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Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones are more than solid, garnering industry praise for their impressive noise cancellation, extensive software features, and attention to sonic detail. I can't deny Sony's prowess in the consumer headphones market, so much so that I gave the XM6 a ZDNET Editors' Choice award bac May.

Also: I tested Sony and Bose's best headphones for months - how my buying advice has changed in 2026

Though Sony's audio performance is among the best in the sub-$500 category, if you spend $300 more, you'll end up with Bowers & Wilkins' Px8 S2 headphones, another strong arm in the industry, albeit considerably more premium in areas Sony can't compete. If your headphone budget reaches $800, you might wonder which pair suits you best.…