Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones – 30
Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones – 30 hours battery life – Over-ear style – Optimised for Alexa and the Google Assistant – with built-in mic for phone calls – Silve
WH-1000XM5 headphones
Industry-leading noise cancellation* and high-res sound
Looking for headphones that do not compromise? The WH-1000XM5 headphones rewrite the rules for distraction-free listening. Made up of two processors, eight microphones and a specially designed driver unit, it’s no wonder the 1000X series won the What Hi-Fi Awards two years in a row.
Distraction-free listening
The WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones keep out all sounds, from airplane noise to peoples’ voices.
Superior sound, engineered to perfection
Our unique technologies and materials ensure clear, consistent, natural sound.
Industry-leading call quality*
With 4 microphones and AI-based noise reduction algorithms, you’ll always hear and be heard clearly.
All-day comfort with a noiseless design
These lightweight headphones fit snugly with less pressure while keeping out external sounds.
Adjusts to your lifestyle
When activated, it learns to recognise locations and tailors sound to suit the situation.
For everyday convenience, just Speak-to-Chat
Start a conversation. Speak-to-Chat automatically stops your music and lets in ambient sound.
Connect easily to multiple devices
Pair with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. Switch with the touch of a button.
Better for the environment
Our commitment: headphones made from plastic-free packaging, recycled or sustainable materials.
Control with your voice or your fingertips
Easy pairing to your computer
Swift Pair makes it quick and easy to pair your headphones with your Windows 10 or 11 PC or tablet. Just follow the instructions that pop-up.
How they compare with other Sony noise-cancelling headphones
 WH-1000XM5 |  WH-1000XM4 |  WH-XB910N |  WH-CH710N | |
| Noise cancelling | Industry-leading NC | Digital Noise Cancellation | Digital Noise Cancellation | Digital Noise Cancellation |
| Battery life (NC ON) | 30 hours | 30 hours | 30 hours | 35 hours |
| Quick charging | 3 mins = 3 hours (with USB PD) | 10 minutes = 5 hours | 10 minutes = 4.5 hours | 10 minutes = 1 hour |
| Hi-Res Audio | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Touch control | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Speak-to-Chat | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Wearing detection | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Built-in voice assistant | Yes (Wake words available) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hands-free calling | Yes (4 beamforming mics) | Yes (2 beamforming mics) | Yes | Yes |
| Carrying case | Yes (Collapsible) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dimensions: | 27.62 x 21.67 x 7.59 cm; 250 Grams |
| Model: | WH1000XM5S.CE7 |
| Batteries Included: | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Manufacture: | Sony |
| Dimensions: | 27.62 x 21.67 x 7.59 cm; 250 Grams |
Everything about these headphones is perfection. I wear these when I travel, the noise cancellation allows me to fall asleep anywhere and play audio for 30 hours. If you are contemplating buying these, DO
I didn’t think I could find more comfortable headphones to wear for hours than the WH-1000XM3 until I tried these on, they’re by far the most comforting headphones I’ve ever experienced! Even after hours of wearing these I feel no discomfort and could keep wearing them.
Having read all the reviews I was sceptical of how these would perform. No need to worry these are the best on the market. Fantastic noise cancelling and sound quality is great.
It’s amazing and awesome getting valued for your money , it’s actually turned out to what expected for headphones and it was a nice experience for getting Sony product for the first time
The materials used in this product are of poor quality, and the design is unattractive. I ended up buying a new set of the previous version instead, and I’m much happier with it.
These come in a cardboard box that is tatty and uninspiring to say the least. Noise cancellation is good and they sound great once you personalise your sound through the app.
These are so good, the sound quality just seems to get better each time I use them. I took them on a 9 hour flight and the noise cancelling function was fantastic. Then there is the app which has many functions and settings. The touch pad on the right ear cup works very well. Battery life is 30 hours and full charge takes roughly an hour. All in all an awesome set of wireless headphones.
These headphones are fantastic. They are very easy to connect with any Bluetooth device, comfy to wear for several hours, audio quality is 5 star and the noise cancellation is amazing. I use these often when travelling on buses and I can barely hear the sound of the bus and other passengers, which is great.
I highly recommend these headphones.
Bought these as a gift and they were so happy with these. The set up was really easy and connecting was faultless. Sound quality is brilliant and I haven’t used any other headphones that are quite as good. The carry case is a bit big but for such good headphones it’s worth it. I got them on sale so was great value for money but I reckon I would be very happy even if I paid full price for it. For me the headphones become uncomfortable after a couple of hours use however everyone else that has used them haven’t had this issue so maybe it’s just my head!
Overall I would recommend this to anyone who wants an easy to use, stylish headphones with great sound quality!
Although not the advertised purpose, I use these for work conference. Normally hate having stereo and only wanted mono, but there is a shortage of such in the market for over ear. These turn out great though, with very natural ambient audio making it a lot more pleasant than expected
I first bought these headphones a couple years ago and I love them, the sound quality is amazing and the noise cancelling works wonders. I also love the ambient mode feature as it allows me to talk to people without having to remove the headphones.
