Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM6
89Outstanding
$400
Full review dataSony WH-1000XM6 vs STAX SR-L500MK2: 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 SR-L500MK2
72Great
$600
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.
- Sony WH-1000XM6
- STAX SR-L500MK2
HearWiki score
89
72
Sound
9.0
8.6
Noise cancelling
9.6
-
Battery
8.1
-
Calls
9.6
-
Value
8.2
7.6
Price (USD)
$400
$600
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 STAX SR-L500MK2 (2021). The Sony WH-1000XM6 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- WH-1000XM620254 yr newer
- SR-L500MK22021
What differsWH-1000XM6SR-L500MK2
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
Platform
Specifications
WH-1000XM6SR-L500MK2
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $400
- $600
- HearWiki score
- 89
- 72
- Released
- 2025
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 30 mm dynamic
- 2× electrostatic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- electrostatic
- Driver size
- 30 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 2
- Frequency response
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- 7 Hz - 41 kHz
- Impedance
- 48 Ω
- 145000 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 103 dB/mW
- 101 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
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- -
- Voice assistant
- Yes
- -
- Weight
- 254 g
- 351 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- -
- Pad material
- -
- leatherette
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- -
- Microphones
- 12
- -
- Microphone type
- MEMS
- -
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 SR-L500MK2
The STAX SR-L500MK2 is a mid-tier electrostatic headphone that delivers the signature open, detailed STAX presentation with excellent clarity and refinement. It offers strong technical performance for its price point, though it requires a dedicated amplifier and lacks wireless features.
- Pro:Excellent electrostatic clarity and detail
- Pro:Open, airy soundstage with refined treble
- Pro:Good value within the STAX Lambda lineup
- Con:Requires a dedicated electrostatic amplifier
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Leatherette pads may not suit all listeners
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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