Sony’s next big headphone drop may have leaked early, and it looks like the company is planning something more premium than a normal WH-1000XM refresh.
According to leaked renders shared by OnLeaks and HotEUDeals, Sony is preparing a 10th anniversary 1000X model called “The ColleXion” Edition. The headphones are expected to launch on May 19, with a listed US price of US$649 — which puts it roughly in the RM3,000+ zone before Malaysian taxes, retailer markup, or import pricing. Bro, that is not casual Lazada sale money.
The leak lines up with earlier hints from April, when the “ColleXion” name briefly appeared on Sony’s own websites alongside an over-ear headphone model number: WH-1000XX. At that time, there were no images. Now, the leaked renders give a much clearer look at what Sony may be building.
Design-wise, this is not just an XM6 with a fancy badge slapped on. The ColleXion appears to have thicker leatherette padding and larger-looking earcups compared with Sony’s current WH-1000XM6. It is reportedly coming in black and white, with matching metallic yokes connecting the headband to the earcups. The buttons also look more obvious, while the microphone grille design has changed from the usual mesh-style cutouts to larger holes integrated into the earcup shell.
That sounds small, but for daily users, comfort and controls matter a lot. In Malaysia and SEA, a pair like this is not just for audiophiles sitting at home. It is for long Grab rides, noisy LRT/MRT commutes, flights between KL, Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, and maybe trying to survive a cafe work session while someone nearby is loudly watching TikTok. If Sony really improved padding and earcup space, that could be a real quality-of-life upgrade.
The leaked marketing slides also point to the key specs. Battery life is said to reach up to 24 hours with active noise cancellation enabled, or up to 32 hours with ANC switched off. Noise cancellation is reportedly handled by a new V3 co-processor, working together with the QN3 processor already used in the XM6.
Sony is also apparently pushing the audio side hard. The leak says the ColleXion uses custom audio drivers tuned with help from Battery Studios, Sterling Sound, and Coast Mastering — studios connected to Grammy-winning records. That does not automatically mean magic sound, but it shows Sony wants this to feel like a collector-grade 1000X, not just another mainstream ANC headset.
Accessories are part of the flex too. The headphones reportedly come with a carry case, a USB-C charging cable, and a 3.5mm cable for wired listening. The case design is interesting: instead of Sony’s usual zipper pouch, this one looks more like a small handbag, with a built-in handle and magnetic closure.
The big question for Malaysian buyers is simple: is this worth the extra cash over the XM6? At US$649, the ColleXion is reportedly US$200 more expensive than the XM6 was at launch. Unless Sony Malaysia prices it aggressively — don’t hold your breath — this will likely be a luxury pick for hardcore Sony fans, collectors, or people who really want the anniversary design.
For everyone else, the XM6 may still be the smarter buy, especially once discounts start appearing. But if the ColleXion delivers better comfort, a more premium build, and a genuinely different sound profile, it could become Sony’s “statement piece” headphone for 2026.
Source: The Verge