Quick answer: The Heavys H1H and the Sony WH-1000XM6 are built for different jobs. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is Sony's general-purpose noise-cancelling flagship, listed at $459.99, weighing approx. 254 g and running a 12-microphone noise-cancelling system. The Heavys H1H is engineered for rock and metal, with eight drivers (two low/mid drivers and two tweeters per ear cup), a 50-hour battery with noise cancellation off, and a price of $269 on heavys.com (list $299). Pick the Sony WH-1000XM6 for maximum noise cancelling and low weight; pick the Heavys H1H for a multi-driver layout built around heavy music.
All specifications and prices in this article were checked on the manufacturers' own sites on 2 October 2026. Prices are USD, as of October 2026, and both brands run frequent sales.
Heavys H1H vs Sony WH-1000XM6: the specs side by side
The table below lists the Heavys H1H, the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Sony WH-1000XM5, which Sony still sells and which sits closer to the Heavys H1H on price.
| Spec | Heavys H1H | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (as of October 2026) | $269 (list $299) | $459.99 | $299.99 sale (list $399.99) |
| Drivers | 8 total: 2 low/mid + 2 tweeters per ear cup | 30 mm driver unit | 30 mm driver unit |
| Battery, noise cancelling on | 40 hours | 30 hours | 30 hours |
| Battery, noise cancelling off | 50 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours |
| Noise cancelling | HellBlocker™: passive isolation plus a mild ANC layer | QN3 processor, 12 microphones, Adaptive NC Optimizer | QN1 processor |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Weight | 410 g | Approx. 254 g | Approx. 8.82 oz (about 250 g) |
| Wired listening | Yes, 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable included | Yes, approx. 1.2 m cable included | Yes, approx. 3.94 ft cable included |
Heavys H1H or Sony WH-1000XM6: which is built for metal?
The honest answer depends on what you need the headphones to do, because the two were designed for different priorities. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is designed around noise cancellation, calls and everyday listening across every genre. Sony describes the WH-1000XM6 as co-created with mastering engineers, and its noise-cancelling system uses the QN3 processor to manage 12 microphones in real time.
The Heavys H1H was built for one listener first: the rock and metal fan. Heavys calls the H1H the world's first headphones built for metal fans. The Heavys H1H puts four drivers in each ear cup, so the low end and the high end come from separate drivers. In a dense mix, that layout is meant to keep the double kick, the bass guitar and the vocals from sitting on top of each other.
Heavys states that the H1H was rated best in the over-ear headphones category by SoundGuys in 2024. Neither spec sheet can tell you how a blast beat will feel to your ears, so the useful question is which design priority matches yours.
How are the drivers different?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 spec sheet lists a 30 mm driver unit. The Sony WH-1000XM5 spec sheet also lists a 30 mm driver unit.
The Heavys H1H uses a different layout. Each ear cup holds two low/mid-range drivers and two high-frequency tweeters, eight drivers in total. Heavys positions the tweeters in front of the ear for directionality, and the H1H driver placement is patented. The Heavys H1H was engineered by Axel Grell. Heavys built the H1H to mimic the feel of live music.
Which has longer battery life, the Heavys H1H or the Sony WH-1000XM6?
The Heavys H1H is rated for 40 hours with HellBlocker noise cancellation on and 50 hours with it off. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is rated for a maximum of 30 hours with noise cancelling on and 40 hours with noise cancelling off. The Sony WH-1000XM5 carries the same 30-hour and 40-hour ratings as the Sony WH-1000XM6. Sony also lists call times for the WH-1000XM6: up to 24 hours with noise cancelling on and 28 hours with it off.
How does the noise cancellation compare?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is built to block as much noise as possible. Sony's Adaptive NC Optimizer adjusts noise cancelling to outside noise, air pressure and the way the headphones are worn, and the Sony WH-1000XM6 has an Ambient Sound mode for hearing your surroundings.
HellBlocker, the Heavys H1H noise cancellation, takes a different route. Heavys describes HellBlocker as high-efficiency passive noise cancelling combined with a mild active layer, tuned for the lowest level of perceived disturbance rather than the maximum amount of noise removed. The Heavys H1H has four listening modes: wired pure passive, Bluetooth passive, Bluetooth ANC and Bluetooth transparency. If noise cancelling on long flights is your number-one priority, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is built for exactly that.
