Compare Sony 1000X The Collexion vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro

The broad consensus is that sound is detailed, spacious, and more refined than the XM6, with excellent clarity and texture. Some reviewers found it less engaging or more genre-dependent than expected.

Sound quality is a major strength, with most hands-on reviewers praising the Pro’s clarity, detail and overall refinement. A few found the tuning merely good or behind top rivals, so it is not universally class-leading.

ANC processing can slightly reduce perceived audio quality and distortion performance, so critical listeners may prefer it off in quiet rooms.

ANC has little audible effect on the music in the direct on/off comparison, preserving the headphone’s sound while reducing outside noise.

The hidden plastic beneath the earpads can sound and feel cheap when moved, weakening the otherwise premium impression.

The headphones stay mechanically quiet during movement, with little thudding or creaking heard while running.

The dedicated gaming upmix mode is one of the weakest features, with processed effects that can sound poor or unnatural.

Spatial audio can enhance gaming, adding a stronger sense of placement and immersion when the effect suits the game.

The absence of USB-C audio removes a potentially lower-latency wired option, which is a drawback for video and gaming use.

Low-latency mode kept audio tightly synchronized with video and gaming in the real-world test that addressed it.

Passive isolation is only average because the comfort-focused seal is less tight. ANC compensates well at low frequencies but voices and higher sounds can pass through.

The soft cushions can create a strong passive seal, and one reviewer called the isolation impressive. Another found the softer pads reduced isolation, while fit and glasses can change the result.

Wind noise is generally controlled well during calls and outdoor use, although strong headwinds can create a whistle around the metal linkages.

Wind handling is excellent by the standards of ANC headphones. Reviewers say the Pro nearly solves the wind-noise weakness of cheaper Nothing models and remains effective outdoors.

Sound becomes slightly cleaner and more open with ANC switched off, though the change is noticeable rather than dramatic.

Switching ANC on produced almost no noticeable change to the music in the direct comparison, which is an excellent result for sound consistency.

Most listeners hear a refined, balanced tuning with clearer mids and less muddiness than the XM6. One detailed assessment found the response uneven across genres.

Flat mode can sound impressively accurate, but lab measurements raised concerns about high-frequency variability and positioning sensitivity. Fit appears to affect the measured response more than usual.

The broad presentation feels natural and immersive without relying entirely on spatial processing, particularly with film scores and spacious recordings.

Spatial processing can make movies and other compatible content feel more atmospheric and immersive, especially when the effect suits the material.

Spatial and 360 Upmix modes divide opinion: Cinema can add scale and impact, while Music and Game often sound processed, tinny, or less natural.

Spatial audio is capable but taste-dependent. Some reviewers found the modes immersive and technically impressive, while others called them light-touch, gimmicky or something they would rarely use.

Most reviewers describe the bass as deep, clean, textured, and controlled rather than boomy. A few found its balance uneven or less punchy on complex tracks.

Bass is generally controlled and punchy rather than bloated, with good depth and timbre. Bass-heavy listeners may want more impact, and one reviewer specifically found the punch softer than expected.

Voice-isolation processing rejects wind and background noise impressively, though aggressive suppression can slightly thin the voice.

The microphones suppress environmental noise very effectively, with reports of callers hearing little background noise even in wind or around a lawnmower. Voice quality may still sound slightly processed.

Noise cancellation is consistently strong against engines, traffic, and office noise. It falls slightly behind the WH-1000XM6 because the softer fit creates a weaker passive seal.

ANC is consistently strong, often described as close to flagship Sony and Bose performance and especially effective against hum, voices and travel noise. Seal sensitivity can make results less consistent on some heads.

The soundstage is notably wide and airy for a closed-back wireless headphone, giving instruments room to breathe. Depth and intimacy are less convincing for some listeners.

The presentation is wider and more open than earlier Nothing models, with strong spatial placement. It still sounds more closed-in than large open-back reference headphones.

