Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION Review: Superb Sound, a Tougher Choice

The Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION left me with a bit of a conundrum: they sound better than the headphones I still prefer using. Listening to music, I could pick out instruments I hadn’t noticed before, and their balanced presentation impressed me more than anything else. But when I thought about what I’d pack for my next trip, they weren’t my first choice.

That isn’t because Sony has made an uncomfortable or poorly finished pair of headphones. Quite the opposite. I took them on my trip from Dubai to Berlin for IFA, used them for music and calls, and connected them to both my MacBook Pro and the aircraft’s entertainment system. There’s plenty to like here, but excellent sound and excellent build quality don’t automatically make something my favourite to live with.

How much does the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION cost in the UAE?

Sony World UAE lists the 1000X THE COLLEXION at AED 2,499 including VAT. That’s a substantial amount to spend on headphones, so my expectations extend beyond how they sound. The materials, controls, software, and carrying experience all need to contribute. Sony gets much of that right, although not every part of the package feels equally polished. The following are Sony’s published specifications, separate from my testing results.

Are the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION comfortable on a long flight?

Build quality is excellent. My review unit was black, although I think the lighter finish looks nicer in photos. The sliding adjustments above the ear cups move smoothly, and the polished Sony logo adds a tasteful detail without making the headphones look flashy. The large L and R markings inside the cups are also genuinely useful: a quick glance tells me which way to put them on.

The faux-leather padding on both the ear cups and headband feels very comfortable, and I like the case’s carrying arrangement and magnetic closure. The magnetic snap is particularly satisfying. I’m not suggesting anyone should buy headphones for the way the case closes, but it is the sort of small detail that makes the whole package feel properly thought through.

My flight to Berlin gave me a better test of comfort than a few minutes at my desk. Neither the weight nor the headband caused discomfort, but after about an hour, my ears started to warm up, and I needed a break. There was no pinching or uncomfortable pressure; I just needed some air around my ears.

To be fair, that happens to me with almost every pair of over-ear headphones. Some last a couple of hours before I need to take them off, while others last less than an hour. I usually need a 10- to 20-minute break before putting them back on, and the Sony followed that familiar pattern. The padding is comfortable, but it hasn’t solved my usual heat problem during longer sessions.

How good is the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION sound quality?

I listened through Apple Music and YouTube Music on my iPhone Air, and the sound quality was excellent. I preferred the Sony to my Sonos Ace, particularly because individual instruments were easier to pick out. Nothing felt overpowering, and those smaller details came through without distracting from the music as a whole.

Sony offers 360 Upmix modes for music, cinema and gaming. I tried the music and movie options, but preferred Off for music. The headphones already sounded excellent without the extra processing, so I was happy to leave this setting alone.

I also used the bundled 3.5mm cable to connect the headphones to my MacBook Pro. To my ears, there wasn’t a meaningful difference compared with listening wirelessly on the iPhone. I’m not claiming the two connections are technically identical; someone with more discerning ears might hear differences I missed. For my listening, though, both sounded equally good.

The same cable let me watch a TV show through Emirates’ ICE entertainment system. With Starlink onboard, the seatback screen didn’t hold my attention for long, but having the wired option was useful. Although Sony lists Bluetooth multipoint support, I haven’t tested wireless switching between devices.

How well does the noise cancellation work on a plane?

On the flight from Dubai to Berlin, noise cancellation drastically reduced the engine noise. I could still hear it in the background, and some cabin chatter got through too, so it wasn’t complete silence. Even so, the reduction was substantial. I’d describe it as very good, though not the best I’ve experienced.

My impression is that the Sonos Ace did a slightly better job, although those didn’t block everything out either. That comparison needs a caveat: I used them on different flights, with different engine noise, rather than swapping between them in the same seat.

Ambient Sound mode was less convincing. It amplified the sounds around me enough that I could hear and understand them, but they sounded noticeably processed. The mode was functional when I wanted to hear my surroundings, just not particularly natural-sounding.

Are the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION good for phone calls?

Call quality was excellent. The caller’s voice sounded nicely isolated, which I liked, while the person on the other end said my voice was clear and didn’t sound noticeably processed. They also commented that the background sounded quieter than it usually does when I call from my office using my phone.

The office itself is relatively quiet, so this wasn’t a demanding test of the microphones against traffic, wind or a busy café. Still, it was a positive result for the kind of everyday calls I actually make.

Are the controls and Sony Sound Connect app easy to use?

The swipe controls work extremely well. Swiping up or down adjusts the volume, swiping left or right changes tracks, and a double tap toggles play/pause. Those gestures work reliably, and I have no complaints about everyday playback control.

The physical layout is busier than I would like, though, with three buttons and a 3.5mm socket on the left earcup, plus a USB port on the right. The audio socket certainly earned its place on the flight, so I’m not asking Sony to remove useful connections. I would just prefer fewer buttons alongside touch controls that already work this well.

Setup was easy. Scanning the setup QR code took me to Sony’s Sound Connect app, and I paired the headphones through it rather than going straight to the iPhone’s Bluetooth settings. Everything worked on the first attempt. The app gets the job done, but visually it feels a few generations behind the headphones. Pairing was straightforward, so this is more a complaint about presentation than something that stopped me listening. I’d like the software to look as carefully considered as the hardware.

How long does the battery last with noise cancellation on?

I fully charged the headphones before the trip and used them mainly on the plane, with a little listening in between. After roughly six to seven hours of use, the battery indicator showed 66% remaining. I kept noise cancellation on throughout my normal listening, except for briefly switching between Noise Cancelling, Ambient Sound, and Off to compare them.

Sony claims up to 24 hours of music playback with noise cancellation enabled, or 32 hours with it disabled. My use wasn’t a full rundown test, and the listening time is an estimate, so I can’t confirm that claim. I also wouldn’t turn the remaining percentage into a precise total endurance figure. What I can say is that I didn’t need a second charge after that much listening.

My review box contained neither a USB charging cable nor a charger. The bundled audio cable proved useful on the trip, but you will need your own charging equipment. You may have a suitable USB cable in a drawer at home, but at AED 2,499, I would have liked Sony to save me the search.

Should you buy the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION?

The Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION earns its 8/10 primarily through excellent sound, backed by excellent construction, comfortable padding, reliable touch controls and clear calls. The detailed, balanced presentation is what I’d remember most about using them, and it’s what I preferred about them over my Sonos Ace. For someone who puts music first, that’s a compelling reason to give the Sony serious consideration.

I would still reach for my Sonos Ace for my next trip, though. I prefer their fit, finish and simplicity, even though Sony sounds better to me. The extra buttons and dated app keep the Sony from feeling as consistently polished as its best qualities suggest.

These are very good headphones, but they’re also a reminder that the pair I most enjoy listening to, and the pair I most enjoy using, aren’t necessarily the same.

What else should you know before buying?