Sony launches $650 headphones made with steel and vegan leather

Sony Group Corp introduced a $650 pair of high-end wireless headphones, setting a new ceiling for the company in a segment that has already grown more pricey in recent years.

The headphones, called “1000X The Collexion,” are available now and cost $200 more than the initial price of Sony’s premium WH-1000XM6 headphones, and $100 more than Apple Inc.’s AirPods Max 2. Sony is justifying the price difference in part by offering luxury materials, including stainless steel and a synthetic leather that the company spent two years developing –  an upgrade over the 1000MX6’s mostly plastic design. Sony also claims that the new model delivers improved audio quality, according to a statement on Tuesday.

But some of The Collexion headphones’ key specifications remain unchanged from the 1000MX6, including overall noise cancellation performance and battery life, which is rated for a maximum of 24 hours with noise cancellation enabled or 32 hours with it off. In fact, Sony said during a media briefing ahead of the announcement that the cheaper headphones offer slightly better noise isolation since they have firmer clamping pressure on the head.

Given all that, Sony is billing the new headphones as a 10th-anniversary celebration of the 1000X series, and not a sequel to the popular 1000MX6.

The new hardware continues a trend of consumer electronics manufacturers testing the bounds of what consumers are willing to pay for gadgets. Bose Corp. hiked its latest pair of premium noise-cancelling headphones by $20, and the 1000XM6 saw a $50 price increase over the previous model. Bowers & Wilkins, a brand known for exclusively selling high-end audio gear, commands $799 for its top-of-the-line wireless headphones. Apple, for its part, maintained the starting price of its second-generation AirPods Max, but they were already more expensive than most available options.

The Collexion headphones mark the 10th anniversary of Sony’s 1000X line. Image: Chris Welch/Bloomberg

In use

At first glance, there are clear similarities between Sony’s latest headphones and Sonos Inc.’s Ace model –  namely, their polished metal yokes and overall shape. Sony uses vegan leather on the outer ear cups instead of plastic, and the ear pads and headband are made from this same material, lending the headphones a cohesive and luxurious feel. But I’ve also found myself being extra careful when handling them over a few days of testing, as an accidental drop onto the sidewalk would likely produce ugly results.

The headphones come in a distinctive hardshell case with a built-in handle and magnetic clasp that almost looks more like a handbag. Whatever your take, it’s decidedly more practical than the “smart case” that Apple ships with the AirPods Max. Unlike the more affordable 1000XM6, The Collexion headphones cannot fold down for more compact storage in a bag, but this hasn’t been an inconvenience in my experience so far.

The Collexion headphones trade plastic for more premium materials. Image: Chris Welch/Bloomberg

Compared with the 1000XM6, the new headphones have a headband that’s 10% wider and also 40% thicker at the top. I wore them during a recent cross-country flight and never felt fatigue, despite the hours of travel time. The ear cups are larger in size than the 1000XM6, which I prefer, and they also have a thinner profile.

To control music and adjust the volume, you’ll still need to use tap and swipe gestures on the ear cups. That works fine, but I strongly prefer the tactility of physical buttons. Startups like Nothing Technologies Ltd. have come up with clever, fun-to-use physical controls on their headphones, and I wish Sony, too, would try something new. Still, the consistency from past Sony headphones means existing users should be in for a seamless switch.

Sony has endowed its new headphones with a larger driver that produces better dynamic and a wider sound stage than the 1000XM6. In my testing, I noticed slight improvements compared with the 1000XM6, but it’s not a pronounced difference. In a head-to-head against the AirPods Max 2, I preferred Apple’s headphones on some acoustic tracks, and Sony’s more bass-forward Collexion for genres like rock and hip hop. This comes down to personal taste, though Sony offers custom EQ adjustment through its mobile app to change up the sound signature.

Most areas of the headphones are covered in synthetic leather. Image: Chris Welch/Bloomberg

The Collexion headphones barely bring any new software features compared with the 1000XM6. They have a more advanced upscaling option for restoring detail and high frequencies to music that that can be lost due to Bluetooth’s limitations, but most people won’t notice a difference.

Sony also continues to hype spatial audio and now has dedicated modes for music, gaming, movies and so forth, all of which I found to be gimmicky and unimpressive. If you’re an iPhone user, there’s still no beating the deep integration and exclusive ecosystem features offered by the AirPods lineup. Voice call quality is identical to the 1000XM6, which means you’ll come through clearly without being drowned out by background noise.

At this price, The Collexion is in direct competition with audiophile-grade headphones that easily win out if sound fidelity is a top priority. Sony itself sells a pair of $420 wired headphones that I tried recently. Sonically, they put these to shame, but they lack noise cancellation and the freedom of wireless connectivity. And they’re largely made from plastic.

But like the AirPods Max, sheer audio performance isn’t the real point. These headphones have been conceptualised as a status symbol for those with the means to buy a pair. Whenever passersby catch a glimpse of The Collexion’s unmistakable carrying case, they’ll know you’re toting some very costly cans.

Some consumers will bemoan the fact that tech gadgets keep climbing upward in price. And aside from a step up in elegance, you’re not getting much in exchange for the added cost. That means the 1000XM6 will maintain their appeal among most shoppers, leaving The Collexion for extravagant spenders. Sony, it seems, is more than happy to cater to both segments.

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