The Sony 1000X The Collexion fixed my biggest problem with the XM6

Earlier this year, I wrote about why I can’t bear to wear the Sony WH-1000XM6. Despite the excellent sound quality and noise canceling, I couldn’t get past the comfort issues. Shallow earcups, a thin headband, and an annoying ANC mic that pokes my ears. Unfortunately, it was a dealbreaker, and I’ve been wearing more comfortable alternatives, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2, on planes and trains instead.

Then Sony sent us the 1000X The Collexion, and it might have just won me back.

The Collexion is Sony’s $649.99 ultra-premium take on the 1000X line — same noise canceling, similar sound, but dressed in a more luxurious leather-and-aluminum build. But aside from being wrapped in nicer materials, they have a lot more cushion and give that is a pleasure to wear.

The Collexion offers much more cushion than the XM6.

For starters, the headband is about 40% thicker and 10% wider than the XM6’s, with the metal band arching over the top exterior rather than running through the inside. All this amounts to a nice pillow on the top of my cranium with barely any pressure.

The headband feels like a pillow, and the earcups finally have enough room for my ears.

Secondly, the inner housing of the earcups is larger, so my ears fit inside without feeling cramped. The drivers inside are also angled rather than sitting flat against my ears like the XM6, which gives the earcups more interior space and makes the sound feel more open. Because of that, I didn’t mind that the earpads themselves are actually 5mm thinner in profile. It might seem strange that Sony slimmed down the earpads, but less mass means less downward pull, helping the headphones feel light.

The one thing I really wish Sony had done is add magnetic earcups. If you do want to switch out the earpads for something larger, lining up the small plastic snaps can be a bit finicky. For a headphone leaning this hard into the luxury angle, magnetically swappable pads similar to Apple’s AirPods Max would have elevated the whole experience.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion have angled drivers.

As it stands, the Collexion is the first 1000X headphone I can actually wear all day since the WH-1000XM4. I’ve worn the Collexion quick bus rides to work and hour-long summer walks, and so far haven’t had any problems with comfort or fit. That’s what I wanted to say about the XM6, but at least I can say it now.

Yes, $649.99 is a significant jump from $400, and is honestly a bit of a barrier for me to buy a personal pair. But the Collexion does solve the one problem that made the XM6 a non-starter for me as a daily driver. If comfort is your sticking point with the XM6, this is Sony’s answer. Now let’s just hope they eventually go on sale.