Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones Review

The headphones come with an enclosure, three pairs of ear tips, and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones are simple to pair right out of the box, but you'll require downloading Sony Headphones Connect to unlock some of its cool features.

The app's EQ allows you to customize the headphones' sound profiles and it also can work with Sony 360 Reality Audio. It also comes with a handy "speak-to-chat" feature.

Sound

If you decide to go with in-ear, over-ear, or neckband headphones, Sony makes some of the best-sounding wireless headphones around. Many of their models support aptX HD and Hi-Res audio. Their noise cancellation technology can block out any external noise and Headphones Running lets you fully enjoy your music or podcast.

Their Bluetooth wireless headphones offer crystal clear high notes with balanced mid-range tones and warm bass tones. They also include an EQ feature in the Headphones Connect app for further customization. In addition, some of their models have the ability to touch sensors that let you control music playback and calls without touching the headsets.

Most of their wireless headphones work with iOS and Android devices. They can be connected in the traditional manner or through NFC. The USB cable that comes with the package can be used to connect them to the mobile phone.

The WF-C500 headphones might not be as attractive as other Sony headphones, but they offer higher quality audio at an affordable price. They come with excellent noise cancellation capabilities and a battery life of upto 10 hours. They're compatible with Headphones Connect App and support different audio formats like Hi-Res Audio, 360 Reality Audio and many more.

If you're looking for Bluetooth wireless earbuds that provide superior bass response, the Sony WI-1000XM2 headphones are the best option in its class. These wireless earbuds use the same QN1 noise-canceling processor as Sony's flagship earbuds and provide a range of audio codecs, such as aptX HD and LDAC. They also have advanced features, such as Quick Alert and Transparency Mode that can be activated by pressing the right earcup or raising your hands.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a top pair of noise-canceling headphones. It offers exceptional audio quality and the full, rich sound profile. The headsets are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They have physical controls instead of the tap and swipe ear cup gestures that are found on other Sony Bluetooth headsets. However their Bluetooth connection can be unstable at times and they don't have an unwired connection to backup.

Design

Sony offers a wide range of wireless headphones to suit all kinds of music enthusiasts. The headsets are available in a variety of earbuds and over-ear styles. They are available in pink, black white, white and other shades. The headsets are available in wireless and wired versions and come with a range of features such as noise-canceling and Bluetooth connectivity. A lot of the headphones offered by the company are also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri voice control.

The WH1000XM5 is the latest version of Sony's renowned noise-canceling wireless headphones. These premium over-ear headsets differ from their predecessors in terms of design, but provide the same excellent audio quality and comfort.

Like their predecessors XM5s feature a pair of 30mm mica-reinforced full-range cellular drivers that deliver clear and precise audio. The earcups are also reduced in size to lessen the weight and make them easier on your ears. The headband is adorned with soft artificial leather and Headphones Running a few flecks of memory foam which makes the XM5s one of the most comfortable pair around.

In the world of wireless headphones with noise cancellation, the XM5s sit very high in the food chain, where they compete with the likes of the Bose QC35 II and Apple AirPods Max. They compete with premium headphones like Bang & Olufsen, Montblanc and many more. However, the XM5s are more value for money and perform better.

If you don't want to pay the hefty price tag of the XM5s there's the less expensive WH-C500. These earbuds are of high-quality audio and noise cancellation. They are less expensive than the more expensive XM5s. They're also compatible with the Sony Headphones application for adjusting settings for EQ, and they can be connected to two devices at the same time.

The WH-SP800N is another great pair of Sony headphones that are perfect for those who commute, sports enthusiasts and those who spend long hours at work or at home. The wireless earbuds are lightweight and compact, and they have an impressive battery of up to 17-hours. They're a bit more cumbersome to wear than other wireless headphones, but they're still extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Noise Cancellation

It doesn't matter if it's the low drone of an airplane's engine or your coworker's chattering neighbor Noise cancellation is a must in every pair of headphones. The WH-1000XM5s don't disappoint and feature excellent active noise cancellation that blocks out most unwanted sound in your surroundings. The headband is padded and curved to fit your ears, sealing you from the outside world by creating an acoustic enclosure that blocks out low-frequency sounds, such as air conditioning or background conversations.

Sony's noise cancellation does great job at filtering higher-frequency sounds, such as clanging dishes or other ambient conversations. There's a limit to the amount of noise you can block out, and that amount is largely determined by the surroundings. The WH1000XM5s block the constant rumble of a jet engine but not a squealing brake system or your seatmate's animated conversations. Passive isolation is the best option.

There are several settings to choose from if you want to reduce noise even further. You can alter the EQ within the headphones using the Headphones Connect app or a third-party equalizer. You can also utilize the programmable physical button on the left ear cup to set three "favorite" noise cancellation levels. There are ten total ANC control levels all and you can turn them off or on with the press of the button.

The headphones are wireless and feature Bluetooth 5.0 multipoint, SBC, AAC and Sony's LDAC for high-resolution audio streaming (if connected to compatible devices). If you have an older tablet or smartphone then the headphones will default to SBC. This is to ensure stability.

For the most expensive pair of headphones best, you're paying for the highest-quality Bluetooth codes, excellent audio, and superior noise canceling. The WH-1000XM5s are an excellent choice, particularly in the event that you already own a previous model of the Headphones running and are looking to upgrade. They're among the top wireless noise-cancelling headphones on the market. They're among the top-performing pairs of headphones we've reviewed in recent years and are a great pick for busy commutes.

Battery Life

The battery life is essential for earbuds with true wireless capabilities. Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones provide up to 30 hours of music playback and noise cancellation. This is more than enough for the majority users and is more than the specifications of similar Bluetooth earbuds.

The earbuds come with an intelligent charging case which keeps the earbuds fully charged even when they are they are not being used. It's simple to listen to music all day. The earbuds also have rapid charging technology, which can add up to three hours worth of music in only 10 minutes.

When the case is closed the earbuds automatically turn off and enter power saving mode to extend battery life more. You can change the headset's sound settings like DSEE HX Auto and Equalizer in the Headphones Connect app to get the most enjoyment from your listening experience. Be aware that quality sound settings may reduce the time of operation.

The WH-1000XM5 headphones are compatible with a variety of Bluetooth devices and support the most recent version of the Bluetooth 5.2 protocol, which includes LDAC audio streaming. The headphones also come with a 3.5mm audio cable so you can listen to your favourite songs in analog format.

In terms of features, the earbuds come with touch controls on each side to control phone calls and audio. On the right earbud you can play and pause your music or skip tracks with just a single tap. Double-tap to switch between ANC mode and transparency mode. The left earbud features a built-in mic for calls to the phone. It can be used to mute or answer calls.

The earbuds are also compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app, which lets you customize audio settings, control Bluetooth connections and receive updates as well as helpful tips. The app has a variety of preset listening options, and an option to manually adjust DSEE and Equalizer settings. This is a great feature for those who prefer to listen to podcasts or music while on the go. The app is free to download for Android and iOS smartphones. Some reviewers found it cumbersome and difficult to navigate.