Sony’s noise-canceling crown is under serious threat.
When it comes to premium active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones, two brands have dominated global conversations for nearly a decade: Sony and Sennheiser. Sony’s WH-1000X series has long been the default recommendation for travelers, audiophiles, and professionals alike. Meanwhile, Sennheiser has quietly refined its sound philosophy, consistently appealing to listeners who value clarity and balance over booming bass.
In 2025, the battle has reached its most intense point yet.
On one side, we have the Sony WH-1000XM6, Sony’s most refined and feature-packed ANC headphones to date. On the other, the Sennheiser HDB 630, a bold new entrant into Sennheiser’s audiophile-grade 600 Series—marking the brand’s most serious wireless headphone effort in years.
So which one should you buy?
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll break down price, design, comfort, features, battery life, ANC performance, sound quality, connectivity, and real-world usability to help you decide. By the end, you’ll know exactly which headphones best match your priorities.
Quick Overview
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Industry-leading active noise cancellation
- Lightweight, foldable design
- Feature-rich companion app
- Excellent all-rounder for travel and daily use
Sennheiser HDB 630
- Reference-grade sound quality
- Massive 60-hour battery life
- Includes aptX Adaptive USB dongle
- Designed for serious music lovers
Price and Value for Money
Price plays a major role when shopping for premium headphones, especially in the $400–$500 segment.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Price
The Sony WH-1000XM6 launched in May 2025 with a retail price of $449, but by late 2025, discounts are becoming increasingly common. It’s not unusual to find the XM6 priced around $399, placing it in direct competition with models like:
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- Apple AirPods Max
- Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3
Sennheiser HDB 630 Price
The Sennheiser HDB 630 debuted in October 2025 at $499.95. As of now, prices remain close to MSRP, with minimal discounts available.
Historically, Sennheiser headphones tend to see price drops a few months after launch—especially during Black Friday, Prime Day, and holiday sales—but for now, they remain the more expensive option.
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
Simply put, Sony offers better value at current pricing.
Design, Comfort, and Build Quality
Neither of these headphones is designed to scream luxury—but both aim for understated sophistication.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Design
Sony continues its minimalist approach:
- Matte plastic finish
- Seamless, rounded earcups
- Lightweight construction (just 250g)
The XM6 feels incredibly light on the head, making it ideal for long flights, office work, and extended listening sessions. The foldable design also makes it easy to store in a backpack or jacket pocket.
However, the soft-touch matte coating can attract fingerprints and smudges, especially on lighter color variants.
Sennheiser HDB 630 Design
Sennheiser opts for a more utilitarian, studio-inspired look:
- Chunkier earcups
- Black-and-silver color scheme
- Heavier build (310g)
While not flashy, the HDB 630 feels solid and durable. The clamping force is slightly stronger, which improves passive isolation but can feel less comfortable during long listening sessions compared to the Sony.
Comfort Verdict
- Sony is better for travel and extended wear
- Sennheiser feels sturdier but heavier
Result: Draw
Controls and Usability
Both headphones use touch-sensitive controls on the right earcup for:
- Volume adjustment
- Track skipping
- Play/pause
Sony’s Advantage
Sony includes:
- A dedicated ANC mode button
- Power/pairing button
- Gesture-based controls that are highly responsive
Sony also supports Quick Attention Mode (cover the earcup with your hand to hear surroundings instantly) and Speak-to-Chat, which automatically lowers volume when you start talking.
Sennheiser’s Limitation
The HDB 630 includes:
- A single physical button for voice assistant
- Touch controls with a larger surface area
However, the lack of a customizable hardware shortcut for ANC switching feels like a missed opportunity.
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is one of the biggest differentiators between these two headphones.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Battery
- 30 hours with ANC enabled
- Fast charging: 3 minutes = 3 hours playback
Sennheiser HDB 630 Battery
- Massive 60 hours with ANC on
- Fast charging: 10 minutes = 7 hours playback
For frequent travelers or users who forget to charge often, Sennheiser’s battery performance is outstanding.
Winner: Sennheiser HDB 630
Connectivity and Codec Support
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Bluetooth 5.x
- Supports LDAC, AAC, SBC
- Excellent for Android users
Sennheiser HDB 630
- Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive
- Includes BTD 700 USB-C dongle
This dongle is a game-changer for iPhone, iPad, and laptop users, allowing high-quality aptX Adaptive streaming even on devices that don’t natively support it.
Both headphones also support Auracast audio sharing.
Result: Draw
Wired Listening Options
- Sony: 3.5mm analog jack (works even with a dead battery)
- Sennheiser: 2.5mm jack + USB-C audio (requires battery power)
Sennheiser’s ability to play audio via USB-C is extremely convenient, reducing cable clutter.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
This is where Sony continues to dominate.
Sony WH-1000XM6 ANC
- Best-in-class noise cancellation
- Exceptional at blocking mid and high-frequency sounds
- Comparable to Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Sennheiser HDB 630 ANC
- Good passive isolation
- ANC is effective but not class-leading
In noisy environments like airplanes, cafes, or city streets, Sony simply does a better job of isolating you from the world.
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
Sound Quality: The Deciding Factor
This is where the tables turn.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Sound
Sony delivers:
- Warm, engaging sound
- Balanced tuning
- Strong bass without overpowering mids
It’s a crowd-pleasing sound signature that works well across genres.
Sennheiser HDB 630 Sound
Sennheiser takes a more audiophile-focused approach:
- Exceptional clarity
- Superior instrument separation
- Wider and more precise soundstage
The HDB 630 reveals subtle details that even the Sony slightly smooths over. Vocals sound more natural, and acoustic instruments have better texture and realism.
If sound quality is your top priority, Sennheiser clearly wins.
Winner: Sennheiser HDB 630
Call Quality
Both headphones perform well for calls, but Sennheiser’s microphone tuning is slightly clearer in noisy environments.
Winner: Sennheiser HDB 630
Final Comparison Scorecard
| Category | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Sennheiser HDB 630 |
|---|---|---|
| Price & Value | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Design & Comfort | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Controls | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sound Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ANC | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Battery Life | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Connectivity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Total Score | 85/100 | 86/100 |
Which ANC Headphones Should You Buy?
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 if:
- You want the best noise cancellation available
- You travel frequently
- You prefer lightweight, foldable headphones
- You want reliable wired listening even with a dead battery
Buy the Sennheiser HDB 630 if:
- Sound quality is your top priority
- You want long battery life
- You use an iPhone or laptop and want better Bluetooth audio
- You appreciate audiophile-grade tuning
Final Verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM6 remains the safest and most versatile choice for most users, especially travelers. However, the Sennheiser HDB 630 represents a turning point—it proves that wireless ANC headphones can deliver truly reference-level sound.
In 2025, this is the closest Sony vs Sennheiser battle we’ve ever seen.
Overall Winner: Sennheiser HDB 630 (by a narrow margin)
