Sony is celebrating 10 years of its 1000X noise-canceling headphone line with something a little different. The new Sony 1000X The ColleXion, also known as the WH-1000XX, is not just the familiar WH-1000X formula in a new color. It is a pricier, more design-focused version of Sony’s wireless ANC headphones, with upgraded materials, a new driver, spatial audio features, and a look that feels aimed at the luxury end of the market.
The headphones are available now in Black and Platinum for $649.99 at retailers including Amazon and Crutchfield. That price puts them well above Sony’s regular WH-1000XM6 (priced at $459.99), which remains the more mainstream option in the 1000X family.
So, what is Sony 1000X The ColleXion? The simple answer: it is Sony’s anniversary flagship, but not necessarily the most practical 1000X model for everyone.
Sony launched The ColleXion to mark the 10th anniversary of the 1000X series, which started back in 2016 with the MDR-1000X. Instead of making this model all about better noise cancellation or longer battery life, Sony is clearly leaning into design, comfort, and materials.
That means this is less of a “throw it in your backpack before a flight” headphone and more of a “I want my wireless headphones to look and feel more premium” product.
Some of the key design touches include:
That carrying case is worth mentioning because it says a lot about what Sony is going for here. The ColleXion does not fold down like the WH-1000XM6. Instead, the earcups swivel flat, and the included case looks more like a small bag than a typical travel case. It gives the headphones a more fashion-forward feel, but it also means they are not as compact for travel.
Inside, Sony is using a 30mm driver with a newly developed carbon composite dome. The goal here is to improve separation between instruments and vocals, while also giving the sound more high-frequency detail and a wider sense of space.
The headphones also include several familiar Sony features, including DSEE Ultimate, which is designed to improve compressed music files, and 360 Upmix, which can create a more spacious sound presentation for music, movies, and games.
The spec list includes:
For most people, the big things to notice are LDAC, LC3, and the 3.5mm jack. LDAC is useful if you use an Android phone and want higher-bitrate wireless audio. LC3 points toward newer Bluetooth LE Audio support. And the wired input is still handy for flights, older gear, or those moments when Bluetooth is being annoying for no good reason.
One thing that may disappoint some buyers: this still does not appear to be a full USB-C audio headphone. At this price, that would have been a nice addition.
Sony rates the 1000X The ColleXion at up to 24 hours with noise canceling on and up to 32 hours with noise canceling off. Charging takes about 3.5 hours.
That is perfectly usable for daily listening, office work, commuting, and most long flights. But at $649.99, some buyers may expect more. Sony’s less expensive WH-1000XM6 is the more practical travel headphone, and other competitors in this price range may offer different mixes of battery life, build, and audio features.
Weight is another thing to keep in mind. The ColleXion comes in at about 320 grams, which makes it heavier than the regular XM6. Sony has tried to balance that with a wider headband and more spacious earcups, but there is no way around the basic reality: heavier headphones can feel heavier during long listening sessions.
That does not mean they will be uncomfortable. It just means this is one of those products where the premium materials come with a practical trade-off.
The 1000X The ColleXion is not really trying to be the obvious value pick. That role still belongs to Sony’s regular WH-1000X models, especially when they go on sale.
Instead, The ColleXion feels like Sony creating a higher-end showcase for the 1000X name. It takes the things people already associate with the series, noise canceling, wireless convenience, app-based controls, and travel-friendly features, and wraps them in a more upscale design.
That makes the price easier to understand, though not necessarily easy to justify for every buyer.
For someone who simply wants great Sony noise canceling for planes, work, and everyday use, the WH-1000XM6 will probably make more sense. It is lighter, folds down, and costs less. For someone who already likes Sony’s sound and ANC approach but wants something that looks and feels more premium, The ColleXion is the new top-shelf option.
The Sony 1000X The ColleXion is best understood as a luxury spin on the 1000X formula, not a direct replacement for the WH-1000XM6. It adds a new driver, premium materials, a more distinctive case, and a design that clearly wants to stand apart from Sony’s usual travel-headphone look.
At the same time, it asks buyers to accept a few compromises. It is heavier, it does not fold down, and its battery life is good rather than category-leading. The $649.99 price also puts it in a very different conversation from the standard 1000X models.
So, this is not the Sony headphone most people will automatically buy. It is the one Sony fans may look at when they want the 1000X experience with a more upscale feel, and when they are willing to pay quite a bit extra for that design shift.
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