Sony WF-1000XM5 are in-ear wireless TWS noise-cancelling headphones , a long-awaited update to the WF-1000XM4 .
In my review of the Sony WF-1000XM5 headphones, I will answer the questions:
Specifications Sony WF-1000XM5:
What is in the box?
Sony WF-1000XM5 Headphones – Review:
Design and comfort
The Sony WF-1000XM5 has an appearance rating of 8 out of 10. Compared to the previous version, the Sony WF-1000XM4, the headphones are now 30% more compact and fit more comfortably in the ears. The case has also been reduced in size by about 30%. Overall, the design has improved significantly.
The touch panel on the outside has a matte finish, while the side inserts have a glossy finish. Compared to the XM4s, the only improvement is the matte finish. The external microphone no longer protrudes like it did on the XM4.
The case is still matte, but the indicator has changed from a stripe to a dot. On the back of the case, there is a Type-C connector for charging and a button for pairing and factory reset.
Sony WF-1000XM5 headphones are available in 2 colors, silver and black:
The XM5 is more comfortable than the XM4, with a comfort rating of 8 out of 10. However, it is not as comfortable as the Apple Airpods Pro 2, which have a perfect rating of 10 out of 10. The set includes three pairs of additional foam ear pads, allowing you to choose the right size. While the foam ear pads are more comfortable than those in the XM4, some may find the silicone ones more comfortable. It is worth noting that the ear pads tend to collect dust and other debris, making them difficult to clean.
The Sony headphones do not feel as secure in my ears as the Airpods Pro 2, but they did not fall out. It takes extra effort to put the headphones on, as they need to be inserted correctly and turned to the correct position. In contrast, the Airpods Pro 2 are easy to take out and put in your ears.
Additionally, taking the new Sony headphones out of the case is not as convenient as the XM4. The streamlined shape and glossy sides of the headphones make it inconvenient to remove them from the case. This is not critical, but it can be a minor inconvenience.
The case is now more compact, making it more convenient to carry in your pocket. It is about the same size as Airpods Pro 2 and feels just as tiny in your pocket.
The quality of materials and durability of the headphones received a score of 7.5 out of 10. During the first day of testing, I placed the headphones in my pocket with my leather wallet, where I typically store my Airpods Pro 2. To my surprise, the following day I noticed a small scuff on the top of the case. This is the only negative aspect. It is important to note that the XM4 case was more durable in this regard.
Attrition
Otherwise, the case feels more solid and sturdy compared to the XM4 version. It seems like all the empty spaces inside the case have been eliminated.
The headphones are assembled with high quality and feel sturdy in your hands. They are a well-made product. The headphones are assembled with high quality and feel sturdy in your hands.
Controls 8 out of 10. The app provides all necessary controls, which can be customized to a limited extent. The control setup allows for swapping functions between the left and right earbuds and assigning 2 specific functions to 2 free slots, including Spotify tap and Endel Quick Access. I expected every gesture to be customizable. However, they are the same on both iOS and Android, which is disappointing. Additionally, this feature was also present in XM4.
Left earphone:
- 1 touch – Noise reduction / Transparency mode.
- 2 touches – Free slot for Spotify tap or Endel Quick Acces (I talked about this in the “application” section).
- 3 touches – Free slot for Spotify tap or Endel Quick Acces (I talked about this in the “application” section).
- 4 taps on the left earphone (decrease) and 4 taps on the right earphone (increase) – this is inconvenient. It’s easier to reach into your pocket and change the volume on your phone.
Right earphone:
- 1 touch – play/pause
- 2 touches – next track
- 3 taps – previous track
- Long touch – voice assistant
- 4 taps – increase volume
There is a button on the case:
- To pair – press for 2 seconds
- To reboot, put the headphones in the case, do not close the lid and hold down the button for 20 seconds.
- To reset to factory defaults, put the headphones in the case, do not close the lid and hold down the button for 15 seconds.
The charging, power on and pairing indicator is only on the case. Like the XM4, the XM5 does not have separate indicators on the headphones.