Unfortunately after about a year and a half of owning them they stopped working, I was rather disappointed as these were expensive headphones. I contacted Amazon and they were very helpful and offered a full refund. I’ve since purchased another pair because I loved them so much and they’re working great so far.
A bit disappointed that the first pair broke but the customer service at Amazon were amazing and everything was sorted in the end.
I was on the fence with this deciding whether I wanted these or whether I wanted to get Airpods Max. I decided with these as I use a PC for work and I thought I could use these for work too.
The noise cancelling on these are like nothing I’ve ever experienced. They quite literally remove you from the outside world. I have silence when I’m on the train and silence when I’m in the office. Sometimes I don’t even use these for listening to anything and I just enjoy the silence.
As for the sound quality again these are incredible. Everything I listen to is so clear and even when loud does not distort in the slightest.
Obviously these are expensive and I’m not an audiophile who can speak to the details but as a general user using these for general content consumption and work these are fantastic.
I was on the edge of buying these for a good few months as you can imagine 300 is a large asking price for the average consumer however I took a leap of faith and made the purchase.
Course the main feature everyone is interested in is the noise cancelling feature and yes I can gladly say this is the best feature on this device. Audio is clear, crisp with fantastic lows that I don’t find are to punchy that is causes problems.
I am an audio book and podcast listener and this is what I mainly use the headphones for. So when I do work around the house or go for walks I will put these bad boys on and away I go with no issue connecting to my android device.
I live in a busy area where there are many vehicles passing by and this can be very loud, until ofcourse I press that noise cancelling button and mostly all of this goes away. They are fantastic and even though they don’t cut all the noise they come close to a point where the audio is so predominantly clear you don’t notice the background sounds.
Build quality is very strong here with all the materials though feeling lightweight you can tell are premium. Who wants heavy headphones? You can wear these for hours as I have and are very comfortable all around. The only draw back I will say is the fingerprint magnet plastic and earcups which do get covered and I wipe mine down with a cloth after every use.
To add the carrying case is also inconvenient as the headphones don’t fold, however these are minor drawbacks from an otherwise very premium device that you should not skip on if you are looking for headphones.
After my accidentally putting my AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) through the washer and dryer I was desperate for a new pair of headphones that would block out the noise of the London Underground.
A friend recommended I get these and I CANNOT STRESS how amazing they are. The sound quality and noise cancellation is incredible – I can’t hear anything outside of my music or podcasts, but can easily switch to transparency mode by cupping my hand over one of the ears.
Not to mention, the microphone picks up your voice perfectly when on the phone or sending voice memos. You can’t even notice you aren’t speaking directly into your phone (an issue I always had when FaceTiming or voice noting with Apple’s AirPods, they make a weird sound that muffles your voice).
The Sonys are over ear design, which obviously makes them less compact, but I wear them all day in the office and around the house with no problem as they are so comfortable and lightweight.
The battery also lasts for ages. I can use them for 8 hours straight, 2-3 days in a row without needing to charge.
If you’re thinking of getting a pair. let this be your sign! You won’t regret it.
These are fantastic headphones in terms of basic performance. The additional features are of highly questionable utility and tend to be more annoying than anything. I found the headphones worked better when every optional feauture was disabled. The touch-pad controls worked well at first but became problematic when they would trigger for no reason repeatedly (for which I had them repaired). Then I got them back and they were fine for a while then that started happening again so I disabled the touch-pad controls. Recently they’ve become completely faulty; when they turn on they emit a high pitched tone and a crackling of electricity for a while then turn off. I wore them a lot, but the units show very little sign of physical issues, but the electronics are fried.
So yeah, great headphones when they work, bit expensive, and they are prone to issues.
I went for these phones as I have the earlier version earbuds that I use when roaming which are excellent; my Bowers & Wilkins were dropping Bluetooth around the house and I wanted something reliable- having already used Sony’s Connect App for the ear buds and was happy with stability and connectivity features of this software, a Big Friendly discount on BFday persuaded me to get the newest headphones from the range.
I was firstly pleasantly surprised with how light the phones are and how secure they feel on you – this makes for comfortable listening and I have had them on for a whole evening with no problems at all.
Sound wise they are bedding in nicely after about fifty hours play – I am impressed with the detail and the sound staging most of all – listening to the Dolby Atmos version of U2’s Achtung Baby there is great balance and separation of frequencies so you hear everything as intended in a very civilised sound space – nothing is overbearing and the Tom work on tracks such as Mysterious Ways is great fun- perhaps in my Bowers the bass is a little tighter however the detail and staging more than makes up for this.
I have now tried the phones with many devices – phones, PCs, laptops and audio players and the connectivity is superb with a decent range. The fact you can also go wired through a headphones amplifier is great too so the versatility is there.
In summary they are comfortable and enjoyable as a set of headphones- tighter bass would have given them a full five stars; definitely value with a good discount too
The noise-cancelling feature is so next-level that it doesn’t just block out the background sounds of traffic or chatty co-workers — it even tackles the most challenging audio disturbance known to mankind: the moans and groans of my wife when she’s upset about my questionable taste in movies.
