Sony could have used the 1000X anniversary to replace its flagship headphones; instead, it is launching a $650 luxury side model that costs more and cancels less noise than the WH-1000XM6.
The new 1000X The Collexion marks 10 years since the original MDR-1000X arrived in 2016, according to The Verge. Sony is positioning the headphones as a design-led anniversary release, not as the next mainstream 1000X upgrade.
Sony told The Verge the headphones are “the pinnacle of technology and design.”
That price makes the positioning clear. The Collexion is listed at $650, while The Verge says the WH-1000XM6 usually sells for at least $200 less. It is also $100 above the Apple AirPods Max 2, based on the same source, putting it in the same premium-headphone conversation as Sennheiser’s Momentum 5.
Sony built an anniversary flex, not an XM6 replacement
The Collexion does not replace the WH-1000XM6, which Sony released a year ago. Sony told The Verge the XM6 is designed around functionality, while The Collexion is built around luxury design and comfort.
That distinction matters because the new model borrows core technology from the XM6 but changes the physical package. The Collexion uses the same QN3 noise-canceling processor and 12-mic system as the XM6, but The Verge found its overall noise cancellation weaker because the slimmer ear cups reduce passive isolation.
Sony’s own launch framing leans into that headphone trade-off. The company says the product celebrates the 10th anniversary of the 1000X series and is available from May 2026 in Platinum and Black, with suggested pricing of €630 / £550 in Europe and the UK.
The visible upgrades are material and fit-focused:
- Headband: exposed metal, with stainless steel support instead of plastic.
- Ear cups: wrapped in vegan leather / faux leather rather than the XM6’s smooth plastic.
- Padding: head cushion is around 40 percent thicker and 10 percent wider than on the XM6, according to Sony.
- Profile: ear cup housing is 5mm slimmer than the XM6.
- Case: bag-like carry case with a cutout handle and magnetic closure.
The result is more polished and more expensive. It is also heavier. The Collexion weighs 320 grams, up from 253 grams for the XM6, though still below the 386 grams of the Apple AirPods Max 2 cited by The Verge.
For readers tracking Sony’s wider pricing moves, this sits far from the discount-driven stories MLXIO has covered, including PS5 Discount Freeze Leaks Before Days of Play 2026, $248 Sony Deal Reveals Smart Memorial Day Tech Deals, and the PlayStation Plus price hike. The Collexion is not a value play. It is Sony selling heritage at flagship-plus pricing.
The MDR-1000X legacy is the product Sony is monetizing
The original MDR-1000X mattered because it hit a rare mix for wireless headphones at the time: noise canceling, sound quality, comfort, industrial design, and portability. The Verge places it against the Bose QC35 era, when Bose was the closest competitor but Sony’s tuning helped the 1000X line stand apart.
That first model set up a long-running review benchmark. Later WH-1000X headphones became the reference point for flagship wireless ANC comparisons, and The Verge notes that its reviewer still keeps a pair of WH-1000XM4s hanging beside his desk.
Sony is now turning that history into a premium object. Even the name carries the anniversary pitch: the X in “Collexion” refers to the headphones’ 10 years and remains part of the series branding. The Verge says there is no indication that other products will be added to this Collexion.
The before-and-after split is sharp:
| Product | Role in Sony’s lineup | Key tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| MDR-1000X | Original 2016 model that started the 1000X run | Defined the formula Sony is now celebrating |
| WH-1000XM6 | Current function-first flagship | Stronger overall noise cancellation and longer claimed battery life |
| 1000X The Collexion | Luxury anniversary model | More premium materials and comfort, but weaker isolation and shorter claimed battery life |
The Collexion still carries serious audio hardware. Sony says it uses newly designed 30mm carbon fiber drivers, a V3 integrated processor, and DSEE Ultimate, which uses Edge-AI to upscale compressed digital music files in real time. Sony also added 360 Upmix modes for music, cinema, and games, expanding beyond the cinema mode found on the XM6.
The Verge’s review lands on a mixed verdict: detailed sound and exceptional comfort, offset by weaker noise-canceling performance than the XM6 and a price that pushes it beyond most mainstream headphone buyers.
The luxury redesign creates a real performance gap
The Collexion’s most important conflict is simple: Sony made it more luxurious, then accepted compromises that undercut the 1000X reputation for class-leading practicality.
Noise cancellation is the clearest example. The active system matches the XM6 on paper because the processor and microphone count are the same. But The Verge says the thinner ear cup hurts passive isolation, especially through the midrange and higher frequencies, making total noise cancellation weaker than on the XM6.
Battery life follows the same pattern. Sony claims up to 24 hours with ANC on for The Collexion, compared with up to 30 hours for the XM6. Fast charging is also slower: a five-minute charge adds 1.5 hours of playback, while the XM6 can get three hours from a three-minute charge.
The comfort gains are more convincing. The larger interior ear-cushion space, thicker headband padding, and softer materials give Sony a credible reason to sell this as a long-listening product rather than a pure travel workhorse. The Verge found it more comfortable than the XM6, though the reviewer started feeling pressure on the top of the head after about an hour and a half.
Who benefits from that bargain? Buyers who care more about build, texture, and anniversary status than maximum ANC. Who should hesitate? Anyone buying a 1000X primarily because they want the best noise cancellation Sony currently sells.
The practical watch item is whether Sony treats The Collexion as a one-off anniversary piece or the start of a higher-priced design tier. For now, the safer read is narrow: The Collexion celebrates the 1000X legacy, but the XM6 remains the more functional choice on Sony’s own terms. Replacement pad pricing is still to be determined, The Verge had not verified Sony’s battery claim, and Sony has not signaled a broader Collexion lineup.
Key Takeaways
- Sony is separating luxury design from flagship performance instead of replacing the WH-1000XM6.
- The $650 price asks buyers to pay more for materials and comfort despite weaker noise cancellation.
- The launch shows premium headphones are increasingly being marketed as lifestyle products, not just tech upgrades.