The instructions for the headphones included are confusing. It does not have a control circuit. Why they even made it is unclear 🤦♂️.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 has an autonomy rating of 7 out of 10. It can last up to 16 hours in the case and an additional 8 hours in the headphones, for a total of 24 hours with noise cancellation turned off. This is the same as the XM4.With noise cancellation turned on, the headphones can last for 6 hours, and the total battery life is 18 hours. The AirPods Pro 2, on the other hand, can last for a total of 30 hours, with 6 hours of battery life in the headphones and an additional 24 hours from the case.
Fast charging allows for 1 hour of work after only 3 minutes of charging.
However, wireless charging did not work on either the XM5 or XM4, while AirPods and Sennheisers worked fine.It is suspected that the Sony charger did not fit, but it is known that other XM5s charge via QI without any issues.
-
- Работает
-
- Не работает
Functions
Noise reduction Sony WF-1000XM5 10 out of 10 . Noise cancellation works excellently, as with most Sony models. Sony is the market leader here. The Sony WF-1000XM4 also had excellent noise reduction, and the Sony WF-1000XM5 had the same elegant and powerful noise reduction.
In the subway, it feels like 90% of the noise is suppressed. In comparison, Airpods Pro 2 is 80%.
There is a slight background hiss when the noise reduction is working, but it is not critical.
Also, noise reduction has a slight effect on the sound, making it more low-frequency.
In order for noise cancellation to work as effectively as possible, you need to adjust the ear pads (rubber bands, tips) under your ears for a tight fit. The proprietary Sony Headphones Connect application has a fit test, take it.
The transparency mode also works great , it’s convenient to use, it captures a lot of sound, clean and high quality, with almost no hiss.
Sony WF-1000XM5 application 10 out of 10 . Sony Headphones Connect is the most functional application I have ever seen. Apple doesn’t have it at all, everything is integrated into the iOS firmware, Sennheiser is not as functional, Noble and Bose are similar, perhaps only Xiaomi is almost as cool as Sony . I will highlight in bold the functions that are worth including in the application and those that are especially interesting.
Status tab:
The sound tab is where the most interesting thing is:
System tab:
Services tab:
In the activity tab , you can log into your account for headphone analytics, various achievements, favorite content and safe listening settings.
The application is a must-download ( Android , iOS ) – many useful functions.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have Bluetooth version 5.3. While the connection and stability are rated 7 out of 10, the operating radius is weak. Stuttering occurs when using the LDAC codec in ‘sound priority’ mode at a distance of 4-6 meters.However, the AAC codec performs better, with stable connection up to 8-10 meters.Fortunately, there are no stutters when the phone is in your pocket. LDAC stability is worse when connected from an Android player with Bluetooth 5.0 compared to an iPhone 14 Pro with Bluetooth 5.3 and AAC.
[/su_list]
Other functionality:
SOUND
The sound of the Sony WF-1000XM5 is low-frequency, not too bright, spacious and soft .
Codecs in XM5: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3. The difference in sound between LDAC and AAC is significant. I recommend using LDAC – more details, more pleasant bass, more pleasant timbres and more naturalness.
For the LDAC codec to work, it must be present on your device. To improve the sound, you need to choose ear pads (elastic bands, nose pads) to suit your ears for a tight fit. The proprietary Sony Headphones Connect application has a fit test, take it.
By frequency:
According to the scene, details and naturalness:
Game sound and latency:
Conclusion by sound . I liked the sound, it is suitable for any genre. But still there is too much bass for my taste. After 2 weeks of testing, I got used to the sound, but even when compared with the Airpods Pro 2, which I got used to over the last year, they have less bass.
Microphone
Sony WF-1000XM5 microphone 9 out of 10 . Good, the same as in the Sony WF-1000XM4, no differences in sound. Apple Airpods Pro 2 is a little better in overall quality. You can communicate on the phone without any problems, even in a noisy environment.
In quiet conditions:
In noisy conditions:
Bottom line
The Sony WF-1000XM5 outperforms TWS headphones under $250 in terms of sound and noise reduction. Although there are some minor issues with design, comfort, control, and durability, they are not critical. The headphones offer great bass and detail with LDAC support, market-leading noise reduction and transparency, a feature-rich app, and a more compact design than the XM4. Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is worth the price.
