Over-Ear
Moondrop Horizon
49Weak
$200
Full review dataMoondrop Horizon 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 6 of 7 measures.
- Moondrop Horizon
- Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
49
89
Sound
5.2
9.0
Noise cancelling
-
9.6
Battery
-
8.1
Calls
-
9.6
Value
4.2
8.2
Price (USD)
$200
$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
Both shipped in 2025. The Sony WH-1000XM6 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- Horizon2025
- WH-1000XM62025
What differsHorizonWH-1000XM6
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
Platform
Specifications
HorizonWH-1000XM6
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $200
- $400
- HearWiki score
- 49
- 89
- Released
- 2025
- 2025
- Availability
- 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
- 20 Hz - 34 kHz
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 48 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 94 dB/mW
- 103 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- 109
- -
- 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
- 350 g
- 254 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- 3.5 mm
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- -
- Microphones
- -
- 12
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
What reviewers said
Moondrop Horizon
The Moondrop Horizon is a wired, open-back over-ear headphone with a warm-neutral, forgiving sound that suits relaxed listening without fatigue. Its 50mm dynamic driver delivers good detail and an airy, spacious presentation, though its build feels less premium than its appearance suggests and its bass response rolls off noticeably. Priced around $200, it offers solid value for audiophiles seeking a comfortable, non-aggressive tuning with a balanced 4.4mm connection.
- Pro:Warm, non-fatiguing sound signature
- Pro:Spacious and airy presentation
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
- Con:Bass roll-off reduces impact
- Con:Build quality feels less solid than it looks
- Con:Loose fit may affect consistency
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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