Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are widely regarded as the best premium headphones of 2025, and for good reason. With their impressive sound quality, long battery life, and sleek design, they offer a listening experience that’s hard to match. However, one feature that I found frustrating when reviewing them was their spatial audio capabilities. Specifically, I couldn’t figure out how to use their version of spatial audio, which left me wondering how to unlock its full potential. To understand this feature, let’s first define what spatial audio is. Spatial audio is a technology that allows headphones to create a 3D-like listening experience, where sounds seem to come from all directions. It’s often used in immersive audio applications, such as movies and games, to create a more engaging experience for the listener. Sony calls its spatial audio feature “360 Reality Audio Upmix,” but it’s essentially the same concept. The headphones take the audio you’re listening to and process it to create a 3D-like effect. This means that even non-immersive content, such as music or podcasts, can be transformed into a more immersive experience. So, how do you turn on the 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature on the WH-1000XM6? It’s surprisingly easy. To do so, you’ll need to open the Sony app and navigate to the “My Device” section in the main menu. From there, select the “Listening Mode” option and choose “Cinema.” That’s it. There is no indication within the app that you’re now using the 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature, but you’ll be able to hear the difference right away. One notable example of the feature’s effectiveness is when listening to a movie with Dolby sound through a streaming channel like Netflix. The 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature does a great job of upmixing the audio to create a more immersive experience, making it feel like the sounds are coming from all around you. However, there’s one area where the WH-1000XM6 falls short: user-friendliness. While the headphones themselves are incredibly well-designed, the Sony app can be a bit tricky to navigate. This is particularly true when trying to access the 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature. I found myself searching for a clear indication of when the feature is active, but it’s not always easy to determine. To summarize, the 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature is a game-changer for the WH-1000XM6. It’s a clever technology that can transform even non-immersive content into a more immersive experience. However, the lack of clear user-friendliness in the Sony app is a notable drawback.

In conclusion, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are a fantastic pair of premium headphones that offer a listening experience that’s hard to match. While the 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature is a great addition, it’s let down by the lack of clear user-friendliness in the Sony app. Nevertheless, I still highly recommend these headphones to anyone looking for a top-notch listening experience.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well the 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature works.