Sony 1000X The Collexion

Sony's 1000X The Collexion marks the 10-year anniversary of the original MDR-1000X with a luxury-focused redesign prioritizing comfort and aesthetics over pure functionality. At $650, these headphones feature premium materials including stainless steel joints, an exposed metal headband, and vegan leather ear cups. The headband cushion is 40% thicker and 10% wider than the XM6, with more interior ear cushion space for improved fit. Sound quality shows enhanced clarity in lower midrange and high-end sparkle, though noise-canceling suffers from thinner ear cup housing reducing passive isolation. Battery life drops to 24 hours with ANC versus the XM6's 30 hours, and fast charging is less efficient. The headphones don't fold, lying flat instead, and weight increases to 320 grams.

Sony's 1000X The Collexion commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the 1000X line with a $650 premium model featuring significant design upgrades including stainless steel reinforcement, a wider headband with thicker padding, and slimmer yet more spacious earcups. The leather-like finish and new case with built-in handle add luxury touches, though the weight increases to 320 grams. Sound improvements come from upgraded drivers, a more powerful V3 chip, and new DSEE Ultimate digital processing with upmix modes for music, cinema, and gaming. Noise canceling and voice calling remain excellent, though battery life takes a slight hit compared to the previous generation. Spatial audio with head-tracking is limited to Android devices, and USB-C audio is absent.

Sony's anniversary flagship headphones prioritize sonic refinement over mainstream appeal. The 1000X The Collexion delivers exceptional textural detail through a spacious, mature sound signature, though this comes at the cost of entertainment value for casual listeners. Build quality emphasizes premium materials with metal and faux leather construction, yet the exterior finish proves susceptible to marking during daily use. Active noise cancellation and call quality meet high standards, while a lightweight, slim-profile design enables comfortable extended wear despite weighing more than the WH-1000XM6. Touch controls function responsively with ample app-based customization. Positioned at £550/$650, these represent Sony's most expensive wireless headphones to date, targeting audiophiles rather than the broader consumer market.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion represents Sony's 10-year anniversary luxury reinterpretation of the WH-1000XM6, priced at $650/£550. It replaces plastic with stainless steel and vegan leather for a fashion-forward aesthetic that functions as a designer accessory. The 30mm unidirectional carbon drivers deliver a wider, richer soundstage with greater depth than the standard XM6. Call quality performs excellently, and the included carrying case resembles a minimalist designer handbag. Despite heavier materials at 11.3 ounces, a wider headband maintains comfort. However, battery life drops to 24 hours, and ANC performance remains unchanged from the XM6. Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connectivity, wear detection, and wired options (3.5mm, USB-C) are included.

The reviewer tested Sony's flagship 1000X The Collexion headphones, positioned above the WH-1000XM6 at £550. Designed for home 'me time' rather than portable use, they feature new 30mm carbon drivers and deliver enjoyable, controlled bass with Hi-Res Audio support. The 10-band graphic equalizer with two custom save slots proved genuinely useful. However, the '360 upmixes' listening modes (Background Music, Game, Cinema, Music) add unwanted filtering that degrades audio quality. The ANC focuses on creating a quiet environment for focused listening rather than travel scenarios. Build quality and materials reflect the luxury positioning, though the reviewer questions whether consumers will accept the 40% price premium over the XM6 line.

Sony's 1000X The Collexion marks the 10th anniversary of its flagship headphone line with a luxurious all-leather-and-metal redesign and enhanced comfort features. The reviewer praised its exceptional build quality, DSEE Ultimate upscaling, and extensive feature set including spatial audio modes and handy tools like Adaptive Sound Control. However, at $650, the headphones deliver less impressive sound quality and weaker active noise cancellation than expected for the premium price. The new unidirectional carbon drivers failed to match the performance of cheaper alternatives in Sony's own lineup, making this anniversary edition a questionable value despite its undeniable aesthetic appeal and wearability improvements.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion (WH-1000XX) represents Sony's attempt to enter the ultra-premium headphone tier at $650, marking a decade of the 1000X series. Reviewers found exceptional build quality with faux leather covering, metal buttons and supports, and outstanding comfort with minimal clamping force even after hours of use. The carry case with magnetic closure and integrated handle received particular praise. However, the price increase of over $200 above the WH-1000XM6 proved contentious, especially given performance that doesn't clearly surpass the cheaper model. Notable omissions include the lack of a USB-C cable in the box, with only a basic 3.5mm cable included. The unusual naming convention and non-folding design also drew comment.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion ($649.99) delivers a luxurious redesign over the standard WH-1000XM6 with more metal components, faux-leather finishes, and new 30mm unidirectional carbon drivers. The refined headband design improves comfort despite a heavier 11.3-ounce weight. New controls include a programmable Noise Mode button and a Listening Mode button cycling between Standard, Music, and Cinema presets. Bluetooth 6.0 supports AAC, LC3, LDAC, and SBC codecs with multipoint connectivity. However, battery life drops to 24 hours with ANC (down from 30 hours), fast charging yields only 1.5 hours from five minutes, and the package omits a USB-C cable entirely. The hard case features a convenient handle and magnetic clasp. No USB-C audio connectivity is available, only 3.5mm wired.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion ($649.99) delivers a luxurious redesign of Sony's headphone lineup with premium materials including matte stainless steel, faux leather finishes, and new 30mm unidirectional carbon drivers. The redesigned headband arches over the top with cushioning below, making it comfortable despite weighing 11.3 ounces. Connectivity includes Bluetooth 6.0 with AAC, LC3, LDAC, and SBC codec support plus multipoint pairing for two devices. Several new physical controls were added: a power/pairing button, programmable Noise Mode button, and a Listening Mode button cycling between Standard, Music, and Cinema modes. However, battery life drops to 24 hours with ANC, rapid charging yields only 1.5 hours from five minutes, and the package omits a USB-C cable entirely. The hard case features a handle and magnetic clasp. Wired 3.5mm listening is supported but USB-C audio is not available.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion marks Sony's 10-year anniversary in the 1000X series as their most expensive wireless headphones yet. Positioned as an ultra-premium alternative to Apple's AirPods Max, these over-ears deliver an expansive, spacious soundstage with excellent instrument separation and balanced frequency response. The luxurious design features faux-leather and titanium accents, while comfort remains class-leading for extended sessions. Feature highlights include DSEE Ultimate upscaling via a new V3 chip, impeccable touch controls, and 10-band EQ customization. However, battery life drops to 24 hours with ANC—below Sony's typical 30-hour standard—and 360 Upmix modes disappoint despite dedicated hardware access. Noise cancellation performs well but intentionally trails the ANC-focused WH-1000XM6.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion marks the 10th anniversary of Sony's wireless ANC headphone line, positioned as a luxury product at $649/€629/£549. The design prioritizes premium materials over acoustic improvements, featuring a thinner 40.1 mm profile, steel headband with matte and mirror finishes, and proprietary faux leather developed over two years. Build quality distinguishes it from mainstream competitors, with easily replaceable earpads and metal-reinforced ports. However, the reviewer found significant sonic drawbacks: a weird, very specific tuning with aggressive treble that fails to advance beyond previous generations. The carrying case uses space between earcups and headband as a handle. Rating: 6.5/10.

Sony's 1000X The Collexion marks a decade of flagship headphones with a luxury-tier $650 offering. The reviewer found meaningful upgrades over the WH-1000XM6: a unidirectional carbon driver delivers livelier sound with deeper, tighter bass and less fatiguing highs. The V3 chip enables DSEE Ultimate upscaling. Design improvements include polished metal accents, slimmer earcups, wider headband, and thicker ear pads that resolve comfort issues from the XM6. However, noise cancellation uses the same QN3 processor and lags behind the XM6, landing closer to Sonos Ace or WH-1000XM5 levels. Two new spatial audio modes were added, though the reviewer preferred standard stereo. The headphones support LDAC, LC3, wired 3.5mm listening, and ambient mode.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion represents Sony's entry into the high-end ANC market, launched for the 10th anniversary of the WH-1000X line. Testing occurred over two weeks with two provided units after the first malfunctioned. The headphones feature a redesigned metal band replacing plastic, leather earcup coverings, and a stainless steel swivel joint instead of a folding hinge—limiting storage to flat-only positions in an unusual case with integrated handle. Comfort improves through increased ear cup volume, extra padding, and a friction rod design. The V3 chip enables DSEE Ultimate AI upscaling, dedicated content upmixing modes for movies/games/music, and a battery longevity setting that prevents full charging. Bluetooth 6.0 supports SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 codecs with Multipoint for two connections. No ingress protection rating exists, suggesting caution around moisture.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion prioritizes luxury design and all-day comfort over pure portability. Hand-polished metal and soft faux leather construction create a premium feel, while a slimmer silhouette—achieved by splitting the battery internally—eliminates ear fatigue through wider, plush ear cups and reduced clamping force. A dedicated hardware button for switching listening modes removes app dependency, though touch controls remain finicky with unresponsive gestures and missing haptic feedback. The unfolded design sacrifices foldability for wearing comfort, and the looser fit slightly diminishes ANC performance. Feature parity with Sony's flagship line includes on-ear detection, 10-band EQ, adaptive listening, and multipoint Bluetooth.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion represents Sony's 10th anniversary flagship luxury headphone, priced at $999.95 and targeting audiophiles and design-conscious buyers. Hand-polished stainless steel construction in platinum and black finishes, with faux leather earcups developed over two years, creates a statement piece meant for visible use. Audio performance features new unidirectional carbon composite dome drivers developed with mastering engineers, delivering expanded frequency range, wider soundstage, and warmer bass. The six-microphone array with AI voice isolation ensures clear calls, while 24-hour ANC battery life supports practical daily use. Bluetooth 6, LE Audio, LDAC, and AuraCast readiness prevent connectivity compromises despite the luxury positioning.

