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Need-to-knows
- XM6 win when it comes to ANC, but it’s very close
- QC Ultra 2 sounds slightly brighter out of the box
- Bose has slightly higher build quality
- XM6 has larger earcups
It’s time for the big headphone battle everyone keeps asking me for – Sony vs Bose. Two pairs of noise-cancelling headphones you’re most likely to see when travelling, working in coffee shops, or, well, just about anywhere, to be honest.
The Sony XM series has, in my opinion, always just pipped the post in terms of active noise cancelling (ANC) performance over the Bose QuietComfort line-up. But there’s no doubting Bose’s ability to make a pair of headphones that are immediately desirable and, seemingly, loved by a very loyal crowd.
In my full reviews, I called the QC Ultra 2 a “sensible mid-season refresh” and noted that the XM6 fixed a lot of the XM5’s downfalls, resulting in a superb return to form for Sony. But which is best overall?
I’ve been testing the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 (neither brand wins the ’Simple Name Award’, I’m afraid) for the last few months, and I’ve picked a winner. But I’d also like to help you pick the right pair.
Let’s get straight into it.
Shop the XM6 and QC Ultra 2 below!
Sony WH-1000XM6
Bose QC Ultra 2
Pricing
Both the XM6 and the QC Ultra 2 are positioned as premium headphones by their respective brands. That means they’re not exactly cheap and do require some serious thought before laying down your hard-earned.
Prices vary by region, but the official RRPs in the UK and US are as follows:
- Sony WH-1000XM6: £399/$459
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2: £449/$449
It is, however, possible to find both pairs for less if you shop around, and both Sony and Bose occasionally offer seasonal discounts. It’s just hard to avoid the fact that the XM6 are, in my neck of the woods at least, the cheaper pair of ANC headphones.
They both have to work hard for your money, but the QC Ultra 2 have to work just a little bit harder.
Specs
There are some key spec differences between the XM6 and the QC Ultra 2, which I’ll outline below.
| Feature | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QC Ultra (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Size | 30mm | 35mm |
| Battery Life (ANC On) | 30 Hours | 30 Hours |
| Quick Charge | 3 mins = 3 hours | 15 mins = 3 hours |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Hi-Res Codecs | LDAC | aptX Adaptive |
| Audio via USB-C | No | Yes |
| EQ Control | 10-band (Customizable) | 3-band (Basic) |
| Wired Listening | 3.5mm (Included) | 2.5mm to 3.5mm / USB-C Audio |
| Spatial Audio | 360 Reality Audio / Cinema | Immersive Audio (Motion/Still) |
| Multipoint | Yes (2 Devices) | Yes (2 Devices) |
They have the same quoted battery life, but the XM6 beat the QC Ultra 2 in terms of quick charging. Sony has also included a more customisable 10-band EQ, but, unlike Bose, hasn’t opted for the ability to play audio via the USB-C cable. Bose wins the driver size award, too, with the QC Ultra boasting 35mm drivers versus the XM6’s 30mm.
When it comes to Bluetooth, they both have multipoint connectivity for up to two devices, but the QC Ultra have Bluetooth 5.4, whereas the XM6 have 5.3.
Related: Sony XM6 vs XM5
In terms of high-res audio support, it’s present in both headphones, with Sony opting for its own LDAC codec, and Bose choosing the widely-adopted aptX Adaptive.
Beyond the specs, though, these are two very different – and strikingly similar – pairs of headphones.
Design and comfort
The QC Ultra are noticeably lighter than the XM6 both in the hand and on the head, even if the actual weight difference is only 4g. This makes a marginal difference during longer listening sessions, but I should note that both pairs of headphones are among the comfiest I’ve worn.
The XM6 just feel a bit more encompassing on your head and do have larger inner ear cups compared to the QC Ultra 2. Therefore, if you’ve struggled to fit your ears into headphones previously, Sony might have the upper hand here – particularly if your prior experience of poor fit has been with Bose.
The design is where you’re getting a bit more for your money with Bose. The QC Ultra 2 feature aluminium arms and shiny Bose branding on the ear cups. This is in stark contrast to the plastic, minimalist look and feel of the XM6, which, in black form, are also frustratingly difficult to keep smudge-free.
