Over-Ear
Grado Ps500 Special
63Good
$600
Full review dataGrado Ps500 Special 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.
- Grado Ps500 Special
- Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
63
89
Sound
7.9
9.0
Noise cancelling
-
9.6
Battery
-
8.1
Calls
-
9.6
Value
-
8.2
Price (USD)
$600
$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?
Same generation
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is 13 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Sony WH-1000XM6 adds USB-C. For 13 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Ps500 Special2012
- WH-1000XM6202513 yr newer
What differsPs500 SpecialWH-1000XM6
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
Everyday features
Specifications
Ps500 SpecialWH-1000XM6
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $600
- $400
- HearWiki score
- 63
- 89
- Released
- 2012
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 44 mm dynamic
- 30 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 44 mm
- 30 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 14 Hz - 29 kHz
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 38 Ω
- 48 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 98.8 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
- -
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- Yes
- Controls
- buttons
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- -
- Yes
- Weight
- 335 g
- 254 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- 3.5 mm
- Microphones
- -
- 12
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
What reviewers said
Grado Ps500 Special
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
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.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.