Sony revamps its 1000X series with The Collexion, a 10th-anniversary edition that combines luxe materials, refined design, and ambitious sound enhancements , targeting audiophiles seeking a statement piece over practicality.
Sony’s 1000X The Collexion is a clear attempt to turn a familiar premium headphone line into something more exclusive. Mashable’s hands-on review says the model is the 10th-anniversary edition of the 1000X series and carries a $649.99 price tag, placing it well above Sony’s WH-1000XM6. The appeal, however, is not broader feature gains. It is a more luxurious design, stronger sound and a push into spatial audio that may finally persuade some listeners who have previously found the format unconvincing.
On audio quality, the Collexion appears to be the most ambitious Sony has yet made in the consumer headphone category. Mashable said the headphones delivered its best spatial-audio experience to date through Sony’s 360 Upmix processing, while still sounding balanced and detailed in standard stereo playback. TechRadar reached a similar conclusion, praising the spacious soundstage and instrument separation, and pointing to the new 30mm drivers and Sony’s upscaling software as key contributors.
Noise cancellation remains strong, but it is not the main reason to buy this model. Mashable found the ANC impressive but noted that Sony had prioritised comfort over maximum isolation, and that the looser fit reduced passive noise blocking compared with the XM6. RTINGS also described the cancellation as excellent while flagging a weaker microphone performance in noisy surroundings, suggesting the Collexion is better suited to listening than to voice-heavy use on busy streets or in open offices.
The design is where Sony most obviously tries to justify the price. The headphones replace much of the plastic seen on earlier 1000X models with metal accents and faux leather, and reviewers broadly agree that they look and feel more refined. But the trade-off is less convenience: Mashable and TechRadar both noted the loss of foldable ear cups, which makes them less compact for travel. Soundphile Review and SoundGuys also framed the product as a luxury variant rather than a direct successor to the WH-1000XM6, reinforcing the view that Sony is selling a statement piece as much as a set of headphones.
That positioning leaves the Collexion in a narrow lane. What Hi-Fi? noted battery life of up to 32 hours, or 24 hours with active noise cancellation enabled, while also confirming support for LDAC, AAC and SBC, plus Sony’s 12-microphone array and QN3 processing. Yet the overall picture from the reviews is consistent: this is a premium product for listeners who care most about sound and materials, not the most practical all-rounder in Sony’s range. For buyers focused on value, the Collexion may be easy to admire and harder to recommend.
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