Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones Review

The headphones are supplied with a carrying case, three sets of ear tips, and a USB-C cable. The headphones are simple to pair right out of the box, however you'll need to download Sony Headphones Connect to unlock some of its cool features.

The app's EQ allows you to customize the headphones' sound profiles and also is compatible with Sony 360 Reality Audio. It also has a convenient "speak to chat" feature.

Sound

Sony wireless headsets are some of the best-sounding on the market whether you pick over-ear headphones, in-ear headsets, or neckbands. A majority of their models support aptX HD and Hi-Res audio. Their noise cancellation technology allows you to be completely immersed in your music and podcasts.

Their Bluetooth wireless headphones provide crystal clear high notes, balanced mid-range tones, and warm bass tones. They also have an EQ option in the Headphones Connect app for further customization. Some models include a touch-sensitive sensor that lets you control the playback of music or calls without touching the headphones.

The majority of their wireless headsets are compatible with iOS or Android devices. They can be connected via the traditional method, or via NFC. They can also be connected to a mobile device using the USB cable that comes with the package.

The WF-C500 headphones may not be as attractive as other Sony headphones but they do provide superior audio performance at a lower price. The noise cancellation capabilities of these headphones are quite good and they come with a battery life of up to 10 hours. They are compatible with the Headphones Connect app and support a wide range of audio formats, including Hi-Res Audio and 360 Reality Audio files.

If you are seeking a pair of Bluetooth wireless earbuds that deliver high-quality bass the Sony WI-1000XM2 is the best option in its class. These wireless earbuds feature the same QN1 processor as Sony's flagship headphones, and they support a variety of audio codecs, including aptXHD and LDAC. They also come with advanced features such as Quick Alert and Transparency Mode, which can be activated either by touching the right earcup, or raising your hand.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 are top-quality noise-cancelling headsets that offer outstanding audio quality and a full sound profile. The headsets are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They also feature physical controls instead of the tap and swipe earcup gestures found on other Sony Bluetooth headsets. Their Bluetooth connection is not always reliable at times, and they do not support a backup wired connection.

Design

Sony has a broad selection of wireless headphones that will appeal to all kinds of music enthusiasts. The headsets are available in a variety of earbuds and over-ear designs, and are available in pink, black white, and other colors. They are available in wireless and wired models, and come with various features like noise-cancelling technology and Bluetooth connectivity. Many of the headphones are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant as well as Siri voice control.

The WH1000XM5 is the most recent version of Sony's popular noise-canceling wireless headphones. These premium headsets for over-ears are a little different from their predecessors in terms of design, but still provide the same excellent sound quality and comfort.

Similar to their predecessors, the XM5s feature a pair of 30mm mica-reinforced cellular full-range dynamic drivers that produce clear and precise audio. The earcups have also been reduced to lessen the weight and make them less abrasive on your ears. The headband is covered with soft artificial leather and a smattering of memory foam, making the XM5s one of the most comfortable pairs around.

The XM5s are a very premium wireless headphone that competes with the Bose QC35 II, Apple AirPods Max and other top brands. They also compete with more expensive headphones from brands like Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc however, the XM5s provide the best quality and value for your budget.

Those who do not want to spend the pricey XM5s can choose the WH-C500, which is a bit cheaper. These earbuds are a lot cheaper than their more expensive counterpart, but they still provide top-quality audio and superb noise cancellation. They're also compatible with the Sony Headphones application for adjusting EQ settings, and they can be connected to two devices at once.

The WHSP800N is another great pair of Sony headphones. It's ideal for athletes, commuters, and people who work a lot at home or in an office. These wireless earbuds have an impressive battery lifespan of up to 17 hours and are stylish and light and compact. These headphones are a little more cumbersome than other wireless headphones however they're comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Noise Cancellation

If it's the low-pitched sound of an airplane's engine or your coworker's chattering neighbor the noise cancellation feature is essential in every pair of headphones. The WH1000XM5s do not disappoint with their excellent active noise cancellation that reduces the majority of unwanted sounds that you hear in your environment. The headband is padded with a curvature and fits over your ears. It isolates you from the world outside with an Acoustic enclosure that blocks out low-frequency noises such as air conditioning and background conversations.

Sony's noise canceling does an excellent job of removing high-frequency sounds, like loud cooking or other conversations. There's a limit to the amount of noise you can cancel, and that limit is largely determined by the surroundings. The WH-1000XM5s will block out the constant sound of a jet engine but they won't be able to shut down a screeching brake or your seatmate's raucous conversation (that's where passive isolation is more useful).

If you'd like to block out even more sound, there are several settings available. You can tweak the EQ on the headphones using the Headphones Connect app or a third-party equalizer, noise cancelling and you can also utilize the programmable physical button on the left earcup to set three "favorite" noise cancellation levels. There are ten total ANC control levels and you can switch them on or off with the press of one button.

The headphones wireless Sony come with Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's LDAC codec for hi-res audio streaming (if you connect to compatible devices). If you're using an older smartphone or tablet then the headphones will default back to SBC. This is for stability.

If you purchase a pair of top-tier headphones, you are paying for high-quality Bluetooth codes, fantastic sound and noise cancellation. This makes the WH-1000XM5s an excellent choice, particularly when you already own a prior model of the headphones and are looking to upgrade. These are the top wireless noise cancelling headphones available. They're the best-performing pair of headphones we've tested in recent years and they're a great choice for commutes that are hectic.

Battery Life

For true wireless earbuds, the battery's life is essential. Sony's WH1000XM5 headphones offer up to 30 hours of music playback with noise cancellation. This is more than enough to satisfy the majority of users, and it surpasses the specifications of similar Bluetooth earbuds.

The earbuds come with a clever charging case which keeps them charged when 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 will automatically shut off and enter power saving mode to extend battery life even further. You can adjust the sound settings of your headset such as DSEE HX Auto and Equalizer through the Headphones Connect app to get the most from your listening experience. Be aware that sound quality settings could reduce the time of operation.

The WH-1000XM5 headphones with bluetooth are compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth devices and are compatible with the most recent version of the Bluetooth 5.2 protocol, including LDAC audio streaming. They also come with a 3.5mm cable that lets you listen to your favourite tunes in an analog form.

The earbuds come with touch controls for audio and phone calls on each side. On the right earbud you can play and pause your music, or skip tracks with just a single tap. Double-tap to change between ANC mode and transparency mode. The left earbud comes with an inbuilt microphone for noise cancelling phone calls and can be used to take or end calls.

The headphones can also be used with Sony's Headphones Connect App, which allows users to alter audio settings, control Bluetooth connection and receive helpful tips and updates. The app provides a variety of pre-set listening options and also the option to manually adjust the DSEE and equalizer settings. This is a great feature for those who prefer listening to podcasts and music on the move. The app is free to download on Android and iOS smartphones. Some reviewers found the app difficult to use and confusing.