Sony WH-1000XM5 – Review

Sony launched the WH-1000XM5 in 2022. Since then, there have been significant changes in the headphone landscape. There is a lot of competition in the market and Sony does not plan on launching a successor until next year.

Design

At first glance, you will realize that the WH-1000XM5 are quite good-looking. They boast a more urbane, svelte and modern look. The color options include silver, black and midnight blue. To cut down on emissions, Sony has used recycled newspapers and bumpers from cars to make these. As compared to the older model, the stepless slider you will find on the WH-1000XM5 is quite slick. It has a thinner headband and the synthetic soft leather underside means they are more comfortable and plush.

Sony has not made any changes to weight, as they still weigh 250g. Even though cushioning seems to be less, the ear-pads are still soft and do not get too warm. Sony has given a more rounded shape to the ear-pads. The right ear-pad has touch and swipe controls and you will have no complaints about their functionality. You cannot fold the headphones and Sony has opted for this route to improve their noise-cancellation performance.

The storage case is significantly bigger than the previous one, but it is collapsible. Therefore, it will take less space when you carry it around.

Features

Sony has added the Speak-to-Chat function once more. This means music pauses when you start speaking and restarts when you stop. You can adjust how quickly it resumes via the app. You have the option to use either Alexa or Google for voice assistance and their wake words can be used to activate them. You will also find a Quick Attention mode, along with Adaptive Sound Control for creating custom sound profiles.

Apple’s MFI (Made for iPhone) program is also supported, which ensures better compatibility with iOS devices. You can take advantage of Google Fast Pair to connect the headphones quickly to Android devices. You can tune the sound with an equalizer. The WH-1000XM5 offer you a 30-hour battery life with noise cancellation and this increases to 38 to 40 hours when you turn noise cancellation off.

There are eight microphones that support ANC and they can also address high frequency sounds. The WH-1000XM5 are good for noise cancellation, but ANC on Bose is much better. The headphones also come with the Bluetooth 5.2 standard and there is also support available for LDAC, AAC and SBC. It is possible to connect two devices at the same time, as the headphones offer multipoint support. Call quality is excellent, thanks to the flawless sound.

Sound Quality

The audio performance of the WH-1000XM5 is downright excellent. The sound is significantly more accurate and you will also notice a greater depth in the bass. The precision and timing are also great where rhythm and flow are concerned. The headphones come with a 30mm driver and this allows them to deliver a richer midrange and greater detail. The headphones boast a warm tone and you can enjoy more definition and clarity where sound is concerned.