Over-Ear
Focal Elex
72Good
$440
Full review dataFocal Elex 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 7 of 7 measures.
- Focal Elex
- Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
72
89
Sound
8.7
9.0
Noise cancelling
-
9.6
Battery
-
8.1
Calls
-
9.6
Value
-
8.2
Price (USD)
$440
$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 Focal Elex (2020). The Sony WH-1000XM6 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- Elex2020
- WH-1000XM620255 yr newer
What differsElexWH-1000XM6
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
Platform
Specifications
ElexWH-1000XM6
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $440
- $400
- HearWiki score
- 72
- 89
- Released
- 2020
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- 30 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 30 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 23 kHz
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 80 Ω
- 48 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 104 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
- 450 g
- 254 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Microphones
- -
- 12
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
What reviewers said
Focal Elex
The Focal Elex is a wired, open-back over-ear headphone that delivers a highly detailed and balanced sound signature, making it a versatile choice across many music genres. It combines solid build quality and a comfortable fit with an easy-to-drive 80-ohm design, offering strong technical performance that stands out in its price class. While its substantial weight and lack of included accessories are minor drawbacks, its overall sonic value is widely praised.
- Pro:Excellent detail and clarity
- Pro:Balanced, natural tuning with dynamic punch
- Pro:Comfortable fit and attractive build
- Con:Heavy at 450 grams
- Con:No carrying case included
- Con:Potential quality-control concerns
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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