Crisp, clear, comfortable audio is an experience that everyone should get to enjoy at least once in their lifetime. Sony’s 1000X THE COLLEXION over-ear noise cancelling headphones deliver just that: audio that sounds amazing, packaged in a beautiful set of headphones with excellent noise cancelling technology.
What’s in the box of the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION headphones?
In the box of THE COLLEXION headphones, you’ll find the headphones themselves in either Platinum (featured here) or Black, along with a matching hard case and a charging cord. They come with a warranty card and a reference card. The reference card features a QR code for the Sony Sound Connect app.
Features of the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION headphones
Sony’s 1000X over-ear noise cancelling headphones are soft and plush, with brushed metal finishes and vegan leather ear cushions. They’re fully wireless and powered by Bluetooth. They have built-in directional microphones, button control on the edges of the left headphone, and extremely responsive touch-control on the right headphone.
THE COLLEXION headphones are designed for style, excellent sound quality, and powerful noise cancellation. They feature QN3 and V3 processors and 12 microphones to deliver noise cancellation in real time. Plus, they’re designed with an adaptive NC optimizer for environmental adjustments as you go.
These headphones are also designed with a bespoke driver that delivers detailed, rich sound. Plus, they have the ability to add 360 Upmix to regular stereo tracks—turning them into immersive spatial audio experiences. They hold up to 24 hours of battery life and can complete a 1.5 hour fast charge in 5 minutes.
Voice assistance on THE COLLEXION
The 1000X lets you access two separate voice assistants. To control your headphones, there’s a Google Gemini-powered voice assistant. To control your paired device, you can continue to use your regular assistant.
The two assistants are voice triggered separately. “Hey Headphones” controls things like skipping songs or turning up your headphones’ volume. You regular assistant phrase (like “Hey Siri”) will continue to trigger the assistant on whatever device your headphones are paired to.
Gesture and head control
Sony uses both touch/gesture and head movement to control these headphones. It’s very cool (and feels very futuristic) to experience. The controls work extremely well, and together, they deliver a seamless headphone experience.
The right headphone on THE COLLEXION is touch-responsive on its soft, vegan finish. Controls include gestures like tapping twice to pause or play your music, swiping forward to skip to the next song, or swiping upwards to increase your volume.
Button controls on the left headphone on THE COLLEXION gives you access to Quick Access customized controls, turning noise cancelling on or off, and switching between listening modes.
Head controls on these headphones are pre-set. You can nod your head to accept a call, or shake your head to reject one!
Listening modes and 360 Upmix
THE COLLEXION headphones offer studio-graded sound with optional, upmixed spatial audio via 360 Upmix.
The headphone quality of THE COLLEXION is excellent. Every track sounds rich and lifelike, with deep bass that still sounds crisp and distinct. No matter what listening mode you have turned on, there’s no muddying of low notes. High notes also never sound thin or tinny.
360 Upmix adds richness and space into every track. It really shines when listening to music, but it adds a depth to any listening experience. Everything, from YouTube videos to video games, just sounds better with Upmix. It feels like the difference between watching a movie in 2D and in IMAX: it’s the same piece of media, but with Upmix, the experience is way more immersive.
The Sony Sound Connect app
Sony’s 1000X headphones are designed to be used with the Sony Sound Connect app. It’s how you’ll connect your headphones to your device, as well as how you’ll access the majority of their functionality.
The Sound Connect app lets you access your music quickly, tune your listening profile, look at your listening history, and control your ambient sound control. Ambient control includes Noise Cancelling, Ambient, or Off. The Ambient sound setting is customizable to 20 levels of white noise and ambient passthrough, with voice passthrough optional.
Sound Connect is also how you’ll set your listening mode. There’s Standard, Music with 360 Upmix, Cinema with 360 Upmix, Game with 360 Upmix, and cafe-style Background Music.
Adaptive Sound Control
Adaptive Sound Control (accessed in the Sound Connect app) creates an AI-assisted smart profile to suit your listening habits, making your listening experience more customized to you and your needs. It optimizes how ambient sound is taken in, activates automatic switching at My Places (if location access is granted), and remembers how you like to listen.
Adaptive Sound Control is only available on Sony’s higher-end headphone models. From an experience standpoint, it really does create a more customized listening experience. It can remember that you like your music louder at the gym than in the park, for instance, and automatically make those adjustments for you. Or, it’ll notice when you’re running, and turn on your music (from an app of your choosing; mine’s paired with my Spotify account) when your headphones feel you start a run.
This customization also learns your daily habits and preferences. You can turn on Wear to Play, for instance, which starts playing music whenever you put your headphones on. Or, it’ll notice that you always turn on Noise Cancelling when you get to the office, and automate that experience.
My experience with THE COLLEXION
My favourite part of these headphones is how quiet they make the rest of the world sound. Yes, they’re gorgeous, and yes, they sound great… But also, their sound cancellation is fantastic. They deliver very noticeable noise cancellation, and that creates a foundation for a really excellent listening experience.
When all of life’s extra sounds are filtered out, it becomes easier to really hear what you’re listening to. Your music sounds more rich and crisp (especially with 360 Upmix turned on); your phone calls and meetings become more seamless. I never have to ask anyone to repeat themselves when on a call while wearing 1000X headphones, because I don’t miss as much dialogue as I normally would.
I can comfortably listen to an audiobook on these headphones no matter what chore I’m doing: washing the dishes, restocking my noisy refrigerator, or even vacuuming. Every single word sounds crisp and clear. I don’t even have to crank the volume to make that happen, which is a huge win for safe listening.
I can also switch between listening modes based on my media and mood, and it’s easy for my ears to hear the difference between each. The passive, smooth sounds on Background Music make me feel like I’m in a Nora Ephron movie, while Music with 360 Upmix makes it feel like I’m listening to a mini-concert live.
Finally, I really appreciate Sony’s activity-adaptive listening preferences. I feel safer knowing that ambient noises can be set to automatically start passing through my headphones when I start walking or running, even if I forget to turn off Noise Cancellation. Adaptive Sound Control is a huge win for user safety, and it adds to a seamless experience overall, too.
Watch: First impressions of the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION headphones
What makes the THE COLLEXION different?
Is THE COLLEXION different from the Sony WH-1000XM6? Yes—but they are very similar.
The “1000X THE COLLEXION” headphones are designed to be the luxury version of Sony’s WH-1000X line. They offer a slightly more aesthetically pleasing, luxurious version of a well-loved classic.
Where you’ll notice the difference between THE COLLEXION and the 1000x M6 headphones is in build quality. You’re paying a more premium price, but you’re getting a more premium product for it. THE COLLEXION headphones have stronger, smoother hinges, and are overall designed from slightly nicer, more durable materials. They may sound similar as their M6 counterparts, but they look and feel more luxurious, even from a distance.
In conclusion: Who is THE COLLEXION for?
THE COLLEXION is for the music lover who wants the best that Sony has to offer.
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones are a truly excellent model of over-ear noise cancelling headphones, and I struggle to think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy using them. But, for those looking only for the best of the best, you can’t beat THE COLLEXION.
THE COLLEXION offers a step up in both design and build quality, and they deliver a very, very nice user experience. They’re excellent for taking work calls, listening to music while you work out, and enjoying crisp, clear, quiet audio in noisy environments—whether that’s an airplane cabin or just your living room during chore day.
Explore Sony’s 1000X THE COLLEXION over-ear noise cancelling headphones online at BestBuy.ca today.
This content is created in collaboration with Sony. All opinions expressed are our own.
