Sony WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM5 comes with a completely new design that is comfortable and user-friendly. Its noise-cancellation and call quality match up with its competitors. When it comes to the clearest and most detailed sonic performance currently available in the market, the Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers it with a significant margin. Although the WF-1000XM5 may initially not sound as fun as its predecessors, with time, users tend to warm up to and appreciate its new character.

Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earbuds, launched in 2021, received a CNET Editors’ Choice award. Despite their excellence, these earbuds are rather large and may not fit all ear types comfortably. Sony has addressed these issues in the design of its next-generation WF-1000XM5 earbuds. The WF-1000XM5 earbuds are not only smaller, but also deliver superior performance in terms of noise canceling, sound quality, and voice calling.

• The product provides unparalleled detail and clarity, ensuring high-quality output.
• The product stands out with its superior musicality and precise timing.
• The product features a comfortable and discreet design, making it aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly.

• The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, the successor to the XM4s, are a more compact version, addressing complaints about the previous model’s large size and fit issues.
• These next-generation earbuds offer enhanced performance in terms of sound quality, noise cancellation, and voice calling.
• Sony has also upgraded the processors and drivers in the WF-1000XM5, improving the overall performance of the earbuds.

• The earbuds deliver a rich bass response along with crisp, detailed highs, ensuring a balanced and dynamic audio experience.
• They feature an adjustable in-app EQ, allowing users to personalize their sound profiles according to their preferences.
• The earbuds boast excellent noise cancellation capabilities, effectively blocking out ambient noises for a focused listening experience.
• The microphone clarity is top-tier, making these earbuds a great choice for clear and uninterrupted communication.
• The included case supports wireless charging, providing a convenient and modern charging solution.
• The earbuds come with hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant, facilitating easy voice commands and controls for a seamless user experience.

• While the product’s bass production is commendable, some competitors may deliver deeper lows.
• There’s room for improvement in ensuring a more secure and comfortable fit.

• Despite their impressive features and performance, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds come with a hefty price tag.
• However, they lack the ‘Find My’ feature in their app, which could be a potential drawback for some users.

• The product comes with a high price tag.
• The accompanying application is somewhat bloated.

The WF-1000XM5 charging case, designed by Sony, is considerably smaller than its predecessor, indicating a noticeable reduction in size.

The addition of a button at the back of the case allows for easier pairing with your device, unlike the previous version where you had to touch the sides of the earbuds to pair them. The case has also undergone some modifications, including the replacement of the long front light with a small circular light that indicates the charging status of the headphones.

The WF-1000XM5 sports a new and improved driver, named the Dynamic Driver X by Sony, measuring at 8.4mm. This is a significant upgrade from the 6.4mm unit featured in the previous model, the WF-1000XM4.

The earbuds now have larger 8.4 millimeter drivers, up from the previous 6 millimeter ones, enhancing their sound performance.

Sony’s WF-1000XM5 earbuds are significantly more compact and lighter than their predecessor, the WF-1000XM4, with an approximate 25% reduction in size and 20% decrease in weight.

The package includes four different sizes of tips, with an extra-small SS option included.

The package now includes an extra pair of small ear tips, catering to those with smaller earlobes.

The Sony XM5 earbuds come with extra small ear tips for a better fit for those with small ears, making them more comfortable than their predecessor, the wf-1000XM4.

The case is 15% smaller, while the earbuds themselves are 25% smaller and 15% lighter than the previous version.

The majority of the earbud’s exterior is made of a sleek, glossy plastic that has a high-end appearance, but it might be challenging to remove them from the case due to its smoothness.

The part of the earbuds designed for touch controls isn’t glossy, instead featuring a finely textured matte finish that leads to the external microphone setup.

The earbuds have an IPX4 rating, which signifies they can withstand sweat.

They are water-resistant with an IPX4 rating, meaning they can withstand splashing water from any direction.

The earbuds and their case have been redesigned to be more compact and lighter, making them more comfortable for prolonged use.

The WF-1000XM5 model comes with an integrated processor V2 and HD Noise Cancelling processor QN2e, a step up from the previous version’s V1 processor.

The earbuds are equipped with a new dual-core processor.

The headphones support Multipoint Bluetooth, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices.

A significant upgrade is seen in the touch controls of the WF-1000XM5, as it now allows simultaneous control over playback, sound modes, and volume. Volume adjustments can be made by tapping multiple times on the respective earbud.

