Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones Review

The headphones come with an enclosure with three pairs of ear tips, and the USB-C charging cable. They're easy to pair right out of the box, but you'll need to download the Sony Headphones Connect app to unlock some of their cool features.

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

Sound

If you decide to go with in-ear, over-ear or neckband Bluetooth headphones, Sony makes some of the most immersive wireless headsets around. Many of their models support aptX HD and Hi-Res audio. Their noise cancellation technology allows you to immerse yourself fully in your music and podcasts.

These Bluetooth wireless headphones deliver warm bass tones as well as balanced mid-range notes and crystal clear high notes. The Headphones Connect App also includes an EQ to further customize. Some models include a touch-sensitive sensor that allows you to manage music playback or phone calls without having to touch the headphones.

Most of their wireless headsets work with iOS or Android devices. They can be linked either the traditional way or through NFC. The USB cable included in the package can be used to connect them to the mobile phone.

The WF-C500 earbuds might not be as appealing as other Sony headphones, but they offer superior audio quality at a much lower price point. They feature excellent noise cancellation features and a battery life 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 provide superior bass response, Sony WI-1000XM2 is your top choice in its category. The wireless earbuds come with the same QN1 processor that is used in Sony's flagship headphones. Additionally, they are compatible with a variety of audio codecs including aptXHD and LDAC. These earbuds also come with advanced features such as Quick Alert and Transparency Mode, which can be activated by touching the right earcup, or raising your hand.

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

Design

Sony has a broad selection of wireless headphones that can be used by all kinds of music lovers. The headphones are available in a variety of earbuds and over-ear styles, and come in black, pink white, and other colors. 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 WH-1000XM5 are the most recent version of Sony's renowned wireless noise-canceling headphones for gym. These premium over-ear headsets are a bit different from their predecessors in terms of design, but have the same outstanding audio quality and comfort.

The XM5s are equipped with 30mm mica-reinforced cell-based dynamic drivers that deliver a clear and detailed sound. The earcups are also reduced to help reduce weight and make them easier on your ears. The headband has a soft leather cover and a sprinkling of memory foam. This makes the XM5s among the most comfortable headphones available.

In the world of wireless headphones, the XM5s sit very high on the food chain, and they are in competition with the Bose QC35 II and Apple AirPods Max. They also compete against higher-end headphones from the likes of Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc, but the XM5s offer better quality and performance for the budget.

For those who don't want to spend the expensive XM5s can go with the less expensive WH-C500. These earbuds offer great audio quality and noise cancellation. They are much cheaper than the more expensive XM5s. They're also compatible with the Sony Headphones app for customizable EQ settings, and they can be connected to two devices at the same time.

The WH-SP800N are another excellent pair of Sony headphones that are ideal for those who commute, sports enthusiasts and people who spend a lot of time working at work or at home. The wireless earbuds boast an impressive battery lasting up to 17 hours and are stylish and light and compact. The headphones are more cumbersome than other wireless headphones however they're still comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is a must-have feature for any pair of headphones. The WH1000XM5s do not disappoint in this regard, since they feature excellent active noise cancellation that reduces the majority of unwanted sounds in your environment. The headband is padded and curved to fit around your ears, securing your ears from the outside world by creating an acoustic enclosure that blocks out most low-frequency sounds such as background conversations or air conditioning.

Sony's noise cancellation also does an excellent job of filtering out higher-frequency sound, such as the clanging of dishes or other conversations. There's a limit to the amount of noise you're able to cancel, and that limit is mostly determined by your surroundings. The WH1000XM5s will block out the steady rumble of a jet engine, but not a screeching brake system or your passenger's animated conversations. Passive isolation is a better choice.

If you want to cancel out additional noise, there are various options available. You can adjust the EQ in the headphones with the Headphones Connect app or a third-party equalizer, and you can also utilize the programmable physical button located on the left earcup to select three "favorite" noise cancellation levels. You can switch between 10 different ANC levels with a single button.

The headphones are wireless and come with Bluetooth 5.0 multipoint, SBC, AAC and Sony's LDAC for high-resolution audio streaming (if connected to compatible devices). However, if you're using an older smartphone or tablet the headphones will default to SBC for stability reasons.

If you purchase the best headphones, you pay for premium Bluetooth codes, fantastic audio and noise cancellation. This makes the WH-1000XM5s an excellent choice, especially when you already own a previous model of the headphones and want to upgrade. These are the best wireless noise cancelling headphones available. These are the top headphones we've tested over the last few years. They're great for commutes.

Battery Life

Battery life is crucial for true wireless earbuds. Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones deliver up to 30 hours of playback and noise cancellation. This is enough to please the majority of users, and it is higher than the specifications for similar Bluetooth earbuds.

The headphones come with a charging case that keeps them charged when they aren't in use. This makes it easy to keep your listening sessions going throughout the day. The earbuds also feature fast charging technology that can provide up to three hours of music in just 10 minutes.

When the case is closed, the earbuds automatically turn off and enter power saving mode to extend battery life even more. You can alter the sound settings of your headset like DSEE HX Auto and Equalizer through the Headphones Connect app to get the most enjoyment from your listening experience. However, be aware that the operating time will reduce when quality sound settings are activated.

The WH-1000XM5 headphones are compatible with a variety of Bluetooth devices and support the latest version of the Bluetooth 5.2 protocol, including LDAC audio streaming. They also offer a 3.5mm cable that allows you to listen to your favorite tunes in analog form.

In terms of features, the earbuds have the ability to use touch controls on both sides to control phone calls and audio. On the right earbud, you can play and pause your music, or skip tracks with a single tap. You can also quickly change between ANC and transparency modes with a double-tap. The left earbud features an integrated microphone that can be used for phone calls and can be used to take or end calls.

The earbuds also work with Sony's Headphones Connect app, headphones for tv which allows you to modify audio settings, manage Bluetooth connections, and receive notifications as well as helpful tips. The app offers a range of preset listening options and also an option to manually adjust DSEE and Equalizer settings. This is an excellent feature for those who like to listen to podcasts and music on the move. The app is available for free on Android and iOS phones. Some users found the app difficult to navigate and cumbersome.