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Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony ULT WEAR: Which Sony headphones are right for you?
May 15, 2025
Sony is back with its latest flagship ANC headphones, the WH-1000XM6. While they share some DNA with the more affordable ULT WEAR, these headphones take very different approaches to sound. The WH-1000XM6 refines Sony’s premium formula, while the ULT WEAR doubles down on bold bass and general consumer appeal. So, which one’s the better fit for you? This Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony ULT WEAR comparison will help you decide.
This article was originally published on May 15th, 2025, and this is the first version.
What’s it like to use the Sony WH-1000XM6 compared to the Sony ULT WEAR?
Sony addressed nearly every complaint about the WH-1000XM5 with the WH-1000XM6. These premium headphones fold again, have a redesigned hinge, and no longer force you to dive into the app to get the most out of them. Everything feels a bit more deliberate, from the quick pairing process to the sturdier case. They’re also comfortable enough for long listening sessions, though the protruding ANC mic might bug some ears. Still, Sony clearly designed these as a one-stop solution for commuters, office workers, and music lovers with deep pockets.
The Sony ULT WEAR takes a different approach. These headphones also fold, come with a case, offer ANC, and bring touch controls to the table, but they lean more toward value. The faux leather ear pads are nice and wide, which works well for bigger ears, though they trap heat fast, which isn’t great if you live in a warm climate. They’re also a little wider compared to the earpads on the XM6. Comfort is solid overall, especially at $199.99. Just don’t expect the same refinement. Additionally, they don’t offer a ton of clamping force. A slightly loose fit can be frustrating if you’re often on the go.
It’s also worth noting that neither pair has an IP rating, so you should avoid using them during intense workouts or in the rain.
| INPUT | Right earcup surface |
|---|---|
Double tap | Play / pause |
Long press | Voice assistant |
Swipe up / Down | Volume up / down |
Swipe forward / back | Track forward / back |
Cup hand | Passthrough mode |
| Gesture | Action |
|---|---|
Swipe up / down | Volume up / down |
Swipe forward / backward | Track forward / back |
Double-tap | Pause / Play |
Cup with hand | Passthrough |
Long press | Voice assistant |
Do the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sony ULT WEAR have more features?
The WH-1000XM6 are packed with features, as expected from a pair of flagship headphones. In the Sony Headphones Connect app, you get a 10-band EQ, 360 Reality Audio, DSEE Extreme upscaling, speak-to-chat, and head gesture controls. You don’t need the app to enjoy these headphones, but it’s all there if you want to fine-tune your experience and get the most for your money. Still, for flagship headphones in 2025, the lack of USB-C audio feels like a real miss.
The ULT WEAR uses the same app, simplifies things, and checks the right boxes. You get 360 Reality Audio, EQ control in the app, and of course, the big one—the “ULT” button. Hit it, and the bass hits back, big time. For some, it can be incredibly overwhelming and borderline unlistenable, so you’ll probably want to dial that in unless you really love to rattle your skull. No USB-C audio here either, and you lose the extras like head gestures. It’s got the basics, just without the bells and whistles.
How do the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Sony ULT WEAR connect?
The WH-1000XM6 uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 codecs, with LE Audio onboard—but still no USB-C audio, which feels like a miss in 2025. You do get a 3.5mm jack for wired listening, and multipoint works reliably, though activating it disables LDAC. The ULT WEAR runs on Bluetooth 5.2 and supports the same codecs, including LC3 via a future firmware update, or so Sony says. It also includes multipoint and a 3.5mm jack, but like the XM6, it skips USB-C audio entirely.
Is battery life better on the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sony ULT WEAR?
In our standardized testing, the Sony WH-1000XM6 delivered an impressive 37 hours and 14 minutes of playback with ANC on. That’s top-tier endurance. Sony also claims you’ll get 3 hours of use from just a 3-minute charge, which lines up with what we’ve seen from other fast-charging ANC headphones. Bonus points: Unlike the XM5, you can now listen to the XM6 headphones while charging.
The ULT WEAR isn’t far behind, clocking in at 32 hours and 35 minutes in our lab tests. That’s enough for nearly three weeks of commuting or four full workdays without a recharge. A quick 10-minute charge adds another five hours of playback, making them more than capable for travel or long days out. Battery life alone, the ULT WEAR holds its own, even when standing next to Sony’s flagship.
Do the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sony ULT WEAR block noise better?
