Sony WH-1000XM5

Class-leading active noise cancelling performance and a rich legacy of listening experience make the Sony WH-1000XM5 an exciting set

Upholding Sony’s legacy, the latest WH-1000XM5 steps up the race in the flagship ANC headphones market. Each product in the WH-1000 series receive improvements in noise cancellation, sound, and call quality etc., all contribute in keeping them ahead of the rivals.

Bringing in more excitement for Sony fans, the latest in the 1000WH line is a redesigned version of its predecessor. It is curvier now; the headband is slimmer with leatherette covering. The padding suits larger ears and therefore more comfortable. You can use it securely without being too tight on your ears. Sony WH-1000XM5

As the earcups cannot be folded, you need to pack the headphones in the carry case while traveling. The left earcup has button to switch on the power and to pair the headphones, and another to switch the ANC modes. There is also a port for connecting the analog audio cable. The right earcup come with a USB-C charging port.

The new aero dynamic design, namely ‘noiseless design’, improves the flow of air all over the frame and reduce the wind noise. The material used is Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, same as that of Sony LinkBuds wireless earbuds. Build quality is top notch with the exterior having a luxurious soft-touch feel. The moving parts are well-damped and smooth.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5 Features Enough to Tempt You

WH-1000XMd has dedicated processors to handle audio and ANC. The V1 and QN1 processors do their duties efficiently. Its Bluetooth 5.2 headphones supporting SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs, can be paired with two devices simultaneously. On multi-point connectivity, you have to settle for AAC only, which is inferior when compared to LDAC codec.

The wireless range is strong within 10 meters with a clear line of sight. The headphones take the brand’s noise-cancellation legacy forward with flying colors. While the mission of its predecessor was to wipe out low-frequency noise, the XM5s take care of the higher frequency zone, thanks to the new 30mm driver design. The stiff dome and the soft edge cancel some of the higher-pitched sounds effectively.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The Sony Headphones Connect app configure the product further. You also get a multi-band equalizer in the app to alter the sound profile; highly unlikely you would need it though. The Adaptive Sound Control feature is capable of detecting your movements and location thereby adjusts the ANC.

When you start speaking, the Speak-to-Chat feature will turn down the volume and will enable Ambient Sound mode. Sony’s simulated surround sound feature, the 360 Reality Audio can be set up by is scanning your ears and creating a head-related transfer function, and then customize the sound accordingly. DSEE Extreme, an AI-based audio reconstruction technology, is designed to restore lost detail in compressed music. The built-in EQ features 5-bands and a Clear Bass slider which performs as a sixth band.

The Price Factor

You can play Spotify by assigning one of the buttons to it. Pause and play is automatically done when you remove or wear the headphones. They automatically turn off after some time when you are not wearing them. Audio quality sounds good in the upper mid-range and at lower treble levels.

Improvement is possible to some extent by carefully adjusting the EQ within the app, starting with turning down the Clear Bass setting. Sony’s Precise Voice Pickup technology help calls sound as clear as possible. Battery offers 30 hours life with Bluetooth and noise-cancelling enabled. Without ANC, the battery life can be extended up to 40 hours. A 10-minute charge should give you five hours of battery life.

A quick charging USB PD charger can fetch you up to 3 hours in 3 minutes. Priced at around $400, with class-leading active noise cancelling performance and a rich legacy of listening experience, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is an exciting set of headphones.

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