Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones Review

The headphones running come with a carrying case, three sets of ear tips, and a USB-C cable. They're simple to pair out of the box, but you'll need to download the Sony Headphones Connect app to unlock some of their more exciting features.

The app's EQ allows you to customize the headphones' sound profiles, and it can work 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 bluetooth headphones ear, or Headphones Gym neckband headphones, Sony makes some of the best sounding wireless headsets around. A majority of their models have aptX HD, LDAC, and Hi-Res Audio support. Their noise cancellation technology can block out any external noise and allows you to fully enjoy your music or podcast.

Their Bluetooth wireless headphones provide crystal clear high notes with balanced mid-range tones and warm bass tones. The Headphones Connect App also includes an EQ to further customize. Some of their models have a touch-sensitive sensor that allows you to manage music playback or phone calls without touching the headphones.

The majority of their wireless headphones work with iOS and Android devices. They can be paired the traditional way or via NFC. They can also be connected to a mobile device using the USB cable included with the package.

The WF-C500's headphones may not be as attractive as other Sony headphones however they provide higher quality audio at a lower price. The noise cancellation capabilities of these headphones are very good, and they have an endurance of up to 10 hours. They work with the Headphones Connect app and can support a variety of audio formats that include Hi-Res Audio and 360 Reality Audio files.

If you're looking for Bluetooth wireless earbuds that deliver excellent bass response 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. They also provide a range of audio codecs, such as aptX HD and LDAC. These earbuds also come with advanced features like Quick Alert and Transparency Mode, which can be activated by pressing 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 the full, rich sound profile. The headsets feature an actual control system instead of the swipe and tap gestures that are used on other Sony Bluetooth headsets. However they do have a Bluetooth connection can be erratic at times and they don't have a wired connection as a backup.

Design

Sony offers a wide selection of wireless headphones for all types of music listeners. The company's headsets feature various styles of earbuds and designs for over-ears that are available in black, white, pink and a number of other colors. They are available in wired and wireless models, and include a range of features including noise-canceling technology and Bluetooth connectivity. Many of the headphones are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant as well as Siri voice control.

The WH-1000XM5 are the latest version of Sony's famous wireless noise-canceling headphones. These premium over-ear headphones are a bit of a different style from their predecessors in terms of design however they retain the same excellent sound quality and comfort.

Like their predecessors XM5s have a pair 30mm mica-reinforced cellular full-range dynamic drivers that deliver clear and detailed audio. The earcups are also a touch smaller to help reduce weight, making them a little easier on the ears. The headband has a soft faux leather covering and a sprinkling of memory foam. This makes the XM5s some of the most comfortable headphones available.

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

If you don't want to spend the pricey XM5s can opt for the WH-C500, which is a bit cheaper. These earbuds are cheaper than their more expensive counterparts, yet they provide excellent audio quality and excellent noise cancellation. They're also compatible with Sony Headphones application for adjusting settings for EQ, and they can be connected to two devices simultaneously.

The WHSP800N is yet another excellent pair of Sony headphones. It's ideal for commuters, athletes and those who work a lot at home or in an office. The wireless earbuds boast an impressive battery lifespan of up to 17 hours. They have a sleek design that's both lightweight and compact. They're a bit more cumbersome 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 for any pair of headphones. The WH1000XM5s are not a disappointment with their outstanding active noise cancellation that blocks out the majority of unwanted sounds that you hear in your environment. The headband is cushioned and curved to fit around your ears, securing you from the outside world by creating an acoustic envelope that blocks out most low-frequency sounds such as air conditioning or background conversations.

Sony's noise canceling does an excellent job of blocking out higher-frequency sound, such as loud cooking or other conversations. There's a limit to how much noise you can block, and that limit is largely determined by your surroundings. The WH-1000XM5s are able to block out the constant noise of a jet engine, but won't do much to quiet the squealing brake or your seatmate's animated conversation (that's where passive isolation comes in handy).

If you'd like to block out even more noise, there are various options available. You can adjust the EQ of the headphones using the Headphones Connect App or a third-party equalizer. You can also utilize the programmable button located on the left earcup to set three "favorite levels" to block out noise. You can switch between 10 different ANC levels by pressing a single button.

The headphones wireless Sony include 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 phone or tablet the headphones will default to SBC for stability reasons.

For the most expensive pair of headphones, you're getting the top-quality Bluetooth codecs, amazing sound, and improved noise cancellation. The WH-1000XM5s are an excellent upgrade for people who already own a previous model of headphones. They're the top noise-cancelling wireless headphones on the market. They're among the top-performing pairs of headphones we've tested in recent years and are a great pick for busy commutes.

Battery Life

For true wireless earbuds, battery life is key. Sony's WH1000XM5 headphones offer up to 30 hours of music playback and noise cancellation. This is enough for the majority of users and is more than the specs of similar Bluetooth earbuds.

The earbuds come with a clever charging case which keeps them charged when they are not being used. It's easy to enjoy music all day. Additionally the earbuds feature fast charging technology that adds up to three hours of playback after just 10 minutes of charging.

When the case is closed the earbuds automatically turn off and enter power saving mode to extend the battery's life further. You can adjust the settings for sound on your headset like DSEE HX Auto and Equalizer through the Headphones Connect app to get the most from your listening experience. Be aware that the operating time can decrease when quality sound settings are turned on.

The WH1000XM5 headphones support Bluetooth 5.2, which includes LDAC audio streaming. They are compatible with a variety of Bluetooth devices. They also have the 3.5mm cable that lets you listen your favorite songs in analog format.

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

The Headphones Gym 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 comes with a range of pre-set listening options, as well as the option to adjust manually the DSEE and equalizer settings. It's an excellent feature for people who enjoy listening to music and podcasts on the go. The app can be downloaded free of charge on Android and iOS phones. However, some users find the app difficult to navigate and cumbersome.