ThapaRegan

 

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones: A Review

Sony recently released the WH-1000XM5, the latest version of their popular wireless noise-canceling headphones. As an upgrade from the previous WH-1000XM4 model, the XM5 brings improved noise cancellation, sound quality and new features like multipoint pairing. In this review, we'll take an in-depth look at the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, their specs, sound performance, noise cancellation abilities and other features.

Table of Contents

• Overview
• What's New in the XM5 Headphones?
• Design and Comfort
• Sound Quality
• Noise Cancellation
• Features and Connectivity
• Battery Life
• Call Quality
• Alternatives to Consider
• Verdict

Overview

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the flagship wireless noise canceling headset offered by Sony. Priced at $398, these headphones are geared towards frequent travelers and office users looking for great sound quality and noise cancellation to block out environmental distractions.

Some key features of the WH-1000XM5 include:

• Industry-leading noise cancellation with new QN1 processor
• Upgraded drivers and sound tuning for excellent audio quality
• Lightweight, comfortable fit with new synthetic soft fit leather
• Multipoint connectivity to pair with two devices simultaneously
• 30 hours battery life with quick charging support
• Touch controls, wear detection, speak-to-chat
• Supports LDAC, Sony 360 Reality Audio formats

So how does the XM5 improve upon the older XM4 model? Let's take a look at what's new.

What's New in the XM5 Headphones?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 brings some notable upgrades over the previous generation XM4:

• New noise canceling processor - The QN1 processor delivers improved noise cancellation, especially in mid to high frequency ranges. This allows it to block more ambient noise across the spectrum.
• Upgraded drivers - The 30mm drivers have been revamped with a light and rigid dome to improve sound quality and cut distortion.
• Better sound tuning - Sony has fine-tuned the sound profile to deliver more natural and balanced audio reproduction. The headphones have less bass emphasis compared to XM4.
• New design and build - The XM5 has a slimmer, more streamlined look with synthetic soft fit leather headband and earpads. The new design helps reduce clamping force for better long term comfort.
• Multipoint connectivity - You can now pair the headphones with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between phone and computer.
• V2 processor for voice calls - An improved processor enhances voice pickup during calls for natural conversations.

So in summary, the XM5 brings meaningful improvements to noise cancellation, audio quality, comfort and connectivity over the preceding XM4. For frequent travelers, the upgrades make the XM5 an even more compelling choice.

Next, let's look at the design and comfort.

Design and Comfort

The Sony WH-1000XM5 has an overhauled design that's slimmer and lighter than before. Some key aspects:

• Lighter weight - Weighing just 250g, the XM5 is almost 20g lighter than the XM4. The lighter frame is more comfortable for longer listening sessions.
• Synthetic soft-fit leather - The headband and ear pads use soft fit leather material that is gentle on the skin while providing a secure fit. The earpads are slightly thicker for noise isolation.
• Slimmer folding design - The headband and ear cups fold into a more compact shape than before. This makes them easier to carry around.
• Tactile controls - Media playback, volume, call controls and voice assistant are accessible through the touch sensitive surface on the earcups. Wear detection pauses audio when taking the headphones off.
• Color options - The XM5 comes in black and silver finishes to match personal style.

In daily use, the XM5 maintains the comfort and premium build quality Sony's lineup is known for. The lighter weight and softer pads add to the experience. The tactile controls are convenient for managing music and calls on the go.

Sound Quality

With 30mm neodymium drivers and a lightweight diaphragm, the Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers excellent sound quality with punchy bass, clear mids and extended highs. Here are some aspects of its audio performance:

• Well-balanced sound - The sound profile has been tuned for a natural and well-balanced reproduction. There's no excessive thumping bass like some consumer headphones.
• Spacious soundstage - The open and spacious presentation gives a feeling of three-dimensionality. You can pinpoint different instruments and vocals in their distinct positions.
• Clear mids and treble - Vocals come through with clarity and detail. Highs and cymbals have a bright crispness to them.
• Tight punchy bass - The bass has clean definition and impact. You get that satisfying thump in bass-heavy tracks without muddiness.
• Lossless audio support - With LDAC and Sony's hi-res audio certifications, you can enjoy lossless music from streaming platforms like Tidal.