The earbuds feature intuitive controls, with the left earbud allowing you to switch between active noise cancellation and ambient sound modes, access quick settings, and adjust volume. The right earbud controls play, pause, song skipping, and assistant access.

The XM5 model offers improved touch controls, allowing users to control both listening modes and volume from a single earbud without needing to customize controls in the app.

Phone calls can now be accepted or declined through head gestures, which is showcased in a demo in the Headphones App.

The WF-1000XM5 model features three microphones on each earbud, including dual feedback mics, which are designed to enhance the cancellation of low frequencies.

The earbuds have six microphones that better scan the environment to provide superior active noise cancellation.

Sony claims that the XM5’s microphones, which feature six micro A3 on each side, AI processing, and bone conduction technology, are the best in any pair of true wireless earbuds, offering superior voice detection and noise filtering during calls.

The Sony Headphones Connect app offers support for the XM5 earbuds.

The App provides access to firmware updates and features like Adaptive Sound Control, Ambient Sound Control, DSE Extreme Audio upscaling, and Sony 360 Reality Audio.

The headphones come with Adaptive Sound Control, which automatically adjusts the level of ambient sound filtered into the ears based on location and activity. The headphones can also learn when to enable certain modes.

The headphones feature Sony’s DSEE Extreme processing to enhance detail in low-quality music files, hi-res audio and 360 Reality Audio support, dynamic head tracking, and LDAC support for compatible sources.

The headphones utilize a noise reduction engine with AI machine learning for improved clarity and a bone conductor sensor to detect when the user is speaking.

• The device supports Bluetooth version 5.3.
• The device is compatible with SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs.
• The device includes a noise-cancellation feature.
• The device offers an 8-hour battery life when using Bluetooth and ANC, which can be extended to 24 hours with the charging case.
• The device is available in two finishes: black and silver.

• The product is a pair of wireless earbuds that feature noise canceling capabilities.
• The XM5s also support multipoint pairing, allowing them to connect to more than one device at a time.
• The product is a pair of wireless earbuds.

• The earbuds are designed to be in-canal.
• They feature true wireless technology.
• They connect via Bluetooth for seamless, wire-free use.
• These earbuds are both water and sweat-resistant, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor use.
• They also come equipped with active noise cancellation for an immersive audio experience.

The Sony earbuds offer a battery life of eight hours with Bluetooth and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) enabled. The wireless charging case provides an additional 16 hours of use.

These earbuds are rated to have a battery life of up to 8 hours.

The XM5 earbuds offer impressive battery life, with up to 9 hours and 32 minutes of playback in tests, exceeding Sony’s claim of 8 hours.

The XM5 earbuds also include a quick charging feature, providing approximately 50 minutes of playback time with just three minutes of charging.

Users have reported good experiences with the battery life of the Sony WF-XM5, stating that it provides up to 8 hours of use with ANC turned on. Additionally, Sony offers solid customer service, allowing returns or replacements if customers are unsatisfied with the product.

Sony claims to have reduced noise by around 20 per cent in the XM5 compared to the WF-1000XM4, which does reflect in the sound quality.

The XM5 doesn’t have as rich or full bass as the WF-1000XM4, but the clarity and detail of the sound are quite remarkable.

Testing with challenging tracks, the XM5 showcases its rhythmic drive and good timing, resulting in well-organised and defined percussion.

On tracks with heavy basslines, the XM5 maintains a balance of quality and quantity. It delivers weighty, controlled bass that is more balanced compared to other brands.

The XM5 offers an impressive level of detail and an openness rarely seen in wireless earbuds of this price range. The definition and texture that comes through is exceptional, although it does sacrifice a bit of the ‘fun’ factor.

The Sony earbuds thoroughly investigate and expose every element of the music, particularly in the midrange, delivering an authentic sound experience.

Turning off the ANC can result in a more natural and balanced delivery, although frequencies are boosted when ANC is on. This doesn’t upset the balance and is a common occurrence in many models.

The revamped design and technology of the earbuds have effectively reduced wind noise, providing a detailed, clear, and comprehensible voice output, which is not a typical characteristic of wireless earbuds.

The earphones deliver top-notch sound quality, with support for both LC3 and LDAC codecs.