The 1000X The ColleXion represents Sony's 10-year anniversary luxury edition, positioned above the WH-1000XM6 at $649. Crafted as a "masterpiece" halo product, it prioritizes premium materials and comfort over technological advancement. The design features metal hinges, faux leather, and plush padding with a continuous arc headband that distributes weight evenly. ANC performance matches the XM6's excellent implementation, though Sony admits it may be very slightly worse due to the lighter clamp force and different earcup shape. New drivers offer marginally cleaner separation and more headroom, but the sound signature remains familiar. Battery life disappoints at 24 hours versus the XM6's 30 hours, and the USB-C port lacks audio passthrough.

Sony's 1000X THE COLLEXION represents a luxury-focused evolution rather than a standard yearly upgrade. The design emphasizes premium materials with hand-polished stainless steel and a two-year-developed matte faux leather finish. Comfort receives genuine engineering attention through a wider headband, softer earpads, and split battery design for improved weight distribution. Audio tuning prioritizes clarity and immersion, complemented by AI upscaling and spatial audio modes. The slimmer 40.1mm earcup depth creates a refined silhouette. A thoughtfully designed magnetic carry case encloses the fully-protected headphones. Available in Platinum and Black from May 2026 at £550, these target discerning listeners seeking wearable luxury alongside serious sound performance.

Sony's 1000X 'The Collexion' represents a deliberate pivot from performance-focused engineering to luxury design, priced at $650. It features stainless steel construction with vegan leather padding, a thicker headband, and larger ear cushions. Audio improvements are evolutionary, with better instrument separation and midrange detail. Noise cancellation remains strong but shows only modest gains. Battery life is reduced compared to standard XM models, partially mitigated by fast charging. The redesigned carrying case emphasizes fashion-inspired presentation over pure functionality. This release targets buyers prioritizing material quality and aesthetic identity alongside technical performance.

Sony 1000X The ColleXion marks the 10th anniversary of Sony's wireless ANC headphone line with a premium positioning above the WH-1000XM6. Physical upgrades include a wider headband, premium synthetic leather cups, and stainless steel stem accents. The design swaps folding for swiveling cups. Internally, a new V3 integral processor enables enhanced sound processing and advanced spatial modes including 360 Upmix for music, cinema, and gaming with a dedicated hardware button. The tuning shifts toward audiophile preferences with clearer highs and wider soundstage, departing from the series' traditionally warm, bass-heavy signature. New unidirectional carbon layered core composite drivers promise improved treble detail and separation. The package includes a redesigned carrying case with magnetic clasp, integrated handle, and 3.5mm cable.

Sony's 1000X The Collexion marks the tenth anniversary of the WH-1000X headphone line with a design-focused premium offering. Available in platinum silver and black, it emphasizes luxury materials—aluminium for hinges and headband, faux leather elsewhere—over pure performance. The headphones introduce Sony's first DSEE Ultimate real-time AI upscaling and expand 360 Reality Audio to three modes with 360 Upmix. Battery life clocks in at 24 hours, below the standard 30, while noise cancellation is intentionally tuned weaker than the WH-1000XM6. A standout carry case with magnetic closure and included 3.5mm cable draws favorable notice. Priced at £550/$649/€630, it positions as a fashion-forward alternative within Sony's range rather than a direct replacement.