So, when we saw the official images of the Sony WH-1000XM5, we were very surprised. We wondered if it would be wise to redesign one of Sony’s biggest success stories in recent memory.
The drawing board has been dusted off really well for the latest iteration of its premium wireless ANC earbuds. It’s a brave decision, but did Sony break something that really doesn’t need fixing?
price
Under current market conditions we’ve seen a bit of a price hike across the industry, and the Sony WH-1000XM5 couldn’t escape a slight increase, coming in at £380 / $399 / AU$649.
The previous generation WH-1000XM4 hit the scene in August 2020 for £350 / $350 / AU$550. Sony’s current closest competitors are the Bose 700 (£350, $399) and Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless (£350, $400) although these two have been out for a few years now and you can find them cheaper if you shop around.
Design
The design changes made to the Sony WH-1000XM5 are significant. Sony refers to the new look as a “noise-free design” which saw the company attempt to create a thinner, smoother pair of headphones by reworking those areas that can contribute to wind noise. This resulted in smoother, more streamlined lines and less aggressive edges. Importantly, a number of hinges and hinges are also fitted to allow the XM4’s earmuffs to be folded away.
As a result, the Sony XM5 headphones can be folded flat, like the Bose Noise Canceling Heaphones 700, but no smaller headset folds. It’s bad news for those of us who like to fold their headphones into a ball and toss them in their backpack without a second thought. The Sonys immediately feel more vulnerable, and we feel compelled to use the provided carrying case, which, although also refurbished, still takes up a lot of space.
Not only does the WH-1000XM5 look very different (and we dare say cheaper) than previous generations, it also feels different. In hand, they feel lighter even though benchmarks suggest there are only four grams between them and the XM4s (254 grams versus 250 grams).
Technical Specifications for Sony WH-1000XM5
Bluetooth SBC, AAC, LDAC
Battery life 30 hours
Shipping USB-C . port
Transparency mode yes
Built-in microphone and controls yes
Finishes Black, Platinum Silver
Weight 250 grams
The plastics used are pleasant to the touch, even if the old-fashioned still looks more premium. It is made mostly of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a material formed by taking certain parts of automobiles made in the United States and Japan, recycling, polishing and blending it with mica to get the final finish. It’s a material that was first used in Sony’s innovative LinkBuds wireless earbuds.
The headband section now uses ABS sliders instead of metal straps to adjust the fit that we think works just fine. The way the sliders scroll at the bottom means they protrude a bit, and we wonder if Sony could trim the edges just a little bit to soften their profile. But this is a simple thing.
A portion of memory foam in the middle of the headband helps with support and comfort. The bracelet is completely covered in a new synthetic leather that also covers the memory foam ear cushions. It is soft and smooth to touch. Comfort levels are up there with the best and Sonys offer just the right amount of clamping power, so they feel secure without the threat of crushing our ears.
Besides the aesthetic changes, there has also been a major component change under the hood. The 40mm motor used on the WH-1000XM4 has been replaced with a new 30mm carbon fiber composite dome that has been specifically engineered to be extremely lightweight and rigid.
Noise canceling
Sony’s noise-cancelling technology has consistently wowed us in recent years, and once again, it claims the WH-1000XM5 offers the best in the business. After focusing on low-frequency noise on previous models, this time Sony tried to improve noise cancellation even further in the XM5’s frequency range.
To help make this happen, Sony has included the V1 integrated processor that first appeared on the WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds. It has also increased the number of microphones used in the WH-1000XM5 to eight (from four in the XM4) and claimed to have improved the technology inside the headphones responsible for identifying noise.
On previous generations of WH cases, you should run Sony’s NC Optimiser before changing locations to make sure you get the best possible noise cancellation. Now, the XM5 headphones automatically improve noise cancellation while you’re on the go. This is done in conjunction with Sony’s headphones app and the adaptive volume control feature, which tracks where the headphones are worn. Alternatively, you can toggle between noise canceling and ambient mode on the headphones by tapping the corresponding button on the edge of the left ear piece.
And again, Sony is generally affected by noise cancellation. They’re among the leaders in the class when it comes to isolating us from stationary drones like trains or planes, but surprisingly, these headphones aren’t quite as consistent as the previous generation when dealing with changing sounds like general traffic noise. This effect is more of a curiosity than a serious problem.
Features
A lot of the features of the WH-1000XM5 have been carried over from the XM4. Sony’s DSEE Extreme Engine is here (claims) for upgrading your compressed music to near HD quality. The headphones are also compatible with Sony’s LDAC technology, which allows high-quality audio to be streamed from compatible devices at a higher bit rate than traditional Bluetooth (no aptX or aptX HD support).
