Sony 1000X The Collexion review: headphones like nothing else on the market
19/5/2026
Translation: Natalie McKay
Pictures: Florian Bodoky
Sony’s celebrating a decade of the 1000X series with The Collexion: refined design, impressive sound and comfort – but also some compromises.
Sony’s celebrating the anniversary of its 1000X series with 1000X The Collexion – the official name of these headphones. The name alone suggests that Sony’s come up with something special to mark a decade of this series, as you’d normally expect the name to be WH-1000 XM X (the Roman numeral for ten). These headphones are by no means just a revamped version of the XM6, but rather an attempt to launch a standalone model just one year after the flagship design’s release.
More metal, more weight, more space
There’s no denying these are some eye-catching cans. Sony’s used plenty of glossy black metal, clean lines and an extremely robust case. The headphones look solid and well-built. Nothing creaks, the joints are secure and the materials feel durable. Like their predecessors, they’re infinitely adjustable. The link that needs to be adjusted doesn’t disappear into the case, but slides along the outside of the headband, which is narrower than on the XM6. The design’s a clear departure from the WH-1000XM6 – it’s more luxurious and less techie.
Alongside the metallic look, the addition of faux leather on the headband and ear pads is striking. This material feels soft and has a high-quality finish. But there’s one drawback that’s likely to become apparent over time. After frequent use of gesture controls, visible shiny spots begin to appear around the touch surface. Especially in areas where you constantly run your fingers across the surface, the material may become slightly greasy and uneven over time. Sony makes up for this in other areas, though – the ear cushions are replaceable, which is what you’d expect from premium headphones in this price segment. Many manufacturers scrimp on this.
So, what do these high-end headphones feel like to wear?
They stay in place with no undue pressure. And with less clamping force than the WH-1000XM6. The larger ear pads also provide more space for your ears, so they barely touch the inside of the headphones. That’s really comfortable, especially for long listening periods. People who wear glasses, in particular, will appreciate the slightly plusher padding. But the looser fit also has its drawbacks. I had trouble with the adaptive noise cancellation because the ear cups don’t fit as snugly as on the XM6. It feels like even slight noises are enough to reduce the ANC.
I can’t shy away from mentioning the heavy weight of about 320 grammes. After several hours, you’ll notice these headphones more than many of their rivals. Sony does a good job of distributing the weight evenly across the (narrow) headband. But it can still lead to a feeling of pressure on my head over time.
A pretty little bag
Sony’s also come up with something special for the storage case. The headphones can’t be folded, so the case for them needs to be significantly larger. You can’t just slip it into a small bag. Sony’s solution? Turn the case itself into a bag. While this does attract attention, it’s comfortable to hold and easy to carry. Assuming you’re willing to lug around an extra bag just for these headphones. Still, the snap mechanism and materials seem durable – and there’s also room for the jack and USB-C cables.
Sound: AI comes into play – but in a good way
In terms of sound quality, these headphones deliver exactly what I expect from a top-of-the-line model. The main upgrade’s the integrated third-generation (V3) audio processor. The XM6 still had the older V2 processor. Sony uses it for more efficient noise cancellation and for sound processing. The manufacturer explains that this new processor analyses audio signals faster and can adjust frequencies with greater precision. This is most noticeable in terms of dynamics, spatiality and detail resolution, bringing the sound even closer to «what the artist intended». Sony’s also incorporated a recalibrated 30-millimetre driver with slightly more balanced tuning than the XM6. According to the manufacturer, the frequency range extends up to 40,000 Hertz, which is particularly noticeable when playing high-resolution music files.
The bass is one of the headphones’ strengths. Sony delivers powerful bass with plenty of volume, without it ever being overly accentuated. The control in the low-frequency range is also impressive. Even at high volumes, the sound remains clear, making hip-hop, EDM and modern pop productions a fun listening experience. This is also thanks to the upmix feature (see the «Sound Connect» section). Voices sound natural and project clearly throughout the space, which is exactly what you want for podcasts, audiobooks and acoustic music. Vocals, in particular, sound present without being artificially pushed to the forefront. Instruments are easy to distinguish from one another and sound clearly separated. Sony refers to a wider soundstage. Whether you’d actually notice this without the manufacturer pointing it out is another matter. Overall, the tuning remains pleasant to listen to for extended periods. Even after several hours, the sound never becomes annoying or overly analytical.
