Overview
- Sony announced and released 1000X The ColleXion on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with availability through Sony’s store, Best Buy and Amazon at a US price of $649.99.
- The headphones use premium materials including stainless steel yokes and a specially developed vegan leather, and ship with a new magnetic carrying case that has an integrated handle.
- Audio updates include bespoke 30mm unidirectional carbon composite drivers, a new Integrated Processor V3 that enables DSEE Ultimate Edge‑AI upscaling, and three 360 Reality Audio Upmix presets tuned with mastering engineers.
- The ColleXion keeps Sony’s QN3 ANC system with a 12‑microphone array and beamforming but trades a looser earcup fit and a non‑folding swivel design for comfort and luxury finish, which reduces passive isolation and lowers battery life to about 24 hours with ANC on.
- The launch positions Sony above the WH‑1000XM6 as a premium, design‑led alternative rather than a direct replacement, and early coverage says hands‑on reviews and comparisons will determine whether buyers prefer the ColleXion’s studio tuning and materials or the XM6’s longer battery life and stronger passive sealing.