Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones Review

The headphones come with a carry case, three sets of ear tips and a USB-C cable. They're easy to pair out from the box, however you'll have to download Sony's Headphones Connect app to unlock some of their cool features.

The app's EQ allows you to modify the headphones' sound profiles and 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 headsets around. Many of their models feature aptX HD, LDAC, and Hi-Res Audio support. Their noise cancellation technology allows you to be completely immersed in your music and podcasts.

These Bluetooth wireless headphones provide 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. Additionally, some of their models feature a touch sensor that lets you control music playback and Over Ear calls without having to touch the headsets.

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

The WF-C500's headphones gaming may not look as good as other Sony headphones, but they offer superior audio quality at a lower price. They have good noise cancellation features and a battery life of upto 10 hours. They work with the Headphones Connect app and support a wide range of audio formats, including Hi-Res Audio and 360 Reality Audio files.

The Sony WI-1000XM2 Bluetooth wireless earbuds are among the best in their class if you want an earbud that has outstanding bass response. These wireless earbuds feature the same QN1 processor that is used in Sony's flagship earbuds, and they support a variety of audio codecs, including aptXHD and LDAC. They also come with advanced features, like Quick Alert and Transparency Mode, which can be activated by pressing the right earcup or by raising your hand.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 are premium noise-canceling headsets that provide outstanding audio quality and a rich sound profile. The headsets are comfortable to wear for long periods of time and feature physical controls instead of the tap and swipe earcup gestures that are found on other Sony Bluetooth headsets. The headset's Bluetooth connection may not be reliable at times, and they do not support an alternate wired connection.

Design

Sony has a broad selection of wireless headphones to suit all kinds of music lovers. The headsets are available in a variety of earbuds and over-ear styles, and come in black, pink white, white and other shades. The headsets are available both wireless and wired versions, and come with a variety of features like noise cancellation and Bluetooth connectivity. Many of the company's headphones are also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri voice control.

The WH1000XM5 is the latest version of Sony's popular noise-canceling wireless headphones. These premium over-ear headphones are a slight departure from their predecessor in terms of design however they retain the same excellent sound quality and comfort.

Like their predecessors, the XM5s have a pair 30mm mica-reinforced full-range cellular drivers that deliver clear and detailed audio. The earcups have also been reduced in size to help reduce weight and make them easier to wear. The headband has a soft artificial leather covering and a scattering of memory foam. This makes the XM5s some of the most comfortable headphones around.

In the world of wireless headphones, the XM5s sit quite high on the food chain, as they compete with the likes of the Bose QC35 II and Apple AirPods Max. They compete with premium headphones such as Bang & Olufsen, Montblanc and more. But the XM5s are more affordable and perform better.

If you don't want to pay the high price of the XM5s There's the WH-C500 earbuds that are less expensive. These earbuds are a lot cheaper than their more expensive counterpart, but they still provide top-quality audio and excellent noise cancellation. 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 sports fans, commuters and people who spend a lot of time working at work or at home. These wireless earbuds are lightweight and compact, and they have a powerful battery that lasts up to 17-hours. They're more awkward to wear than other wireless headphones, but they're extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Noise Cancellation

If it's the low-pitched drone of an airplane's engine or your neighbor's chatty co-worker, noise cancelation is vital in every pair of headphones. The WH1000XM5s are not a disappointment in this regard, since they feature outstanding active noise cancellation that eliminates the majority of undesirable sounds that you hear in your environment. The headband is cushioned with a curvature and fits over your ears. It seals you off from the world outside with an Acoustic enclosure that blocks out low-frequency sounds like background noises and air conditioning conversations.

Sony's noise canceling does a very good job of filtering out high-frequency sounds, like clanging dishware or other ambient conversations. There's a limit to how much noise you can block out, and that amount is mostly determined by your surroundings. The WH-1000XM5s will block out the steady noise of a jet engine but they won't be able to shut the squealing brake or a jolly conversation with your seatmate (that's the reason why passive isolation can be more beneficial).

If you want to cancel out more background sound, there are several settings available. You can adjust the EQ of the headphones with the Headphones Connect App or a third-party equalizer. You can also use the programmable button on the left earcup to create three "favorite levels" to block out noise. There are 10 total ANC control levels in 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-quality audio streaming (if connected to compatible devices). If you have an older smartphone or tablet then the headphones will switch back to SBC. This is for stability.

For a top-tier pair of headphones, you're getting the top-quality Bluetooth codecs, amazing audio, and superior noise canceling. This makes the WH-1000XM5s an excellent choice, especially when you already have a previous version of the headphones and are looking to upgrade. These are the best wireless noise cancelling headphones available. They're the top headphones we've tested in recent years. They're perfect for commutes.

Battery Life

For true wireless earbuds battery life is key. Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones deliver up to 30 hours of music playback and noise cancellation. This is more than enough for most users and is more than the specifications of similar Bluetooth earbuds.

The earbuds come with a smart charging case which keeps the earbuds fully charged even when they are not in use. This allows you to keep your listening sessions going all day long. The earbuds also feature fast charging technology that can give you up to three hours of music after only 10 minutes.

The earbuds will automatically enter power saving mode once the case is closed. This will extend the battery's life. You can alter the sound settings of your headset such as DSEE HX Auto and Equalizer within the Headphones Connect app to get the most out of your listening experience. However, be aware that the available operating time will reduce when quality audio settings are enabled.

The WH-1000XM5 headphones work with a variety of Bluetooth devices and supports the latest version of the Bluetooth 5.2 protocol, which includes LDAC audio streaming. The headphones also include a 3.5mm audio cable, so you can listen to your favourite songs in analog format.

In terms of features, the earbuds have the ability to use touch controls on both sides to manage 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 change between ANC mode and transparency mode. The left earbud features an integrated microphone for phone calls and can be used to make or end calls.

The earbuds can also be used with Sony's Headphones Connect App, which lets users customize audio settings, manage Bluetooth connection, and receive helpful tips and updates. The app offers a number of preset listening modes and also the option of manually altering the DSEE and equalizer settings. This is an excellent feature for those who like to listen to podcasts or music while on the go. The app can be downloaded for free on Android and iOS phones. However, some reviewers find the app difficult to navigate and cumbersome.