ANC operates without the obvious hiss that can accompany some noise-cancelling headphones.

Steady background noise and ANC hiss are well controlled: hums can disappear entirely, and the faint hiss heard on the older model is less perceptible here.

Wear detection is usually fast and seamless, though sensor placement can become inconsistent when the fit is imperfect.

Wear detection was explicitly described as very reliable.

USB-C is limited to charging, with no digital audio playback. This is one of the most repeated and least defensible omissions at the price.

USB-C audio is more than a convenience here: hi-res wired playback can reveal extra detail compared with lower-resolution alternatives.

The left-ear wear sensor can be sensitive to fit, occasionally causing inconsistent detection or ANC behavior.

The wear-detection sensors worked reliably in real-world use.

There is no IP or water-resistance rating, so rain, workouts, and heavy sweat require caution.

IP52 protection is useful for workouts and light weather, but it should not be mistaken for heavy water resistance.

The handled magnetic case is practical and protective, but opinions on its handbag-like shape and larger footprint are divided.

The carrying case is the product’s most divisive—and usually most criticized—part. Most reviewers dislike its weight, exposed headband and lack of cable storage, though a minority love its unusual protective design.

The basic-looking analog cable and missing charging cable feel stingy for headphones at this price.

The included wired cables are a nice touch and feel purpose-built, though one reviewer would have preferred a darker color to match the headphones.

The accessory bundle feels sparse for the price, with a cheap-looking analog cable and no USB-C charging cable in several markets.

The box includes useful wired-listening accessories, though cable color and the case’s lack of storage drew minor complaints.

Excellent comfort and ANC make these strong long-haul companions, but the non-folding design and larger case reduce packing convenience.

The headphones can work well for travel, but the heavy partial case repeatedly undermines portability. Several reviewers said the case was bulky enough to discourage packing them for longer trips.

Wireless stability is mostly dependable, but some tests reported brief reconnects, and the relaxed fit can shift during movement.

Fit stability is good enough that the headphones stay in place rather than slipping off during normal use.

Service-replaceable earpads make wear and hygiene easier to manage over a long ownership period.

The earpads are unusually easy to remove and reinstall, which makes replacement and cleaning simple.

Replaceable pads and a serviceable battery improve longevity, although the headband itself is not clearly user-replaceable.

The earpads are easy to pull off and reinstall, making pad replacement and cleaning unusually convenient.

The presets are mixed: Clear and Hard can be useful starting points, while Heavy can overemphasize bass.

Flat EQ is the most divisive sound feature: some reviewers love its neutral, work-ready presentation and physical toggle, while others find it dull, niche, fiddly or sonically unsuccessful.

The wider, thicker headband cushioning spreads pressure effectively and is a major reason the extra weight remains comfortable.

Headband padding is much improved overall and reduces pressure during long sessions. One reviewer still found the top padding too light, so comfort can vary by head shape.

The earcups rotate flat but do not fold, so the headphones and case take more bag space than the XM6.

The headphones do not fold, which hurts compact portability compared with rivals designed to collapse for travel.

The 3.5mm input is useful for wired lossless listening, although the headphones still need power for their internal processing.

The 3.5mm input is genuinely useful for analog sources, adding flexibility for travel and legacy gear.

The slimmer profile and restrained metal-and-faux-leather styling look expensive without being flashy.

The transparent glass-and-metal aesthetic is striking and polished rather than discreet, and the reviewer addressing looks directly found it especially impressive.

LDAC, wired lossless playback, and DSEE Ultimate can reveal more detail, especially with compressed or older recordings.

The onboard DAC and hi-res wired path are genuinely useful for lossless libraries, supporting high-resolution playback without fuss.

Wireless, multipoint, analog, LE Audio, and app-based options make the headphones flexible in everyday use despite the missing USB-C audio path.

Connectivity is unusually flexible, with Bluetooth, 3.5mm analog and USB-C digital listening all available.

