Municipal electricity tariffs have risen by around 9% this year, on top of Eskom’s own increase. The higher cost of electricity coincides with winter, when household power use typically rises. Sony has positioned three of its audio devices as options for reducing reliance on mains power during the colder months, based on battery life and charging speed rather than constant grid use.

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The 1000X THE COLLEXION headphones are Sony’s noise-cancelling over-ear model. The earcups are designed to rest on the ears without pressure for extended listening sessions.

The headphones use a driver unit developed with input from mastering engineers, aimed at balanced bass, clear vocals, and defined highs. A 360 Upmix mode expands stereo audio into a wider soundstage for music, film, and games.

Noise cancelling is handled by the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3, which Sony says processes seven times faster than the QN1 chip used in the previous generation. The processor coordinates twelve microphones.

Other features:

• Simultaneous pairing with two Bluetooth devices, with automatic switching between them
• Playback continues while the headphones are connected to a charger
• Battery life: 24 hours
• Charging: five minutes of charge provides 1.5 hours of playback

The headphones will be available in Platinum and Black in South Africa from August.

Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds

The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are Sony’s latest true wireless model. Sony states noise cancelling performance is 25% improved over the WF-1000XM5.

Noise cancelling is handled by the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3e, paired with four microphones per earbud. The earbuds support Hi-Res Audio Wireless, DSEE Extreme, 360 Reality Audio, and a 10-band EQ, adjustable through the Sony | Sound Connect app.

Two features relate directly to power use:

• Battery Care, switched on through the Sony | Headphones Connect app, stops charging just before 100% to extend the battery’s long-term lifespan
• Fast charging: three minutes on a USB-PD compatible AC adapter provides three hours of playback

The WF-1000XM6 is available in Black and Platinum Silver for R6,999.00 at Sony World.

Sony ULT FIELD 5 speaker

The ULT FIELD 5 is a portable speaker built around Sony’s X-Balanced Speaker Unit and ULT POWER SOUND system. A dedicated ULT button switches between two bass modes: ULT1, described as a deeper low-end, and ULT2, described as sharper and heavier bass. The speaker also includes 360° Party Lighting, an ambient light function built into the unit.

Battery specifications:

• Up to 25 hours of playback on a single charge
• Ten minutes of charging provides 100 minutes of playtime

The ULT FIELD 5 is available in Black and Off White for R6,999.00 at Sony World.

Buying information

Product	Colours	Price	Availability
Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION headphones	Platinum, Black	–	South Africa, from August
Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds	Black, Platinum Silver	R6,999.00	Sony World
Sony ULT FIELD 5 speaker	Black, Off White	R6,999.00	Sony World