Quick Attention lets you turn the volume down and have a conversation by covering the right ear piece with your hand. While using Talk to Chat, Sonys sense when you start talking, pause playback and use Ambient Sound Mode. We’ve used the feature on the XM4 and on the XM5 it works just fine – in fact, the delay between us starting to talk and the headphones turning to work seems to have been shortened a bit.
Sony claims that the ‘Wearing Detection’ feature has been improved in the WH-1000XM5 as well. The headphones detect when to take them off and automatically pause your music or video – then turn them back on as soon as you turn them back on. Key to that is the proximity sensor on the left ear piece; This was visible in the old model, but is now hidden out of sight. Sony says that updates reduce the chances of accidentally starting up. During testing, we were surprised at how quickly the XM5 stops and starts and how much of this feature it can add to the user experience.
One Sony feature that we’re happy to see returns is the ability to pair the WH-1000XM5 with two devices simultaneously. It can be very useful, for example, if you are listening to audio from a laptop but need to connect to a mobile phone so that you do not miss any calls. This ability can be a godsend and works smoothly enough, once you enable the feature in the headphones app. Be aware, however, that you cannot use this feature and stream music wirelessly using LDAC at the same time; You need to choose one or the other.
Besides noise canceling, Sony has also improved the call quality of the WH-1000 group over the years. The XM5 headphones offer the best experience yet. It features Sony’s Precise Voice Pickup technology, which uses four AI beamforming and noise-reduction microphones, as well as wind noise reduction to help make your calls sound as clear as possible. The combination of all of these technologies means your sound comes through the WH-1000XM5 with clarity and without distortion. Sonys do a great job at suppressing general noise and any gusts of wind that could threaten to drown you out when using fewer headphones.
Battery life is still a long 30 hours with Bluetooth enabled and noise canceling. Turn the latter off and the WH-1000XM5 will compress for 40 hours – two hours more compared to the XM4. A ten-minute charge should give you five hours of battery life, while a faster USB PD charger (not included) can up the ante to three hours in just three minutes.
sound
You’ve read how the WH-1000XM5 handles noise and voice calls, but can you rely on headphones to get the most out of your music collection?
certainly. They have all the elements that made previous generations tier leaders in money, including the easy musical sound. But this latest generation has been able to offer greater clarity and a more open presentation. It’s actually a big leap.
With lower frequencies, the WH-1000XM5 also showcases new precision. Not that the previous model didn’t deliver, but the WH-1000XM5 makes the XM4 a little thicker in the middle and lower bass. The new headphones display more detail and can distinguish notes more easily.
Move higher up the frequency range and your Sonys will continue to extract more information thanks to the added sense of clarity. Feedback is also delivered with precision – the XM5 never misses a beat when it comes to timing.
The first test track on our playlist is Duel of Fate From The Phantom Menace OST. This is a thrilling classic track, and from the moment the choir sets the wheels of the song in motion, you can hear the Sonys convey dynamic transitions without any hesitation.
Strings and woodwinds lead the track along the way, as the Sonys carefully transition from frenetic, crazy action to quieter moments with a subtle touch. They do a great job of tracking and dissecting the timpani’s mid-track roll—a section that’s hard to follow on headphones with richer balance.
billie eilish bad guy Not the most complicated track the WH-1000XM5 can handle, but it does allow the Sonys to flex their muscles. There’s a real feel to the ride and weight of the cylinders, but the XM5 also manages to keep the rims clean and crisp which makes its ups and downs more dynamic. Sonys does a great job of delivering Eilish’s precise and very intentional sound – another example of the expert timing on display.
We end with an intimate performance for Green Day misfortune (the time of your life) And the WH-1000XM5 really does a great job of capturing the clarity and precision of Billie Joe Armstrong’s vocals and guitar. You can picture his fingers and the force with which each chord is plucked, and the natural tone of the string arrangement as they sweep through the middle of the song strengthens the emotional connection with the listener. Just as it should.
to rule
It can be difficult for a manufacturer to constantly push the audio performance of a product from generation to generation; But that’s what Sony has been able to do with the WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones. Not only that, it was achieved while carrying out a major redesign.
The Sony XM5 headphones may feel a little less premium than before, but the jump in sound quality from the previous generation is huge, and competitors could once again put their noses up. If you are looking for a new pair of wireless noise canceling headphones, your testing should start here.
grades
- sound 5
- Comfort 5
- 5 . building
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