As soon as I put these magical earmuffs on, it’s like entering a serene oasis of sonic tranquillity. No more hearing complaints about leaving the toilet seat up or choosing action films over romantic comedies. The WH-1000XM5 doesn’t just cancel out noise; it cancels out marital discord like it’s on a mission to save my sanity.
I’ve officially dubbed these headphones the “Marital Bliss Edition.” Need to drown out your partner’s nagging? Just slip on these stylish ear-cocoons, and suddenly, the world becomes a quieter, more peaceful place.
The touch controls on the ear cups are so intuitive that I accidentally discovered the “Selective Hearing” mode, where it filters out only the complaints and leaves the compliments intact. Now, I can enjoy both my favourite tunes and some well-deserved praise for being a headphone connoisseur.
Battery life is impressive too — it outlasts even the most extended rant sessions. I’ve had these headphones on for hours, and they’re still going strong, just like my newfound ability to tune out the unnecessary drama.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for headphones that not only deliver exceptional audio quality but also have the uncanny ability to silence the background noise of domestic disputes, the WH-1000XM5 Marital Bliss Edition is the way to go. It’s time to enjoy your music in peace and create a harmonious sanctuary where the only moaning you hear is from that soulful saxophone solo in your favourite jazz track. Cheers to happy listening and a quieter home life!
Headphones have very balanced sound. Fit is good. And noise camcellation in my opinion the best out there. What really impresses me is the microphone quality in a conference call sitting in a crowded office. Background noise is filtered out very well.
Tried all the other premium wireless headphones and in my opinion the best.
I have a large head and for once these did not pinch me. Can wear for hours. So comfort the best.
I am no expert but could tell no major difference really between these and the Bose. But slightly better. So the best.
And they simply look the best.
Amazing sound, and the bass honestly blew me away! Noise cancellation is good for over ear headphones and I appreciate the touch pad on the side of the headphones meaning I don’t often have to get my phone out of my pocket when listening.
Some of the touch gestures were confusing to get my head around fully but I admit that was a learning curve. I like the minimalistic design and even when around neck are somewhat of a statement piece.
Let several friends use my pair and a few of them even went on to get their own sets, that’s for sure a good sign.
Only drawback is that I wish features like switching between Ambient sound and Noise cancellation were able to be switched through the Apple control centre like with the AirPod Pros instead of having to go through the Sony Headphone app, but other than that I’ve really enjoyed these headphones so far !
Product is incredibly easy to connect with and use. Headphones are relatively light in comparison to similar products, which of course enhances user comfort and facilitates wearing for a longer time without experiencing any sort of discomfort. In summation, for the listed price and in terms of ease of activation, the product shapes up well when in comparison to other similar products on the market.
Don’t get me wrong – the noise cancellation is top notch as is the sound quality but I’ve found them to be very problematic. I had an old pair of Sonys which I loved but they were past it, so I went for a upgrade but now wish that I’d opted for Bose instead. They keep having an issue where the right side audio goes poor & rattles if knocked. They also keep crashing (audio judders & they then suddenly turn off). They’ve been back to Sony once but they’re still not right. I’ll perceive with them for now but I can’t see myself buying another pair of Sony headphones after this experience.
The only reason I am giving this 4 star and not 5 is because it does not include a mute button which is common place in most other headphones for a reason. So if you’re in a call and you want to mut your self for a moment, you have to go into the app you’re using to call and mute via that. Big inconvenience when you could have easily added a tap feature.
Overall the headset is the best in terms of comfort, sound quality, noise cancelling and style. So it’s a shame about the mute but I would recommend for anyone who’s going to be using it purely for music/entertainment.
Wearing my XM5 Noise Cancelling Headphones, I strolled through a bustling bus station, completely oblivious to the chaos around me. It wasn’t until security guards sprinted past me that I realized something was up. Turns out, the noise cancellation works a little too well! These headphones are amazing, but be prepared for unexpected surprises.
I bought this headphones on the 13/01/23 I have had for six months. I used it on ultra long haul trip involving 3 flights. Noise canceling helped in flights and also for my daily commute to work on the tube and buses in London it cuts background noise considerably.
It’s better than my previous. Model which WH-1000XM3 the redesigned band is better even do it doesn’t fold. The voice in call chats is clear better and clear. Not like my previous pair they could not hear me.
I strongly recommend this headphones
This was a huge investment against my downstairs neighbour, who never stops with TV, awful music and fighting, etc… Now i am improving from PTSD, thanks to these! I’m starting to walk again, can get out of bed a little more and generally am npt so stressed out. Thank you!
Pros:
– Superb noise cancellation, the transparency mode is good enough but does not compare to Apple’s in their AirPods Max or Pros – I have the pros and have tried the max, and their transparency mode is much more lifelike with attention to the direction the sound comes from. However, for the purpose for hearing your environment around you, these are fine.
– Very good sound quality – I am not an audiophile but I listen to a lot of music (20+ hrs a week) and have tried many different headphones. Out of the box you may not like the sound profile as it is quite bassy but I thought it was perfect as I like my music on a ‘hip-hop’ EQ which is bass-heavy. I went into the app to put it on the ‘vibrant’ mode and haven’t taken it off as it sounds like a concert/club which is perfect for me.
