Sony 1000X The Collexion Review: Luxury Sound at a Premium Price

A decade ago, Sony threw a punch that the audio world didn’t see coming. By launching the original MDR-1000X, they didn’t just challenge Bose’s dominance in the noise-canceling market; they arguably took the crown. Fast forward ten years, and the 1000X series has become the gold standard for travelers and audiophiles alike.

To celebrate this milestone, Sony has released a special edition: The Collexion. Think of these as the WH-1000XM6’s more sophisticated, better-dressed older sibling. With a more premium build, custom-tuned drivers, and a price tag that sits $200 higher than the standard model, the question is simple: are these luxury cans worth the extra investment, or are you paying for a leather-wrapped ego trip?

Design: Retro Soul, Modern Build

The Collexion (pronounced like “Collection”) is essentially a high-end remix of the WH-1000XM6. It pays homage to the original MDR-1000X by bringing back the synthetic leather-wrapped earcups, a move that feels much more tactile and expensive than the standard matte plastic.

Sony didn’t just change the skin, though. They swapped out the plastic hinges for stainless steel, giving the headphones a reassuring heft and a much more durable feel. While they are 60 grams heavier than the XM6s, you won’t really feel it on your head. Why? Because the fit is vastly improved. The ear pads are wider, and the headband has been redesigned to distribute pressure more evenly.

• Pros: Superior comfort, premium materials, sleeker 5mm slimmer profile.
• Cons: They don’t fold as compactly as the XM6s, and synthetic leather requires a bit more care to avoid scratches.

Under the Hood: Tech and Features

Most of the DNA here is shared with the standard XM6, but there are some notable upgrades. The new V3 chip is the star of the show, powering the DSEE Ultimate upscaling. This tech uses AI to reconstruct audio frequencies lost during compression, making your low-res Spotify tracks sound surprisingly close to high-res masters.

You also get Bluetooth 6.0, which offers a rock-solid connection and support for every codec that matters: SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3. If you’re a fan of spatial audio, the new 360 Upmix feature is a fun addition. It has dedicated modes for music, movies, and gaming, attempting to turn a flat stereo signal into a three-dimensional soundstage.

Performance: Is the Sound Truly “Mastered”?

Sony collaborated with top-tier mastering engineers to tune the Collexion, and the results are audible. While they use 30mm drivers like the XM6, these feature a carbon composite dome and a more robust copper substrate on the circuit board.

In practice, the Collexion offers a more “mature” sound. The mid-range is where these truly shine; instruments have more room to breathe, and vocals feel more intimate and textured. The bass is still present—this is Sony, after all—but it’s tighter and less prone to bleeding into the other frequencies compared to the standard XM6.

Noise Canceling and Battery Realities

Here’s the catch: the very thing that makes these comfortable might make them slightly less effective at blocking the world out. Because the interior ear cup diameter is wider, the passive seal isn’t quite as vacuum-tight as on the XM6. The active noise canceling (ANC) is still world-class, but if you’re looking for absolute silence in a loud cabin, the standard XM6 actually holds a slight edge.

Battery life also takes a hit due to the slimmer earcup design. We clocked in about 25 hours with ANC on. It’s plenty for most users, but it’s a step down from the 30+ hours we’ve come to expect from the flagship line.

The Final Verdict

The Sony 1000X The Collexion is a statement piece. It’s for the user who wants the absolute best build quality Sony offers and prefers a more refined, balanced sound profile over a bass-heavy one. They are undeniably the most comfortable headphones Sony has ever made.

However, at $650, you are paying a significant premium for aesthetics and minor audio refinements. If you just want the best noise-canceling for your commute, the regular WH-1000XM6 is the more logical choice. But if you appreciate the finer things—the cold touch of steel and the smell of premium materials—The Collexion is a beautiful tribute to a decade of audio excellence.