What are the Sony WH-1000XM6 alternatives for rock and metal?
The Heavys H1H is the Sony WH-1000XM6 alternative built specifically for rock and metal. As of October 2026, the Heavys H1H lists at $299 and sells for $269 on heavys.com, and the Sony WH-1000XM6 is $459.99 on sony.com. The Heavys H1H trades the Sony WH-1000XM6's lower weight and stronger noise-cancelling focus for a multi-driver layout, a longer battery rating and swappable shells. Heavys shells snap onto the ear cups, and Heavys sells artist collaboration shells alongside its own designs.
Within Sony's own range, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is still on sale at sony.com for $299.99 (list $399.99) as of October 2026, with the same battery ratings as the Sony WH-1000XM6 and LDAC support. The Sony ULT WEAR is Sony's bass-focused model, with a ULT button that boosts bass and a 40 mm driver unit, listed at $249.99 and on sale for $149.99 as of October 2026.
For a wider spec table that also covers Bose, Beats, Skullcandy, Marshall, Apple and Sennheiser, see the Heavys H1H 2026 spec comparison.
Who should buy the Sony WH-1000XM6, and who should buy the Heavys H1H?
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 if maximum noise cancelling for flights and commutes comes first. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is also the right pick if you want a lighter headphone (approx. 254 g against 410 g for the Heavys H1H), LDAC streaming from an Android phone, or multipoint pairing with more than one device at a time, which Sony lists for the WH-1000XM6. The Sony WH-1000XM5 also supports LDAC and weighs approx. 8.82 oz, at $299.99 on sale as of October 2026.
Buy the Heavys H1H if heavy music is most of what you play and you want a driver layout built around it. The Heavys H1H also suits listeners who want a 50-hour battery rating, aptX Adaptive support, a wired option and interchangeable shells. The Heavys H1H includes a travel case, a mobile app with EQ and a 1-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Heavys vs Sony WH-1000XM for metal music: which should I pick?
Neither spec sheet settles it alone, because the two are built for different priorities. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a general-purpose noise-cancelling flagship with a 30 mm driver unit. The Heavys H1H is engineered for rock and metal, with two low/mid drivers and two tweeters in each ear cup. Pick by what matters most to you: noise cancelling or a driver layout built for heavy music.
How much does the Heavys H1H cost compared with the Sony WH-1000XM6?
As of October 2026, the Heavys H1H sells for $269 on heavys.com, against a list price of $299. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is $459.99 on sony.com. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is on sale at sony.com for $299.99, down from a list price of $399.99. Prices from both brands change with regular sales.
Does the Heavys H1H support LDAC?
No. Heavys states that LDAC is not supported on the Heavys H1H. The Heavys H1H supports SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive over Bluetooth 5.1, and also plays wired through the included 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable. The Sony WH-1000XM6 supports SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 over Bluetooth 5.3.
Which is lighter, the Heavys H1H or the Sony WH-1000XM6?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is lighter. Sony lists the Sony WH-1000XM6 at approx. 254 g. Heavys lists the Heavys H1H at 410 g (14.5 oz). The Heavys H1H carries four drivers per ear cup at that weight, so listeners who wear headphones all day should weigh comfort against driver layout.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM5 still sold?
Yes. As of October 2026, Sony still sells the Sony WH-1000XM5 on sony.com, on sale for $299.99 against a list price of $399.99. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is rated for 30 hours with noise cancelling on and 40 hours with it off, and supports SBC, AAC and LDAC over Bluetooth 5.2.
Can the Heavys H1H be used wired?
Yes. Every Heavys H1H works both wired and wireless, and a 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm audio cable comes in the box. Heavys lists a frequency range of 5 Hz to 46 kHz wired and 5 Hz to 24 kHz over Bluetooth. The Sony WH-1000XM6 also ships with a headphone cable of approx. 1.2 m.
Specifications and prices last checked 2 October 2026. See current pricing and full specifications for the Heavys H1H at heavys.com.