Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Edition Xs
79Great
$270
Full review dataHiFiMAN Edition Xs 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 5 of 7 measures.
- HiFiMAN Edition Xs
- Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
79
89
Sound
8.5
9.0
Noise cancelling
-
9.6
Battery
-
8.1
Calls
-
9.6
Value
9.3
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?
Half a step newer
Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against HiFiMAN Edition Xs (2022). The Sony WH-1000XM6 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.
- Edition Xs2022
- WH-1000XM620253 yr newer
What differsEdition XsWH-1000XM6
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
Edition XsWH-1000XM6
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $270
- $400
- HearWiki score
- 79
- 89
- Released
- 2022
- 2025
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 80 mm planar magnetic
- 30 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 80 mm
- 30 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 50 kHz
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 18 Ω
- 48 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 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
- none
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- -
- Yes
- Weight
- 405 g
- 254 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Foldable
- No
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- -
- Microphones
- -
- 12
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN Edition Xs
The HiFiMAN Edition XS is an open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail, speed, and a wide soundstage for its price. Its 80mm drivers offer deep, well-defined bass and crisp highs, though the forward treble and bright tuning may not suit all listeners. Built for stationary listening, it prioritizes audio performance over portability, with a comfortable but occasionally variable fit.
- Pro:Excellent detail and transient speed
- Pro:Wide, immersive soundstage
- Pro:Deep and well-controlled bass for a planar
- Con:Bright upper treble can cause fatigue
- Con:Unusual imaging and forward upper mids
- Con:Comfort varies due to headband/gimbal design
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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