New Tech Review

ByDHRME Admin

Sony is making a bold statement in the luxury audio market, aiming to challenge established players like Bowers & Wilkins, Bang & Olufsen, and Apple. We recently got our hands on the new Sony 1000X The Collexion Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, a release that celebrates a decade of their acclaimed 1000X series. The naming convention, including “The Collexion” and the internal “WH-1000XX” designation, is a bit of a mouthful, but the experience promises to be anything but confusing.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Our review unit arrived in the platinum version, though a black option is also available. Sony continues its commitment to sustainability with all-paper packaging, a welcome touch. The carrying case immediately stands out with a built-in handle, a practical addition that some might playfully liken to a handbag. While the light fabric material of the case looks elegant, we anticipate it might show dirt quickly. The case features the familiar magnetic closure seen in previous 1000X models, like the WH-1000XM6, which we appreciate for its ease of use.

Inside, beyond the mandatory paperwork, we found a single 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable. Notably absent was a USB-C charging cable, a decision that suggests Sony expects users to have plenty of these already. The headphones themselves are a blend of faux leather and hand-polished stainless steel, exuding a premium aesthetic. While some might prefer genuine leather at this price point, the faux leather contributes to a more ethical product.

Design and Comfort

A significant design shift is the return to a non-foldable form factor, a departure from the foldable WH-1000XM6 but a return to the style of the XM5. We find this change to be a positive one; the headphones simply drop into their case without the need for fiddly adjustments to find the right angle. The earcups can swivel flat, allowing them to rest comfortably around the neck, though they don’t fold a full 180 degrees, leaving the cups slightly exposed.

The headband features both polished and brushed stainless steel accents, with the Sony logo subtly embossed. All buttons and ports are crafted from metal, adding to the premium feel. The shiny surfaces, particularly on the sides, are prone to fingerprints, which might be a minor aesthetic concern for some. Upon wearing them, the comfort is immediately apparent. The earcups are plush and deep, with angled drivers providing ample space for the ears. The clamp force is noticeably lighter than the WH-1000XM6, making for a much more comfortable fit, even for extended listening sessions. They also feel more streamlined around the head, avoiding the “big cans” look.

Controls and Connectivity

The right earcup features a touch sensor control panel for playback, call management, track skipping, and volume adjustment (swipe up/down). Tapping and holding activates the voice assistant or rejects calls. Physical buttons include a power button, a noise-canceling/ambient mode button, and an “up mix” button for cycling through listening modes like standard, music, and cinema, with options to add game and background music.

The accompanying Sony Headphones Connect app offers a comprehensive suite of features. While initially overwhelming with its permissions and tutorials, it provides shortcuts to key functions. Adaptive Sound Control automatically adjusts ambient sound settings based on activity (e.g., walking, public transport). The transparency mode is exceptionally good, allowing us to hear our surroundings and our own voice naturally. The app also includes a 10-band equalizer with various presets (heavy bass, clear, hard, soft, game) and custom options. Features like DSEE Ultimate upscale lower-quality music, while 360 Reality Audio, spatial sound, and head tracking enhance the immersive experience. The headphones support multi-point connectivity, allowing seamless switching between multiple devices, and offer a low-latency mode for gamers. Speak-to-chat automatically lowers audio volume and activates transparency mode when it detects speech, and head gestures allow for accepting or rejecting calls with a nod or shake of the head.

Battery Life and Passive Use

The Sony 1000X The Collexion offers 24 hours of battery life, a reduction from the approximately 30 hours found in previous 1000X models. While this is less than some competitors, it’s a trade-off for the slimmer, more streamlined design. We also tested passive listening: the headphones require power to function even when connected via the 3.5mm audio cable. Furthermore, they do not support audio playback via the USB-C port, regardless of whether they are powered on or off.

Tech Specs

    • Noise Cancelling: Yes
    • Battery Life: 24 hours
    • Audio: High-res, 360 Reality Audio, LE Audio
    • EQ: 10-band customizable
    • Connectivity: Multi-point, Low Latency
    • Sensors: Wear sensor, Head gestures

Microphones

The headphones feature a mute function for the microphone, which can be activated by pressing the noise-canceling/ambient mode button twice during a call. There’s also a “capture voice during a phone call” feature, which acts as a self-voice or transparency mode, allowing you to hear your own voice clearly during calls. To hear the raw microphone samples, check out the video embedded at the top of this post!

Pros and Cons

    • ✅ Premium design materials
    • ✅ Exceptional comfort fit
    • ✅ Intuitive case design
    • ✅ Feature-rich app control
    • ❌ Reduced battery life
    • ❌ No passive wired audio
    • ❌ Case prone to dirt
    • ❌ No USB-C audio

Products Mentioned

===DISCLOSURES===
✅ Sony lent us these products for free for review purposes.
✅ No one got input at any stage in the creation of this content. All opinions and bad jokes are strictly our own.
✅ Affiliate shopping and merchandise links above earn us commission.

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