The Sony 1000X The Collexion wireless headphones are a premium offering from the brand, and they certainly live up to the hype for those with the disposable income to splurge. However, for the average consumer, the price tag of $650 is a deal-breaker, and it's hard to justify the premium over more affordable alternatives like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or even the Sony WH-1000XM6. In my opinion, the WH-1000XX is an overpriced product that only diehard Sony fans with expendable income should consider.
What makes the WH-1000XX stand out is its exceptional sound quality. The custom 30mm carbon drivers, developed with Grammy award-winning mastering engineers, deliver a nuanced and natural soundstage. The sound is wide, clear, and well-balanced across the frequency spectrum, with warm and complex treble. The upscaling technology, DSEE Ultimate, enhances the audio experience, but its impact is more noticeable on lower-quality streams like YouTube.
The WH-1000XX also excels in active noise cancellation (ANC), rivaling the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) in this department. I found it effective in blocking out train noise during my commute, and the transparency mode, while not as impressive as the AirPods Max 2, is still serviceable. The comfort is also top-notch, with thicker earcups and a wider, thicker headband, ensuring hours of comfortable wear.
However, the WH-1000XX falls short in some areas. The spatial sound modes, while adding a sense of space, can be overly exaggerated and mess with the original EQ settings. The call quality is also not the best, picking up background noise that can be distracting. Additionally, the battery life is only average, with 24 hours of listening time with ANC on, compared to 30 hours for the WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
In conclusion, the Sony 1000X The Collexion is an impressive pair of wireless headphones, but its high price point and some shortcomings make it a less appealing choice for the average consumer. It's a product that only diehard Sony fans with the disposable income should consider, as it doesn't offer significant advantages over more affordable alternatives.
