Over-Ear
Grado RS1
76Great
$750
Full review dataGrado RS1 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 RS1
- Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
76
89
Sound
8.7
9.0
Noise cancelling
-
9.6
Battery
-
8.1
Calls
-
9.6
Value
6.6
8.2
Price (USD)
$750
$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 Grado RS1 (2024). The Sony WH-1000XM6 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- RS12024
- WH-1000XM620251 yr newer
What differsRS1WH-1000XM6
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
Platform
Specifications
RS1WH-1000XM6
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $750
- $400
- HearWiki score
- 76
- 89
- Released
- 2024
- 2025
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 50 mm dynamic
- 30 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 50 mm
- 30 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 12 Hz - 30 kHz
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 38 Ω
- 48 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 99.8 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
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- Yes
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- -
- Yes
- Weight
- 255 g
- 254 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Microphones
- -
- 12
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
What reviewers said
Grado RS1
The Grado RS1 is a premium open-back headphone known for its warm, organic midrange and lively, engaging sound that prioritizes musical enjoyment over clinical analysis. Handcrafted wooden housings and a lightweight build contribute to its premium feel, though its open-back nature means significant sound leakage. While it excels with most genres, its forward presentation can be less ideal for classical or chamber music, and comfort and ergonomics are somewhat polarizing.
- Pro:Lush, organic midrange with natural timbre
- Pro:Engaging, lively presentation that makes music enjoyable
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended listening
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound significantly
- Con:Forward presentation may not suit classical or chamber music
- Con:Comfort and fit can vary depending on ear placement
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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