The latest generation of premium wireless headphones has introduced some impressive choices. We welcomed the Dali IO-8 (currently priced at £499 / $900 / AU$999) towards the end of last year, and while they are certainly a pricey pair of over-ear headphones, we believed that the Dali would be incredibly difficult to surpass in the premium segment.
However, 2025 has seen the standards raised even higher. Beyerdynamic aimed to establish its presence in the wireless market with the capable Aventho 300 (£359 / $400 / AU$640), while the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 made a striking impression when they launched in the summer for around £399 / $449 / AU$699.
Additionally, there are the well-known models that continue to assert their influence. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (currently £349 / $449 / AU$449) are an excellent choice if effective noise cancellation is your main focus, while the older yet still relevant Apple AirPods Max (£499 / $480 / AU$899) remain a popular option among loyal Apple users.
Each of these contenders has its unique advantages and disadvantages. For example, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 deliver fantastic sound and have an appealing design, but their noise cancellation is somewhat lacking for the price, and the absence of foldability limits their portability.
The AirPods Max provide a luxurious experience worthy of their high price, but they perform best for iOS users, and newer competitors offer improved clarity and precision. Although the Bose flagship model excels in noise cancellation, its sound quality no longer leads the class.
On the other hand, the impressive Dali IO-8 is likely to attract many enthusiasts, but their dependence on button controls—some of which can be tricky to operate—may irritate those who prefer comprehensive app support. Moreover, like the Px7 S3, they are not foldable.
Indeed, there are wireless headphones that sound even better, but as demonstrated by the new Focal Bathys Mg, you’ll need to invest more for that advantage. For the Bathys Mg, that investment comes to £999 / $1299 / AU$2300.
The cream of an exceptional crop
What we are in search of is a pair of wireless over-ear headphones that deliver outstanding sound quality, provide comfort during extended wear, are user-friendly, boast an impressive array of features, and, even if they come with a higher price tag, give you a strong sense of value for your investment. I have just the right pair in mind…
If you are on the hunt for truly versatile headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM6 (£400 / $450 / AU$699) are my top recommendation. The term ‘versatile’ might evoke thoughts of compromise or a product attempting to satisfy a wide range of users, but that’s something you can never accuse the sixth-generation Sony over-ears of.
They excel in every aspect, effectively eliminating most potential drawbacks while highlighting their remarkable strengths.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are outstanding in all the areas where their WH-1000XM5 predecessors shone, but to an even greater degree. They deliver superior sound, their feature set has been enhanced, they are more enjoyable to use, and they offer even greater comfort than their forerunners.
What’s more, they have addressed the minor concerns that both we and numerous customers experienced with the fifth-generation model. They fold completely away with the earcups neatly tucking upwards, which is a huge advantage for daily use. Additionally, their reinforced hinges should resolve the structural issues that many users encountered with the previous, award-winning WH-1000XM5.
They are also incredibly comfortable, with our testing team finding that their snug fit, improved clamping pressure, and resistance to ear overheating only deepened our appreciation.
Outpacing the competition
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
The Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are nearly evenly matched in terms of sound quality (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
When it comes to competition, the WH-1000XM6 can hold its own against rivals in every aspect. In terms of sound quality, they outperform Bose over-ears, as our review states: “We tried ‘Time’ from the Inception soundtrack, and the WH-1000XM6 are a noticeable upgrade over the XM5 regarding detail, dynamics, and openness. Playing the same track through the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones reveals a significant disparity – the Bose sound overwhelmed.”
They are also ready to compete with the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and the Dali IO-8. As we noted previously, while the B&W headphones might take the lead in terms of precision and intricate details, the Sony models bring a greater sense of expressiveness and musicality to their performance.
The Dali headphones are spacious and refined, albeit somewhat colored, but the Sony’s remarkable blend of enjoyment and dynamism, along with their overall experience, are hard to beat.
Furthermore, unlike the Px7 S3, the Sony headphones are now foldable and support spatial audio, all while providing more effective noise cancelling.