Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) vs. Sony WH-1000xM6: Which headphones should you buy?
In a recent showdown between two audio giants, Bose and Sony, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) headphones have emerged as the clear leader in active noise cancellation (ANC) and immersive audio experiences. With an upgraded ANC algorithm and an advanced microphone system, the QC Ultra (Gen 2) effectively eliminates around 95% of external noise, particularly excelling at low-frequency sounds. This means that the sounds that do seep through are muted enough to blend seamlessly into background effects in music and movies, allowing for an undisturbed listening experience. Additionally, the Aware mode, which enhances transparency, offers users a rewarding way to stay connected to their surroundings without compromising audio quality. Bose’s Immersive Audio feature further sets the QC Ultra apart, providing a surround sound experience that feels incredibly realistic, transcending traditional spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos.
On the other hand, Sony’s WH-1000xM6 headphones, while not quite matching the ANC prowess of the QC Ultra, still deliver impressive noise cancellation and sound quality. Their ANC technology effectively minimizes unwanted noise, particularly high-frequency sounds, and features a unique transparency mode with 20 adjustable levels to fine-tune ambient awareness. The WH-1000xM6 stands out with its versatile control scheme, offering motion, physical, touch, and voice functionalities, including smart voice controls for seamless interaction with assistants like Siri and Google Assistant. Audio-wise, Sony’s proprietary technologies shine through with detailed and dynamic sound, enhanced by customizable EQ settings and DSEE technology, which upscales audio clarity across all tracks. Despite the QC Ultra’s superior ANC and immersive audio capabilities, the WH-1000xM6 offers a fantastic balance of practicality and sound performance, making it a worthy contender in this audio battle.
Ultimately, the Bose QC Ultra (Gen 2) takes the crown for its unparalleled noise cancellation and immersive audio experience, while the Sony WH-1000xM6 excels in sound quality and user-friendly features. Both headphones cater to different preferences and needs, ensuring that whether you prioritize noise isolation or audio performance, there’s a top-tier option available. For those seeking the best in ANC and spatial audio, the QC Ultra (Gen 2) is the go-to choice, whereas the WH-1000xM6 offers a compelling alternative for audiophiles looking for practicality and superior sound quality.
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Bose remains the king of ANC and spatial audio
The QC Ultra (Gen 2) have category-leading noise cancellation. Bose upgraded its ANC algorithm and microphone system to be more dynamic and responsive to low-frequency sounds. These technologies adaptively remove about 95 percent of external fracas. Anything that comes through will sound like background effects on songs and movies. Aware mode (aka transparency) is just as rewarding for keeping tabs on surroundings. Another brand hallmark that remains undefeated is Immersive Audio. This feature creates amazing surround sound for
all
stereo content. It isn’t confined to any specific technology (*cough* Dolby Atmos
cough
) and is the most realistic sounding of all other spatial audio formats on headphones.
ANC on the WH-1000xM6 is right below the QC Ultra (Gen 2), which is a huge compliment. These headphones do a terrific job of eliminating most unwanted noises and minimizing high-frequency sounds. Transparency mode is superb for increasing ambient awareness. There are 20 adjustable levels to control the amount of noise you want to hear. Listening at max level captures every peep in your vicinity with precision. Still, we prefer the QC Ultra’s more powerful ANC since it eliminates high-frequency sounds better. We also favor Immersive Audio over Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. The latter is fine for watching movies, but it doesn’t sound as natural. Not to mention, 360 Reality Audio only works with a very limited number of streaming services, which also have limited content.
Winner
: Bose QC Ultra (Gen 2)
Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2)
.
Sony has practicality and sound quality in the bag
Much like the
WH-1000xM5
, the Mark Series VI headphones have a versatile control scheme consisting of motion, physical, touch, and voice functions. All of them work exceptionally well. Voice controls are most impressive. Siri and Google Assistant commands are accurately registered and executed. Intelligible features like Speak-to-Chat are on point to automatically mute sound when detecting your voice. The QC Ultra (Gen 2) boast their own responsive control scheme, but they lack the WH-1000xM6’s smart voice functionality.Â
Audio performance is where the WH-1000xM6 shine brightest. Sony’s suite of proprietary technologies gives them unbeatable wireless sound. The 30mm drivers dish out detailed and dynamic audio. Frequencies are nicely balanced, and being able to tweak them via customizable EQ simplifies sound personalization. Our favorite Sony feature,
DSEE
, upscales clarity, depth, and fidelity on all tracks, no matter the file or streaming service. LDAC codec support boosts bitrate transmission on Android devices to reveal more depth and nuance in songs.Â
The QC Ultra (Gen 2) “pick up details well across the spectrum of lows to highs,” as described in our
full review
. You get an awesome mix of crisp mids and deep bass on contemporary tracks. Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive and Lossless codecs result in CD-like quality over Bluetooth (Android only). There’s an adjustable EQ in the Bose app. Unfortunately, it is nowhere near as advanced as Sony’s EQ. Again, Immersive Audio is magnificent for 3D sound, but the all-new Cinematic Mode is underwhelming; all it does is make background effects louder.
Winner
: Sony WH-1000xM6
Read our full review of the Sony WH-1000xM6
.