No matter what genres you listen to, the XM5 delivers refined and nuanced sound that makes your music come alive. The upgraded driver and acoustics allow it to keep up with headphones twice its price.

Noise Cancellation

The hallmark of any Sony WH-1000X model is industry-leading noise cancellation. Powered by the new QN1 processor, the XM5 takes it a step further with improved NC performance:

• Cuts more ambient noise - Sony claims the XM5 reduces 10% more outside noise compared to the XM4. In practice, it means more of that coveted silence whether in planes or busy offices.
• Blocks higher frequencies - Mid to high frequency cancellation sees major improvements, reducing voices and chatter more noticeably.
• Adaptive NC optimizing - Sensors detect your environment and activity to adapt the noise cancellation strengths in real time for the optimal effect.
• Wind noise reduction - Sony's new algorithms greatly reduce wind noise when outdoors for clearer calls and audio.
• ANC modes - You can choose between full NC or an Ambient Mode to let in some outside sound. Automatic NC optimization is also available.

For frequent travelers and commuters, the ANC improvements make the listening experience more immersive. The QN1 chip lives up to its promise of silencing noisy environments.

Features and Connectivity

The Sony WH-1000XM5 has an extensive feature set for connectivity and usability:

• Multipoint pairing - You can simultaneously pair to two Bluetooth devices, a first for this series. This makes it seamless to switch between phone and computer.
• Speak-to-chat - The headphones automatically pause when you speak, allowing you to have conversations without taking them off.
• Wear detection - Removing the headphones will automatically pause your music for convenience.
• Customizable controls - You can customize the touch controls on each earcup via the Headphones Connect app.
• Audio upscaling - Sony's DSEE Extreme audio upscaling makes compressed audio sound closer to high resolution quality.
• 360 Reality Audio - With compatible streaming services, you get immersive 360 sound with music formatted for spatial audio.
• Fast pair - On Android devices, Fast Pair makes it quick and simple to pair the headphones the first time.
• Google Assistant/Alexa support - You get hands-free access to phone-free assistance from Google or Amazon.

With NFC and multipoint pairing, the XM5 makes it easy to set up and switch between all your devices when listening on the move.

Battery Life

The WH-1000XM5 deliver impressive battery life, managing 30 hours of playback per charge with ANC on. This matches the stamina of the preceding XM4. Some battery specs:

• 30 hour battery - You get up to 30 hours of use from a single charge, keeping noise cancellation enabled.
• Quick charging - Plugging in for just 3 minutes provides up to 3 hours of playback. A full charge takes around 3.5 hours.
• Battery saver modes - You can disable some features like LDAC streaming to extend battery life further when traveling.
• USB-C charging - The XM5 charges via USB-C for easy connectivity with external battery packs if needed.

For long haul flights or daily commute, you can rely on the XM5 to keep your entertainment going all day or several days of moderate use before needing a top up charge. Carry a USB-C power bank as backup for extended trips.

Call Quality

With eight beamforming microphones and an improved processor, the Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers significantly improved voice and call quality over previous models. Some enhancements:

• Precise Voice Pickup - AI based algorithms optimize microphone performance to isolate your voice clearly.
• Wind noise reduction - Sony's new tech reduces wind noise during outdoor calls for clearer conversations.
• Background noise reduction - Advanced processing blocks out ambient noise whether on busy streets or trains.
• Natural voice rendition - The headphones avoid distortion and sidetone for natural sounding voice pick up during calls.
• Seamless switching - When taking a call, audio smoothly switches to headset mode for fast call handling.

In real-world use, callers reported the XM5 provided excellent clarity and pickup of my voice, even in noisy public places. The improvements make the headphones great for taking business calls on the go.

