Popular Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones get a great feature via an update. Gamers will especially appreciate it.

Wireless headphones and gaming have never quite gotten along due to audio lag behind the video. Sony is now trying to remedy this by distributing a gaming mode via an update to its flagship WH-1000XM6 models and the luxurious The ColleXion edition. It sounds appealing, but before you start celebrating, it’s good to know what you’ll need to use it.

What the update brings

At the heart of the new feature is support for the GMAP (Gaming Audio Profile), which is part of the Bluetooth LE Audio standard. Its main advantage is low latency — the gaming mode is designed to reduce the total delay to under 40 milliseconds, of which approximately 30 ms is for wireless transmission and 10 ms for processing in the headphones. GMAP also offers four profiles labeled A to D, which can be switched between depending on whether you prioritize speed or stability in a noisy environment.

A major advantage of GMAP over previous solutions is its openness. While manufacturers previously relied on their own gaming modes tied to specific brands, GMAP is part of the Bluetooth specification, so it works across manufacturers. You can install the update in the Sony Sound Connect app via the headphone settings.

The catch Sony doesn’t emphasize

And now for the less pleasant part. For the gaming mode to work, the device from which you are sending audio must also support GMAP — it’s not enough for the headphones to support it. However, the Bluetooth LE Audio standard is gaining traction slowly, and only a handful of newer devices currently support the gaming profile. In practice, this means that for most owners, it’s more of a promise for the future than a feature usable right away.

It’s also worth noting the number. Latency under 40 ms is decent for wireless transmission — regular Bluetooth can easily range from 150 to 200 ms, which you’ll immediately notice when gaming. However, for serious competitive gamers, a cable remains unsurpassed. It’s slightly ironic that the WH-1000XM6 never supported the popular low-latency aptX codec, so Sony immediately opted for an open standard — a smart long-term move, but currently only usable to a limited extent.

Who is it for and how much does it cost

The good news is that owners of both models receive the gaming mode completely free as an update, thus extending the value of the headphones they already own. The WH-1000XM6 themselves sell for around 12 thousand Czech crowns in the Czech Republic, and can drop to nine thousand during various sales. The ColleXion edition is a more luxurious and significantly more expensive option for collectors.

So, if you own these headphones and play on a newer phone with Bluetooth LE Audio support, you have reason to rejoice. If your device doesn’t support GMAP, you’ll have to wait until the standard becomes more widespread. Either way, it’s good that Sony is sending features to already sold models instead of saving them only for successors.

Do you game with wireless headphones, or do you always reach for a cable when playing games?

Sources: Notebookcheck, Bluetooth SIG