Sony Marks a Decade of Excellence with the New 1000X The ColleXion

If you have any interest in personal audio, you’re already well aware of the Sony WH-1000X series. Alongside the Bose QuietComfort line that originally put noise-cancelling tech on the map, Sony’s flagship over-ears have dominated the conversation for years. Even with heavy hitters like Apple entering the fray, Sony has managed to hold its ground at the top of the mountain.

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of this iconic lineup, Sony is doing something a bit different. Instead of a standard yearly update, they’ve introduced the Sony 1000X The ColleXion (pronounced ‘collection’). This isn’t a direct replacement for the upcoming WH-1000XM6; instead, it’s a premium tier designed to sit comfortably above it in the hierarchy.

Refined Design and Build Quality

Right out of the box, the difference in build quality is tactile. Sony has stepped away from the purely utilitarian plastic feel of previous generations. The headband is wider and more distributed for long-term comfort, while the earcups are wrapped in a high-grade synthetic leather that feels significantly more luxurious. You’ll also notice stainless steel accents on the stems, adding a bit of sophisticated weight to the aesthetic.

One thing to note for the frequent travelers: these follow the design language of the XM5s, meaning they swivel flat but don’t fold down into a compact ball. They are available in two classic finishes: a deep Black and a sophisticated Platinum White.

Processing Power and Spatial Audio

Under the hood, Sony is packing some serious heat. While it retains the QN3 processor dedicated to active noise cancellation (ANC)—using a massive 12-microphone array—the “brain” of the operation has been upgraded to a new V3 processor. This chip is the driving force behind the more advanced sound processing and spatial audio modes.

The headline feature here is the 360 Upmix. It’s specifically tuned for three distinct scenarios:

• Music: Focused on soundstage and instrument separation.
• Cinema: Designed for an immersive, theater-like atmosphere.
• Gaming: Optimized for positional awareness and low-latency feedback.

Conveniently, Sony added a dedicated hardware button to cycle through these modes, so you don’t have to go digging through an app every time you switch from a podcast to a movie.

A Shift Toward Audiophile Sound

For years, the 1000X series has been known for a “consumer-friendly” sound—which is often code for heavy bass that can occasionally feel a bit muddy. With The ColleXion, Sony is clearly pivoting toward a more critical listening experience. By bringing in high-profile acoustic engineers, they’ve tuned these for clarity, emphasizing crisp highs and a much wider soundstage.

This shift isn’t just software magic; it’s hardware-driven. The headphones feature new drivers made from a unidirectional carbon layered core composite. This material is designed to reduce distortion and improve treble detail, moving the series closer to the hi-fi territory occupied by much more expensive wired setups.

The Finishing Touches

Even the accessories have seen an upgrade. The carrying case now features a magnetic clasp and an integrated handle for easier transport. Inside, you’ll still find the trusty 3.5mm cable for those times when you want to go wired.

We’re still waiting on the official MSRP from Sony, but given the “premium” positioning and the upgraded materials, we expect these to carry a price tag that reflects their anniversary status. Stay tuned for our full performance breakdown once we’ve put them through their paces.