Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM6
89Outstanding
$400
Full review dataSony WH-1000XM6 vs Thieaudio Cypher: 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
Thieaudio Cypher
79Great
$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 7 of 7 measures.
- Sony WH-1000XM6
- Thieaudio Cypher
HearWiki score
89
79
Sound
9.0
8.7
Noise cancelling
9.6
-
Battery
8.1
-
Calls
9.6
-
Value
8.2
8.0
Price (USD)
$400
$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
Thieaudio Cypher (2026) against Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025). The Sony WH-1000XM6 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- WH-1000XM62025
- Cypher20261 yr newer
What differsWH-1000XM6Cypher
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
Platform
Specifications
WH-1000XM6Cypher
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $400
- $400
- HearWiki score
- 89
- 79
- Released
- 2025
- 2026
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 30 mm dynamic
- 50 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 30 mm
- 50 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 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
- Yes
- -
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- -
- Voice assistant
- Yes
- -
- Weight
- 254 g
- 411 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- -
- Pad material
- -
- velour
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- 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
Thieaudio Cypher
The Thieaudio Cypher is a wired, open-back over-ear headphone with a 50mm dynamic driver and a warm, mid-forward tuning that emphasizes vocals and acoustic detail. Its velour pads and detachable cable add comfort and flexibility, though opinions vary on bass response and soundstage width. At $399, it targets listeners who prioritize midrange clarity and relaxed treble over deep bass or expansive imaging.
- Pro:Rich, detailed midrange with excellent vocal reproduction
- Pro:High-quality build with comfortable velour pads
- Pro:Detachable cable and 3.5mm connectivity for easy swapping
- Con:Bass response can feel underwhelming or rolled-off depending on source
- Con:Soundstage is often described as intimate or narrow
- Con:Potential channel imbalance and quality control issues on some units
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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