WF-1000XM6

I’ve spent the last few days putting the new **Sony WF-1000XM6** up against my **Technics EAH-AZ100** to see how they actually compare in daily use. Having used the previous generations (the AZ80 and XM5), along with a variety of other flagships and mid-tier buds, I have a pretty clear idea of what I’m looking for in terms of sound, fit, and ANC. While these are just my personal findings, I thought it would be worth sharing a direct breakdown for anyone currently trying to decide between them. I'll keep this straight to the point and rank them based on the categories that matter to me. # ANC & Transparency **Sony XM6** * **ANC:** 9/10 * **Transparency:** 8/10 **Technics AZ100** * **ANC:** 8.5/10 * **Transparency:** 7.5/10 **ANC:** I can’t give Sony a 10 here. To get that "market-leading" silence, you're still forced to use their proprietary foam tips, which I find uncomfortable. I can get the Technics to nearly 95% of Sony’s performance by swapping to **Foamax** or **Comply** tips while maintaining much better comfort. The XM6 fits me better than the XM5, but they are still big and ugly IMO. **Transparency:** The Technics is technically more "transparent," but the **white noise** is just too much. Sony handles the noise floor much better and feels more refined. That said, both are still a step down from the natural feel of **AirPods**, **Galaxy Buds**, or **Pixel Buds**. # Sound Quality **Sound Quality** **Sony XM6** * **Score:** 8.5/10 **Technics AZ100** * **Score:** 9/10 Sony has definitely moved toward a more natural tuning compared to the XM5. They sound great out of the box, but the **Technics still takes the win for me due to the wider soundstage**. I just feel more "space" in the music with the AZ100 which i personally prefer * *Note:* The Sony "Find My EQ" feature was a total letdown for me—it just didn't work well at all. (could be a firmware bug and not something i would take a mark away from sony for given that the default eq is great - with technics i have to switch eq) # Call Quality **Technics AZ100** * **Score:** 9/10 **Sony XM6** * **Score:** 8/10 The Technics win here, especially after the most recent update. * **Quiet Rooms:** Sony actually sounds better/more natural when it's quiet. * **Noisy Environments:** Once you add background noise, Technics' new **Voice AI** is amazing. It makes your voice sound slightly less natural, but it almost entirely deletes the background noise. * **Customization Win:** On the Technics, you can actually toggle that voice suppression via the touch controls—perfect for switching it off in quiet rooms. I expect Sony to improve via firmware, but right now, they aren't there yet. # Controls **Technics AZ100** * **Score:** 9.5/10 **Sony XM6** * **Score:** 8.5/10 Huge props to Sony for finally allowing custom controls—it’s a massive improvement. However, **Technics is still the king of customization**. * Technics gives you way more utility during actual calls and allows you to toggle specific features (like the Voice AI) directly from the buds. Sony is catching up, but Technics still offers more "pro" depth. Given the current discounts, the **Technics are much better value**. Sony has built a bud that *almost* matches Technics on sound and calls while leading on ANC, but the price tag is steep. If you only care about top-tier ANC, you might as well grab the **Bose QC Ultra Gen 2** or the **AirPods Pro** . (the xm6 anc is still not as good as the bose or apple IMHO) The XM6 isn't a big enough leap over the XM5 to justify the launch price right now. Once the price drops and the firmware matures, they’ll be worth a look—provided you can get past the design. (Seriously, they aren't lookers).

**Just wanted to circle back on this:** Thanks for all the feedback on the Sony vs Bose. I ended up going with a [**Sony WF-1000XM6**](https://redipicks.com/products/B0G6HLWS6Q?tg=fhfmydms) after seeing so many of you mention how good the noise cancelling is, and how reliable the battery and multipoint connection are. It's been great so far, no more cut-outs or crackling when I walk outside. Hi, I am writing this post because I am in urgent need of a new pair of earbuds. My current is the old Samsung Galaxy Buds FE one and it's been my one and only for like 3 years now. The battery barely lasts an hour now and it cuts out and crackles whenever I walk outside. I've been reading on here and and come to a realisation to either get a [**Sony WF-1000XM6**](https://redipicks.com/products/B0G6HLWS6Q?tg=fhfmydms), [**Apple AirPods Pro 3**](https://redipicks.com/products/B0FQFB8FMG?tg=fhfmydms), [**Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro**](https://redipicks.com/products/B0G1PJLWLZ?tg=fhfmydms) or [**Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2**](https://redipicks.com/products/B0F7M3HPBD?tg=fhfmydms). I don't want another cheap earbuds, more like a real ANC with solid app EQ and reliable multipoint. My budget is $300 so I can afford each one. I thought to be loyal to Samsung and get that Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, however I might be missing out on something better. Basically ready to pull the trigger so please help me make the final decision!

