The Spatial Audio Feature on the WH-1000XM6 Is Surprisingly Good

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 is my choice for the best premium headphones of 2025. When I saw them, I found that they exceeded in almost all categories. But a way I think Sony could even improve these fantastic boxes (other than the drop in price), it is by making them more user -friendly. When I tested them, I could not understand how to use their version of space audio, the immersive film mode which gives the impression that the audio comes from all over you. So I contacted Sony to understand it.

Sony has its own name for space audio

Sony calls for its “360 Reality Audio Upmix” space audio function, but it is essentially the same thing: the Upmix helmet the audio you listen to and treat it to create a 3D (or space audio) effect. This means that you can listen to things that are not supposed to be immersive and that the earphones will do their best to make them ring as they are. And they do a very good job.

How to activate space audio on WH-1000XM6

Credit: Daniel Oropeza

To activate the 360 Reality Audio UpMix feature, open the Sony application and head to “My device” in the main menu. In listening mode, select “Cinema”. That’s it. There is no indication in the application that you now use the 360 Reality Audio Upmix functionality, but you can hear the difference right away. It is more obvious when you make a film with Dolby from a streaming chain like Netflix (or in youtube audio tests like this, which will seem cool on your phone).

Although the UPMix Audio 360 reality functionality never corresponds to the real surround, it does a very good job in the non -immersive sound upmixing. I was pleasantly surprised by the way it works – I just want Sony to make its application more user -friendly, so it was easier to find.