Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM6
89Outstanding
$400
Full review dataSony WH-1000XM6 vs STAX SPIRIT S5: 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
STAX SPIRIT S5
84Outstanding
$500
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.
- Sony WH-1000XM6
- STAX SPIRIT S5
HearWiki score
89
84
Sound
9.0
9.5
Noise cancelling
9.6
0.0
Battery
8.1
10.0
Calls
9.6
6.5
Value
8.2
8.0
Price (USD)
$400
$500
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?
Mixed generations
Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against STAX SPIRIT S5 (2024). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Sony WH-1000XM6 brings LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against None, while the STAX SPIRIT S5 answers with Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3.
- WH-1000XM620251 yr newer
- SPIRIT S52024
What differsWH-1000XM6SPIRIT S5
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.4
- LE Audio (LC3)
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
Platform
Level on: Top codec, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
WH-1000XM6SPIRIT S5
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $400
- $500
- HearWiki score
- 89
- 84
- Released
- 2025
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 30 mm dynamic
- planar magnetic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- planar
- Driver size
- 30 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- 10 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 48 Ω
- -
- Sensitivity
- 103 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.4
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
- SBC, LHDC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- 10 m
- -
- Battery life
- 40 h
- 80 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 30 h
- -
- Full charge time
- 210 min
- -
- Quick charge
- 3 min → 3 h
- -
- Wireless charging
- No
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- both
- Voice assistant
- Yes
- -
- Weight
- 254 g
- 347 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Foldable
- -
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Pad material
- -
- leather
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- USB-C
- Microphones
- 12
- 2
- Microphone type
- MEMS
- MEMS
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- cVc 8.0
What reviewers said
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
STAX SPIRIT S5
The STAX Spirit S5 is a premium wireless planar magnetic headphone that prioritizes audio fidelity with support for high-resolution codecs like LDAC and aptX Lossless, plus an impressive 80-hour battery. Its detailed, balanced sound and solid build make it a strong choice for home listening, though the lack of active noise cancellation and a somewhat heavy, less comfortable fit limit its portability. It's a niche pick for audiophiles who value sound quality over noise isolation.
- Pro:Excellent planar magnetic sound detail and balance
- Pro:Very long 80-hour battery life
- Pro:Broad codec support including aptX Lossless and LDAC
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Average comfort due to narrow headband and weight
- Con:High price for the feature set
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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