After buying and trying a few different earbuds, like the Technics AZ100, Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5, Pixel Buds Pro 2, SoundPeats H3, AirPods Pro 3, Bose QC Ultra Gen 2, Sony XM5... I can say that i finally found the best earbuds for me... I'm just a regular guy, who likes earbuds, use it in the gym, outside sports, and commuting, I'm no audiophile. i like to see YouTubers earbuds reviews from El Jefe Reviews, Picky Audio, Aaron Loud....etc Things that i prioritize: ANC, Multipoint with automatic Takeover, Transparency and Sound Quality... The XM6 ticks all the boxes for me, i bought them for 190€, used ones, but in excellent condition... I use a Pixel 8 Pro, LDAC on, and i like to listen with volume around 68%... ANC is God Tier, together with the Airpods pro 3 and Bose QC gen 2... only headphones like the WH-1000 XM6 and the Bose are better... I use the stock eartips, L size, perfect fit for me, they are very comfortable, can use them for hours, new design and weight helps a lot... if you need or prefer silicone eartips I recommend the Azla Sednaearfit Max Standard, for a little more comfort, but it comes with a 10% +- worse ANC... Transparency is very good, especially if you are comparing it with XM5, it is almost at the airpods pro 3 level, but the Airpods are still number 1.... The sound is brilliant, in love Japanese sound quality, they are the top notch... They are the best sounding earbuds i have, under 300€, together with the Technics AZ100 and SoundPeats H3. The default sound is good, but with a good EQ you can improve it and luckily there is a 10 band EQ... Ldac On i recommend this EQ: \+1, +2, +2, +2, +3, +3, +3, +3, +2, +2 Microphone for phone calls is really good, under all conditions, wind, street noise... etc the people can understand my voice very clearly and they don't listen to noise or wind, great call quality... Multipoint with automatic takeover works perfectly Battery life around 8h with ANC and LDAC, volume between 60% to 68% Phone app is very good, full of extras, IPX4, ambient sound, quick attention, battery care...etc Hope you enjoy this small review... Any doubts, just let me know in the comments....

I just purchased the new Sony WF-1000XM6 and have been using them for 3 days. I had used Technics AZ100 for 6 months prior to buying these. Here are some of my impressions of the new XM6s compared to my prior earbuds in the hope that I can help some of you: Battery: AZ100 > XM6 AZ100 has a slightly better battery, but both last long enough for my purposes. Fit: XM6 = AZ100 They both sit very differently in my ear, but as long as they has a snug fit and don't fall out on my runs or workouts, I'm satisfied. In which case, they both fit the bill. Its a tie. ANC: AZ100 = XM6 Both have excellent noise cancellation. I can still hear very loud, abrupt noises nearby (like weights slamming at the gym next to you) but they both do well blocking out the noise. Sound: XM6 > AZ100 The most important factor for me is sound quality. Before we get into it, keep in mind I mainly listen to classical/instrumental/epic music. XM6 is by far the winner here! It has a wonderful, balanced, detailed sound. Treble is bright, bass is full, mids are solid. Instruments are well-separated, distinct, and colorful, with lower tones filling in the sound wonderfully. Unlike the AZ100, which has wonderful full sounding bass, but mids and especially treble sound muffled, and the overall sound is flat and low in detail. Sony has a superior 10-band EQ which I love and a much better app UI. Technics has a terrible EQ app and 3rd party EQs only get you so far. Whenever I bump up mids and trebles on 3rd party EQ apps for my AZ100s, I get sound distortions and buzzing at particular frequencies. I don't even need to EQ the Sonys. They are wonderful straight out of the box. But I do have a higher treble and mid EQ setting in Sony and there are no distortions like on the AZ100. The XM6s can actually handle adjustments. I am extremely satisfied in my decision to purchase Sony's WF-1000XM6.

just spotted this .. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/sony-wf-1000xm6?test\_uuid=04IpBmWGZleS0I0J3epvMrC&test\_variant=A umm not sure what to think... in other news alot of competitor earbuds are on sale to counter the Sony announcement it seems