Ten years after introducing the 1000X series, Sony is marking the anniversary with The Collexion, a premium over-ear headphone that pushes the line into new territory on sound quality, materials, and design. It's on sale now for $649.99 in two colors: black and platinum.
The Collexion sits above the existing WH-1000XM6 in Sony's lineup, positioned as a luxury product. With all-metal construction and vegan leather that covers every external surface, including the outside of the headband, it fits the bill.
Where the XM6 uses standard carbon fiber for its 30mm driver, The Collexion uses unidirectional carbon fiber, which Sony says increases rigidity and translates to better high-frequency reproduction and a wider soundstage. The circuit board also got an overhaul: the copper foil in each layer is 1.5 times thicker than in the XM6, improving signal-to-noise ratio for cleaner audio.
The Collexion also debuts Sony's new V3 integrated processor, and with it, DSEE Ultimate, the company's highest-grade AI upscaling technology. Previously reserved for Walkman devices because of the processing demands, this is the first Sony headphones to get it. The difference over the XM6's DSEE Extreme is that Ultimate applies AI correction to both frequency range and bit depth, not just frequency. In practice, compressed audio from MP3 files or standard-quality streaming services should sound noticeably better.
Spatial audio now has three distinct modes. There is the XM6-supported cinema mode, which uses Sony's spatial virtualizer to make two-channel stereo content feel more three-dimensional, with dialogue clarity prioritized. And The Collexion adds music and gaming modes, each tuned to the different needs of those genres. Music mode aims for a live-performance feel; gaming mode spatializes audio from smartphone games via Bluetooth. A dedicated button on the headphones lets you cycle through whichever modes you've enabled in Sony's app.
Noise cancellation specs match the XM6 exactly: the same QN3 chip and the same AI beamforming microphone configuration. Where things diverge is passive isolation, and Sony is unusually candid about it: The Collexion is slightly worse than the XM6 in that respect. The reason is deliberate. Sony reduced side pressure from the earcups and used thinner ear cushions to prioritize comfort, and the slimmer profile and thinner cups block less sound passively. Active noise canceling remains at the XM6's level, which is among the best available.
Beyond audio, the design changes are substantial for a headphone line that has always been quietly restrained. The metal frame moves to the outside of the headband, freeing up interior space for thicker cushioning. The earcups are 5mm thinner than the XM6 but have more interior volume, because Sony restructured the internal components to expand the space where your ear sits. The headband is both wider and thicker, and the earpads are user-replaceable without tools, which is nice to have if you're spending $650.
The carry case is noticeably different from previous 1000X cases. It keeps the magnetic closure from the XM6 but adds an easy-grip handle that gives it more of a handbag silhouette than a headphone pouch. However, I don't see much use for the handle and prefer the XM6 case's smaller size for easier stashing in my bag for travel. The Collexion case has left-right markings so you're not fumbling with orientation.
Bluetooth 6.0 is on board, including support for Auracast, which allows a compatible source device (phone, TV, or anything else with the feature built in) to broadcast audio to multiple headphones simultaneously. Battery life is 24 hours, with a 5-minute charge delivering 1.5 hours of playback. That's less capacity than the XM6, again a tradeoff for the thinner profile and smaller battery footprint. Weight comes in at 320 grams versus the XM6's 253 grams, a consequence of the all-metal construction. The Collexion swivels to stow flat rather than folding.
The WH-1000XM6 stays in the lineup at $459.99. For buyers who prioritize active noise canceling above everything else, Sony says it remains the stronger choice. For buyers who want better sound quality, more comfortable all-day wear, and a headphone that looks the part, 1000X The Collexion ($649.99) makes a serious case at a price that reflects every decision Sony made to get there.
Read next: Sony’s XM6 headphones push noise canceling to the next level
[Image credit: Sony]