The earcups rotate flat smoothly for storage, but the design does not fold inward.

The rotating earcups provide useful fit flexibility and can lay flat for storage.

Useful standards such as Auracast are available immediately rather than being promised for a later firmware update.

The launch feature set is broad and immediately useful, with advanced listening and connectivity tools available from the start.

The stepless metal adjustment mechanism moves smoothly and quietly while holding its position securely.

The headband offers generous adjustment and accommodated larger heads without trouble in the tests that discussed fit range.

The headphones preserve most features across Android, iOS, and other devices, avoiding the restrictions of Apple-focused competitors.

The Pro handled mixed-platform use cleanly, including an Android phone and MacBook connected at the same time.

Deeper earcups and generous padding keep ears away from the internal hardware and materially improve long-session comfort.

The revised ear cushions are a clear upgrade: softer, plusher and more comfortable than previous Nothing models, including for glasses wearers.

Instrument separation is repeatedly praised, with vocals and individual parts occupying clear positions across the wide stage. Dense arrangements can expose some tuning limitations.

Most reviewers who focused on separation heard cleaner spacing between vocals and instruments. One prominent comparison found the Pro more muddled than Sony and AirPods Max, making this a point of disagreement.

Overall satisfaction is high among reviewers who accept the price, with comfort, materials, and spacious sound outweighing the main compromises.

Hands-on satisfaction is overwhelmingly high among the reviewers who gave a direct personal verdict, with several saying they loved the headphones or had very little to complain about.

Transparency mode sounds clear and useful for conversation and travel announcements, though it is not always as natural as Apple’s best implementation.

Transparency mode is one of the more consistently praised features, sounding clear, natural and markedly improved from earlier Nothing headphones. Several reviewers place it just below Apple’s best implementation.

The softer clamp and plush padding remain secure without pressing glasses arms painfully into the head.

The soft, pliable cushions work well around glasses and help preserve comfort and seal. One reviewer still found fit with glasses inconsistent, so head shape and frame style can matter.

Vocals and midrange detail are generally clearer, more natural, and better separated than on the XM6. A minority found the tuning uneven on complex instrumental music.

The midrange is usually clear and well presented, especially for vocals and instruments. Some listeners found it a little too forward or slightly subdued depending on mode and tuning.

The headphones are easy to recommend to buyers who prioritize Sony’s most luxurious comfort and revealing sound over maximum battery life or value.

Overall recommendations lean positive: reviewers see a genuinely premium, feature-rich flagship with excellent ANC, controls and detail. The case, price and cheaper Nothing alternatives are the main reasons some stop short of a full recommendation.

The textured faux leather picks up visible marks and stubborn smudges more readily than smooth plastic.

The glossy glass is a fingerprint magnet. Multiple reviewers noticed smudges quickly, making this one of the few repeated cosmetic complaints about the headphones themselves.

Hand-finished metal, soft faux leather, and refined detailing deliver a convincing luxury feel. Smudges and a few hidden plastic parts slightly undermine it.

Premium materials are a consistent strength. Aluminum, titanium and glass give the Pro a more expensive feel without making it as heavy as the AirPods Max.

Android pairing is quick through Google Fast Pair, and Android users also gain straightforward access to LDAC and Sony’s full app controls.

Android compatibility worked smoothly in a mixed Android-and-Mac setup, including dual-device use.

Wear detection reacts quickly, pausing as soon as an earcup is lifted and resuming smoothly when it is replaced.

Wear detection reliably paused and resumed playback in the review that tested it.

The integrated microphone array captures articulate voices and supports effective ANC and environmental processing.

The built-in microphone system delivered very good call quality in the review that assessed it directly.

LDAC produces a noticeable lift in openness, vocal naturalness, and fine detail when used with a compatible source.

LDAC support is useful for higher-quality wireless listening and was judged to sound good through the Pro’s drivers, though it shortens battery life.

