Sony releases $650 luxury 1000X Collexion headphones to mark decade milestone
The new 1000X The Collexion utilises stainless steel and vegan leather, but comes with a higher price tag and reduced battery life compared to the WH-1000XM6.
Sony has launched the 1000X The Collexion, a luxury edition of its flagship wireless noise-canceling headphones, priced at $650. Released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the original MDR-1000X, the device represents a distinct shift in product strategy, positioning itself as a design-focused luxury item rather than a direct successor to the current functional flagship, the WH-1000XM6.
The Collexion distinguishes itself through the use of premium materials, including stainless steel joints and headband support, replacing the plastic components found in the XM6. The ear cups and headband are wrapped in vegan leather to provide a textured finish, while the headband cushion padding is 40 per cent thicker and 10 per cent wider than that of the XM6. The ear cup housing is also 5mm slimmer, contributing to a weight increase from 253 grams in the XM6 to 320 grams in the Collexion.
Despite the heavier build, the headphones do not fold; the ear cups swivel flat, similar to the WH-1000XM5, which results in a larger footprint when stored. The accompanying carrying case features a cutout handle and a magnetic clasp, resembling a small bag rather than a traditional hard case. Replacement pricing for the removable ear pads and headband cushion has not yet been determined.
Performance metrics show a trade-off for the luxury design. The Collexion utilises newly designed unidirectional 30mm carbon fibre drivers and offers 24 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation enabled, down from 30 hours for the XM6. Fast charging provides 1.5 hours of playback from a five-minute charge, whereas the XM6 offers three hours from a three-minute charge. The device also includes 360 upmix listening modes for music and games.
While the audio quality is described as clear with improved presence in the lower midrange, the thinner ear cup housing reduces passive isolation, particularly in the midrange and higher frequencies. Consequently, the overall noise cancellation is weaker than that of the XM6. Sony states the Collexion is the pinnacle of its technology and design, but at $650, it sits at a significant premium over the XM6 and competes directly with the Apple AirPods Max 2.