– Battery life – there are no concerns here, I get 20 hours of use on a single charge. I use these for gym and travelling and rarely have to think about charging them.
– Functionality – the touch controls on the right side are very very good, although you have to be a bit specific with your hand moves so you don’t skip a song when trying to change the volume. After some practise this is not an issue. I use the palm-over-side feature to transition from noise-cancelling to transparency mode all the time, and I don’t get weird looks from people when I do it, despite what you might think. Also, it has many of the iPhone-friendly features you would expect like battery view in widgets, auto connect, simultaneous two-device connection and so on.
Cons:
– Comfort – these are comfortable headphones in general, but the top band is quite thin and hurts of top of the head after about 2 hours, where I feel I need a rest from it.
– Minor issues – the feature where it pauses music when you take it off works most of the time, it may just be my pair, but quite often I’ll take it off then put it back on and the music won’t replay, even after double tapping the side. In this scenario I have to turn them off, then on again, then double tap to play (connects automatically). I can do all this without pulling my phone out so it hasn’t been a dealbreaker.
– Portability – unlike the previous versions, the earcups do not fold inwards towards the headband, and thus the carrying case is quite big (although it is also quite nice).
I would recommend watching the review from Marques Brownlee on Youtube before buying these as he explores these functions very well.
Overall, these have been great, and they look very stylish and sleek. They feel delicate because they are light but they are well-built and will last if you look after them and are gentle, always carrying them in the case when not using. If you are torn between these and other options like the AirPods Max, I think these come out on top for the price and sound quality. It is unlikely you will want to send these back.
I use these headphones to listen music and speech based materials while doing jobs around the house, particularly ones that involve noisy equipment such as a steam cleaner and extraction fans while cooking. The noise cancellation is so good that I can do all this with the volume set much lower than ordinary headphones.
I have been using the Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones for a few weeks now and I am very impressed with them. They are the best headphones I have ever owned, and here are some of the reasons why:
The noise cancelling is outstanding. It blocks out almost all the ambient noise around me, whether I am on a plane, a train, or in a busy office. It also adapts to my wearing conditions and environment, thanks to the Auto NC Optimizer feature1. I can also adjust the level of noise cancelling or ambient sound using the Sony Headphones Connect app2.
The sound quality is superb. The headphones deliver a clear, balanced, and detailed sound, with a punchy and precise bass. The specially designed 30mm driver unit with a carbon fiber composite material improves high frequency sensitivity for more natural sound quality1. The headphones also support Hi-Res Audio and LDAC for wireless high-resolution listening2.
The design is sleek and comfortable. The headphones have a cleaner and more minimal look than the previous generation, with a touch-sensitive panel on the right earcup for media control3. They are also lightweight and have soft earpads and a padded headband for long-lasting comfort. They come in two colours: black and silver1.
The features are smart and intuitive. The headphones are optimised for Alexa and the Google Assistant, so I can use voice commands to control my music, get information, or make phone calls2. The built-in mic is also clear and noise-free, thanks to the multiple microphone noise cancelling technology
Removing from the package and lifting gave a good feel in terms of weight. Sound, connectivity, design and weight lead to an enjoyable listening experience for me. I also like the fact that the aux cable(supplied) allows me to continue listening on my ipod without Bluetooth (poor sound) but a great feature when no battery.
Honestly, I’m in love.
– Noise cancellation is AMAZING. And being able to switch on sound transparency is great for those times when you’re walking in public.
– I’m barely ever charging them. The batter is amazing.
– I tend to wear foundation, so for that I’d recommend the darker colour. However, they’re easy to clean!
– Overall sound quality is GREAT. But what else would you expect from Sony? I use their portable speaker and now the headphones too.
– The app that comes with the headphones is great to use on an iPhone. I’ve also connected the headphones with my mac and iPad, so I’m able to transition to the device I’m using really easy.
Review:
Upon unboxing, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones immediately signaled a premium product. The headphones were well-packaged and secure, ensuring that they arrived in perfect condition. These headphones are evidently designed for those who prioritize quality sound and noise cancellation, such as commuters, office workers, city-dwellers, and students. They are also ideal for those who frequently find themselves on numerous calls throughout the day.
The headphones feature new drivers, an array of features, and a fresh design, solidifying their position among the leading active noise cancelling (ANC) devices available. The ANC performance is excellent, and the microphone quality is outstanding, enhancing the clarity of communication.
Using the WH-1000XM5 was a very comfortable experience. The headphones are covered with a soft coating and vegan leatherette, which provided ample friction but remained gentle on the head. The padding on the ear cups was sufficient even for larger ears, offering a snug fit without causing discomfort. Despite their solid build, these headphones are relatively light, reducing pressure on the head during prolonged use.
The headphones are intuitive to use, with controls easily accessible on the ear cups. This includes volume adjustments, track control, voice assistant access, and ANC mode toggling.