Treble receives mixed reactions: many hear smooth, controlled, non-fatiguing highs, while one reviewer found sharp peaks, fatigue, and limited detail.

Treble earns strong marks for sparkle, clarity and natural detail. There are isolated concerns about high-frequency emphasis, variability and a somewhat recessed presentation in Flat mode.

Auto-pause triggers immediately when an earcup is lifted and resumes without noticeable delay.

Auto-pause behavior tied to wear detection worked reliably in the test that focused on it.

Emergency charging is useful, but the playback gained from a short top-up trails the quickest premium rivals.

Fast charging is a clear strength, with reviewers praising the quick top-ups and useful listening time from a short charge.

The roughly 24-hour ANC runtime is enough for flights and normal workdays, but it is below the 30-hour premium norm and a clear step back from the XM6.

Battery life is adequate to strong in isolation, with around 30 hours quoted or observed with ANC. The recurring complaint is that cheaper Nothing models last longer, which makes the Pro’s stamina feel underwhelming for the price.

Speak-to-Chat is convenient indoors but can mistake wind for speech and interrupt playback outdoors.

Wear-based Smart Pause behavior was reliable in the test that directly assessed it.

Initial setup is manageable, but the depth of Sound Connect creates a learning curve and hides useful options several levels deep.

Setup is straightforward, and the personalization process takes only a few minutes. Connecting the headphones through the app was also easy.

The Sound Connect app offers exceptional depth, but many settings sit inside nested menus and can take time to learn.

The Nothing X app is intuitive and easy to connect, with a straightforward path to the headphone’s deeper settings.

The spoken status feedback is simple and pleasant rather than intrusive.

Auditory feedback from the physical controls is unusually satisfying, including the distinctive ratcheting sound of the volume roller.

Sony packs in one of the broadest software feature sets in the premium headphone class, with deep control over sound, ANC, shortcuts, and listening behavior.

The Pro is packed with advanced controls and listening features, including deep EQ, personalized sound and spatial options. The breadth is a strength, though limited remapping and complexity can temper the experience.

Bluetooth performance is generally strong and reliable, including demanding higher-quality listening modes.

Bluetooth setup was quick and trouble-free in the hands-on test that directly assessed it.

The 10-band custom EQ provides unusually fine control and can correct personal tuning preferences. Some listeners found the app essential for getting their ideal sound.

EQ customization is unusually deep, ranging from simple presets to a flexible parametric EQ with per-driver control. Enthusiasts love the flexibility, though the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming.

Quick Attention and adaptive listening controls are genuinely useful, especially for announcements and brief conversations without removing the headphones.

Personalized listening features work well, with Personal Sound making a meaningful difference for some users even though the setup is simpler than a few competing systems.

Physical controls are easy to locate, while the touch interface responds quickly and avoids most accidental commands.

The tactile roller, paddle and physical buttons are a standout strength. Reviewers repeatedly call them intuitive, easy to identify by feel and among the best headphone controls available.

Call quality is usually clear and dependable even outdoors, with strong background-noise control. A few reviewers still preferred earbuds or dedicated headsets for critical calls.

Call quality ranges from average to excellent: voices are usually clear and understandable, even outdoors, but occasional warbling or a processed tone can be audible.

The metal frame and reinforced hinge design inspire more confidence than Sony’s older plastic mechanisms, though long-term faux-leather wear remains uncertain.

The headphones themselves show encouraging durability, including scratch resistance in early use, but one reviewer raised concerns about the case hinge rather than the headphones.

Clamping pressure is generally relaxed and comfortable, including with glasses. The softer hold can allow some movement for smaller heads.

Clamp pressure was described as secure without feeling vice-like, giving the headphones a stable but comfortable fit.

Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the sleek, understated luxury design and polished metal details. The look is more fashion-oriented than the utilitarian XM6.

