Sony released The Collexion headphones to mark the 10th anniversary of its flagship 1000X headphones series. While the 1000X series is known for top-notch noise cancellation and sound quality, this milestone edition brings a more luxurious design. The first thing I noticed about the 1000X The Collexion is that it has a more premium finish than the Sony WH-1000XM6, along with a premium price of Rs 59,990. To put this into perspective, the 1000XM6 is priced at Rs 39,990. So, the obvious question is how good a product the newcomer is and whether the quality upgrade warrants the higher rupee tag.
As I said, the headphones’ colour, material, and finish were what I first noticed. The Sony 1000X Collexion features metal hinges, and the rest of the body is mostly made of recycled plastic and faux leather. It looks rich and sophisticated. Because of the inclusion of more metal in the build, The Collexion weighs 320g and is considerably heavier than the 254g WH-1000XM6. But the weight isn’t something that would bother you while wearing or carrying it around. For context, it is still lighter and more comfortable than the Apple AirPods Max 2.
The headphone’s plush and fairly flexible headband and earcups not just add to comfort but also offer solid passive isolation. That said, the leather cushions could get warm with longer use in a non-air-conditioned room or outdoors. This isn’t a build problem, but rather something to know in Indian conditions.
Speaking of conditions, the Collexion lacks an IP rating. So no dust or water resistance. But the case covers the entire device and offers some protection. It also has a handle to carry around. The overall footprint of the case is larger than the WH-1000XM4 I have. This is because the new headphones’ hinge is not foldable like an XM4 or XM6.
In everyday use, whether you are indoors or out, you would appreciate the simplicity, accessibility, and tactility of the physical buttons on this thing.
Sony has given The Collexion a new 30mm driver with a carbon-composite construction and worked with mastering engineers as part of its tuning process.
In our testing, the frequency response curve shows a weighty low end with a strong sense of sub-bass depth. Kick drums have plenty of body, and the drum beats at the beginning of ‘Hold On’ by Alabama Shakes sound more pronounced than on the AirPods Max 2.
In ‘Slow Sipper’ by The Dips, the positioning of the instruments and vocals is clear. Similarly, while listening to ‘Laiyaan’, the texture of Arijit Singh’s voice was easier to pick out, with a smoother presentation on the Sony headphones.
‘Long Road’ by Eddie Vedder was another interesting listen. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s vocals sounded stronger and clearer, with more presence than on the other headphones I compared them with. More importantly, the bass does not overpower vocals or instruments. Vocals sound natural and relaxed, while instruments have enough space around them.
Highs are also well controlled. Cymbals, strings, and other finer details have enough energy to remain audible, but they do not sound sharp or piercing. This gives the Collexion a slightly relaxed treble character that is suited for long listening sessions.
The Sony headphones also present a wider soundstage, and the overall presentation is energetic and forward.
The company has also added 360 Upmix, which converts conventional stereo content into a spatial presentation. There are separate Music, Cinema and Game modes to experiment with. I found the feature more useful for certain types of content than others, and it is worth remembering that more processing does not necessarily mean better sound.
There is also wired audio support through the bundled 3.5mm cable. However, the headphones must be switched on for wired playback to work. I miss the genuine passive mode available on my XM4, which means I can continue listening through the cable even when the headphones are switched off.
The USB-C port is limited to charging and does not support USB-C audio. So, you cannot connect The Collexion to a laptop or phone over USB-C for digital wired playback. For a Rs 59,990 headphone, I find both omissions disappointing, particularly when the headphones are otherwise positioned as a premium listening product.
The Sony 1000X series is one of the leading players in noise-cancellation headphones, and The Collexion continues that legacy. It uses a 12-microphone system, the QN3 noise-cancelling processor, and its newer Integrated Processor V3. There is also an Adaptive NC Optimiser that adjusts cancellation based on factors such as fit and atmospheric pressure.
I have used it primarily indoors, on the office floor, in my room, and while travelling in cars. These Sony headphones are very good at reducing the constant hum of air conditioning, office chatter, and road noise. You can still hear some chatter if you don’t play any music. Sometimes I like putting them on without any music to focus on my work. And since there is no pressure feeling, you can wear them for a long time like this.
When it comes to the ambient sound mode, it is natural enough for conversations and walking around. Voices and nearby sounds come through clearly without making the effect feel excessively processed. The AirPods Max 2 can enhance some ambient noises. This doesn’t do that.
But it doesn’t completely disappear in the way the AirPods Max 2’s transparency feels. It is good enough that you do not need to remove the headphones every time someone speaks to you.
Sony uses AI beamforming and its Integrated Processor V3 to isolate the speaker’s voice from background noise. The headphones also have a hardware mute function, which is useful for laptop calls and meetings.
Call quality is generally clear, particularly in quieter surroundings. Background noise is suppressed well, and the system handles wind reasonably effectively.
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The Sony Sound Connect app has gotten simpler to use over time. Now, it provides the frequently used features on the home screen while other settings are tucked away.
Within the app, you get a 10-band equaliser, custom sound profiles, adaptive sound control, wear detection, Speak-to-Chat, and control over the various listening modes. Sony also supports multipoint connection, so the headphones can stay connected to two devices at the same time.
I used it with iOS, macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, and it worked well overall. The pairing and subsequent operation were smooth, except for one niggle. Sometimes, when you open the app on Android, it doesn’t recognise the paired headphones. You have to clear the app from the recent apps menu and open it again.
While it is not locked into a particular ecosystem, Android users get support for advanced codecs like LDAC, while SBC, AAC and LC3 are supported more broadly.
DSEE Ultimate is another interesting addition. Sony uses the V3 processor to process compressed audio, with the intention of restoring some of the detail lost during compression. This and spatial-audio tricks like 360 Upmix are niceties sprinkled in this feature-rich app.
Sony rates The Collexion for up to 24 hours with noise cancellation enabled and up to 32 hours with ANC disabled. Surprisingly enough, in our battery test, we got 62 hours and 43 minutes of continuous playback with ANC enabled, AAC codec, and a FLAC music file playing at 80 per cent volume. That’s significantly longer than the brand’s estimates.
Charging them fully takes around 3.5 hours. I wish this was shorter. The Collexion offers long endurance, but topping it up can take some patience.
After spending time with The Collexion, I can see why Sony made it. The headphones sound excellent, the ANC works very well in everyday situations, they are comfortable for long periods, and the more premium construction makes them feel different from the usual 1000X headphones. The sound, in particular, is a strong reason to consider them. The combination of deep bass, clear vocals, good separation, and a spacious presentation works across the different kinds of music I listen to.
But at Rs 59,990, The Collexion is not competing only on sound quality. The ANC is excellent for everyday use, the sound has plenty of weight without overwhelming vocals and instruments, and the app gives you enough control to tailor the experience. Even the battery life we got was significantly longer than the company’s estimates.
The charging speed, however, takes a long time. And its USB-C port doesn’t support audio. I also miss having a genuine passive mode when using the 3.5mm connection. And I wish the headphones and case combo was more compact and light. These are not major compromises, but are things I want you to know while making the buying decision.
Ultimately, The Collexion is not trying to win by offering the most features for the money. It is trying to make a familiar Sony headphone feel more luxurious, while giving it a sound that is enjoyable enough for serious listening. And if that combination works for you and you have close to Rs 60,000 to spend, you can check out The Collexion online on Sony’s website and other e-commerce platforms.
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