Short answer: the Sony WF-1000XM6. It ranks #74 of 466 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $258. The Sony WF-1000XM5 ranks #113, rated 4.4/5, at $248, $10 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Sony WF-1000XM5: Mild bass emphasis, about 1.9 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz, adds warmth without muddying the midrange, which stays within 0.8 dB of the target for a preference score of 78. The catch: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2.2 dB low, with a 4.9 dB dip near 8 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance lose some bite.
Why pick the Sony WF-1000XM6: These true wireless earbuds score 79.6 for preference in the median of 4 squig.link measurements, with a 1.37 dB deviation that tracks the target closely. The catch: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz runs about 2.3 dB low and a 3.6 dB dip near 10.9 kHz trims air, so vocals and cymbals sound slightly reserved.
Buy the Sony WF-1000XM6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $10 saving on the Sony WF-1000XM5 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony WF-1000XM5 | Sony WF-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $248.00 | $258.00 |
| Ranked | #113 of 466 in In-Ear Headphones | #74 of 466 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.87 dB standard deviation | 1.37 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.9 g) per earbud | 0 lbs (6.5 g) per earbud |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sony WF-1000XM6 compares with other leading options:
- Shuoer Cadenza 4 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Kinera Freya 2.0 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Simgot EA1000 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Kiiboom Evoke vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Rose Technics QT9 MK3 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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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The Two Headphones In Full
Sony WF-1000XM5: $248.00 TWS Amazon $248.00 eBay
Newer model: the Sony WF-1000XM6, ranked higher, rated 4.5/5, released Feb 2026. It adds LC3. See every Sony WF-1000X generation.
Pros: Mild bass emphasis, about 1.9 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz, adds warmth without muddying the midrange, which stays within 0.8 dB of the target for a preference score of 78. Active noise cancelling, LDAC, AAC and SBC support, Bluetooth 5.3 and an IPX4 rating make it a full-featured true wireless set. Battery lasts about 8 hours per charge, 24 with the case, and each bud weighs 5.9 g.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2.2 dB low, with a 4.9 dB dip near 8 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance lose some bite. A 2.9 dB peak near 10.6 kHz can add a touch of artificial shimmer. Sub-bass sits about 1.9 dB below target, so the bass is punchy more than deep. The wired Sennheiser IE 200 matches its rating at a lower price and without charging.
Full Sony WF-1000XM5 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.87 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.9 g) per earbud |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 68 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.27 |
| Peak | 1,377 Hz | +2.6 dB | 0.31 |
| Peak | 1,806 Hz | -3.5 dB | 1.16 |
| Peak | 6,875 Hz | +1.8 dB | 3.49 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,757 Hz | +0.3 dB | 2.56 |
| Peak | 5,057 Hz | -0.7 dB | 5.70 |
| Peak | 449 Hz | +0.3 dB | 4.15 |
| Peak | 677 Hz | -0.2 dB | 2.75 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Etymotic EVO
- Sony WF-1000XM5 vs JBL Tour Pro 2
- Sony WF-1000XM5 vs DUNU Falcon Ultra
- Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser IE 200
- Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Queen of Audio Aviation
- Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Hidizs MP145 Pro
- Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Apevoix Nebula
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Sony WF-1000XM6: $258.00 TWS Amazon $258.00 eBay
Older model: the Sony WF-1000XM5 (ranked lower, rated 4.4/5). See every Sony WF-1000X generation.
Pros: These true wireless earbuds score 79.6 for preference in the median of 4 squig.link measurements, with a 1.37 dB deviation that tracks the target closely. Active noise cancelling, LDAC and LC3 support, IPX4 water resistance and 8 hours per charge (24 with the case) make them a complete everyday package. Each earbud weighs only 6.5 g.
Cons: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz runs about 2.3 dB low and a 3.6 dB dip near 10.9 kHz trims air, so vocals and cymbals sound slightly reserved. The lower midrange is 1.2 dB thick, which adds a touch of warmth some listeners may find muddy. The wired Meze Alba matches its rating for less money.
Full Sony WF-1000XM6 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2026 (8 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.37 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.5 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons