Sony’s flagship noise-cancelling headphones have quietly picked up a useful new feature, and it’s one that gamers will appreciate.
A new firmware update for both the Sony WH-1000XM6 and WH-1000X The ColleXion adds support for the Bluetooth LE Audio Gaming Audio Profile (GMAP). This brings a dedicated gaming mode designed to cut wireless audio delay.
The update is rolling out now through the Sony Sound Connect app. WH-1000XM6 owners should look for firmware version 3.1.5, while WH-1000X The ColleXion users will receive version 1.3.0.
The headline addition is GMAP support, which is part of the official Bluetooth LE Audio standard rather than a proprietary feature. That matters because it means compatible devices from different manufacturers can take advantage of the lower-latency mode. However, both the headphones and the connected device must support the standard.
The biggest benefit is speed. GMAP’s design can reduce total audio latency to under 40ms, with the Bluetooth specification targeting 30ms for wireless transmission and another 10ms for processing inside the headphones. That’s a noticeable improvement for gaming. In these cases, delayed sound effects can make everything from shooters to rhythm games feel less responsive.
The standard also keeps the audio channels tightly synchronised. It limits the timing difference between the left and right earcups to no more than 100ms for more consistent stereo audio.
Sony’s implementation supports the four GMAP profiles defined by the Bluetooth specification. Profile A prioritises the lowest possible latency, while Profile D focuses on maintaining a stable connection in areas with heavy wireless interference. The remaining profiles strike different balances between responsiveness and reliability. This depends on your environment.
While plenty of gaming headsets already offer low-latency modes, they’re often tied to a specific wireless dongle or brand-specific technology. However, GMAP is different because it’s built into the Bluetooth standard itself. This makes it a more universal solution as more devices adopt Bluetooth LE Audio.
It’s worth keeping expectations in check, though. You’ll only see the benefits if the device you’re connecting to also supports GMAP. Even so, it’s a welcome addition. It makes Sony’s already excellent flagship headphones a little more versatile beyond music, movies and travel.
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