Sony WF-1000XM5 Review with Pros and Cons

Sony’s flagship TWS earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, were launched in India a few weeks ago. These new fifth-generation headphones are smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than their predecessors, and they promise top-notch noise cancellation and sound quality.

The WF-1000XM5 are the successors to the critically acclaimed XM4 and aim to continue the legacy of the Sony XM series as the best noise-cancelling headphones money can buy. So, does the WF-1000XM5 succeed? Let’s find out in our review.

SonyWF-1000XM5 review: Design & ADJUST

When it comes to the TWS (True Wireless Stereo) market, the WF-1000XM5 earbuds may not be the thinnest, but if you’ve used the XM4, you’ll immediately notice that the new design is definitely sleeker and improved. The XM5s are now 25% smaller and 20% lighter than their predecessors. Each earbud weighs just 5.9 grams, while the case adds a feather-light 39 grams, or just over 50 grams.

These headphones have undergone a facelift to fit your ear canals perfectly. They now feature a chic mix of glossy and matte recycled plastics. While we yearn for a fully matte finish for an extra touch of luxury (which would match the sleek casing perfectly), the subtle metal grilles, protecting against pesky wind noise interference for direct-acting microphones, add a designer touch . The case, being reasonably compact, houses a pairing button, a USB-C port, and the convenience of Qi wireless charging.

Speaking of fit, the earbuds feature foam tips that create an impressive seal, perfect for everyday use. With a range of four ear tip sizes, you can tailor your fit to perfection. Once you find your sweet spot, the XM5s stay snug whether you’re working, traveling, or training. These IPX4 rated gems wick away sweat with ease and are so comfortable you can even take a nap in them. The only minor downside might be that they don’t fit your ear completely. Still, their comfort level is so remarkable that even die-hard fans of over-ear headphones might be tempted to make the switch.

SonyWF-1000XM5 review: Companion App and Controls

Sony’s feature-rich companion app offers a wealth of options, but with the need to scroll and swipe to navigate efficiently. This app allows you to fine-tune your audio experience, change settings, and optimize the performance of your headphones.

For example, you can use the app to capture images of your ears, enhancing the 360 ​​Reality Audio upmix, ensuring a perfect fit for impeccable passive sound isolation and robust bass response. Plus, the app lets you manage calls with intuitive head gestures, and they work like a charm.

If you’re stuck on a stable Bluetooth connection, the app has your back. It handled LDAC audio streaming like a champ, even in crowded subway stations. The app features a buffet of EQ presets and a five-band EQ for a tailored sound experience. ANC settings are limited to three options: on, off, and ambient sound pass-through. Adaptive mode automatically adjusts ANC intensity based on your environment, providing optimal cancellation while traveling and a touch of background audio when you’re in the office.

Now let’s talk about controls. The touch-sensitive surfaces of the headphones make reading and noise-canceling adjustments much easier. Whether it’s a single tap, a double tap, a triple tap or a long press gesture, you have everything under control. Additionally, the earbuds offer nifty nod and shake gestures for call handling and automatically pause playback when you remove them. The controls are quite effective, but keep in mind that the range of customization for individual gestures isn’t as extensive as some competitors offer.

SonyWF-1000XM5 review: Hardware

Sony hasn’t made any compromises with the WF-1000XM5’s hardware. These headphones are powered by the powerful V2 integrated processor, featuring 24-bit audio processing and analog audio amplification. Not stopping there, they integrate the QN2e HD Noise Canceling processor, skillfully managing both the ANC system and the Bluetooth SoC. The icing on the cake is the Quick Attention function, accessible by a long press on the left earpiece. It cleverly switches to transparency mode when you need to pick up someone’s words, effortlessly switching back to ANC mode once the conversation is over.

Let’s not forget the star of the show: the 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X units. They promise improved low frequency reproduction, extending the sound frequency range from 20 to 40,000 Hz while avoiding distortion. With the latest built-in Bluetooth 5.3 standard, now compatible with the LC3 codec, you benefit from lower latency and lower power consumption compared to older SBC and AAC codecs.

Each earbud has a trio of microphones, and Sony has integrated a machine-learning noise reduction engine and bone conductor sensors. The result? Crystal clear voice pickup during calls. Plus, you can enjoy the convenience of Google Fast Pair for Android devices and Swift Pair for Windows 10 and 11, making the pairing process a breeze. Additionally, the earbuds work well with hands-free Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, providing seamless control over a plethora of earbud functions and the multitude of features these virtual assistants bring to the table.

SonyWF-1000XM5 review: Sound quality and ANC

We put the WF-1000XM5 through its paces with an iPhone, an Android phone, and a trusty Windows laptop. The result? Seamless multi-point pairing which really impressed us. Fresh out of the box, the XM5s deliver a balanced audio profile with a perfect bass touch, covering the entire frequency spectrum harmoniously. These headphones continue the tradition of their predecessors, favoring a warm soundstage and effortlessly handling low, mid and high frequencies. The sound quality emanating from the XM5s exudes a sense of maturity, putting them ahead of the pack compared to other popular in-ear options we’ve recently put to the test. This is a notable upgrade over the XM4s.

Mids are richly rendered, revealing nuanced details in vocals and instruments that might be elusive on their more budget-friendly in-ear counterparts. Treble response is greater than that of the XM4, introducing increased clarity in the upper range. The Sony Headphone app sweetens the deal even further, allowing you to fine-tune the EQ to suit your individual audio preferences.

Now let’s move on to noise cancellation, the signature feature of the WF-1000XM series. The XM5’s improved ANC system sets a new benchmark for in-ear headphones. Contributing to this are the foam ear tips, which significantly enhance passive sound insulation.

Whether it’s the hum of air conditioners, the noise of water coolers, or mid-frequency intrusions, the XM5s silence them masterfully once you slip them inside. What’s truly remarkable is their performance in busy environments, where they skillfully overpower a wide spectrum of ambient noise. noise. While the ANC doesn’t quite reach the levels of the WH-1000XM5, the WF-1000XM5 sets the benchmark for in-ear noise cancellation.

SonyWF-1000XM5 Review: Battery life

Sony’s claim for the XM5s is an impressive 8 hours of battery life with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) enabled. The case extends this with two full recharges, providing a total battery life of 24 hours. In our hands-on testing, we got around 7 hours of use with ANC enabled. While this performance is pretty good, it falls slightly short of category-leading models, some of which offer more than 11 hours on a single charge.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Review Verdict: Should You Buy It?

The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the best performing wireless headphones we’ve tested to date. They also offer superb noise cancellation, a comprehensive feature set and come in a lighter, more user-friendly design. With new 8.4mm drivers and finely tuned audio, these headphones have solved an earlier problem: muffled upper treble. The XM5s’ noise-cancelling prowess is in a class of its own, eclipsing rivals from Apple and Samsung. If you’re ready to invest, the WF-1000XM5s are a “yes!” » resounding. These headphones offer a winning combo, whatever your smartphone ecosystem.