Review: Sony WH-1000XM5

Khushi Bali
Khushi Bali October 22, 2022
Updated 2022/10/22 at 4:01 PM

With the release of the Sony WH-1000XM5, the race for the best ANC headphones has reached new heights. Sennheiser recently launched its flagship Momentum 4 headphone, escalating the competition. So, what does the Sony WH-1000XM5 have to offer that sets it apart?

Within the box

The box contains a larger case than the previously released XM4. The case includes a stylish headset, a charging cable, and a 3.5mm audio cable.

Design

Unlike other companies, Sony’s new WH-1000XM5 departs from the looks and design of its predecessors. The new Sony WH-1000XM5 has a refined and clean design that we liked because it appears very neat and has an aesthetic appeal, and we wore it while testing it.

The earcups of the new Sony WH-1000XM5 do not fold inside, unlike its predecessor, the XM4. On the earcups and the hairband, the company used synthetic leather cushions. The earcups are cleverly designed to fit any size of ear comfortably. The weight of the headphones is comparable to that of the Sennheiser Momentum 4, which we reviewed a few days ago.

The new SONY headset has only two buttons: a power button and a toggle button for ambient mode and noise cancellation, both of which are located on the left earcup. The right earcup houses all of the touch control features, such as swiping up to increase volume and swiping down to decrease it.

The voice assistant is activated by holding in the centre of the right earcup. You can also change the track by swiping forward and backward, or by double tapping in the centre. Covering up the right earcup also activates ambient awareness modes, which allow sound from outside in. A Type-C charging port is located at the bottom of the right earcup.

Sound quality

The new Sony WH-1000XM5 has a new integrated processor V1 and a 30mm driver, whereas the XM4 had a 40mm driver, which initially made us concerned about the sound quality that the new Sony XM5 would deliver, but we can assure you that the sound quality has not suffered and is actually improved. Sony has used both the LDAC codec and DSEE Extreme support in such a way that the sound produced on the new XM5 is of the highest quality.

Calls

When compared to its predecessor, the new Sony WH-1000XM5 has improved call features. The call quality is excellent, and the new XM5 could be considered one of the best headsets in terms of quality.

Sony’s Precise Voice Pickup technology, which uses four beamforming mics on the headset and AI-powered noise reduction, improves the call experience.

Battery

The new Sony WH-1000XM5 has a battery life of 30 hours, whereas the latest Sennheiser Momentum 4 has a battery life of 60 hours. During our time with the new Sony WH-1000XM5, we were able to use the headset for 30 hours on a single charge, with the headphone sometimes lasting up to 31-32 hours.

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