. 11.29 oz
- Wearing style
- Closed over-ear
- Impedance
- 48 ohm at 1 kHz via powered headphone cable
- Driver size
- 1.18 in
- Sensitivity
- 103 dB/mW via powered headphone cable
- Frequency response
- 4-40,000 Hz wired active; 20-20,000 Hz Bluetooth; 20-40,000 Hz LDAC
Wireless and connections
- Noise control
- Adaptive NC Optimizer, Ambient Sound, Auto Ambient Sound, Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing, Quick Attention
- Charging
- USB; approx. 3.5 hrs charge time
- Battery
- Max. 24 hrs NC on / 32 hrs NC off
- Connections
- Bluetooth, Stereo mini jack, USB charging
- BT codecs
- SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 6.0
Review evidence
Audio specialist reviews
80
“Sony has gone one step further up the premium ladder with its celebratory 1000X The Collexion wireless over-ears.”
Publisher score: 4/5
Review evidence
Tech publication reviews
100
Stuff
“Sony's latest WH-1000XX noise-cancelling headphones are super-expensive yet excellent - but they aren't better than what Sony sells already”
Publisher score: 5/5
100
Expert ReviewsRead review ↗
“The Sony 1000X The Collexion are Sony’s most impressive over-ear headphones yet, but not the best choice for most people”
Publisher score: 5/5
92
CNETRead review ↗
“A decade after Sony released its first 1000X noise-canceling headphones, it's marking the milestone with a swanky new $650 model called 1000X The Collexion. Is it worth $200 more than the XM6?”
Publisher score: 9.2/10
87
Tom's GuideRead review ↗
“The Sony 1000X "The Collexion" takes everything people love about the Sony WH-1000XM6 and wraps it in a luxurious metal-and-leather redesign with richer, more spacious sound.”
Publisher score: 87/100 · 5mo ago
86
TechRadarRead review ↗
“I reviewed the most expensive wireless headphones Sony has ever made - are they actually worth the money?”
Publisher score: 86/100 · 5mo ago
84
EngadgetRead review ↗
“The 10th anniversary edition of Sony’s legendary 1000X headphones carries a refined design that ditches the plastic for leather and metal. However, both sound quality and ANC performance are less impressive than last year’s WH-1000XM6.”
Publisher score: 8.4/10
80
PCMag
“The pricey Sony 1000X The Collexion noise-cancelling headphones are a step above the company's usual offerings, thanks to a more stylish design, premium materials, and upgraded audio.”
Publisher score: 4/5
Best for
commutersfrequent flyersopen officesAndroid hi-res listeners
Buying notes
Value todayFair buy
Good review strength, but compare deals before buying. 88/100 at $648. Uses the lowest in-stock retailer price we can see.
Worth checking
Verify ANC pressure, voice pickup, and transparency handling in train, street, and office noise.
Score distribution
90–100
3
80–89
6
70–79
0
60–69
0
0–59
0
Quick stats
Highest100
Median87
Lowest80
Reviews9
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