XM6 vs. XM5: Specifications

Here are the primary specification differences between the two headphone models:

XM6 Specifications

• Processor: Sony QN3
• Microphones: 12
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (supports LDAC)
• Battery: 30 hours with ANC (40 hours without ANC)
• Quick charge: 3 hours in just 3 minutes
• Noise cancellation settings: Active noise cancellation, transparency mode, off
• Spatial audio: Yes
• Colors: Midnight blue, black, silver
• Inputs: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack
• Weight: Approximately 8.96 ounces

XM5 Specifications

• Processor: Sony QN1
• Microphones: 8
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 (supports LDAC)
• Battery: 30 hours with ANC (40 hours without ANC)
• Quick charge: 3 hours in just 3 minutes
• Noise cancellation settings: Active noise cancellation, transparency mode, off
• Spatial audio: Yes
• Colors: Midnight blue, black, silver, smoky pink
• Inputs: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack
• Weight: Approximately 8.82 ounces

The specifications show few differences. Here’s how they perform in real-world usage:

XM6 vs. XM5: Sound Quality

The XM6 press announcement mentions that Sony worked alongside Grammy-awarded and nominated sound engineers to improve audio quality.

The XM6 headphones deliver a richer and warmer sound, bringing more elements of songs to the forefront. Timothy Werth from Mashable pointed out in his review that vocals were especially prominent, a sentiment I share.

Not every track displayed a significant contrast. For instance, a live rendition of the Eagles’ “Hotel California” did not showcase considerable differences. Conversely, for numerous other tracks, such as Hall & Oates’ “Rich Girl,” Feist’s “Now At Last,” and Natalia Lafourcade & Los Macorinos’s “Soledad y el Mar,” the distinctions were apparent. Vocals came across as more dynamic, feeling less like they were sourced from a phone or computer and more engaging.

Both headphones provide equalizer adjustments through an app. The XM6s feature fewer presets (eight versus the XM5s’ 12) but maintain the same two custom preset slots. The XM6s’ presets come with clearer descriptions, whereas the XM5s have less specific labels like “bright” and “excited.” Moreover, the XM6s incorporate a gaming preset, enhancing their utility for everyday use.

The XM6s present three listening modes: standard, background, and cinema. The equalizer cannot be used with the latter two modes, but they simulate distinct experiences — background gives a “distant ambiance,” while cinema creates a more immersive soundscape with Sony’s 360 Audio Upmix technology. These features provide the XM6s an edge over the previous model.

Winner: WH-1000XM6

XM6 vs. XM5: Noise Cancellation

In terms of specifications, the XM6s should provide superior noise cancellation compared to the XM5s, boasting 12 microphones versus eight. The XM6s are also equipped with the new QN3 processor, which Sony asserts enhances adaptive noise-cancelling performance.

In terms of real-world application, the difference was not pronounced. My partner records audio for her job, making noise-cancelling headphones vital in our shared working environment. Initially, it was challenging to determine if the XM6s blocked out more ambient noise.