The WH-1000XM6 offers Sony’s best noise canceling yet. With a good fit, it pairs solid passive isolation with the upgraded QN3 processor, and the results are excellent, especially with low-end rumble under 1 kHz. The AI optimizer kicks in automatically, adjusting to your environment in real time, which makes these ideal for loud spots like airports or busy coffee shops. Just be aware: if you wear glasses, you might lose a bit of low-frequency isolation. Again, fit still matters.
The ULT WEAR doesn’t quite reach the same levels but holds its own. It knocks out around 25dB of noise above 80 Hz, which is plenty for subway rides or open offices. You’ll need a solid seal to get the most out of it, and there’s no real-time adaptive ANC like on the XM6. But for $200? It’s doing more than you’d expect, and doing it well.
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Do the Sony WH-1000XM6 sound better than the Sony ULT WEAR?
Let’s get to the point: the WH-1000XM6 is the best-sounding pair of Sony WH-series headphones to date. It dials back the bloated bass of previous models, and reasonable treble peaks bring out the finer details of your music without getting harsh. Overall, it delivers a well-balanced sound and offers stock tuning that works straight out of the box. Unless you have particular preferences, you may not find the need to reach for the EQ.
The ULT WEAR? Totally different story. These are tuned for bass, full stop. Even at stock settings, the low end steamrolls the mids and highs. Hit the “ULT” button—especially ULT 2—and the sub-bass goes into overdrive. Unless you’re all about sub-bass, you’ll want to dial it back using the app’s EQ. Vocals and high-frequency details get buried fast.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
Regarding MDAQS, the XM6 is again the clear winner. Thanks to its excellent Timbre score and decent Distortion and Immersiveness scores, these headphones pull an overall score of 4.8. The ULT WEAR scores decently on Immersiveness with a score of 4.8, but it’s more spectacle than substance due to all that low-end. Its lower Distortion score of 3.7 brings its overall MDAQS rating to 4.
- Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the headphones reproduce the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).
- Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.
- Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning: how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.
Objective Measurements
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The WH-1000XM6 tracks our SoundGuys house curve more closely than most, with a subtle bass lift that avoids overpowering the mids and a reasonable treble extension that reaches up to 16 kHz. The tuning feels refined rather than aggressive, and the frequency response stays remarkably consistent even with ANC on.
On the other hand, the ULT WEAR pushes bass way past balanced, especially in its default and ULT modes. You’ll definitely get more thump, but it comes at the cost of high-end detail and things like vocal clarity or a drummer’s cymbal work.
Do the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sony ULT WEAR have a better microphone?
Both pairs use beamforming mic arrays, and in quiet spaces, they get the job done. The WH-1000XM6 steps it up with AI-powered voice isolation, and it actually works—wind, traffic, chatter, no problem. Calls come through clearly, and in our lab tests, they handled background noise way better than most.
The ULT WEAR borrows a similar mic setup from the XM5, but it’s not quite there. On paper, it looks close. In real life? Not so much. Wind noise cuts through easily, and background chatter sneaks in more often. They’re fine for quick calls, but if you’re after clean voice pickup, the XM6 has a clear edge.
Sony WH-1000XM6 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Sony ULT WEAR microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Sony WH-1000XM6 microphone demo (Windy conditions):
Sony ULT WEAR microphone demo (Windy conditions):
Which microphone sounds better to you?
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony ULT WEAR: Price and availability
The WH-1000XM6 is priced at $449.99, right in line with Sony’s flagship status. It can be found at all the usual retailers, competing with heavy hitters from Bose, Sennheiser, and Apple. This is top-shelf gear, priced accordingly.
The ULT WEAR, meanwhile, costs less than half that—$199.99—and still brings legit ANC, good app support, and plenty of features. For casual listeners or anyone on a budget, that $250 gap is hard to ignore. Just know going in: you’ll need to mess with the EQ if you want anything close to a balanced sound.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony ULT WEAR: Which should you buy?
If you want the best Sony has to offer in 2025 and are willing to pay for it, the WH-1000XM6 is the obvious choice. These headphones fix nearly every issue from past models, deliver excellent sound out of the box, and offer a full suite of modern features, even if they lack USB-C audio.
Get the WH-1000XM6 if you want class-leading ANC and audio with minimal fuss. Get the ULT WEAR if you love bass and can’t justify the flagship pricing.
However, the ULT WEAR offers a surprising amount of value for $200. You might enjoy the ULT button if you’re a bass lover. It provides acceptable ANC performance, and of course, we can’t deny that battery life is also exceptional. Just be ready to tweak the EQ and live without USB audio. For budget-conscious buyers, the ULT WEAR isn’t a bad pick; it just isn’t subtle, especially when it comes to bass.
