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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Tammy Rogers

The WH-1000XM6's spatial audio settings aren't very good — here's how I'd improve them

Sony Tom Guide Amazon Music Unlimited nugs Tidal
Black and white models of the Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones outdoors in sunshine.

Nearly every brand right now has its own version of spatial audio. Apple has the imaginatively named "Spatial Audio," and arguably leads the Dolby Atmos pack. The Sonos Ace contain Dolby Atmos programming for music and movies, and then the Bose QuietComfort Ultra have "Immersive Audio," the brand's own take that works with existing stereo mixes.

Sony, too, has its own version. The WH-1000XM6 (and the XM5 that came before them) have "360 Reality Audio," and it used to be a viable option for spatial audio on the go. Now, though, it's all gotten a bit weird.

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