Sony 1000X The ColleXion leak points to a seriously premium ANC headphone
Sony’s next premium headphone flex might be more than just another WH-1000X refresh. A major leak has spilled details on the upcoming Sony 1000X The ColleXion Edition, and from the looks of it, this is Sony trying to push its noise-cancelling headphone line into proper luxury territory.
According to details shared by leaker OnLeaks with HotEUDeals, The ColleXion is tied to Sony’s 1000X anniversary branding and appears to sit above the current WH-1000XM6. The big difference is the build. Instead of looking like a slightly tweaked XM6, this leaked model reportedly uses polished metal elements across the headband structure and the yokes connecting the earcups.
That matters because durability has been one of the pain points some XM6 users have raised. If Sony really is moving to stronger metal yokes here, this could be a welcome upgrade for people who carry their headphones daily between office, campus, LRT rides, flights, and gaming sessions.
The leak shows black and white colour options, plus thicker-looking leatherette cushions. The earcups are also described as generously sized, which sounds like Sony is targeting long listening comfort. That is important for SEA users because, let’s be real, wearing ANC headphones in Malaysian heat can get uncomfortable fast. Bigger cushions and a better seal could help, especially if you use headphones for work calls, long Valorant grind nights, anime marathons, or flights around the region.
On the tech side, The ColleXion reportedly adds a V3 co-processor on top of the QM3 chip already used in the WH-1000XM6. The leak also mentions a 12-microphone setup, with six microphones on each earcup. That sounds like Sony is going hard on active noise cancellation and voice pickup, which could be useful for anyone dealing with cafe noise, MRT rumble, open offices, or the classic mamak table chaos.
Sony is also reportedly bringing in three Grammy-winning sound studios for tuning: Battery Studios, Coast Mastering, and Sterling Sound. That is a very Sony move, and it suggests The ColleXion is being positioned not just as a travel ANC headphone, but as a more audiophile-flavoured lifestyle product. Whether that tuning translates into a sound Malaysians actually enjoy for K-pop, J-rock, anime OSTs, hip-hop, EDM, and gaming remains to be heard, but the studio angle is definitely the headline feature here.
Battery life may be the one area where it does not beat the XM6 on paper. The leak claims around 24 hours of playback with ANC turned on, compared with the XM6’s claimed 30 hours. Without ANC, it may stretch up to 32 hours. A quick 5-minute charge is said to give around 1.5 hours of listening time, which is handy if you forgot to charge before heading out.
The accessory package also sounds premium. Instead of a zipper case, Sony is apparently including a carrying case with magnetic-closing ends. Inside, buyers should get a USB-A to USB-C cable and a 3.5mm cable for wired listening. The annoying bit? The leak says Sony may still skip USB-C audio playback, which feels dated for a headphone expected to cost this much.
And yes, the price is spicy. The leaked US price is US$649, which is US$200 more than the XM6. For Malaysia, a straight conversion puts it above RM3,000 before local taxes, distributor pricing, and retail markups. That means this will not be casual Shopee impulse-buy territory. It is more likely aimed at hardcore Sony fans, frequent flyers, creators, and people who want the fanciest ANC headphone Sony can make.
The leak also claims Sony will launch the 1000X The ColleXion on May 19, with sales beginning the same day. If Malaysia gets it officially, expect it to sit in the ultra-premium headphone bracket immediately. The big question now is simple: does studio tuning, a more premium build, and stronger ANC justify the jump over the already-expensive XM6?
Source: Android Authority