Nothing’s distinctive transparent, squared-off design is widely loved. Reviewers repeatedly call it unique, recognizable and among the brand’s best-looking work.

Long-session comfort is one of the clearest strengths, thanks to deeper earcups, plush cushions, and a wider headband. Fit can be less ideal for a small minority of users.

Long-session comfort is excellent despite the 327g weight. Softer ear cushions, a wider headband and better padding let multiple reviewers wear the Pro for hours or nearly a full workday with little discomfort.

Metal linkages, stainless-steel joints, and tactile outer materials create a substantially more premium build than Sony’s mainstream models. Some reviewers still noticed cheaper inner plastics.

The metal, titanium and glass construction feels sturdy and significantly upgraded over the standard model.

The stainless-steel swivel joint feels more robust than a conventional folding hinge and should reduce hinge anxiety.

The hinges feel more premium and operate quietly, with no creaking noted in the review that focused on them.

The headphones are much heavier than the XM6, but the wider headband distributes that weight well. Most reviewers did not find them burdensome during long sessions.

On-head weight is better managed than the raw 327g figure suggests, though some reviewers still notice that these are heavier than key Sony and Bose rivals.

Auracast arrives alongside LC3 and Bluetooth 6.0, giving the headphones a modern, forward-looking wireless feature set.

Auracast adds practical flexibility for broadcasts and shared audio, and was highlighted as a genuinely useful feature rather than a spec-sheet novelty.

AAC, SBC, LDAC, and LC3 provide an unusually complete codec selection, although aptX is absent.

High-quality wireless codec playback is a positive, with LDAC delivering strong results despite a modest battery tradeoff.

Reviewers agree the performance and materials are premium, but the $200 jump over the XM6 is hard to justify for most buyers. Value improves only for those who prioritize luxury and comfort.

Value is mixed at $399. Some reviewers think the Pro competes well with pricier flagships, while others feel the cheaper Headphone (1) or Headphone (a) delivers most of the experience for much less.

Multipoint connectivity can handle two devices cleanly, and at least one long-form test reported flawless operation.

Dual-device switching worked reliably in the reviews that tested it, including mixed Android, Mac and phone use.

The analog input is processed internally and cannot be driven passively from an external amplifier, limiting traditional wired-audio flexibility.

Detail retrieval is one of the Pro’s clearest strengths. Reviewers repeatedly heard extra texture, breaths, instrumentation and leading-edge information that cheaper or older headphones obscured.

Connections and switching work smoothly across common devices, including Apple hardware, without locking the best everyday controls to one ecosystem.

The gaming-oriented preset can create odd spatial effects and is less consistently useful than the standard listening mode.

Nodding to answer and shaking to reject calls is a convenient hands-free control once enabled.

Imaging is excellent, with precise instrument positioning complementing the wider soundstage.

The sound stays composed and clear at high listening levels rather than becoming congested.

Spotify Tap, YouTube Music Quick Access, and similar shortcuts make favorite services faster to launch from the headphones.

Replaceable earpads, a serviceable battery, and reinforced ports improve repairability and support longer ownership.

Touch controls are among the best-reviewed features, responding quickly to swipes, taps, and the palm-over-ear gesture.

The headphones maintain clean, controlled sound at high output levels.

Bluetooth 6.0 is paired with a current, capable codec package and is viewed as an excellent connectivity foundation.

Sony’s spatial modes can process Dolby Atmos content, but the experience lacks the precision and ecosystem integration of Apple’s head-tracked implementation.

Closed-back heat buildup is present but moderate; one reviewer’s ears warmed slightly, yet less than with several competing headphones.

The Pro can sound exceptionally lively and dynamic, especially in its processed listening modes.

Idle ANC hiss is better controlled than on the previous Headphone (1), where the faint background hiss was more noticeable.

LE Audio and LC3 improve efficiency and prepare the headphones for newer Bluetooth broadcast and accessibility features.