How do Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention work on the Sony WH-1000XM6?

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Two ways to hear the world without taking off your headphones:

Speak-to-Chat (automatic):

Start talking, and the headphones notice. Music pauses, noise cancellation backs off, and you can have a conversation. When you stop talking, everything goes back to normal.

The idea is good. The execution is mixed. The microphones sometimes trigger when you cough, clear your throat, or make voice-like sounds. False positives can be annoying.

Adjust sensitivity in the Sony app. Lower sensitivity means fewer false triggers but requires speaking more deliberately. You can also change how long before music resumes after you stop talking.

Quick Attention (manual):

Put your hand on the right earcup. Instantly, ambient sound comes through and music volume drops. Remove your hand, back to normal. This is the reliable option.

Train announcement? Hand on cup. Ordering coffee? Hand on cup. Quick question? Hand on cup. Instant, predictable, never triggers accidentally.

Honest take:

Most people keep Quick Attention on and Speak-to-Chat off. The gesture is more reliable than voice detection. If your hands are always occupied and you talk to people frequently, Speak-to-Chat might be worth the occasional false positive. Otherwise, Quick Attention does the job.