Sony Collelexion Headphones Review

Sony has officially entered the ultra-premium wireless headphone market with the new Sony Collelexion headphones. Priced at a massive $650, these headphones cost around $200 more than the popular Sony WH-1000XM6. Naturally, that raises one big question: what exactly are you getting for the extra money?

Sony says the Collelexion headphones celebrate 10 years of the legendary 1000X series. The name may sound unusual, but the goal is clear — create a luxury version of the already successful XM lineup with upgraded materials, improved comfort, and refined audio quality.

After early hands-on impressions and testing, these headphones definitely bring premium features to the table. But they also come with a few compromises.

Premium Design and Luxury Feel

The first thing people will notice is the upgraded design. Unlike the matte plastic finish found on the XM6, the Sony Collelexion headphones feature a more luxurious leather-like exterior combined with stainless steel components.

This change does more than improve appearance. The stainless steel frame also helps strengthen the hinges, which were a weak point for some users on older Sony headphones.

Sony also redesigned the comfort system:

  • Headband is 10% wider
  • Padding is 40% thicker
  • Ear cups are slimmer externally
  • More internal space for larger ears

Even though the headphones are heavier at 320 grams compared to the XM6’s 253 grams, they reportedly feel more comfortable during long listening sessions because the weight is distributed better.

The slimmer ear cup design also gives the headphones a cleaner and more premium look.

Noise Cancelling Still Excellent

Sony continues to dominate when it comes to active noise cancellation.

The Collelexion headphones use the same QN3 chip and 12-microphone system found in the XM6. Noise cancelling remains among the best in the wireless headphone industry.

However, reviewers noticed one small issue.

Because the new ear pads create a slightly looser passive seal around the ears, ANC performance is just a tiny bit weaker compared to the XM6.

Even with that minor drawback, these headphones still compete directly with premium models like:

  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra
  • Apple AirPods Max 2
  • Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2

Voice calling quality is also outstanding. Test calls in noisy city environments showed strong background noise reduction with clear and natural voice reproduction.

Better Sound Quality Than XM6

Sony upgraded the sound system significantly.

The Collelexion headphones feature:

  • New unidirectional carbon drivers
  • Upgraded V3 chip
  • Optimized circuitry
  • Thicker copper foil components
  • Bluetooth 6.0 support

These upgrades deliver cleaner audio with:

  • More refined treble
  • Better instrument separation
  • Slightly wider soundstage
  • Improved depth and detail

Reviewers estimated around a 15% sound quality improvement over the XM6.

That may not sound huge, but audiophiles and serious listeners will likely notice the difference.

Sony also included advanced spatial upmix modes for:

  • Music
  • Cinema
  • Gaming

Android users can still benefit from Sony’s LDAC codec for high-resolution wireless audio.

Battery Life Takes a Hit

One downside of the new hardware is battery performance.

The Sony Collelexion headphones offer:

  • Up to 24 hours battery life
  • 1.5 hours playback from a 5-minute charge

Meanwhile, the XM6 offers:

  • Up to 30 hours battery life
  • 3 hours playback from a 3-minute charge

Sony says the more advanced carbon drivers require additional power, which explains the reduced battery life.

For many users, 24 hours will still be more than enough, but it is disappointing considering the higher price.

Missing USB-C Audio Support

One surprising omission is USB-C audio support.

Many premium headphones now allow direct digital audio playback through USB-C, but Sony still has not enabled this feature.

The headphones do include a traditional wired listening cable, and they sound slightly better in wired mode. Still, users expecting modern USB-C audio support may feel disappointed.

Compared to AirPods Max 2 and PX8 S2

The Sony Collelexion competes directly with other luxury wireless headphones.

Compared to Apple AirPods Max 2:

  • Better sound quality
  • Better comfort
  • Stronger noise cancelling
  • Fewer Apple-exclusive ecosystem features

Compared to Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2:

  • More comfortable fit
  • Similar premium sound quality
  • Better overall value despite high price

Sony appears to be targeting buyers who want both premium aesthetics and elite wireless performance.

Should You Buy the Sony Collelexion?

The Sony Collelexion headphones are undeniably impressive.

They combine:

  • Luxury materials
  • Excellent comfort
  • Top-tier ANC
  • Improved sound quality
  • Premium styling

But they are also extremely expensive.

At $650, these headphones are not aimed at average buyers. Most people will still find the XM6 offers better overall value for money.

However, if you want Sony’s best wireless headphone experience with more premium materials and slightly upgraded sound, the Collelexion may be worth considering.

For casual listeners, the XM6 probably remains the smarter buy.

For luxury headphone fans and audiophiles who want the best Sony has to offer, the Collelexion delivers a truly premium experience.

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