A premium pair of headphones arrives in India at Rs 59,990, asking buyers to weigh a striking metallic design and long battery life against a sound experience that its cheaper sibling already delivers. The question it raises is an old one in consumer life: whether luxury is something you hear or something you carry and display. For most, the answer will likely rest with the quieter, less costly choice, while those drawn to craft and exclusivity may find in the COLLEXION a reason of their own.
Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION Review: Premium Design and Flagship Sound, but Rs 59,990 Is a Hard Sell
The XM6 delivers a remarkably similar experience for around Rs 20,000 less.
Mark
Why does this review matter? Headphones get reviewed constantly.
Mimi
Because the question isn't whether they're good. It's whether Rs 20,000 more than the WH-1000XM6 buys anything you'd actually notice.
Mark
And does it?
Mimi
On sound, the reviewer says no. The experience is comparable to the XM6. The extra money goes to the metallic rims, the finish and the case with its handle.
Luke
Worth noting that this is one reviewer's impressions across commutes, workouts and calls. There are no lab measurements in the piece, so 'comparable' is a judgement, not a measured result.
Mark
What about the drawbacks?
Mimi
The lack of an IP rating stands out, since the reviewer used them at the gym. Add the flimsy AUX cable, earcups that show dirt, and cushions that need service to replace.
Luke
The five-day battery figure is also from intermittent use. Sony's own claims are 24 hours with ANC and 32 without, and those are the company's numbers.
Mark
So who is it for?
Mimi
Buyers who care about design, exclusivity and luxury as much as sound. Everyone else is pointed to the XM6.
Luke
And the review doesn't say how the earcups wear over months, so long-term durability remains unknown.
O Pulso
- A Rs 20,000 price gap over the WH-1000XM6 hangs over every listening session, and the reviewer keeps asking whether the difference is justified.
- Sound that matches the cheaper model leaves the premium feeling exposed, so the case must be built on design, comfort and daily ease.
- Flimsy cables, dirt-prone light earcups and service-only cushion swaps create friction for owners who expect a luxury object to be easy to live with.
- With no official IP rating, sweat and rain at the gym become a quiet worry, and the buyer must take care where the headphones go.
- The verdict settles firmly: the XM6 remains the sensible buy, while the COLLEXION finds its place with those who prize luxury and exclusivity.
A premium pair of headphones arrives in India at Rs 59,990, asking buyers to weigh a striking metallic design and long battery life against a sound experience that its cheaper sibling already delivers. The question it raises is an old one in consumer life: whether luxury is something you hear or something you carry and display. For most, the answer will likely rest with the quieter, less costly choice, while those drawn to craft and exclusivity may find in the COLLEXION a reason of their own.
The Platinum review unit of Sony's 1000X THE COLLEXION went through an ordinary week of life: metro rides, gym sessions, podcast walks, office meetings and video calls. The Economic Times reviewer used it in all of these settings to answer a single question. Is a pair priced at Rs 59,990 worth Rs 20,000 more than the model it closely resembles?
That model is the WH-1000XM6, widely regarded as one of the best noise-cancelling headphones available, and it sells for around Rs 39,990. The COLLEXION carries an MRP of Rs 69,990 and sits in the same bracket as Apple's AirPods Max. At that price, the review argues, sound alone cannot justify the purchase. Design, comfort and everyday usability must carry equal weight.
On design, the COLLEXION feels like a more upscale XM6. Its metallic side rims stand out, the controls are neatly placed and the touch surfaces respond well. At about 320 grams it is lighter than the AirPods Max, and the reviewer found it comfortable over long sessions. The compromises are specific, though. The bundled AUX cable feels flimsy, the light earcups collect dirt, cushions need service rather than a simple home swap, and the lack of an IP rating calls for caution around sweat and rain.
The sound is strong, with punchy bass, clear vocals and good detail from the 30mm drivers, but overall performance is comparable to the XM6. Battery life impressed, lasting nearly five days with intermittent use.
The verdict is measured. For most buyers, the XM6 remains the more sensible purchase at around Rs 20,000 less. The COLLEXION suits those who value design, exclusivity and luxury as much as the listening itself.
The Platinum review unit of Sony's 1000X THE COLLEXION went through a full round of ordinary life: metro rides, gym sessions, walks with podcasts, office meetings and video calls. The Economic Times reviewer used it across those settings to answer one question: is a pair of headphones priced at Rs 59,990 worth Rs 20,000 more than the model it closely resembles?
That model is Sony's WH-1000XM6, widely regarded as one of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market, and available for around Rs 39,990. The COLLEXION carries an MRP of Rs 69,990 and sells in India at Rs 59,990, in Black and Platinum. That price puts it in the same bracket as Apple's AirPods Max. At that level, the review argues, sound quality alone cannot carry the purchase. Design, comfort and everyday usability have to count as much.
On design, the COLLEXION reads as a more upscale XM6. The metallic rims on the sides stand out, the buttons are neatly placed and the touch controls responded well. The carrying case is also a highlight: sleek, with a dedicated handle that makes it easy to carry. At roughly 320 grams, the headphones are lighter than the AirPods Max, and the reviewer found them comfortable through extended use.
The compromises are specific. The bundled AUX cable feels flimsy for the price. The light-coloured earcups pick up dirt with regular use. Replacing the ear cushions requires service assistance rather than a simple swap at home. And the headphones have no official IP rating, so sweat and rain call for caution, which matters for a pair the reviewer was taking to the gym.
Connectivity was quick on both iPhones and Android devices. The Sony | Sound Connect app offers extensive customisation, including equaliser settings, noise cancellation and listening modes. Those modes are Noise Cancelling, Ambient Sound, Adaptive Sound Control and 360 Upmix for Music, Cinema and Gaming. Performance stayed consistently impressive across the reviewer's test environments.
The custom 30mm drivers produce strong bass, clear vocals and good detail. But the review states that the overall experience is comparable to the WH-1000XM6, which makes the price gap hard to justify on performance alone.
Battery life was a strong point. With intermittent daily use, the reviewer went nearly five days without charging. Sony's own claims are up to 24 hours of playback with ANC on and 32 hours with it off, and five minutes of quick charging gives about 90 minutes of playback.
The verdict is measured. The COLLEXION pairs premium design with excellent audio, and the fit, finish, connectivity and listening modes make it enjoyable. But the missing IP rating, the service-only cushion replacement and the weak AUX cable disappoint. For most buyers, the review concludes, the XM6 remains the more sensible purchase at around Rs 20,000 less. The COLLEXION suits those who value design, exclusivity and luxury as much as the listening itself.
Citações Notáveis
For most buyers, the XM6 remains the more sensible investment.— The Economic Times review verdict
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