Sony 100X The Collexion Review: Detailed Sound Without Noise

Experience the refined, noise-free sound of Sony 1000X The Collexion wireless headphones, crafted for true audiophiles.

A New Era in Wireless Headphones

Take a moment and set aside your day-to-day hustle—Sony has unleashed a new pair of wireless headphones that are turning heads in the city. The 1000X series has been Sony’s flagship wireless lineup for a decade, and to celebrate this milestone, the brand introduced a fresh addition: the full-sized Sony 1000X The Collexion.

But don’t mistake this for just another commemorative edition. The Collexion stands apart as a serious, standalone product, not a limited-run sentimental release. These are headphones with their own identity, distinct from the Sony WH-1000XM6 siblings, featuring unique sound signatures, design philosophy, and premium materials—all while commanding a significantly higher price point.

Sony boldly focused on sound quality first and foremost with The Collexion, claiming these to be "the best sounding headphones we have ever made." That’s a big promise given Sony’s recent string of audio masterpieces. Naturally, we had to put them through the paces ourselves.

Price and Market Positioning

The 1000X line has always been premium, but Sony has historically avoided straying into the ultra-high-end territory marked by contenders like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 and Focal Bathys—both priced around $799. The Collexion breaks that mold, retailing at about $650, positioning itself firmly within a rarerfied market.

Competing models in this vicinity include Apple’s AirPods Max 2 ($549) and Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) ($449). For context, the award-winning Sony WH-1000XM6 hover near $450, while the Sennheiser HD 630, a fierce rival, comes in around $500.

Design and Comfort That Speak Volumes

If you’ve recently tried Sony’s latest models, you might squint and mistake The Collexion for a pair of Sonos Ace headphones. Both share sleek, minimalistic designs with oval ear cups, but The Collexion adds several physical metal buttons on the left earcup for tactile control.

Sony’s engineers call these headphones not just a visual treat but a joy to wear. Crafted primarily from metal and synthetic leather, the soft headband evenly distributes pressure for all-day comfort. The ear cushions are a touch firmer than those on the WH-1000XM6 but still invite cozy listening sessions.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Bluetooth: 6.0
• Audio Codecs Supported: AAC, SBC, LDAC
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Battery Life: Up to 32 hours (ANC off), 24 hours (ANC on)
• Finish Options: Platinum, Black
• Weight: 312 grams

Tackling Glitches and Hardware Limits

Despite the sophisticated tech, The Collexion isn’t without its quirks:

Software Glitches

• Presence Sensor: Auto-pause sometimes trips falsely due to stray hairs or clothing touching the ear cushions.
• Mode Switching: Sharp head turns may momentarily switch to Ambient Mode unexpectedly.
• Call Microphones: Noise-cancelling algorithms can occasionally muffle the user’s voice along with background noise.
• App Issues: The new Sony | Sound Connect app may face authorization hiccups if connectivity is shaky.

Hardware Challenges

• Weight and Fatigue: The metal build adds heft, tipping the scales over 310 grams, which can tire ears in long sessions.
• Battery Life: 24 hours with ANC is respectable but falls short of some competitors.
• Bulkiness: The headphones don’t fold inward, making the carrying case larger than usual.
• No USB-C Audio: The Type-C port is solely for charging; wired connection requires the included 3.5mm audio cable, and headphones must be powered on.

Navigating Availability and Usage

Sony 1000X The Collexion hasn't officially launched in many regions and isn’t found in big retail chains, often surfacing on resale platforms with steep markups. But once in hand, the headphones’ basic features—Bluetooth, noise cancellation, LDAC—work flawlessly out of the box.

The Sony | Sound Connect app is available in app stores, though registration can be tricky; using international email providers like Gmail helps avoid missing verification emails. Firmware updates don’t require VPN tricks, but spatial audio features need streaming services like Tidal or Deezer, which might require IP routing and foreign payment methods in some places.

Subtle Yet Luxurious Build and Feel

The synthetic leather wrapping most of the outside ear cups is soft to the touch but tends to show fingerprints and scuffs faster than hard plastic counterparts. The slimmer ear cup profile (40 mm width vs. 45.4 mm on WH-1000XM6) contributes to a lighter, more comfortable fit—despite The Collexion’s actual heavier weight at 312 grams compared to 254 grams for XM6.

While some testers found them a bit wobbly while walking, standing still with these headphones feels almost like having nothing on your head. The physical buttons complement the primary touch controls, which respond swiftly and reliably, with customizable options through the companion app.

Unlike the fold-and-roll style of the WH-1000XM6 or Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), The Collexion’s flat profile and accompanying carrying case with a hollow handle offer a unique though less compact portability.

Features and Battery Life Compared

Sony positions The Collexion as sound-centric premium headphones, yet they pack a generous feature set mirroring the WH-1000XM6’s versatility.

Battery life clocks in at roughly 32 hours without ANC, dropping to 24 hours with it on. While a bit less than the WH-1000XM6’s ~30 hours, it still surpasses Apple’s AirPods Max 2 at about 20 hours. Meanwhile, Sennheiser’s HD 630 can stretch up to 60 hours with ANC enabled.

