Over-Ear
Audeze EL-8 Open Back
50Weak
$350
Full review dataAudeze EL-8 Open Back vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 89. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $398.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM6
89Outstanding
$400
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 6 of 7 measures.
- Audeze EL-8 Open Back
- Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
50
89
Sound
6.9
9.0
Noise cancelling
-
9.6
Battery
-
8.1
Calls
-
9.6
Value
-
8.2
Price (USD)
$350
$400
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Half a step newer
Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against Audeze EL-8 Open Back (2015). The Sony WH-1000XM6 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- EL-8 Open Back2015
- WH-1000XM6202510 yr newer
What differsEL-8 Open BackWH-1000XM6
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
Platform
Specifications
EL-8 Open BackWH-1000XM6
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $350
- $400
- HearWiki score
- 50
- 89
- Released
- 2015
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 100 mm planar magnetic
- 30 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 100 mm
- 30 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 50 kHz
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 30 Ω
- 48 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 102 dB/mW
- 103 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.3
- Codecs
- -
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- -
- 40 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 30 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 210 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 3 min → 3 h
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- Yes
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- -
- Yes
- Weight
- 520 g
- 254 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Foldable
- Yes
- -
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Model code
- 200-E8-1211-00
- -
- Microphones
- -
- 12
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
What reviewers said
Audeze EL-8 Open Back
The Audeze EL-8 Open Back is a premium planar magnetic headphone with large 100mm drivers, delivering a rich, spacious sound with deep bass and clear highs. Its open-back design and robust build make it a solid choice for genres like rock and hip-hop, though its weight and price may not suit everyone. With low impedance and high sensitivity, it pairs well with a variety of sources.
- Pro:Excellent bass response and clarity
- Pro:Premium build quality and materials
- Pro:Spacious, open soundstage
- Con:Heavy at 520g, may cause fatigue
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound
- Con:Not ideal for classical music
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a premium over-ear wireless headphone that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery and support for high-quality audio codecs. It features multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and a transparent mode, making it a versatile choice for both focused listening and everyday commutes. With a lightweight build and tactile controls, it balances comfort and functionality for extended use.
- Pro:Adaptive active noise cancellation for personalized silencing
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
- Pro:Transparency mode for ambient awareness when needed
- Con:No water resistance rating for wet conditions
- Con:No wireless charging option
- Con:Relies on physical buttons rather than touch controls
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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