\*\*Sony WH-1000X The Collexion Review\*\*

Many people may see the Sony WH-1000X The Collexion as essentially an XM6 with more premium materials. After spending considerable time with it, however, I think that comparison undersells what Sony has changed.

\*\*A bit of context\*\*

I’m a hobbyist audiophile rather than a professional reviewer or audio engineer, so this review is ultimately subjective. My impressions are based on extended personal listening rather than laboratory measurements.

My experience with headphones comes from audiophilia as a hobby, composing orchestral music, and owning or extensively trying a range of headphones, including:

Beats Solo3, Beats Studio3, AirPods Max, AirPods Max 2, Focal Bathys, Focal Bathys MG, Focal Clear MG, Sennheiser HDB 630, Sennheiser HD 560S, Hifiman Edition XS, Nothing Headphone 1, Sony WH-1000XM6 / The Collexion, DALI IO-12, T+A Solitaire T, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 1 & Gen 2, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

This has given me a reasonably broad basis for comparing different approaches to tuning, comfort, ANC and technical performance.

With that context out of the way, let's talk about the Collexion.

\# Build & Comfort

The Collexion makes some significant changes to the physical design compared with the standard XM6:

\- More premium materials, including a metal headband and faux leather

\- Larger and deeper ear cups

\- Lower clamping force

\- A considerably longer headband adjustment range

Comfort is one of its strongest points. Personally, I would rank it among the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. I tested it for around four hours continuously and experienced very little pressure or fatigue around my head or ears. The lower clamp does have a trade-off, though: the headphone can move around somewhat when leaning forward. It isn't a major problem during normal use, but it can occasionally be noticeable.

I also prefer the Collexion's aesthetic to the more utilitarian, plastic-heavy appearance of the XM6. The combination of metal and faux leather gives it a more refined and luxurious feel.

The metal construction of the headband and hinges also gives me more confidence in its long-term durability, although actual long-term reliability cannot be established from my relatively limited ownership period.

\# ANC, Transparency & App

\*\*ANC\*\*

The Collexion's ANC performance is excellent. When the ear-pad seal is good, it does a very effective job across a broad range of frequencies. Low-frequency sounds such as engines and rumble are reduced strongly, while voices and higher-frequency environmental sounds are also attenuated effectively.

However, I would not call it the absolute best ANC implementation I've experienced. In my testing, the XM6, AirPods Max 2 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 can still provide stronger overall isolation in certain situations.

The important point is that the difference becomes much less significant once music is playing. The Collexion still provides a very high level of isolation and is more than capable for commuting, travelling and everyday use.

\*\*Transparency\*\*

Transparency mode is similarly strong. Ambient sound comes through naturally enough to allow conversations without removing the headphones.

The AirPods Max 2 still sounds more convincing to me in this area. The Collexion also retains a slight artificial or plasticky character in the ambient sound, although it is considerably less important in normal use than the overall effectiveness of the mode.

\*\*App\*\*

Sony's companion app is one of the more feature-rich headphone apps available. It isn't completely bug-free, but it provides extensive control over the headphone.

The built-in 10-band EQ is particularly important for the Collexion, because it allows the sound to be shaped considerably more than the stock tuning might suggest.

My main criticism is that I would like more customization of touch controls and shortcut gestures.

\# Sound

The Collexion has a recognizably Sony-style tuning out of the box.

The stock presentation has substantial bass, particularly in the low and upper-bass regions, while the upper frequencies roll off noticeably. As a result, the bass can sometimes dominate the presentation and partially obscure the mids and treble.

In its stock configuration, I don't find the Collexion particularly impressive from a purely sonic perspective.

\# The situation changes considerably with EQ.

My current EQ is:

31 Hz: -3 dB.

Reduces excessive sub-bass rumble

62 Hz: -1 dB.

Slight reduction without removing too much foundation

125 Hz: -2 dB.

Reduces upper-bass emphasis

250 Hz: -2 dB.

Cleans up the bass-to-mid transition

500 Hz: -1 dB.

Slightly reduces boxiness

1 kHz: +1 dB.

Adds a little midrange body

2 kHz: -1 dB.

Reduces slight shoutiness

4 kHz: 0 dB.

Already has sufficient presence

8 kHz: +3 dB.

Adds perceived air and definition

16 kHz: +1 dB.

Adds a small amount of brilliance

This is obviously not a universal correct EQ. It reflects my own preferences and ear sensitivity.

The important thing is that the Collexion responds quite well to EQ.

\# Timbre

With EQ, I find the Collexion significantly more natural.

Voices become more organic, the bass sounds less bloated and more controlled, and the treble gains some of the definition that is missing from the stock tuning.

Also generally, The Collexion substantially got rid of the somewhat artificial or plasticky character I associate with the XM6, although I wouldn't say it eliminates it completely.

This is probably one of the biggest improvements for me: the Collexion has a relatively good underlying midrange character that doesn't require extensive correction.

\# Detail & Resolution

Resolution is good for a closed-back ANC headphone in this category.

It is capable of presenting subtle details clearly, although it does not compete with the best audiophile-oriented headphones I've tried in terms of low-level detail retrieval and overall technical refinement.

This is one of the areas where headphones such as the Focal Bathys and Sennheiser HDB 630 still have an advantage.

\# Soundstage

The Collexion has a surprisingly large soundstage for a closed-back ANC headphone.

