I tested Sony’s most expensive wireless headphones ever to see if they're really worth the money, and I love the ‘exceptionally expansive, and almost hypnotic audio’ — but they come with downsides
Sony has released its most expensive wireless headphones, the 1000X The Collexion, which offer luxurious build quality and detailed sound. While they provide an expansive audio experience, their battery life and noise cancellation features are not as strong as previous models. Overall, these headphones are a compelling alternative to Apple's AirPods Max for those seeking high-quality sound without being tied to the Apple ecosystem.
- ▪The Sony 1000X The Collexion headphones are designed to rival Apple's AirPods Max.
- ▪They feature a spacious soundstage with excellent separation of vocals and instruments.
- ▪The headphones include advanced features like DSEE Ultimate for audio upscaling and customizable touch controls.
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| Original publisher | TechRadar |
| Canonical URL | https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-headphones/sony-1000x-the-collexion-review |
| Publication time | Tue, 19 May 2026 16:00:00 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-19T16:04:57.772Z |
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TechRadar Verdict The Sony 1000X The Collexion may be expensive, but their luxurious build, detailed sound, and top-tier comfortability help to justify their price tag. Their battery life is on the low side, and the ANC is a step down from what we saw on the Sony WH-1000XM6, but if you want headphones with the kind of spacious sound that made Apple’s AirPods Max a hit, but without being locked to Apple, then these are a strong choice. Check Amazon Pros +Detailed, expansive sound +Premium build quality and sleek look +DSEE Ultimate upscaling and lossless audio +Class-leading touch controls +Incredibly comfortable Cons -Underwhelming 360 Upmix modes -Battery life is on the lower side -Noise cancellation is a step down from WH-1000XM6 -Can be beaten for value Best picks for you The best Sony…
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