Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 worth the upgrade from the HiFiMAN HE 600?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the HiFiMAN HE 600 to the Sony WH-1000XM6 buys you 12.0 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. None of the shared sub-scores move by more than half a point, so the two behave very similarly on the things reviewers measure. On paper: active noise cancelling, weight 389 g to 254 g and usb-c. Worth checking: driver size goes 100 mm to 30 mm. It's also $399 cheaper, which makes this an easy call. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.08.0
- Value7.57.5
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | HE 600 | WH-1000XM6 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes | |
| Weight | 389 g | 254 g | |
| Driver size | 100 mm | 30 mm | |
| USB-C | No | Yes | |
| Driver | 100 mm planar magnetic | 30 mm dynamic | |
| Frequency response | 8 Hz - 65 kHz | 4 Hz - 40 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "HE 600 to WH-1000XM6". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.