Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones Review

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

The app's EQ allows you to customize the headphones' sound profile, and it supports Sony's immersive 360 Reality Audio. It also includes a convenient "speak-to-chat" feature.

Sound

Whether you choose in-ear, over-ear, or neckband headphones, Sony makes some of the most immersive wireless headsets around. Many of their models feature aptX HD, LDAC, and Hi-Res Audio support. Their noise cancellation technology helps to block out outside sounds and allows you to completely be absorbed in your music or podcast.

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

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

The WF-C500 earbuds may not be as attractive as other Sony headphones, but they offer superior audio quality at a less expensive cost. The noise cancellation capabilities of these headphones are quite good, and they have the capacity to last 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.

The Sony WI-1000XM2 Bluetooth wireless earbuds are among the most effective in their class if you want a pair that delivers the best bass response. These wireless earbuds feature the same QN1 processor that is used in Sony's flagship headphones, and they support a variety of audio codecs, including aptXHD and Over Ear Bluetooth Headphones LDAC. These earbuds also have 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 is a premium pair of noise-canceling headphones that provides excellent audio quality and an incredibly full and rich sound profile. The headsets have physical controls instead of the tap-and-swipe gestures used on other Sony Bluetooth headsets. Their Bluetooth connection may not be reliable at times and they don't provide an alternate wired connection.

Design

Sony offers a variety of wireless headphones that can be used by all kinds of music lovers. The headsets from Sony come with various earbud and over-ear designs that are available in black, white and pink, as well as a range of other colors. The headsets are available in wireless and wired versions, and include a variety of features, including noise cancellation and Bluetooth connectivity. A majority of the headphones from 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 headsets for over ear Bluetooth headphones-ears differ from their predecessors in terms of design, but still provide the same excellent sound quality and comfort.

Similar to their predecessors, the XM5s come with a pair of 30mm mica-reinforced full-range cellular drivers that produce clear and precise audio. The earcups are also reduced to lessen the weight and make them easier to put on your ears. The headband has a soft leather cover and a sprinkling of memory foam. This makes the XM5s one of the most comfortable headphones available.

In the world of wireless headphones, the XM5s stand very high in the food chain, where they compete 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 the best value and performance for your money.

For those who don't want to pay for the expensive XM5s can opt for the less expensive WH-C500. These earbuds are a lot less expensive than their more expensive counterparts, yet they offer excellent audio quality 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 WHSP800N is another great pair of Sony headphones. It's great for commuters, athletes and people who work a lot at home or in an office. The wireless earbuds boast an impressive battery life of up to 17 hours and have a stylish design that's light and compact. They're a little more bulkier to wear than other truly wireless headphones, but they're very comfortable to use for long periods of time.

Noise Cancellation

Whether it's the low drone of an airplane's engine, or your friend's chattering colleague, noise cancelation is vital in every pair of headphones. The WH-1000XM5s are no exception with their excellent active noise cancellation that reduces the most annoying sounds in your surroundings. The headband is cushioned and curved to fit your ears, securing your ears from the outside world by creating an acoustic envelope that blocks out most low-frequency sounds, such as background conversations or air conditioning.

Sony's noise cancellation can do an excellent job of filtering high-frequency sounds like the clanging of dishes or other conversations. But there's a limit to the amount you can block out, and a large portion of the limitation is due to the surrounding environment. The WH-1000XM5s are able to block out the steady rumble of a jet engine, but won't do much to quiet the squealing brake or a jolly conversation with your seatmate (that's why passive isolation is more useful).

There are a variety of settings to pick from to reduce noise even further. You can alter the EQ within the headphones using the Headphones Connect app or a third-party equalizer, and you can also use the programmable button on the left earcup to set three "favorite" noise cancellation levels. You can toggle between 10 different ANC levels with a single button.

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

If you're looking for a top-quality pair of headphones, you're paying for the high-quality Bluetooth codes, excellent sound, and improved noise canceling. The WH-1000XM5s are a great upgrade for those who already own an earlier model of headphones cheap. They're among the top wireless noise-cancelling headphones available. They're among the top-performing pairs of headphones we've reviewed in recent years, and they're an excellent pick for busy commutes.

Battery Life

Battery life is a crucial factor for earbuds with true wireless capabilities. Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones provide up to 30 hours of music playback and noise cancellation. This is enough to please the majority of users, and it exceeds the specs for similar Bluetooth headphones.

The earbuds are equipped with an intelligent charging case that ensures the earbuds are powered even when not in use. 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 music playback after just 10 minutes of charge.

The earbuds automatically enter power saving mode once the case is closed. This will extend the life of the battery. You can alter the sound settings of your headset like DSEE HX Auto and Equalizer within the Headphones Connect app to get the most enjoyment from your listening experience. Be aware that high-quality sound settings may decrease the time to operate.

The WH1000XM5 headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.2 which supports LDAC audio streaming. They are compatible with a variety of Bluetooth devices. The headphones also include an 3.5mm audio cable, so you can listen to your favourite songs in analogue format.

In terms of features, the earbuds come with 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 just a single tap. You can also swiftly change between ANC and transparency modes with a double-tap. The left earbud has an integrated microphone that can be used for phone calls and can be used to take or end calls.

The earbuds can also be used with Sony's Headphones Connect App, which allows users to customize the audio settings, manage Bluetooth connection, and receive helpful tips and updates. The app has a variety of preset listening options, and the option of manually altering 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 free to download for Android and iOS smartphones. Some users found the app difficult to navigate and cumbersome.