Despite this, both are good-looking in their own way, and feel like they could take a beating (and they can – I’ve travelled the world with both pairs). They fold properly, too, which means both cases are great – if entirely different in the way they work. The Sony case wins, simply because of the ingenious magnetic clasp, which makes you wonder why on earth brands like Bose are still opting for fiddly zips.
As for the control surfaces – they’re identical. Sony and Bose have opted for just two buttons (power/Bluetooth and ANC – the latter being customisable) with the play controls reserved for touch surfaces on the ear cups. Bose wins here because the volume control (a brush of your thumb around the outer circumference of the ear cup) is far more intuitive. I just wish they both took the Bowers & Wilkins approach by filling these headphones with buttons for everything.
Sound
As noted earlier, we’re dealing with two different driver sizes here. I’m aware that there are some strong feelings out there about this kind of thing, but comparing the XM6 against the QC Ultra 2 is a classic example of where it doesn’t seem to make any difference.
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Both pairs of headphones are beautifully rounded in terms of bass, with it being controlled, tight, deep, and not in the least bit flabby. Midrange is also catered for fantastically with vocals and guitars cutting through as they should without ever becoming fatiguing.
The difference lies in the top end. Out of the box, the QC Ultra 2 just sound brighter than the XM6. Not to the point of it being overbearing, either – they just sound a bit more ‘hi-fi’.
Check out my Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 review!
However, thanks to the XM6’s comprehensive EQ settings in the Sound Control app, it’s possible to get the XM6 sounding pretty much identical to the QC Ultra 2, which leads me to an inevitable conclusion. These are two superb-sounding ANC headphones, and you will be delighted whichever pair you choose.
One thing I will highlight is the ability for both the XM6 and the QC Ultra 2 to come alive when you unlock their respective high-res audio codecs. You’ll need a dongle to do so on the iPhone, but let’s not forget that virtually every Android device can do this straight out of the box – and it’s worth it.
Noise-cancelling and call quality
I’ll get straight to the point – you have to really listen intently and do lots of swapping back and forth between the XM6 and QC Ultra 2 to figure out which pair offers better ANC.
I think it’s the XM6. Just. The world just goes slightly quieter when you place them on your head.
The presence of that many italicised words above should, however, indicate how moot this particular point of comparison is. These are the two best ANC headphones on the market, and they sound like it. You won’t be disappointed, regardless of which way you swing – but if you want the knowledge that you’ve probably got the best on the market, the XM6 are the ones to go for.
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When it comes to transparency mode, the QC Ultra 2 are slightly better. There’s just more fidelity to the world around you and your voice, which is useful when you want to be aware of your surroundings or hear yourself speak. The XM6 are no slouch in this department either, though.
As for calling quality, you’ll need to watch my full YouTube comparison video to hear how the mics perform.
Conclusion
We’re looking at the two best ANC headphones on the market here. As I’ve noted a couple of times above, you’ll be delighted whichever pair you choose.
I think a lot of it will come down to brand advocacy. From what I can see in YouTube comments sections, you’re either a Sony or a Bose person. Which is cool, whatever your preference.
If, however, you held me at gunpoint and forced me to pick one, it would be the XM6. They’re slightly cheaper and offer everything the QC Ultra 2 do, with technically the best ANC on the market, to boot.
But it’s so ridiculously close.
1 Comment
I will disagree with sound quality and ANC. Bose sounds and cancels noise much better but you will need to start them ONLY they are SET ON YOUR HEAD. Because it analyses the pressure on your ear canal with that starting sound. Many reviewers don’t even know that (it seems you included unfortunately)
1. ANC is slightly better on the QC Ultra 2 than Sony’s (and I listened them both for 1 week).
2. Sound is better on the Bose (didn’t bother with EQ – you could probably make sony sound as good with EQ)
3. Sony wins on controls (volume touch controls much better)
4. Sony wins on transparency mode no questions asked. (mics and processing much better here)
5. Sony makes you look like a construction worker with them on due to their larger cans. Awful.
6. Comfort is muuuuch better on the Bose (try to wear the Sony on a 10 hour flight – you will hate yourself)
Bose is the better choice for traveling. (there are traveling headphones – they should be portable, light, comfy, good anc and bose ticks more here than sony)