Sony has introduced the WH-1000X The ColleXion as the new top model in its WH-1000X over-ear headphone series.

The launch comes as Sony’s original MDR-1000X headphones are set to turn 10 years old later this year. The MDR-1000X started the lineup that later became strongly linked with noise-cancelling headphones.

The new model is pronounced “the collection” and shares several key components and features with the WH-1000XM6. However, Sony has added design and hardware changes to make it a more premium option.

Sony has used a synthetic leather build for the ear cup housing, giving the headphones a design link to the original MDR-1000X. The WH-1000X The ColleXion also has deeper and wider ear pads, along with a larger headband for improved comfort.

The sides feature stainless steel yokes, and the same material extends across the top of the headband. However, the headphones no longer fold. They only swivel inward, similar to the WH-1000XM5. Sony is also including a new carrying case with an integrated grip handle. The Sony WH-1000X The ColleXion will be available in black and white.

The ColleXion has three buttons, all placed on the left ear cup. These include the power button, ANC, and ambient mode control, and a new spatial mode switch.

Sony has added 360 Upmix support with spatial audio profiles for music, cinema, and gaming. The headphones also support DSEE Ultimate audio upscaling, which uses AI to reproduce sound frequencies lost during compression.

The ColleXion uses 30mm drivers, the same size as the WH-1000XM6. However, Sony has added soft-edge drivers, which the company says improve bass and noise-cancelling performance.

Sony also says it changed the internal circuit board layout. This allowed the company to fit a thicker copper substrate, which it says improves detail, soundstage, and sound depth.

The headphones were co-tuned with mastering engineers from Battery Studios, Sterling Sound, and Coast Mastering.

The headphones include 12 microphones split between the two sides. They support adaptive ANC and beamforming for clearer voice pickup.

Sony has used the same QN3 Noise Canceling Processor found in the WH-1000XM6. However, the ColleXion also adds a new V3 integrated processor, which Sony says improves ANC performance and sound processing.

Sony rates the ColleXion at up to 24 hours of battery life with ANC turned on. With ANC turned off, battery life increases to up to 32 hours.

These figures are lower than the WH-1000XM6, which offers up to 30 hours with ANC on and up to 40 hours with ANC off.

The headphones will retail for $649, €629 and £549. That makes them $200, €180 and £150 more expensive than the WH-1000XM6 at launch.

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