If spatial audio sparks your interest, The Collexion offers three flavors of Sony’s 360 Reality Audio Upmix—Music, Cinema, and Gaming—each tailoring immersive soundscapes depending on your media. The “Cinema” mode especially shines, delivering an open, theatrical listening experience perfect for movie nights.

Signal processing benefits from Sony’s first-time use of DSEE Ultimate tech, elevating digital audio quality. A 10-band equalizer and handy presets live in the app, alongside a “Background Music” mode that simulates distant playback for focus-friendly listening.

Standard codecs like SBC, AAC, and high-res LDAC ensure top-notch wireless streaming, complemented by Bluetooth LE Audio for efficient power use and enhanced sound. Wired listening via the included 3.5mm cable is supported but requires the headphones to be powered on.

Sony’s Speak-To-Chat feature returns, lowering volume when you speak, though it can confuse windy noises for voice input—best to disable this outdoors on breezy days.

Noise Cancellation and Call Quality

Though Sony admits noise cancellation isn’t The Collexion’s main focus compared to the WH-1000XM6, it still impresses. Powered by the QN3 chip and 12 microphones monitoring ambient sounds, these headphones block noise effectively across all frequencies.

You might barely catch a sharp birdcall trying to break through, but mid and low frequencies vanish with finesse. While XM6 still holds the crown for ANC in Sony’s range, The Collexion’s noise cancellation is more than sufficient for most environments.

Call quality stands out, too. Six directional microphones combined with noise suppression offer crystal-clear voice transmission even near busy, windy highways. Voices come through with warmth and clarity, rarely disrupted by background chaos.

The Sound Experience

Let’s circle back to the heart of it: The Collexion delivers a sonic experience Sony describes as refined, detailed, and mature—quite distinct from the lively, bass-forward WH-1000XM6.

At its core is a custom 30mm carbon composite driver with a soft surround and rigid center, promising “exceptional frequency response.” Enhanced by a low-phase-noise quartz oscillator and premium soldering, the headphones achieve a superior signal-to-noise ratio, unveiling subtle musical details within a broad soundstage.

Listening tests confirmed these claims. The headphones shine with spaciousness and clarity on every track—from Max Richter’s Never Say Goodbye to Radiohead’s Everything In Its Right Place. That Radiohead track, in particular, blooms into a wide, cinematic tapestry, as if unfolding on a massive widescreen.

Detail retrieval is excellent: elegiac strings sound rich and melancholic, while Debussy’s Sarabande piano balances warmth and delicacy impeccably.

Despite this openness, The Collexion packs power. Picture a professional ballerina: graceful and flexible, yet strong and enduring when needed. Their bass reproduction is deep and controlled, vividly showcased on Massive Attack’s Atlas Air, where thundering drums hit hard without muddying the synth layers.

An Analytical, Not Emotional, Performer

The Collexion are undeniably impressive but feel more cerebral than heartfelt. They sacrifice some of Sony’s signature expressiveness for clarity and openness, which can make the listening experience feel a touch detached.

In comparison, the more affordable Sennheiser HD 630 offers a smoother, more natural sound with dynamic shifts that keep listeners emotionally engaged. Sennheiser seems to strike a better balance between naturalness, excitement, and precision.

Sony’s more reserved sonic character also means The Collexion lose some intimacy. For instance, the first 30 seconds of Black Veil Brides’ Saviour II feel closer and warmer on pricier Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones. However, once the chorus kicks in, The Collexion prove their might, letting the track’s gothic grandeur unfold with more scale than many rivals.

Final Verdict

Sony 1000X The Collexion offers plenty to admire: balanced, detailed sound paired with a rich feature set and stylish design come together almost flawlessly.

Yet there’s a catch. In chasing grandeur, detail, and sonic purity, Sony might have “thrown the baby out with the bathwater.” These are headphones designed to impress more than to entertain, inspiring admiration without sparking full-on love.

Who Should Buy?

• Audiophiles and design lovers seeking open, spacious, and detailed sound
• Those willing to trade portability and battery life for premium materials and sonic precision

Who Should Pass?

• Frequent travelers needing lightweight, foldable headphones
• Bass heads craving deep, driving low end
• Users requiring USB-C audio connectivity

Summary

The Collexion are outstanding for thoughtful, home or office listening yet remain a niche pick due to their weight, bulk, and price.

Ratings

“Sony called The Collexion ‘the best sounding headphones we have ever made.’ That’s a tempting claim given their legacy of audio masterpieces.”

FAQ

• How long is the battery life with noise cancellation on?
  About 24 hours of playback with ANC enabled.
• Are these headphones foldable for travel?
  No, their design doesn’t allow folding inward, making the case larger.
• Do they support high-resolution audio codecs?
  Yes, including Sony’s LDAC for high-res Bluetooth streaming.
• Is the USB-C port used for audio or just charging?
  The USB-C port is only for charging; wired audio requires the 3.5mm cable.
• Does the Speak-To-Chat feature work well outdoors?
  It can be triggered mistakenly by wind noise; best to disable it in windy conditions.

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