Alternatives to Consider

The premium noise-canceling headphones space has plenty of worthy contenders. Some alternatives worth considering to the WH-1000XM5 are:

• Bose QuietComfort 45 - The QC45 offers terrific ANC and audio in a comfortable design. No multipoint pairing but cheaper at $329.
• Apple AirPods Max - Apple's take on premium ANC headphones with spatial audio and seamless integration with Apple devices. Pricier at $549 but excellent sound and NC.
• Sennheiser Momentum 4 - Sennheiser's latest with amazing sound, transparency mode and 60 hour battery. $349.95 price is attractive.

There are also offerings from companies like Bowers and Wilkins, Anker and Jabra in this segment worth looking into. Go through their specs to find the right balance of sound, comfort, features and price for your needs.

Verdict

With the WH-1000XM5, Sony has taken an already excellent pair of wireless ANC headphones and improved upon them even further. The upgrades across sound quality, noise cancellation, design and connectivity make these the new gold standard for frequent travelers and commuters.

While the $398 price is definitely premium, the XM5 justifies it with great performance and utility via features like multipoint pairing and speak-to-chat. For iPhone owners, the AirPods Max offers tighter integration at similar pricing. But for cross-platform flexibility and the best balance of sound and ANC, the Sony WH-1000XM5 hits the sweet spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How is the sound quality compared to Sony's older models and other brands?

The XM5 offers Sony's most natural and balanced sound profile yet in this series. There's less thumping bass emphasis compared to the XM3 and XM4. The upgraded drivers and acoustics deliver clearer sound across ranges. Overall, the audio quality matches or exceeds most competitors like Bose, Sennheiser and Apple.

Q. Do the earcups rotate/flip on the headphones?

Yes, the XM5 earcups can rotate 90 degrees inwards to fold into a compact shape for storage. The earcups also tilt and swivel slightly for adjusting the fit over your ears.

Q. Does the headphone jack support audio when wired?

Yes, you can listen wired over the 3.5mm audio jack even when the battery runs out. The wired connection does not support noise cancellation though since it requires power.

Q. Can you customize the touch controls on the XM5?

The Sony Headphones Connect app allows you to customize the touch controls on each earcup based on your preferences, like changing track or enabling ambient sound.

Q. How many devices can the XM5 be paired with via Bluetooth?

The XM5 headphones can maintain stable simultaneous connections with two devices via Bluetooth multipoint - a first for the 1000X line. You can pair with more devices that get added to the queue.

Quiz

1. What is the main improvement in noise cancellation on the Sony WH-1000XM5 compared to the XM4?

• a) Blocks more ambient noise across all frequencies
• b) Optimizes noise cancellation based on environment
• c) Cuts out more mid to high frequency sounds
• d) Uses a more advanced NC processor

2. How many microphones does the XM5 use for voice calls?

• a) 6
• b) 8
• c) 4
• d) 10

3. What audio codecs are supported by the Sony WH-1000XM5?

• a) LDAC
• b) AAC
• c) SBC
• d) All of the above

4. What is the battery life of the XM5 with ANC enabled?

• a) 40 hours
• b) 25 hours
• c) 20 hours
• d) 30 hours

5. Which of these features allows you to smoothly switch between two paired devices?

• a) Multipoint pairing
• b) Fast pair
• c) Speak-to-chat
• d) Wear detection

Answers:

1. c
2. b
3. d
4. d
5. a

Conclusion

The Sony WH-1000XM5 builds upon the company's already stellar wireless ANC headphones line with improvements across the board. Key upgrades like enhanced noise cancellation, better call quality, multipoint pairing and refined audio make these headphones a joy to use everyday whether commuting or traveling.

While the $400 price tag is steep, the XM5 delivers performance and features to justify the cost. For frequent travelers seeking top-tier noise cancellation, flexible connectivity and great sound, the Sony WH-1000XM5 should firmly be on the shopping list. They set the bar for premium ANC headphones this year.

•