The WH-1000XM5 solidifies Sony’s status as a manufacturer of high-end wireless noise-cancelling headphones, which has been associated with the WH-1000XM series for some time. These headphones offer substantial improvements in noise reduction and sound quality, along with a sophisticated design and high-end functionality that will appeal to both frequent travelers and audiophiles. We’ll go over the Sony WH-1000XM5’s design, sound quality, noise cancellation, and other important features in this review.
Design and Comfort: Sleek and Lightweight
Comparing the WH-1000XM5 to its predecessor, the WH-1000XM4, reveals a completely new design. The headphones have a more streamlined, minimalist appearance with fewer visible joints, smoother edges, and a contemporary, high-end feel. Aesthetically pleasing to people who value style, the new design is both classy and practical, and it comes in classic black, silver, and the new Smoky Pink (the one we received).
The WH-1000XM5 is still quite comfortable for extended listening sessions even after the update. Sony made the headphones lightweight and easy on the ears by using memory foam padding and soft synthetic leather for the ear cups and headband. With its ability to swivel and resize to fit snugly over a variety of ear shapes and sizes, the ear cups offer superior comfort without exerting needless pressure.
But one obvious difference is that compared to the previous generation, the WH-1000XM5 does not fold down as small. Although the accompanying carry case makes it somewhat portable, it lays flat, so it can take up a little extra room in your suitcase. Overall the headphone is just weighted at 250 grams only.
Sound Quality: Refined and Balanced Audio
With the WH-1000XM series, Sony has continuously produced high-quality sound, and the WH-1000XM5 goes one step further. The new 30mm drivers in the headphones generate a more detailed and well-balanced sound than the 40mm drivers that were used in the past. With no compromise in bass quality, these smaller drivers aid in delivering crisper mids and highs.
The WH-1000XM5 has a very well-balanced sound profile. Rich and detailed mids lend a natural and transparent sound to vocalists and instruments, while punchy and deep bottom prevents other frequencies from being overpowered. Warm, enveloping quality permeates the entire sound due to the clean, non-harsh highs. The WH-1000XM5 offers a flexible listening experience that is suitable for both enthusiasts and non-aficionados, spanning several genres such as pop, rock, jazz, and classical music.
For individuals who stream music from high-quality sources, such as Spotify HiFi or Tidal, lossless audio quality is guaranteed thanks to Sony’s high-resolution audio codec compatibility, or LDAC. Real-time upscale of compressed digital audio files is achieved using the DSEE Extreme technology, which restores clarity and detail even in the absence of LDAC.
Noise Cancellation: Industry-Leading Performance
The WH-1000XM5 raises the bar even farther for Sony’s noise cancellation, which has always been a notable element of the WH-1000XM series. More than ever, the headphones can monitor and filter out background noise thanks to a dual processor architecture that operates four beamforming microphones.
Outstanding noise cancellation performance is achieved, especially with low-frequency noises such as airplane engines, city traffic, or office conversation. For frequent travelers or anybody who needs to concentrate in busy situations, the WH-1000XM5 effectively minimizes background noise.
The WH-1000XM5 has an adaptive sound control feature that automatically modifies the noise cancellation settings according to your surroundings in addition to its adaptive noise cancellation (ANC). The headphones adjust their ANC to deliver the best possible listening experience whether you’re flying, working in a quiet office, or strolling down a crowded street.
Similarly impressive is the Ambient Sound option, which lets outside noises in when needed, as during public talks or walks. By pausing your music when it recognizes your voice, the Speak-to-Chat feature makes it simpler to communicate with others without taking off your headphones.
Battery Life: All-Day Listening
Another area in which the WH-1000XM5 shines is battery life. The headphones have a 30-hour continuous playback time when ANC is set on, which is more than sufficient for lengthy work sessions or trips. The battery life may be increased to over 35 hours by turning off ANC, so even the most power-hungry users won’t need to charge them frequently.
Thanks to the USB-C connector, Sony’s quick charge function allows for three hours of playback with just a three-minute charge when the battery does run low. This is particularly useful for people who want a quick pick-me up before leaving.
Connectivity and Features: Smart and Intuitive
The WH-1000XM5 has many clever features that make using it on a daily basis easy. They guarantee a robust and consistent connection to your devices with few dropouts because they support Bluetooth 5.2. You can pair the headphones with two devices at once thanks to multi-point connectivity, which makes it simple to swap between your laptop and phone without having to continually reconnect.
The ear cups’ touch-sensitive controls are responsive and easy to use. You may answer calls, change between ANC and Ambient Sound modes, skip tunes, and adjust volume with a simple tap or swipe. The whole user experience is seamless, and these controls are simple to learn.
EQ settings, ANC levels, and other characteristics may be adjusted with Sony’s Headphones Connect app, which further improves the experience. To ensure that your headphones stay current, you can adjust the sound to your liking or turn on automatic updates.
You may use voice commands to conduct tasks, check the weather, and play music on the WH-1000XM5 in addition to supporting Google Assistant and Alexa. Hands-free use is a breeze thanks to the excellent accuracy of voice recognition.
Call Quality: Crystal Clear Conversations
With the WH-1000XM5, Sony has dramatically improved call quality. Even in noisy settings, you can have clear and crisp conversations thanks to the headphones’ beamforming microphones and sophisticated noise reduction algorithms, which separate your voice from background sounds.
In a busy café or on the street, the WH-1000XM5 makes sure that the person on the other end can hear you clearly and unhindered by background noise when you’re accepting calls. For workers who routinely receive calls while on the fly, these headphones provides the solution.
Conclusion: One of the Best-in-Class Noise Cancelling Headphones
When it comes to wireless noise-canceling headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5 establishes a new benchmark. These headphones provide a high-end listening experience for travelers, professionals, and audiophiles alike thanks to their updated design, excellent noise cancellation, amazing sound quality, and other useful features. Even though these headphones are more expensive, the great performance and abundance of functions they offer make the cost worthwhile.
The WH-1000XM5 is a strong competitor and well worth taking into consideration for anyone looking for premium wireless headphones with industry-leading ANC.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is now retailing at RM1799 but as of the time of the writing, it is now discounted at RM1499. Click here to find out more and purchases.