HiFiMAN HE 5 Le 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 7 of 7 measures.

HiFiMAN HE 5 Le
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

7.2

9.0

Noise cancelling

9.6

Battery

8.1

Calls

9.6

Value

8.2

Price (USD)

$700

$400

Specifications

HE 5 LeWH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $700; $400
HearWiki score: 50; 89
Released: 2010; 2025
Availability: Discontinued; Sold new
Driver: planar magnetic; 30 mm dynamic
Driver type: planar; dynamic
Driver size: -; 30 mm
Drivers per side: -; 1
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 60 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 38 Ω; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: 87.5 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
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: 402 g; 254 g
Water resistance: -; none
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: -; Yes
Connector: -; 3.5 mm
Balanced connection: Yes; -
Microphones: -; 12
Microphone type: -; MEMS

Specification comparison of HiFiMAN HE 5 Le vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	HiFiMAN HE 5 Le	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$700	$400
HearWiki score	50 / 100 Weak	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2010	2025
Audio
Driver	planar magnetic	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	planar	dynamic
Driver size	-	30 mm
Drivers per side	-	1
Frequency response	10 Hz - 60 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	38 Ω	48 Ω
Sensitivity	87.5 dB/mW	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	-	5.3
Codecs	-	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	-	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	-	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	30 h
Full charge time	-	210 min
Quick charge	-	3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	-	Yes
ANC type	-	adaptive
Transparency mode	-	Yes
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	-	Yes
Controls	-	buttons
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	402 g	254 g
Water resistance	-	none
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	-	Yes
Connector	-	3.5 mm
Balanced connection	Yes	-
Calls
Microphones	-	12
Microphone type	-	MEMS

What reviewers said

HiFiMAN HE 5 Le

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.

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