Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION Review: Premium design, flagship sound, but is it worth Rs 60,000?

Sony's 1000X THE COLLEXION headphones are significantly more expensive than the WH-1000XM6, considered among the best noise-cancelling headphones in the market. While the XM6 is available for around Rs 39,990, the COLLEXION costs Rs 59,990, putting it in the premium category alongside Apple's AirPods Max.

At this price, sound quality alone cannot justify the investment. Design, comfort and everyday usability become equally important. We tested these headphones to understand whether Sony's luxury approach offers enough value to justify the premium.

Price and availability

The Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION is priced at Rs 59,990 in India, against an MRP of Rs 69,990. It comes in Black and Platinum colour options.

Design and comfort

The COLLEXION looks like a more premium version of the WH-1000XM6. The metallic rims on the sides look particularly impressive, while the neatly placed buttons and responsive touch controls make everyday operation convenient.

The carrying case is another highlight. It looks sleek and features a dedicated handle, making it easy to carry around.

Our Platinum review unit was comfortable during extended use. At approximately 320 grams, these headphones are lighter than the AirPods Max and sit comfortably on the head. Whether during walks, gym visits, metro rides or video calls, we enjoyed using them.

However, there are compromises. The bundled AUX cable feels flimsy for headphones this expensive. The light-coloured earcups also attract dirt, particularly with regular use. Replacing the ear cushions requires service assistance rather than straightforward user replacement.

More importantly, these headphones lack an official IP rating, so exposure to sweat and rain requires caution.

Connectivity and performance

Connecting the headphones to iPhones and Android devices was quick and convenient. The Sony | Sound Connect application offers extensive customisation, including equaliser settings, noise cancellation and listening modes.

We tested the headphones across different environments, from taking office meetings and listening to music at the gym to podcasts during walks and everyday commuting. Performance remained consistently impressive across these scenarios.

Sony offers several listening options, including Noise Cancelling, Ambient Sound, Adaptive Sound Control and 360 Upmix modes for Music, Cinema and Gaming. These features offer flexibility depending on the environment and content.

The custom 30mm drivers deliver excellent sound quality, with strong bass, clear vocals and impressive detail. The overall experience is comparable to the WH-1000XM6, which makes the substantial price difference difficult to justify purely on performance.

Battery life

Battery performance was impressive. With intermittent daily use, we managed nearly five days without charging.

Sony claims up to 24 hours of playback with ANC enabled and 32 hours without it. Five minutes of quick charging provides approximately 90 minutes of playback.

Verdict

The Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION combines premium design with excellent audio performance. The comfortable fit, metallic finish, reliable connectivity and versatile listening modes make these headphones enjoyable to use. However, the lack of an IP rating, inconvenient earcup replacement and underwhelming AUX cable are disappointing.

At Rs 59,990, these headphones are difficult to recommend purely for sound quality. The WH-1000XM6 delivers a remarkably similar experience for around Rs 20,000 less. For most buyers, the XM6 remains the more sensible investment. The COLLEXION is better suited to those who value design, exclusivity and luxury as much as the listening experience.