Sony's New WF-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Earbuds Impress New Yorker

Hands-on review covers NYC subway noise canceling, bass performance, and real-world call quality.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Sony's latest flagship earbuds, the WF-1000XM6, have finally arrived and a New York City-based reviewer put them through the ultimate test - navigating the loud and chaotic New York City subway system. The reviewer found the earbuds' noise canceling capabilities to be a standout feature, effectively blocking out the screeching rails, conversations, and announcements of the subway. The earbuds also delivered impressive call quality, allowing the reviewer to take clear calls even on busy city streets. While the design takes some getting used to, the reviewer found the WF-1000XM6 to be comfortable for long listening sessions. When it came to sound quality, the earbuds shone, providing a balanced, detailed sound profile well-suited for R&B and hip-hop music.

Why it matters

As a major tech hub and home to one of the busiest public transit systems in the world, New York City provides a true test for any noise-canceling headphones or earbuds. The reviewer's hands-on experience with the Sony WF-1000XM6 in this demanding environment highlights the earbuds' ability to excel in real-world conditions, making them a compelling option for urban dwellers and commuters who need to block out ambient noise while enjoying high-quality audio.

The details

The reviewer put the WF-1000XM6 earbuds through their paces on the New York City subway, where noise levels can reach up to 119-120 dB. Powered by Sony's new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3e and Adaptive Noise Canceling Optimizer, the earbuds were able to effectively mute the screeching rails, conversations, and announcements, providing a noticeable improvement over the previous model. The reviewer also praised the earbuds' call quality, which allowed them to take clear calls even on busy city streets, thanks to features like a bone conduction sensor, dual mics with AI beamforming, and AI noise reduction. While the design took some getting used to, the reviewer found the earbuds to be comfortable for long listening sessions. When it came to sound quality, the reviewer was impressed by the earbuds' balanced, detailed sound profile that was well-suited for R&B and hip-hop music, with rich bass and clear vocals.

  • The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds were released in 2026.

The players

Sony

A multinational conglomerate corporation that is one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer and professional electronic products, including the WF-1000XM6 noise-canceling earbuds.

Christopher Claxton

A New York City-based reviewer who tested the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds in the city's demanding environment.

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What they’re saying

“If earbuds can't handle noise canceling, they're already losing in New York.”

— Christopher Claxton (Billboard)

“Powered by Sony's new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3e and Adaptive Noise Canceling Optimizer, the XM6s actively adjust to your environment in real time. You can actually hear them shift when you move from a quiet street into a roaring station platform.”

— Christopher Claxton (Billboard)

The takeaway

The Sony WF-1000XM6 noise-canceling earbuds have proven to be a standout option for urban dwellers and commuters in demanding environments like New York City, offering impressive noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a balanced, detailed sound profile that excels with genres like R&B and hip-hop.