However, the Sony WH-1000XM5 does come with some drawbacks. They may not be suitable for gym use or for those residing in rainy climates due to the absence of an IP rating. Moreover, these headphones cannot be used for wired digital music playback through the USB-C port, which might be a downside for some users.
Despite these minor issues, the Sony WH-1000XM5 remains a strong competitor in the market of noise-cancelling headphones. I foresee myself using these headphones for a considerable duration, given their impressive sound quality and comfort. They are a valuable addition to my daily routine, providing excellent noise cancellation for work and leisure alike. I highly recommend the Sony WH-1000XM5 for those seeking a high-quality auditory experience.
I bought these as I travel a lot and like to have noise cancelling on flights.
I read reviews that criticised some aspects of this product (the case and the fact it doesn’t fold down) but none of this is an issue for me.
The sound quality is excellent.
The noise cancelling is highly effective.
I like the app and find myself using it frequently.
These headphones work well on long haul flights with a Bluetooth transmitter plugged into the in flight entertainment system.
Most importantly they feel well made and long lasting. So I shall get a lot of regular use out of these over a number of years.
High price but long lasting and lots of use = value for money.
Very pleased with my purchase.
Great headphones, initially bought for flying as the noise cancelation is really good (better than my – cheaper – previous JVC ones) but the sound quality is so good I am starting to use them at home as well. Need the sony app to connect to the iphone and get the different settings, but I also connected it to my TV so I can watch at night while my other half sleep. Very comfy on my ears and head, and even when switched off the outside sound filtering works very well. Finally battery life seems to go on forever which is a bonus and building quality feels strong.
In a nutshell I am very impressed with them after a few months usage. Not cheap but well worth it IMO.
Admittedly, sound and comfort on those Sony headphones are both better. Sound quality is great, definitely.
However, the noise cancellation, while good, is not the best. It only has 3 settings (nothing, medium, high, essentially), and the highest one while effective still leaves you to hear a fair bit of noise unless you also have music on to drown it out.
Also, I find the touch controls a little capricious and not as responsive as could be, Sometimes raising the volume, skipping to the next song of pausing takes more than one swift touch. Not a huge problem, but mildly annoying when you’re trying to be quick.
I preferred my Bose for style + noise cancellation, but Sony is definitely better for sound + comfort + battery life.
I recently bought these headphones because I have airpods but decided I also wanted a pair of over-ear headphones. These were definitely very good headphones, although the material made them feel a bit cheap, one thing is that the adaptive sound control was a bit annoying when I stood still for a while and the noise cancellation turned off. Another thing is that I didn’t manage to get Alexa to work with the headphones although Siri worked just fine. Lastly, The ambient noise mode is very similar to the transparency mode Apple has, however transparency mode definitely sounds more natural I suppose is the right way to describe it. I used them on my way home, with ANC to block out all the noise so i could enjoy my music and I have to say I was very impressed with the level of noise actually being blocked out! With music on at a normal level, you can’t hear anything! I also used these on my computer, I only had to charge them every 3 days. I did end up returning them because I also recently tried the AirPods Max which were also very good and decided to wait until the next generation of them comes out.
They are definitely worth the price in my opinion, especially when you tweak the EQ in the sony headphones app!
I had the WH-1000XM1 s for over 5 years and they are still pretty good after all that daily use, but a bit tired, so I thought that it was time for an upgrade. Almost started a return, as the noise cancelling keeps turning itself off randomly. This was traced to the “Adaptive Sound Control” – Sony have been far too clever here, that feature is an annoying fail. Once turned off through the app, quality is good including the noise cancelling. Obvs NC isn’t 100%, which is impossible, but this is a good as can be had.
I’m sure you’ve really all the reviews about these, they are all true. They are really that good. Don’t hesitate to pick them up if you want noise cancelling headphones. They don’t get better then this right now. Very comfortable to wear, very good looking and have excellent sound. The battery life is great as well. My only complaint is that I liked the slightly more bulky appearance of the previous model but the sound quality is noticibly better on these so I would still go with these. The app that comes with it is alright as well, nothing too amazing for the app but you don’t really end up using it once you have them the way you like them. The carry case is a bit of strange shape but it protects the headphones well. I do wish you could fold them to lay flat on around your kneck like the older version but it’s not a deal breaker at all
The call quality is much cleaner on the XM5 too.
For me there are no better ANC headphones on the market. I tried the Bang & Olufsen at their premium price mark but I found them uncomfortable as the clamping force was too strong.
I might like the appearance of the XM4 better then the xm5 but there is no denying that the xm5 are better in every way except that they do not collapse the way its predecessor did and therefore the carry case is bigger.
All that being said, I love my various high end Sennheiser open headphones for listening music at home but they need amplifier so they are not suited for mobile use.
I mentioned this because I am used to Sennheiser sound and I think the Momentum 4 wireless are just a little better sonically but not enough to overlook the superior ANC quality, Ambient sound and comfort of the Sony’s XM5.
I watch many YouTube videos comparing the two and I am amazed how some say that the ANC on Momentum 4 is just a little behind the Sony’s XM5. Well it’s a night and day difference the XM5 have superior ANC.
I hope this helps someone to make the choice.
