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Sony's WH-1000XM6 are my pick for the best premium headphones of 2025. When I reviewed them, I found they excelled in almost every category. But one way I think Sony could improve even these fantastic cans (other than lowering the price), is by making them more user-friendly. When I was testing them, I couldn't figure out how to use their version of spatial audio, the immersive movie mode that makes it sound like the audio is coming from all around you. So I reached out to Sony to figure it out.
Sony has its own name for spatial audio
Sony calls its spatial audio feature “360 Reality Audio Upmix,” but it's essentially the same thing: The headphones upmix the audio you're listening to and process it to create a 3D-like (or spatial audio) effect. This means you can listen to things that are not meant to be immersive and the headphones will do their best to make them sound like they are. And they do a very good job of it.
How to turn on Spatial Audio on WH-1000XM6
Credit: Daniel Oropeza
To turn on the 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature, open the Sony app and head to “My Device” in the main menu. Under listening mode, select “Cinema.” That's it. There is no indication within the app that you're now using the 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature, but you'll be able to hear the difference right away. It's more obvious when you pull up a movie with Dolby from a streaming channel like Netflix (or in YouTube audio tests like this one, which will sound pretty cool on your phone).
What do you think so far?
While the 360 Reality Audio Upmix feature will never match true surround sound, it does a very good job at upmixing non-immersive sound. I've been pleasantly surprised by how well it works—I just wish Sony would make its app more user-friendly so it was easier to find.
