Engadget review finds Sony 1000X Collexion lacks performance edge over standard model
The 10th-anniversary edition of Sony’s flagship headphones prioritises aesthetics over core functionality, according to a new assessment from Engadget.
Engadget has published a review of the Sony 1000X The Collexion (WH-1000XX), marking the 10th anniversary of Sony’s flagship headphone line. Priced at $650, the new model costs approximately $200 more than the standard WH-1000XM6. The review positions the Collexion as a luxury item featuring leather and metal construction, but concludes it is inferior to the standard XM6 in key performance areas including sound quality, active noise cancellation, and battery life.
The device features a significant design overhaul, replacing the plastic build of the XM6 with leather and metal materials. Engineering changes include a 40 per cent thicker headband padding and ear cups that rotate flat rather than folding in. The unit weighs 67 grams more than the XM6, yet the reviewer notes it maintains comfort due to reduced clamping force. Internally, Sony has introduced new unidirectional carbon drivers and an upgraded DSEE Ultimate AI upscaling technology. A dedicated button for spatial audio modes, covering Music and Game settings, has been added to the left ear cup.
Despite the premium aesthetic, the review identifies significant drawbacks in audio performance. Criticism centres on an over-reliance on booming bass that obscures midrange details, particularly in intense genres such as metal and rock. The reviewer also noted that the new Music spatial audio preset renders sound overly tinny with prominent vocals. While the DSEE Ultimate upscaling technology effectively restores detail lost to compression, the underlying stock tuning was deemed less balanced than that of the previous generation.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) performance is rated lower than the XM6, with the reviewer noting that constant background noises like fans are more audible. This degradation is attributed to a prioritisation of comfort over passive noise isolation in the ear pads, despite the Collexion utilising the same QN3 processor and 12-microphone array as the XM6. Battery life is similarly reduced, offering 24 hours with ANC on compared to 30 hours on the XM6. Quick-charge efficiency is also lower, requiring two additional minutes to achieve half the playtime provided by the standard model.
The 1000X line has held the top spot in Engadget’s best headphones list since its debut 10 years ago. The XM6 remains the current benchmark for the series, featuring the aforementioned QN3 processor and a dedicated Cinema spatial audio mode. The Collexion retains the line’s robust feature set, including Adaptive Sound Control, Speak-to-Chat, and head gesture controls. However, the review concludes that for a device costing nearly $200 more than its predecessor, the Collexion fails to meet expectations, with the XM6 offering superior tuning and noise cancellation.