They feature an exceptional microphone quality.

Thanks to their hybrid eartips, these earphones excel at blocking higher frequencies.

The microphone performance of the earbuds in a quiet environment is satisfactory. The real test will be in noisy surroundings.

Sony’s new flagship earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, are priced higher than their predecessors, but remain competitive in the market, sitting between Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

The WF-1000XM5 earbuds are sleeker than the WF-1000XM4, with smoother lines and subtler curves. The exterior microphones are better integrated, contributing to a less protruding profile and helping to reduce wind noise.

The XM5 earbuds are smaller and lighter than their predecessor, and feature redesigned, more flexible ear tips that don’t require twisting for a secure fit or proper seal.

There is disappointment about the lack of a find my feature, which was anticipated in the new model.

The XM5 earbuds offer superior comfort compared to the XM4, with excellent sound quality and top-notch active noise cancellation.

One user expressed dissatisfaction with their XM4s after experiencing a battery issue, leading them to contemplate switching brands unless assured of the resolution of this problem in the XM5s.

Another user, despite acknowledging the improved compactness of the XM5s, criticized their glossy design for lacking a premium feel, contrasting it with the XM4s’ favorable aesthetic reception. The user expressed a plan to wait for a price reduction before upgrading to the XM5s.

Side-by-side comparison of the old and new models supports Sony’s claim of improved midrange noise reduction in the WF-1000XM5. However, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are still considered superior in overall external noise reduction, despite their vacuum-like effect, which isn’t popular with all users.

The WF-1000XM5 earbuds not only look good, but they are also comfortable and can be worn for longer periods. The fit isn’t as secure as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, and the tip material could be grippier to prevent seal breakage due to slippage.

Despite their many strengths, the WF-1000XM5 earphones fall slightly short of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in terms of noise cancellation.

The Bose QC Ultra earbuds offer a more comfortable and snug fit with their specially designed silicone ear tips, outshining the Sony XM5 in this aspect.

The Sony XM5 comes with superior comfort, and is significantly smaller than the Bose QC Ultra.

The Sony XM5 outperforms the Bose QC Ultra with wireless charging, superior battery life, hi-res audio streaming, and multi-point pairing, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices.

Sony’s head tracking and spatial audio features are limited to Xperia smartphones and Google Pixel phones.

The Sony XM5 has a limitation where all controls are not accessible unless both earbuds are used, which may be a disadvantage for those who prefer using a single earbud.

The Bose QC Ultra, on the other hand, offers mirrored controls for each earbud, allowing full control access even when using a single earbud. These controls include volume adjustments, play/pause, track skipping, and ANC toggling.

The Sony XM5 earbuds are more feature-rich compared to the Bose QC Ultra.

Despite having fewer features, the Bose QC Ultra’s active noise cancelling capability is more powerful than that of the Sony XM5.

The Sony XM5 offers superior sound quality and customization options for features and controls, making it a compelling alternative to the Bose QC Ultra.

While the Bose QC Ultra’s spatial audio and head tracking features work universally, the Sony XM5’s are limited to specific Android devices and apps.

Bose earbuds are comfortable to wear but some users have reported issues with static noise in the left earbud.

Comparing Bose and Sony, some users found Bose to be more comfortable with superior noise cancelling, and had concerns over the durability of Sony’s foam ear tips.

Despite missing some minor components, Bose earbuds are appreciated for their sound quality and noise cancellation. Users also noted an improvement in software issues in the newer models.

According to some users, the sound quality and noise cancellation of Sony earbuds are highly dependent on the fit. Additionally, the ‘immersive mode’ in Sony earbuds requires a subscription and works with limited songs.

The WF-1000XM5 earphones, with their customizable EQ and high-end codec support, are more appealing to audiophiles than either the AirPods Pro or the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

The earbuds are comfortable to wear, but the fit is finicky. Active noise cancellation depends on the earbuds being fitted perfectly in the ear, which can be a challenge compared to the older versions. For effective active noise cancellation, the new earbuds need to be inserted deep into the ear to create a perfect seal. The effect is lost if the fit is not optimal, unlike other products like the AirPods Pro or Beats Fits Pro which provide good noise cancellation even without a perfect fit.

The new XM5s are marketed with improved active noise cancellation, but the performance appears similar to the previous XM4s. In a comparative analysis, the AirPods Pro provides the best active noise cancellation amongst all.

