If you want open-ear listening that keeps you aware of the room, choose nwm ONE; if you need a wired, closed-back design for focused listening, choose Audio Technica ATH-A990Z. For toddlers, neither is specifically described as a children’s product, but their very different designs make the nwm easier to consider for shared, supervised spaces and the Audio-Technica more suited to a quiet, seated listening setup.
The “headphones sony xm6” search may point toward a wireless, noise-canceling model, but these two options are not Sony headphones and neither sheet specifies active noise cancellation. The practical choice here is between open ears and a wired closed-back fit—not a Sony-versus-Sony comparison.
If you want open-ear listening that keeps you aware of the room, choose nwm ONE; if you need a wired, closed-back design for focused listening, choose Audio Technica ATH-A990Z. For toddlers, neither is described as a children’s product, so fit and supervision matter; the nwm’s open-ear design is the more natural option for listening while staying aware of the surroundings.
The search for headphones sony xm6 may lead shoppers to expect wireless noise cancellation, but neither of these products is a Sony model, and neither data sheet specifies active noise cancellation. This comparison comes down to open-ear wireless listening versus wired, closed-back headphones.
• nwm ONE: Open-ear design, Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint, and up to 20 hours of playback; trade-off: it does not block outside sound.
• Audio Technica ATH-A990Z: Closed-back design, 53 mm drivers, and a broad stated frequency range; trade-off: it is wired, with a 3.0 m cable.
• For nwm ONE: Choose it for wireless listening, calls, and keeping ambient sounds within earshot.
• For ATH-A990Z: Choose it for a wired listening setup where an over-ear, closed-back design suits the room and routine.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-12 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
nwm ONE is the more flexible choice if you want to listen while remaining aware of what is happening nearby. Its open-ear fit does not seal the ears, and its lightweight body weighs approximately 185 g. The design uses two drivers: a 12 mm tweeter for high frequencies and a 35 mm woofer for low frequencies. The product also uses PSZ technology, which is intended to reduce sound leakage without closing off the ears.
Wireless use is a central advantage. Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connectivity let the headphones connect with two devices, such as a phone and computer, while a USB Type-C cable also supports USB audio. The stated maximum playback time is about 20 hours. For calls, Magic Focus Voice is designed to reduce surrounding noise picked up during conversations. Those features make the nwm a plausible fit for a caregiver who wants audio and calls without fully shutting out the room.
For toddlers, though, “open-ear” does not mean “made for toddlers.” The sheet describes an adult product and gives no child-specific fit, volume-limiting feature, or age guidance. I would not assume the fit will work for a small child. It also is not a noise-canceling wireless headphone: its noise control is listed as none, and the open design leaves ambient sound audible. If your priority is blocking household noise, this is the wrong type of headphone.
The ATH-A990Z is a wired, over-ear, closed-back headphone designed for a more contained listening setup. Its 53 mm drivers and stated 5–45,000 Hz frequency range distinguish its audio specification from the nwm’s. The design also uses lightweight aluminum housings and a Double Air Damping System intended to support deep bass reproduction. Soft earpads and a 3D wing support system are included as comfort features.
The trade-off is the cable. It is 3.0 m long, cloth-wrapped, and supplied with a 6.3 mm stereo adapter. That length can be useful when listening from a stationary setup, but it is less convenient for walking around, switching between devices wirelessly, or managing a toddler’s movement. The product information identifies wired connectivity; Bluetooth is not a stated listening connection.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for wireless listening → nwm ONE. It connects over Bluetooth 5.3 and supports multipoint; the ATH-A990Z is wired.
• Best for staying aware of nearby sounds → nwm ONE. Its open-ear design leaves the ears unsealed.
• Best for a closed-back listening setup → Audio Technica ATH-A990Z. Its over-ear cups are described as closed-back.
• Best for a long cable-connected setup → Audio Technica ATH-A990Z. Its 3.0 m cloth-wrapped cable is suited to listening from a stationary position.
• Best for switching between a phone and computer → nwm ONE. Multipoint is specified, along with USB audio through the included USB Type-C cable.
• Best for calls in a noisy environment → nwm ONE, based on its stated call feature. Magic Focus Voice is designed to reduce surrounding sound during calls; no comparable call feature is listed for the ATH-A990Z.
• Best for a toddler’s supervised shared space → nwm ONE is the more sensible design to consider, not a guaranteed fit. Its open-ear approach preserves awareness, but neither product is identified as child-specific.
• Best for noise blocking → neither is a clear match. The nwm lists no noise control, while the ATH-A990Z is described as closed-back but has no specified active noise cancellation.
I would choose the nwm ONE for the broader everyday use case: it is wireless, supports multipoint, includes USB audio, and keeps the ears open to the room. For toddlers, that open design is the more reasonable of these two to consider in a supervised setting, though I would first make sure the adult-oriented fit is appropriate.
I’d choose the ATH-A990Z instead for a stationary listener who specifically wants wired, closed-back headphones. Neither is a direct substitute for headphones sony xm6 if active noise cancellation is the deciding feature.
No. The nwm ONE is made by nwm, and the ATH-A990Z is made by Audio-Technica. Neither data sheet identifies active noise cancellation, so shoppers seeking that specific feature should not assume either is equivalent to a Sony noise-canceling model.
Neither is described as a children’s headphone, and neither sheet gives a child-specific fit or volume limit. The nwm’s open-ear design may be easier to consider when a caregiver wants the child to remain aware of nearby sounds, but the adult-oriented fit still needs careful consideration.
The nwm ONE is wireless, but its noise control is listed as none and its open-ear design does not block outside sound. The ATH-A990Z is wired and closed-back; the sheet does not specify active noise cancellation. Neither is identified as a toddler headphone.
No. Both are over-ear headphones, not clip-on earbuds. The nwm uses an open-ear over-ear design, while the ATH-A990Z has closed-back over-ear cups; neither product is described as a clip-on style.
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