We measured noise attenuation with a calibrated SPL meter across three real-world locations — a café, public transit, and an open-plan office. Every number is here. No impressions, no adjectives. Just data and a clear verdict.
01 — Methodology
All measurements used an Extech 407768 Class-II sound level meter, A-weighted, slow response. The meter was positioned at ear level, 30 cm from the test subject's head, with and without headphones. Ambient levels were recorded first across 90 seconds and averaged. Headphone attenuation is expressed as the difference between ambient dB(A) and measured dB(A) with ANC active.
Three environments were tested on separate days across the same week of May 2026. Each environment was sampled three times per session, and results averaged. Headphones were worn in default ANC mode — no custom EQ, no manual ANC adjustment in the companion app.
Meter: Extech 407768 · Weighting: A-weighted (dB(A)) · Response: Slow
Position: Ear level, 30 cm from test subject · Samples per environment: 3 runs × 90 sec each → averaged
ANC mode: Default / maximum ANC, no EQ, companion app closed · Battery: Both units charged to 100% at session start
02 — Scoring system
Each criterion is scored 0–100. The weighted score is the sum of (raw score × weight). Weights were assigned prior to testing based on use-case relevance for commuters and remote workers — the core audience for premium ANC headphones. No criterion was added or adjusted after data collection began.
| Criterion | Weight | Sony XM6 raw / weighted | Bose QC45 raw / weighted | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ANC performance Average dB reduction across 3 environments, normalised to 100-point scale. Sony avg −34.8 dB, Bose avg −26.3 dB. | 35% | 90 → 31.5 | 68 → 23.8 | Sony |
Sound quality Frequency response via RTA, perceived tonal balance, THD at 90 dB SPL. Both measured with IEC 60268-7 coupler. | 20% | 82 → 16.4 | 80 → 16.0 | Tie |
Comfort (extended wear) Clamping force (measured with spring gauge), ear cup depth, headband pressure. Standardised 4-hour wear session. | 18% | 74 → 13.3 | 88 → 15.8 | Bose |
Battery life Measured at 75 dB(A) output, ANC on, Bluetooth 5.2. Sony rated 30 h; Bose rated 24 h. Tested to 10% battery. | 12% | 88 → 10.6 | 74 → 8.9 | Sony |
Microphone (call clarity) PESQ MOS score via simulated call test, ambient café noise 72 dB(A). Listener panel of 5 rated intelligibility blind. | 10% | 71 → 7.1 | 82 → 8.2 | Bose |
Features & app Multipoint, ANC customisation, transparency mode, DSEE Extreme (Sony) / SimpleSync (Bose). Scored on utility, not feature count. | 5% | 88 → 4.4 | 70 → 3.5 | Sony |
| Weighted total score | 84.2 / 100 | 76.5 / 100 | Sony wins |
03 — Verdict
04 — Buy recommendation
05 — At a glance
| Criterion | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QC45 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANC — Café | −34.3 dB | −25.7 dB | Sony +8.6 dB |
| ANC — Transit | −38.6 dB | −28.4 dB | Sony +10.2 dB |
| ANC — Office | −31.5 dB | −24.8 dB | Sony +6.7 dB |
| Battery (measured) | 28.5 h | 22.3 h | Sony +6.2 h |
| Clamping force | 3.8 N | 2.9 N | Bose (lighter) |
| Call mic (PESQ MOS) | 3.2 | 3.8 | Bose +0.6 pts |
| Weight | 252 g | 238 g | Bose (−14 g) |
| Street price (May 2026) | ~$349 | ~$279 | Bose (−$70) |
| Weighted final score | 84.2 / 100 | 76.5 / 100 | Sony wins |
Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.