The XM5 earbuds provide improved isolation and the best active noise cancellation (ANC) performance among all true wireless earbuds tested, surpassing the XM4s, AirPods Pro Gen 2, and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.

Based on the microphone quality test, the AirPods Pro 2 provided the best sound quality.

The XM5 microphone has good sound clarity but some distortion was noticed. The AirPods Pro delivered perfect sound quality as expected.

Compared to the Apple AirPods Pro 2, the WF-XM5 comes out on top, especially in terms of ANC performance. Users stress the importance of a good ear tip seal for optimal ANC functionality, which effectively silences ambient noise when properly secured.

The LinkBuds S has been recommended for its lighter and more comfortable form factor, impressive ANC, and reasonable sound quality. However, the XM5 is considered superior in sound quality, despite its higher price point. The design of the XM5 is seen as a bit odd, with the earbuds protruding from the ears. Overall, both the AirPods Pro 2 and LinkBuds S are considered very good, with the LinkBuds beating the AirPods Pro 2 in sound quality. The ANC on both is impressive. The XM5 is not seen as a good value for its high price point, especially considering the unimpressive ANC. Some users are waiting for a price drop during Amazon’s Black Friday Promotion before considering a purchase.

The Transparency mode in WF-1000XM5 is commendable, with a handy Quick Attention feature for quick conversations. However, it is slower to activate than its counterpart in AirPods Pro 2.

Some users preferred Bose over Sony and AirPods due to better noise cancellation and comfort, despite using Apple devices. Sony’s poor audio and noise cancelling due to an improper seal in the ear was a common issue reported by users.

The WF1000 XM5 is said to have a sound signature similar to Linkbuds S, providing a warm and neutral sound with heavy bass. Users appreciate its detail and clarity in the mid and treble regions, stating it has a more natural timbre than the WF1000 XM4.

Given the asking price of £250, the product may not significantly outperform competitors such as Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Pixel Buds Pro, and Airpods Pro, which offer high quality at lower or comparable prices.

The price of the WF-1000XM5 has dropped recently, particularly during the Black Friday/Christmas sales period, so it’s advisable to check different retailers for the best deal.

The WF-1000XM5 is available on Amazon for $298.

They are available for purchase at Best Buy for $300.

They are available for purchase at Walmart for $290.

They are available for purchase at Amazon for $298.

They are available on Amazon for $298.00.

They are available on Best Buy for $299.99.

The original eartips of the XM5’s can be uncomfortable, but users found that upgrading them to Sednafit Max improved not only comfort but also sound quality without negatively affecting the ANC.

The design is appreciated, although some users believe that a stripe light would make it look cooler.

The XM5s have a pronounced emphasis on mid-bass, which may cause instruments like cellos and kick drums to sound louder than anticipated. This is a continuation of the excessive bass issue noted in the XM4 model.

The XM5s are priced at $300, making them a costly option in the market of wireless earbuds.

While the earbuds can be worn while playing drums, they tend to move out of place with physical activity, necessitating frequent adjustments.

The earbuds have a persistent touch notification tone with no option for disabling it in the Sony app. Additionally, volume adjustments require multiple taps, which is inconvenient for the user.

There were some reports of faulty batteries prone to exploding in the WF-XM5. A firmware update was issued by Sony to drain faulty batteries quickly to prevent explosions. However, this resulted in uneven and fast battery drain for some users. Sony acknowledged the issue in certain markets and has been replacing sets, even those out of warranty.

Many users prefer to disable auto updates for their apps due to the potential for firmware-induced issues, including the Sony headphone app, and stick to a version they find satisfactory.

Some users were lucky to have have missed a problematic update (1.4.2) and either remained on a lower version or directly updated to version 2.0.

Sony Wireless Headsets are often criticized for quality assurance issues, leading some users to avoid spending more than $100 on them due to past negative experiences.

Sony’s customer support, including their Playstation support, has been criticized for poor service.

Users appreciated the mention of the XM4 battery issue in reviews, but also expressed frustration over Sony’s lack of response.

Users expressed frustration over Sony’s lack of response to the battery issue, which reflects even worse on Sony due to the product’s high price range.

Another user pointed out the lack of APTX in the earbuds, which limits their use in competitive gaming, and recommended checking out Wired’s review for further critical insights.