Sony 1000X The Collexion Review – Premium Build Meets Refined Sound

Sony 1000X The Collexion – First Look

Ten years after the original MDR‑1000X set a new benchmark for active‑noise‑cancelling (ANC) headphones, Sony has revived the name with a limited‑edition version of its current flagship, the WH‑1000XM6. Dubbed The Collexion, this model swaps the plastic chassis for synthetic leather, adds a stainless‑steel hinge and introduces a handful of hardware tweaks. At $650/€630 the price is noticeably higher than the standard XM6, so the key question is whether the refinements justify the cost.

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Design – Luxury Touches and Comfort Gains

The Collexion keeps the overall silhouette of the XM6 but replaces the matte‑black plastic surrounding the earcups with a soft‑touch synthetic leather that feels warm to the fingers. The leather is wrapped around a slightly wider ear‑pad, giving the cups a more generous interior. This extra space reduces pressure on the ears during long listening sessions, and the added padding makes the headset feel plush.

A stainless‑steel hinge runs along the side of the headband and continues around the frame, giving the unit a solid, premium feel that the XM6’s all‑plastic construction lacks. The hinge swivels inward for storage, though the folding mechanism is a bit bulkier than the XM6’s compact fold. The included case is larger than the standard soft‑case, but it features a sturdy handle and a magnetic flap, plus a small pocket for the bundled 3.5 mm cable.

Weight is the most obvious trade‑off: the Collexion is about 60 g heavier than the XM6, bringing the total to roughly 350 g. The extra mass is noticeable when you first put them on, but the improved padding offsets any fatigue.

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Feature Set – Incremental Yet Meaningful Updates

Feature	WH‑1000XM6	1000X The Collexion
Chip	V2	V3 (enhanced processing)
Bluetooth	5.3	6.0
ANC	Q3 chip, 12 mic	Q3 chip, 12 mic
Audio Upscaling	DSEE Extreme	DSEE Ultimate (AI‑driven)
Spatial Audio	360 Reality Audio (software)	360 Upmix with dedicated profiles
Ports	USB‑C, 3.5 mm	USB‑C, 3.5 mm
Battery (ANC on)	30 h	~25 h

The new V3 processor powers DSEE Ultimate, an AI‑assisted upscaler that restores high‑frequency detail lost in compressed streams. Sony also adds a hardware button that cycles through three 360 Upmix presets – music, movies and games – converting stereo sources into a pseudo‑surround experience.

Bluetooth 6.0 brings a modest improvement in latency and power efficiency, while maintaining support for SBC, AAC, LDAC, and the newer LC3 codec. Dual‑device pairing works as expected, allowing a quick switch between a phone and a laptop.

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Sound – Refined Tuning and Driver Enhancements

Inside the earcup sits a 30 mm driver that uses a soft‑edge dome made from a carbon‑composite material. Sony’s engineering team increased the copper thickness on the circuit board by 1.5×, which translates to a richer mid‑range and a slightly wider soundstage.

In blind tests the Collexion showed a clearer separation of instruments, especially in the mid‑range. Vocals sit forward without sounding overly bright, and the bass response is tighter but less emphasized than the XM6’s warm tuning. High frequencies gain a touch of sparkle, making the overall presentation feel more balanced for critical listening.

The three 360 Upmix modes add a pleasant sense of width to stereo tracks, though they don’t replace a true multi‑channel setup. For gaming, the “Game” profile lifts subtle positional cues, which can be useful in competitive titles.

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Noise Cancellation – Slightly Less Seal, Still Strong

Both models share the same Q3 ANC chip and 12‑mic array, but the Collexion’s wider ear‑cup interior reduces the passive seal. In practice this means a small dip in overall ANC performance, particularly in the high‑frequency range where a tighter fit helps block out chatter and hiss.

Low‑and mid‑frequency noises – such as engine rumble, HVAC fans or cabin hum – are still suppressed effectively. If you prioritize absolute silence on a flight, the XM6 may edge ahead, but the difference is subtle enough that most users won’t notice in everyday environments.

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Call Quality and Connectivity

The microphone array captures voice clearly and applies aggressive wind‑noise reduction. Calls made from an iPhone 17 Pro or a MacBook Pro 14 remained stable throughout the testing period, with no dropouts. While the mic quality isn’t quite at the level of Apple’s AirPods Max 2, it’s more than adequate for conference calls and casual chats.

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Battery Life – The Trade‑off of a Thinner Cup

Because the ear‑cup shell is slimmer, the internal battery is smaller. With ANC active and streaming AAC, the Collexion delivers just over 25 hours of playback, compared with the XM6’s 30‑plus hours. The reduction is noticeable for users who rely on a single charge for long trips, and it’s a factor to weigh against the premium design.

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Verdict – Premium Looks, Slight Compromises

Sony’s 1000X The Collexion is essentially a WH‑1000XM6 dressed in higher‑grade materials and equipped with a few modest hardware upgrades. The leather‑wrapped earcups, stainless‑steel hinge and extra padding make it the more comfortable and visually striking option. Audio tuning is a step forward, especially in the mids, and the new 360 Upmix profiles add a nice touch for media consumption.

The downsides are the higher price tag, a modest loss of battery endurance, and a small dip in ANC performance due to the looser seal. If you already own an XM6 and are happy with its sound and ANC, the Collexion may feel like an unnecessary splurge. However, for audiophiles who appreciate premium build quality and a slightly more analytical sound signature, the extra $200 can be justified.

Bottom line: The Collexion is the more luxurious sibling of the XM6 family – better suited for users who value comfort, design and refined mids over maximum battery life and the absolute strongest ANC.

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Pricing at launch: $650 (US), €630 (EU), £549 (UK).