Focal Listen Wireless 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

Score 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.

Focal Listen Wireless
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

7.1

9.0

Noise cancelling

0.0

9.6

Battery

4.5

8.1

Calls

6.0

9.6

Value

3.5

8.2

Price (USD)

$270

$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?

New platform

Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against Focal Listen Wireless (2017). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 4.1, Top codec LC3 against aptX, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Wear detection and Transparency mode.

Listen Wireless2017
WH-1000XM620258 yr newer

What differsListen WirelessWH-1000XM6

Bluetooth: 4.1; 5.3
Top codec: aptX; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: None; Adaptive
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes

Specifications

Listen WirelessWH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $270; $400
HearWiki score: 37; 89
Released: 2017; 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: 15 Hz - 22 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: 122 dB/mW; 103 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 4.1; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, aptX; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless range: 15 m; 10 m
Battery life: 20 h; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 30 h
Full charge time: 180 min; 210 min
Quick charge: -; 3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; adaptive
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: buttons; buttons
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: 300 g; 254 g
Water resistance: none; none
Foldable: Yes; -
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes
Pad material: leatherette; -
Connector: 3.5 mm; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 2; 12
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: cVc; -

Specification comparison of Focal Listen Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	Focal Listen Wireless	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$270	$400
HearWiki score	37 / 100 Weak	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2017	2025
Audio
Driver	40 mm dynamic	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	40 mm	30 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	15 Hz - 22 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	48 Ω
Sensitivity	122 dB/mW	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	4.1	5.3
Codecs	SBC, aptX	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Wireless range	15 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	20 h	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	30 h
Full charge time	180 min	210 min
Quick charge	-	3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	adaptive
Transparency mode	No	Yes
Companion app	No	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	buttons	buttons
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	300 g	254 g
Water resistance	none	none
Foldable	Yes	-
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	No	Yes
Pad material	leatherette	-
Connector	3.5 mm	3.5 mm
Calls
Microphones	2	12
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	cVc	-

What reviewers said

Focal Listen Wireless

The Focal Listen Wireless is a straightforward, audio-focused over-ear headphone that delivers a warm, well-organized sound signature true to the wired Listen lineage. It offers reliable battery life and a sturdy, foldable build, though its feature set is minimal and its design feels bulky by modern standards. While competent and pleasant to listen to, it faces stiff competition at its price point and doesn't stand out beyond its core sound quality.

Pro:Smooth, well-organized sound with a wide frequency response
Pro:Solid battery life, meeting or slightly exceeding the 20-hour rating
Pro:Foldable design with a wired 3.5mm option for flexibility

Con:Bulky and heavy design
Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and aptX) and no multipoint

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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