BUT if you want to get stunning sound and be able to pin point different locations of different instruments around your head then buy the Bowers & Wilkins PX 7 S2. They will be 80 more, but if you love really detailed sound quality you will not regret it.
The XM5’s are 20% lighter but the V & W areno less comfortable — having tested these back to back and the Bose QC 45 as well, buy the Bose if ANC is key. The Bowers hit back will build and look of pure quality.
As ever — pays your money and takes your choice
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are an exceptional choice for anyone in search of a high-quality wireless headphone experience. These headphones offer a wide range of features, advanced noise cancellation, and an impressive sound quality that make them a top contender in the market.
One of the standout features is the active noise cancellation (ANC) technology. This technology is highly advanced and is designed to cancel out ambient noise, making it easy to focus on your music or conversation. Additionally, the headphones come with a range of settings that allow you to customize the level of noise cancellation according to your needs.
The sound quality is also impressive. The headphones produce a rich, clear, and detailed sound that is sure to delight even the most discerning of music lovers. The headphones also have a built-in equalizer that allows you to adjust the sound profile to your liking.
In terms of usability, they are highly intuitive and easy to use. The headphones come with touch controls that allow you to adjust the volume, change tracks, and take calls without having to take your phone out of your pocket. Additionally, the headphones have a comfortable and ergonomic design that makes them suitable for long periods of use.
Overall, they’re an exceptional pair of headphones that offers advanced noise cancellation, impressive sound quality, and a range of features that make them ideal for music lovers and frequent travelers alike. If you are in search of a high-quality wireless headphone experience, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is definitely worth considering.
I also tried the B&W equivalent but didn’t find those as comfortable.
The fifth generation continues this trend, offering great noise reduction and high sound quality enclosed in a comfortable design.
The design is the first of the noticeable changes, which also changed the case. The rest of the fixes make the latest model perform better than its predecessor. Cost? Higher compared to the XM4, so keep that in mind.
The WH-1000XM5s are different from the previous model in the series and may look down-to-earth at first. Over time, I began to appreciate their minimalist design.
They may not stand out from the crowd, but in my opinion they look very good. Adjusting the size is trivial and everything happens quickly. The whole is perfectly combined with each other and looks like a one-piece construction.
Controlling the headphones is limited to a minimum, on the left side there is a power/pairing button, ANC/contact mode button and a standard headphone jack. The outer surface of the right earcup allows you to use gestures. Their operation is a mish-mash, once they come in from the arrow, and sometimes you have to repeat them, especially double-click to start or pause playback.
The minimalist design is designed to improve the ANC, hence the dramatic change in appearance. The ear cups don’t look impressive, but when you put the headphones on, they fit great and have good passive noise reduction.
Sony headphones are not the lightest (they weigh 250g), but they are so comfortable that you can listen to music for hours.
The biggest problem caused by the new appearance is the thought in the back of my mind that the adjustment system will break. It often crossed my mind, even when removing the headphones from the case.
Sony packed all the features known from the previous generation, so when you change to a newer model you will feel at home.
Speak to Chat pauses when it detects user speech. Thanks to this, you can carry on a conversation, and then return to listening to your favorite piece.
There was also a sensor responsible for detecting the headphones, it was placed inside the left earcup. It works very well and pauses the music as soon as you remove the headphones, and resumes it shortly after putting them on.
Spotify Tap can be useful if you use this app to listen to music. When you double or triple tap on the right earcup, the app will launch and start playing.
Sony’s active noise cancellation is one of the best. This time there was a slight change, because ANC works automatically based on the location of the headphone user. Most outside sounds are muffled, but you can still hear cars driving past the pavement, people, unless you’re listening to music at the moment.
Contact mode is also top shelf, has a 20-point scale and can be changed manually. The maximum level makes you hear everything as if you didn’t have headphones. The sound coming from the outside is natural and does not undergo digital corrections.
Fans from all over the world turn their noses up at the implementation of active noise cancellation, because it is automatic and you cannot set it yourself. It works based on the user’s location and activity. You can even add additional places where noise reduction will be activated.
The WH-1000XM5 never once had a problem recognizing my location and activity. If I went for a walk, it was visible in the dedicated application.
ANC is the highest shelf, so in the case of listening it should be similar, and it is. All thanks to the new 30 mm drivers capable of creating a wider soundstage and extracting more details from each piece.
The music genre doesn’t matter much, because pieces with strong bass “play” great. The low tones are emphasized and each of the instruments used is easy to recognize.
The vocals have also improved, they are cleaner and you can hear them well, even when the background music is louder than them.
The default EQ settings are enough for most, but you can change them at any time after installing the dedicated application.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they’re great headphones. Improved a lot compared to the previous version, these fit great, they fit well in the ears, the ANC and sound quality have also been improved.
The changes are not dramatic, but you can see that the bar is set high.
I really like the new design and I don’t feel like it lags behind because it doesn’t fold like the XM4. I didn’t have the previous model and I don’t see a problem with it, although there will be complainers. The price is not the lowest, but you have to pay the same or more for competing models.
