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Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Yamaha YH-L700A: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Yamaha YH-L700A, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

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.

  • Sony WH-1000XM6
  • Yamaha YH-L700A
HearWiki score
89
-
Sound
9.0
-
Noise cancelling
9.6
-
Battery
8.1
-
Calls
9.6
-
Value
8.2
-
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?

New platform

Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against Yamaha YH-L700A (2021). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). It also adds Multipoint pairing.

  • WH-1000XM620254 yr newer
  • YH-L700A2021
What differsWH-1000XM6YH-L700A

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Top codec
LC3
AAC
LE Audio (LC3)
Yes
No

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No

Level on: Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

WH-1000XM6YH-L700A
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$400
$500
HearWiki score
89
Not scored
Released
2025
2021
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
Driver
30 mm dynamic
40 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
30 mm
40 mm
Drivers per side
1
-
Frequency response
4 Hz - 40 kHz
-
Impedance
48 Ω
-
Sensitivity
103 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Wireless range
10 m
-
Battery life
40 h
34 h
Battery life (ANC on)
30 h
-
Full charge time
210 min
210 min
Quick charge
3 min → 3 h
-
Wireless charging
No
-
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
-
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
-
Wear detection
Yes
-
Controls
buttons
-
Voice assistant
Yes
Google Assistant, Siri
Weight
254 g
330 g
Water resistance
none
-
Foldable
-
Yes
Detachable cable
Yes
-
USB-C
Yes
-
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

Yamaha YH-L700A

The Yamaha YH-L700A are premium wireless over-ears that blend adaptive noise cancellation with immersive 3D audio via head tracking. With a 40mm dynamic driver and Bluetooth 5.0, they deliver up to 34 hours of playback per charge, while supporting SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs for flexible compatibility. Their foldable design and app support add everyday convenience, though multipoint connectivity is not included. (Note: Specs list only SBC and AAC; aptX Adaptive is mentioned in raw data but excluded from the official codec list.)

  • Pro:Long 34-hour battery life with ANC active
  • Pro:Immersive 3D sound field with head tracking
  • Pro:Supports multiple codecs including aptX Adaptive
  • Con:No multipoint Bluetooth pairing
  • Con:Slow 210-minute charge time
  • Con:No mention of LDAC or higher-res codecs

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

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New comparisonSony WH-1000XM6Yamaha YH-L700A