However, the presentation doesn't have particularly convincing depth. The stage can feel as though it extends primarily outward rather than forming a fully three-dimensional space. It feels as if the staging sticks to the outer wall of the soundstage.

In other words, it sounds spacious, but not especially deep. I would describe the presentation as somewhat two-dimensional compared with headphones that have stronger spatial layering.

\# Imaging

Imaging is generally good, but the limited depth of the soundstage affects the overall spatial presentation.

Individual sounds can be positioned reasonably well, but the image doesn't feel particularly holographic or layered.

This isn't a major weakness for casual listening, but it becomes noticeable when comparing it directly with more technically capable audiophile headphones.

\# Dynamics & Macrodynamics

Dynamics are decent, but this is another area where the Collexion falls behind some of its more audiophile-oriented competition. The Focal Bathys and Sennheiser HDB 630, for example, provide a more engaging sense of impact and dynamic contrast to my ears.

The Collexion is certainly not dynamically poor, but it doesn't have the same physicality or immediacy.

\# Overall Sound

In short, the Collexion becomes a genuinely good-sounding headphone with appropriate EQ.

I would consider it capable of approaching the lower end of what I would personally describe as an audiophile presentation, particularly considering its combination of tuning flexibility, timbre and soundstage.

However, its limitations in imaging depth, spatial layering and dynamics prevent it from competing directly with the best dedicated audiophile headphones.

Its biggest strength is therefore not absolute technical performance, but how much sound quality it can deliver while retaining the features of a modern ANC headphone.

\# Sound Comparisons

\*\*Sony WH-1000XM6\*\*

The most important question: is the Collexion actually better than the XM6?

For me, absolutely.

The XM6 requires considerably more correction before I find its sound convincing. The Collexion's underlying response is easier for me to work with. It also avoids some of the more problematic characteristics I hear in the XM6, including its weird peak at 10 kHz, while providing a more linear-sounding midrange to my ears. The soundstage is another clear improvement. The XM6 feels relatively small and compressed in comparison, whereas the Collexion creates a noticeably wider presentation.

\*\*AirPods Max 2\*\*

The AirPods Max 2 has a more convincing stock tuning in my opinion. For someone who doesn't want to use EQ, I would therefore prefer the AirPods Max 2 sonically. Its tuning is particularly strong through the lower and midrange frequencies, although I find the presentation becomes somewhat less natural in the upper frequencies.

Once EQ is taken into account, however, I prefer the Collexion's overall presentation. I find it to offer a more convincing combination of timbre, soundstage and detail retrieval.

That said, these differences are highly dependent on individual hearing and preference.

\*\*Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2\*\*

The Px8 S2 has a more consumer-oriented presentation to my ears, with a stronger V-shaped character. The underlying technical performance is capable, but I find the Collexion easier to tailor to my preferences.

The 10-band EQ on the Sony is particularly useful here. Compared with the more limited EQ options on the Bowers & Wilkins, it gives considerably more flexibility for correcting the overall tonal balance.

\*\*Sennheiser HDB 630 & Focal Bathys\*\*

This is where the Collexion's limitations become more apparent.

Both the Sennheiser HDB 630 and Focal Bathys are technically stronger headphones to my ears. They provide better dynamics, resolution, imaging and overall spatial presentation. If sound quality alone were the deciding factor, I would choose either of those over the Collexion.

The difference is that neither provides exactly the same combination of ANC, comfort, software and everyday usability.

\# Conclusion

The Sony WH-1000X The Collexion isn't the best-sounding headphone I've used, nor is it the most technically capable headphone in its price range.

What makes it interesting is the balance it achieves.

Compared with dedicated audiophile-oriented headphones, it gives up some performance in areas such as dynamics, imaging depth, spatial layering and resolution. In return, it offers excellent comfort, very strong ANC and transparency, extensive software features, a useful 10-band EQ and a premium physical design.

Most importantly, I don't think you have to sacrifice that much sound quality to get those additional features.

With EQ, the Collexion can deliver a surprisingly natural and enjoyable presentation while still functioning as a highly capable everyday ANC headphone.

For someone who prioritizes absolute sound quality, I would still recommend looking at headphones such as the Focal Bathys or Sennheiser HDB 630.

For someone looking for an all-rounder, however, the Collexion makes a much stronger case.

This is where I think the XM6 with nicer materials description falls short. The physical upgrades are certainly a major part of the appeal, but the more EQ-friendly tuning, larger ear cups, lower clamp force and overall presentation make it feel like a more substantial product rather than simply a luxury XM6. At around the 500 to 600 euro price range, I think the Collexion offers a particularly compelling compromise between sound quality and everyday functionality.

It isn't an audiophile headphone that happens to have ANC.

It is an excellent ANC headphone that can, with some EQ, get surprisingly close to delivering an audiophile-oriented listening experience.

\# Final note

Sound preference is inherently subjective.

Age, hearing characteristics, ear shape and size, personal frequency sensitivity, music preferences and even individual fit can all influence how a headphone is perceived. What sounds ideal to me may sound completely different to someone else. So this review might align with your opinion, or it could be the complete opposite.

So ultimately, measurements and reviews can tell you a lot, but the only way to know whether a headphone is right for you is to listen to it yourself.

Sony WH-1000X The Collexion Review: Surprisingly Good, with a Touch of Audiophile Sound?