For a non-tech person I don’t think the sound different would be noticeable- but ultimately the fault which feveloped on the mx3 and 4 on the cracking of the plastic casing on the arm of the ‘phones is what I wanted to avoid, opting for the 5’s on the basis of the design change alone.
The design is much lighter- but the headphones are not as comfortable to wear off ear/around your neck due to the weird way the cups fold.
They’re comfortable, no issue there but very lightweight- I did prefer the feel of the weight of the previous ones.
The auto ambient sound setting was switched straight off- a shame as I wanted this to work. The idea in concept was better than the reality- the music kept stopping when I sing along! Not ideal.
Case is bulky- more so than the previous one but does the job I guess.
Sound quality is good, noise cancelling spot on- this is the main reason I use this headphones, as I find environmental sound in certain environments to be really stressful.
Really happy with the purchase!
The battery life is pretty amazing, I’ve only had to charge them a couple of times in the weeks since I’ve had them and the charge lasts a good amount of time. The noise cancelling is equaly excellent – it really does isolate you from the world around you – perfect for commuting etc. or just any noisy environment (the office!).
The case is also pretty good. While I suspect there are headphones that fold up smaller, this one does a decent job by having the cups twist inward so that the case can be quite thin.
The only potential issue is that the headband doesn’t have quite enough padding. If you have it on ‘right’ it works well, but sometimes you can feel the weight of the headphones pressing on the top of your head after half an hour. I’ve asked a friend who also has these and she has the same problem, so it’s not that I have a weird head shape.
Anyway, I would highly recommend with that one caveat.
This review is mostly comparing them.
The first thing that was immediately apparent with the XM5:
– they are not as comfortable, at least not for me. They’re a bit stiffer and just don’t fit quite as well. Safe to say I’m past the break-in period and I much prefer the fit of the XM3
– I tend to wear a flatcap and noticed that there’s a tiny bit of sound leakage, it lifts right cup just enough to be noticeable
– for some strange reason when you put them down around your neck, the cups no longer rotate and face your torso, they face outwards which is uncomfortable. I find myself taking them out and flipping them. Sounds like a minor usability thing but I find it really annoying
Sound quality is always subjective but I definitely find them more detailed, but with a similar character. I was very happy with the XM3 and I still am very happy with these.
Noice cancellation to be honest, was great before and it’s still great. I’m sure the tech has improved but I can’t really notice that much of a difference between them, given my normal day to day setup.
– the touch controls are definitely better. The feel much more responsive and quicker. I never particularly liked them on the XM3 and I find them usable now (still prefer buttons though)
So, all in all, I didn’t really need an upgrade but I tend to have two pairs of headphones, one for work and one just laying around, so decided to give these a shot. I can’t say they are a massive difference in sound quality (to my ears). Comfort is a little worse and usability too (they also don’t fold which is a shame).
Unless you want to upgrade because you want to buy something new or just like the idea of them and don’t care much about value, I can confidently say: stick to your XM3/XM4.
They are great of course, but feel like a marginal upgrade in sound quality and slight downgrade in the other aspects I’ve described.
The noise cancelling is incredible and exactly what I needed, it blocks out most of the worst that British National Rail and London Underground throws at me. I feel mostly confident nobody and nothing will bother me while I do my thing playing on my Ipad, doing work or reading whilst listening to audiomachine etc.
Audio Quality is superb, I particularly enjoy epic/lofi/music score music on these. I still own Sennheiser Momentums wired second generation which I maintain have better sound quality but then again they aren’t NC and are wired so have now been relegated for home usage.
I find the controls mostly intuitive and helpful – on the right side touch sensitive for playback/volume/skipping etc and on the left the ambient sound is super useful – I find the NC is almost too dangerous to have on 100% of the time and put ambient noise on to cross the road sometimes or to just listen to the next stop announcement on the train – handy.
The elephant in the room is of course the case, I’ve seen every review mention the bulkiness etc. To me this is a minor or almost non-issue. Would it be nice if these folded like some other equivalents – yes but I find these fit well in my daily travel bag. It also feels very premium and I feel like the size is over exaggerated by tech reviewers like MKBHD etc although i suppose I do totally understand those who used the previous generation and might find it hard to upgrade to a device with a larger case having enjoyed the portability of a small one. Having said all of the above – I’ve not yet had to fly with these so understandably the case will present a larger issue when I have to as then bag space will come at a premium and I might just have to tough it out with these on my neck. Which by the way the entire issue people mention of ear cups being upside down if you put these around your neck – I just put these away myself so that doesn’t bother me.
In the end I’m happy with these and they will last me for a long time. If you want the headphones for noise cancelling and tuning out the world around you is the priority – go for them. If you want incredible sound quality and know your music – you’re probably better off adding another 100-150 quid and getting the Apple or Sennhesier ones. If portability is crucial just get the previous generation of these.
<3
Playing music with the active noise cancellation uses a little more power does take the battery life time down a bit but not by much. I find that I only need to charge these every couple of days & I’d describe myself as a heavy user of these headphones. There is an ANC button under the left ear cup next to the power on button. This allows you to switch from ANC to Ambient, in case you need to hear the environment around you whilst listening to music. Taking calls whilst active noise cancellation is on is incredible because the person you’re calling cannot hear any noises that are around you either. It’s a crisp clear call.
