Short answer: the iBasso SR2, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #410 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.6/5, at $499. The Sony WH-1000XM6 ranks #435, rated 2.3/5, at $458, $41 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 481 over-ear headphones, and the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano, ranked #6 at $319, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The iBasso SR2 is the better-sounding pick. An open-back over-ear headphone weighing 0.9 lbs (395 g), with 108 dB/mW sensitivity and a 24 ohm load. The tradeoff: A Harman score of 50 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.
Why pick the Sony WH-1000XM6: Active noise cancelling, up to 30 hours of battery with ANC on (40 with it off) and LDAC, AAC and LC3 support cover most wireless needs, and a cable can be used too. Watch for: An 11.5 dB dip near 8.1 kHz and treble about 3 dB under target leave cymbals and detail muted, so the sound is dark and heavy rather than balanced, with a preference score of only 43.
Buy the iBasso SR2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $41 with the Sony WH-1000XM6 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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An open-back over-ear headphone weighing 395 g, with 108 dB/mW sensitivity and a 24 ohm load.
Bloom Audio $499.00 eBay
Active noise cancelling, up to 30 hours of battery with ANC on (40 with it off) and LDAC, AAC and LC3 support cover most wireless needs, and a cable can be used too.
Amazon $458.00 Lowest Sony $459.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| iBasso SR2 | Sony WH-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $458.00 |
| Ranked | #410 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #435 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wireless and wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 24 ohms | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB/mW | 103 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 3Hz - 40kHz | 4Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (395g) | 0.6 lbs (254 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 50 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 43 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.72 dB standard deviation | 3.41 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +1.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.83 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | Yes |
| Battery Life | - | 30 hours (40 with ANC off, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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