Sony WF-1000XM6 reviewed: a little behind

pickr.com.au Aug 25, 2026

Sony WF-1000XM6 reviewed: a little behind

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 25, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Sony released the WF‑1000XM6 earbuds, a successor to its popular noise‑cancelling model. The new pair offers improved sound quality, with clearer highs and richer bass, and introduces refined noise‑cancellation algorithms that better adapt to ambient noise. Design changes include a slightly firmer fit and updated earbud shape for enhanced comfort. Battery life remains comparable to the previous generation, delivering up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge. Despite these upgrades, the earbuds still lag behind rivals in terms of feature set and price competitiveness.

💡 Why It Matters

· The update signals Sony’s continued push into premium wireless audio, but its modest gains may limit its appeal to users seeking cutting‑edge performance.

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Nothing’s CMF Buds Neo earbuds almost sound too good to be true…

Nothing released its CMF Buds Neo earbuds at a $24.99 price point, positioning them as a budget-friendly option. The earbuds debuted on Twitter/X last week and are slated for launch in India on August 26, though they are already available on Amazon in other regions. They feature 52 hours of total battery life, 35 dB active noise cancellation, a 12.4 mm dynamic driver, Google Fast Pair, Bluetooth 6.0, IP52 water resistance, and dual‑device connectivity. The product is sold in black, dual‑tone blue, and white/orange variants.

💡 The launch demonstrates how high‑end audio features can be compressed into a sub‑$30 price bracket, potentially reshaping consumer expectations for value in the wireless earbud market.

appleinsider.com · Aug 26

Asus ROG Kithara headset review: Audiophile gaming

Asus ROG and Hifiman have collaborated to release the ROG Kithara, a premium wired gaming headset priced at $299.99. The device features Hifiman’s signature 100mm planar-magnetic drivers, resulting in an open-back design with massive ear cups. Weighing 420 grams, the headset utilizes a metal construction to distribute its significant heft. It includes two interchangeable ear pad sets: memory foam with faux leather and a cooler mesh option. Connectivity is strictly wired, offering a 3.5mm gaming cable with an integrated boom microphone and a separate hi-fi cable for music. An included USB-C DAC adapter supports 24-bit/96kHz audio. While compatible with PC, Mac, and various consoles, microphone functionality on consoles requires specific adapters due to single-jack limitations. The review notes that while the audio quality is exceptional for audiophiles, the complex cable management and bulk may hinder its appeal as a traditional gaming peripheral.

💡 The Kithara challenges the industry norm that high-fidelity audio requires sacrificing gaming convenience. By forcing users to manage multiple cables for basic functionality, it exposes the friction between audiophile standards and modern plug-and-play expectations.

9to5mac.com · Aug 25

Apple could debut two AirPods 5 models next month, per report

Apple may unveil two new AirPods 5 models at its September 9 event, Bloomberg reports. The lineup would include a standard version and a noise‑cancellation variant, updating the entry‑level earbuds that were last refreshed in 2024. The announcement would accompany a suite of other products, such as a new Mac mini, the iPhone 18 Pro foldable handset, and refreshed Apple Watch models with upgraded fitness tracking and a ceramic‑case option for Series 12. While camera‑equipped AirPods are slated for a later release, the company accidentally leaked a demo video of the AI‑enabled version in a macOS 26.7 build. Mark Gurman confirmed the timeline on X, noting the AirPods 5 could arrive earlier than the previously rumored 2027 debut and could boost accessory sales significantly.

💡 Introducing a noise‑cancellation AirPods line ahead of the foldable iPhone underscores Apple’s strategy to revitalize its wearables portfolio and tap premium earbud demand.

androidcentral.com · Aug 25

A pair from Shokz: OpenRun Air 2, OpenFit Air 2 debut looks…

Shokz launched two new earbuds, the OpenFit Air 2 and OpenRun Air 2, on Aug. 24 with sales beginning Aug. 27 at $129 each. The OpenFit Air 2 is an open‑ear model weighing 7.2 g, featuring a 10.5 % smaller case, eight‑hour battery life (36 h with case), a 10‑minute quick charge for three hours, Bassphere driver, OpenBass 2.0 algorithm, 30‑degree angled speaker, DirectPitch privacy tech, sweat‑water resistance and a Shokz app for custom EQ. The OpenRun Air 2 is a bone‑conduction ear‑hook/neckband design weighing 26.4 g, 9 % smaller than its predecessor, offering ten‑hour playback, a five‑minute charge for two hours, PremiumPitch 3.0 dual‑coil driver, physical control buttons, AI noise‑reduction microphone and the same app support. Both colors include black, white and Ice Blue, with OpenRun offered in new additional Mini sizes.

💡 Shokz’s dual launch targets fitness enthusiasts who need secure, open‑ear or bone‑conduction audio, filling a niche where traditional earbuds often slip or block ambient sound.

macworld.com · Aug 24

Apple’s nightmare week of spilled secrets is its own fault

Apple’s upcoming Beats 360 headphones were inadvertently revealed when several retailers listed the product online, complete with photos and detailed specifications. The launch, originally intended to be teased through subtle Instagram posts by World Cup players Lamine Yamal, Antonee Robinson, and Kang‑in Lee, was compromised by the premature listings. The unauthorized exposure undermines Apple’s controlled rollout strategy and risks diluting the anticipated hype that the company had planned to build over the next few months. The incident highlights the challenges tech firms face in protecting product secrets in a fast‑moving digital marketplace.

💡 The leak exposes a vulnerability in Apple’s supply‑chain security, potentially eroding consumer trust in its brand promise of exclusivity. It also forces the company to accelerate its marketing timeline, which could affect sales momentum and competitive positioning.

eurogamer.net · Aug 24

Final Fantasy Resonance is getting a 120-song original soundtrack

Square Enix announced that the upcoming HD‑2D title Final Fantasy Resonance will receive a four‑disc, 120‑track Original Soundtrack released on 28 October, a week after the game’s launch. Composer Noriyasu Agematsu added 33 new pieces to the 87 tracks already used in the mobile games Final Fantasy Brave Exvius and War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. The soundtrack’s size surpasses previous mainline entries—Final Fantasy X (89 tracks), VII (85) and VIII (73). Physical copies are available for pre‑order in the EU, North America and Japan. The release underscores Square Enix’s push into the HD‑2D aesthetic, building on the success of Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy while reviving assets from its shuttered mobile franchise.

💡 A 120‑track OST signals Square Enix’s commitment to treating its hybrid‑pixel titles as flagship experiences, not merely mobile spin‑offs.