The headphones are made of a lightweight material, making it comfortable to wear them for many hours or a whole day if you wanted. The ear cups are a soft leather material which feels gentle on the skin, the headband is also made of soft leather material on the underside. The headphones are a tubular adjustment which is a smooth glide and they stay in position during use.
The carry case they come in is firm and foldable. I was surprised to see a firm pocket with a flip lid, and inside there is an aux cable and a small charging wire that is USBC. The headphones are suitable for fast charging and there are widget available on iPhone that show battery level. By pressing the power off button briefly a voice will speak in the headphones telling you what your battery level is. You can also get the battery level from the app made for the XM5 which you will need to download to set up your headphones. The XM5’s charging being USBC allows for fast charging too, so it doesn’t my take too long to recharge to a full level.
Another feature of the XM5 is the touch pad on the right ear cup. You can use the app to set the taps to mean what you want them to. For axample I can tap twice to pause and twice again to replay. Swipe forwards to skip a song, swipe back to play the last song again, swipe up to turn up the volume, swipe down to turn it down. If a call comes in, I can tap the middle once to accept the call, and tap again to hang up. There is also the option of voice activation, however, if like me you live to sing along to your fave songs, you won’t be able to if that feature is on as it will assume you’re talking with someone and pause the music, or it will be paused for a command. Personally I’m not a fan of that feature anyway, so I keep that turned off.
Though you can Bluetooth link the headphones to a number of devices, the app has the option to link to two devices as your primary devices that will allow you to switch between the two. I have mine linked to my iPhone and my Apple TV box as I live in an area where there is heavy traffic and that noise makes it hard to watch and enjoy TV or listen to music. Having the headphones able to switch on command to the device means I can take a call during watching a TV show, and the TV show will automatically pause. The headphones also pause music if you lift them off your head for a few minutes, and return to playing automatically when you put them back on. They will automatically switch off if left off the head for a prolonged period in order to conserve battery.
The app also allows for 360 listening which is a whole new experience. The option for the music to alter int he headphones in alignment when you in movement is also a pretty cool feature.
Should you choose the safe listening option which does require access to your location, the data the headphones collect is to do with the volume levels of the world around you, so they will automatically adjust the level of sound and ANC so that your ears aren’t damaged listening to music louder in a noisy environment. With my old headphones I had to turn up the volume to drown out noise and hear my music, which isn’t healthy for ears in general, the ANC and music being automatically when in busy noisy environments is doing my ears some good as I don’t need to risk hearing loss and it helps with the sensory processing issues I have.
My only irritation with the headphones really is personal preference – as much as a cushioned headband is so comfy, I would prefer a flatter style. But as they are the are pretty effective. Maybe not suitable for the head banging motion some metal rock fans enjoy doing, but on the whole, the XM5’s are by far the best headphones I’ve ever owned.
From the outset you know this is a classy product. The box is made of recyclable packaging and my silver headphones looked great. The king of noise cancellation headphones. The App is easy to use and enhances your overall enjoyment of the headphones. It has various permutations to customise your and if your share your headphone a second custom setting. I use the two options to set up for Rock / Classical. For those who like their headphones with maxed out volume, this is not for you. Sony’s concern for health means that volume is set to comfortable levels. There are one or two quirks about the app in that a repeated message appears on the tutorial. It gets annoying after a while especially if you owned the previous XM3 & XM4. Though some of the controls it is pretty much as is, including the ability the XM4 where it allows the music to fade / stop if you need to talk to someone. Also if you pair this with Sony’s Xperia phones or one of their portable hi res players you get the benefit of LDAC which I am informed is better than Aptx HD for hi resolution. As much of my music is hi res the wired option ( if you want the music delivery via DAC ) then that’s a plus. An incremental improvement on XM4 and a giant step up on XM3. As for battery time, never listened to music 30 hours on the go but I understand that Is only possible if all software gizmos are turned off
Negatives.
This is a major one. Sony needs to fix with a software update, asap. Bluetooth stability on both Android and iPhone is terrible. In less than 6 hours of listening, first on Sony’s own Android Music player it dropped connections – despite using the app to focus on Bluetooth stability. Same on my iPhone 12. 3 times in 6 hours of listening. That’s despite patiently doing the out of box software upgrade (it takes approx 40- 45 mins)
Never had an issue on XM4 of dropped connections or on their earbuds.For a 380 headphone is just not acceptable. I also had prioritised Bluetooth stability in settings and my headphones as well my devices were fully charged up.
The other small bugbear is unlike the XM4 this is not one for bundling up in your bag and go. You need to put it in the carrying case. A
the nice looking box.
So in summary, a classy head phone with the best noise cancellation. An app easy to use, with a few quirks. Comfortable sound out put. So if you are on XM3,this is worth an upgrade. XM4 users if you want to see improvements to the class leader on noise cancelling headphone, this is worth investigation. For my part, only if Sony sorts the stability of Bluetooth connection will it gain the 5th star, this would deserve.