Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones Review

The headphones come with a case and three sets of ear tips, and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones are simple to pair straight out of the package, but you will need to download Sony Headphones Connect to unlock some of its cool features.

The app's EQ allows you to alter the headphones' sound profile and supports Sony's immersive 360 Reality Audio. It also comes with a handy "speak-to-chat" feature.

Sound

If you prefer in-ear, over-ear or neckband headphones, headphones Sony makes some of the best site for headphones sounding wireless headsets around. Many of their models are compatible with aptX HD and Hi-Res audio. Their noise cancellation technology helps to block out any external noise and allows you to completely immerse yourself in your music or podcast.

Their Bluetooth wireless headphones offer crystal clear high notes, balanced mid-range tones, and warm bass tones. The Headphones Connect App also includes an EQ for further customization. In addition, some of their models have a touch sensor that lets you control music playback and Headphones Store calls without touching the headsets.

The majority of their wireless headsets work with iOS or Android devices. They can be linked the traditional way or via NFC. They can also be connected to a mobile device via the USB cable that is included in the package.

The WF-C500 headphones might not be as stylish as other Sony headphones, but they offer superior audio quality at less cost. They feature excellent noise cancellation capabilities and a battery life of up to 10 hours. They are compatible with the Headphones Connect App and can support different audio formats including Hi-Res Audio, 360 Reality Audio and more.

If you are looking for Bluetooth wireless earbuds that provide high-quality bass, the Sony WI-1000XM2 is the top choice in its category. The wireless earbuds feature the same QN1 noise cancelling processor as Sony's flagship headphones and offer a range of audio codecs like aptX HD and LDAC. They also come with advanced features, such as Quick Alert and Transparency Mode that can be activated by pressing the right ear cup or raising your hands.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 are premium noise-canceling headsets that deliver exceptional audio quality and a rich sound profile. The headsets are comfortable to wear for long periods of time and feature physical controls instead of tap and swipe ear cup gestures you find on other Sony Bluetooth headsets. However their Bluetooth connection isn't always stable and they do not support a wired connection for backup.

Design

Sony offers a wide selection of wireless headphones for all types of music enthusiasts. The headsets from Sony come with various earbud and over-ear designs that are available in black, white pink, and a variety of other colors. The headsets are available in both wired and wireless versions, and include a variety of features such as noise-canceling and Bluetooth connectivity. A majority of the headphones are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and Siri voice control.

The WH1000XM5 is the most recent version of Sony's famous noise-canceling wireless headphones. These premium headsets for over-ears are a bit different from their predecessors in terms of design, but still offer the same great audio quality and comfort.

Similar to their predecessors, the XM5s come with a pair of 30mm mica-reinforced cellular full-range cellular drivers that deliver clear and precise audio. The earcups are also reduced in size to help reduce weight and make them less abrasive to put on your ears. The headband is covered with soft artificial leather and scattered with memory foam, making the XM5s one of the most comfortable pair around.

In the world of wireless headphones, the XM5s sit very high in the food chain, where they are in competition with the Bose QC35 II and Apple AirPods Max. They also compete with higher-end headphones from brands like Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc however, the XM5s provide superior quality and value for your budget.

If you don't wish to shell out for the expensive XM5s can go with the WH-C500, which is a bit cheaper. These earbuds are cheaper than their more expensive counterparts, but they provide top-quality audio and superb noise cancellation. They also work with Sony Headphones App to allow you to customize settings on EQ, and can be connected to 2 devices simultaneously.

The WHSP800N is yet another excellent pair of Sony headphones. It's ideal for athletes, commuters and those who work at the office or at home. These wireless earbuds are lightweight and compact, and they come with a battery that lasts up to 17 hours. They're more awkward to wear than other truly wireless headphones, but they're still very comfortable to use for long periods of time.

Noise Cancellation

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

Sony's noise canceling also does a very good job of filtering out high-frequency sounds like the clanging of dishes or other conversation. There's a limit on the amount of noise you can cancel, and that limit is mostly determined by your surroundings. The WH-1000XM5s can block out the steady sound of a jet engine, but won't do much to quiet down a screeching brake or a jolly conversation with your seatmate (that's where passive isolation comes in handy).

There are a variety of settings to pick from to further reduce the noise. You can tweak the EQ in the headphones with the Headphones Connect app or a third-party equalizer. You can also use the programmable physical button on the left earcup to select three "favorite" noise cancellation levels. There are ten total ANC control levels in all and you can switch them off or on by the press of a button.

The headphones wireless sony feature 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 to ensure stability.

When you purchase a pair of premium headphones, you pay for high-quality Bluetooth codes, fantastic audio and noise cancellation. This makes the WH-1000XM5s an excellent choice, particularly when you already have a previous version of the headphones and are looking to upgrade. These are the top wireless noise cancelling headphones on the market. They're the most durable pair of headphones we've reviewed in recent times and are a great pick for busy commutes.

Battery Life

For true wireless earbuds the battery's life is essential. Sony's WH1000XM5 headphones provide up to 30 hours music playback and noise cancellation. This is more than enough for most users and exceeds the specifications of similar Bluetooth headphones.

The earbuds come with a clever charging case which keeps them charged even when they are not being used. This allows you to keep your listening sessions going throughout the day. Additionally the earbuds feature quick charging technology that gives up to three hours of playback after just 10 minutes of charging.

The earbuds will automatically go into power saving mode once the case is closed. This will extend the life of the battery. You can adjust the settings for sound on your headset such as DSEE HX Auto and Equalizer in the Headphones Connect app to get the most from your listening experience. Be aware that high-quality sound settings may reduce the time of operation.

The WH-1000XM5 headphones are compatible with a range of Bluetooth devices and are compatible with the latest version of the Bluetooth 5.2 protocol, which includes LDAC audio streaming. The headphones also include an 3.5mm audio cable so that you can listen to your favorite songs in analog format.

In terms of features, the earbuds feature control buttons on both sides to manage phone calls and audio. On the right earbud you can play and pause your music, or skip tracks with a single tap. Double-tap to change between ANC mode and transparency mode. The left earbud features a built-in microphone for phone calls and can be used to make or end calls.

The earbuds are also compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app, which allows you to modify audio settings, manage Bluetooth connections and receive updates and useful tips. The app has a variety of preset listening options as well as the option to adjust manually DSEE and Equalizer settings. It's an excellent feature for those who love music and podcasts on the go. The app is free to download on Android and iOS smartphones. Some reviewers found the app cumbersome and difficult to navigate.