Sound Connect: you simply have to get this app
Sony’s Sound Connect app draws heavily on the familiar software from the WH-1000XM6 and incorporates many of its functions exactly as they are. So if you’ve already used the XM6, you’ll quickly get to grips with it. You get a wide range of customisation options without the interface feeling cluttered. You can easily configure the equaliser, ANC settings, transparency mode, surround sound settings and automatic scene detection. Not to mention, there are tried-and-tested XM6 features such as Speak-to-Chat, adaptive noise control, automatic pause when you take the headphones off and location-based ANC profiles. For instance, this gadget can tell whether you’re sitting, walking, or on the go, and adjust the noise cancellation accordingly.
New additions include the 360-degree upmix modes, which convert stereo content to surround sound using AI. They work surprisingly well for films and gaming, but their effect on music varies depending on the genre. I like this option – without it, the music’s flatter, but more authentic. The AI-powered upmix feature makes me feel like I’m right in the middle of it all. Sony also supports DSEE Ultimate. This technology upscales compressed music files in real time to restore lost details. While not a substitute for true Hi-Res audio, it does noticeably improve the sound quality of Spotify streams and older MP3 files.
Codecs, Bluetooth and wired connectivity – take note, Apple!
Sony supports SBC, AAC, LC3 and LDAC. SBC’s still the standard codec and works with virtually any device, but it gives the lowest sound quality. AAC’s primarily relevant for Apple users because it ensures that iPhones, iPads and Macs run smoothly and efficiently. LDAC supports significantly higher data rates and delivers more audio detail, provided your playback device also supports the codec. And it doesn’t stop there – the headphones also feature Bluetooth 6. In everyday use, this results less in audible differences in sound quality and more in stable connections, fewer dropouts and faster device switching. This makes these headphones incredibly reliably, especially with multipoint connections between a laptop and a smartphone. Apple users will still have to make do without LDAC because Apple doesn’t support this codec. Still, the headphones integrate surprisingly well into the Apple ecosystem. AAC runs smoothly and efficiently, and connects quickly and reliably to iPhones, iPads and Macs.
Especially in the Apple ecosystem, these headphones benefit from stable connections, quick device switching and easy setup. Of course, Sony doesn’t quite achieve seamless integration on a par with Apple products like the AirPods Max or AirPods Pro. Still, Sony devices feel surprisingly at home in the everyday world of Apple. What’s more, the headphones can be used in the traditional way with a cable. Sony includes a detachable 1.2-metre cable with a gold-plated L-shaped plug. From a technical standpoint, these headphones still manage to impress when used with a cable. According to the manufacturer, when the device is turned on, they achieve a sensitivity of 103 dB/mW at an impedance of 48 ohms. What does this mean for everyday use? Mainly that the headphones are loud enough even when connected via a cable, and work seamlessly with a variety of devices. But you still have to switch them on.
Call quality and microphones: as stable as you’d expect
Like the XM6, these headphones are also great for making phone calls. Voices sound clearer without letting any background noise through. Especially in offices or when on the go, the people you’re talking to can hear you much better than with older models like the XM4. Although wind noise is still audible, it’s less distracting than it used to be.
Battery life: staying power you can rely on
The battery capacity’s enough for everyday use. With noise cancellation enabled, Sony claims up to 24 hours of battery life; without ANC, it’s up to 32 hours. The reality is that this depends heavily on volume and daily usage, but they’ll generally only need recharging every once in a while.
In a nutshell
If you like the design…
Sony’s made a conscious decision not to position The Collexion as just the XM6 in disguise, vamped up with a more high-end look. These headphones are like nothing else from the 1000X series, with a greater emphasis on materials, build quality and a distinctive design. I like the sound tuning, thanks in part to the new processor, which will likely be used in the XM7 as well (depending on how long Sony waits to launch it). Despite being a little on the heavy side, these headphones are comfortable to wear; it was just the narrow headband that bothered me a bit at times. It’s the same story with the adaptive noise cancellation due to the lower clamping force. Unlike the XM6, they’re not foldable, which is a slight drawback in everyday use.
The build quality’s exceptional, the replaceable ear cushions are practical and the app offers many functions you’ll be familiar with from the XM6. At the same time, the faux leather around the touch surface develops visible shiny spots after frequent use.
Pro
- Powerful sound
- High-quality finish
- Great features
Contra
- A bit heavy
- Not foldable
Header image: Florian Bodoky
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
These articles might also interest you
12 comments
later