Answers to initial questions:
Comparison of Sony WF-1000XM5 – with competitors
Comparing the Sony WF-1000XM5 with the top sounding headphones Noble Audio FoKus Mystique , what I lack is detail and frequency balance, in contrast. Noble Audio FoKus Mystique is still a hybrid and 3-driver model, it costs $110 more ($360) and is a level better than Sony in sound, it has a more pleasant balance and significantly more details.
Comparing with Apple Airpods Pro 2, Sony WF-1000XM4 and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3. Sony WF-1000XM5 is somewhere between Airpods Pro 2 and Noble Audio FoKus Mystique, in the middle. Compared to the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is head and shoulders above. Alas, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 lost even to the Apple Airpods Pro 2 in terms of sound; the Sennheisers play at the level of the first Airpods Pro . Comparison with Sony WF-1000XM4 is just below.
If sound is important to you above all and noise reduction is not important, then take the Noble Audio FoKus Mystique; if noise reduction, functionality, and compactness are important, then the Sony WF-1000XM5 is the golden mean of functions and sound.
The best TWS in sound and appearance TOP 5:
- Noble Audio FoKus Mystique – 10 out of 10
- Sony WF-1000XM5 – 9 out of 10
- Sony WF-1000XM4 – 8.5 out of 10
- Apple Airpods Pro 2 – 8 out of 10
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 – 7.5 out of 10
Comparison Sony WF-1000XM5 VS Sony WF-1000XM4
What’s changed in XM5:
- Sound . In XM5 it got better. The stage is wider. Better frequency balance. Great naturalness. The driver has become larger, it was 6.4 mm, now it is 8.4 mm.
- Design . The headphones have become more compact and fit better in the ears. But the glossy inserts are ugly. The headphones have become lighter, from 7.3 g to 5.9 g.
- Convenience . They fit more comfortably in the ears, the case is smaller, and it’s more convenient to carry in your pocket. But now it’s inconvenient to take it out of the case.
- Durability . They have become less durable in terms of abrasions on the case.
- Management . It has become more comfortable in the XM5, more sensitive and responsive.
- Bluetooth 5.3 , was Bluetooth 5.2.
- Branded processor version 2, was version 1.
- Head position tracking has appeared .
- Spotify Tap has arrived .
What hasn’t changed:
- The microphone is of the same quality. Although the XM5 has 3 microphones, and there were 2 in the XM4.
- Noise reduction is the same.
- Autonomy is the same. 8 hours headphones and 24 hours in total, without noise reduction. And 6h / 18h respectively.
Popular questions about Sony WF-1000XM5 headphones:
- How to connect Sony WF-1000XM5? Instructions . To connect the Sony WF-1000XM5, you need to hold down the button on the case for 4 seconds, with the lid open and the headphones inside, until the indicator flashes blue. Then find the headphones on your phone in the available Bluetooth devices, then connect.
- What is the price of the Sony WF-1000XM5 ? Price on the official website is $249.99 . The price in our stores is approximately $249.99.
- What is the release date for the Sony WF-1000XM5 ? Sony WF-1000XM5 release date is 07/26/2023.
- Is it worth warming up the Sony WF-1000XM5 ? Yes, they should be heated for 35 hours .
- All other things being equal, is it worth buying the Sony WF-1000XM5 or the Sony WF-1000XM4 ? It's worth buying the Sony WF-1000XM5 - they are better in almost all respects.
- What to take Airpods Pro 2 vs Sony WF-1000XM5? Sony is better in sound, noise reduction and some functions. Airpods Pro 2 - better in design, comfort and overall battery life (30h vs. 24h).
- What are the reviews for the Sony WF-1000XM5 ? On Western resources there are mostly positive reviews of this model; Sony WF-1000XM5 is the best TWS model of 2023.
- Leave your question or comment - I answer everyone 😉 .
Vladimir Papazov - Chief Editor. I answer questions, publish news, reviews, ratings and FAQs.