Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones Review

The headphones come with the case, three sets of ear tips, as well as the USB-C charging cable. The headphones are easy to pair right out of the package, but you'll need to download Sony Headphones Connect to unlock some of its cool features.

The application's EQ allows you to customize the sound profile of your headphones and also supports Sony's immersive 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 most immersive wireless headsets around. Many of their models feature aptX HD, LDAC, and Hi-Res Audio support. Their noise cancellation technology lets you completely immerse yourself in your music and podcasts.

These Bluetooth wireless headphones provide warm bass tones, balanced mid-range notes, and crystal clear high notes. They also have an EQ in the Headphones Connect app for further customization. Some of their models also include a touch-sensitive sensor that lets you manage music playback or phone calls without touching the headphones.

The majority of their wireless headsets work with iOS or Android devices. They can be linked in the traditional manner or through NFC. They can also be connected to a mobile device by using the USB cable that comes with the package.

The WF-C500 headphones may not be as appealing as other Sony headphones but they do provide superior audio performance at a much lower price point. Their noise-canceling capabilities are also excellent, and they have the capacity to last up to 10 hours. They work with the Headphones Connect app and can support a variety of audio formats, including Hi-Res Audio and 360 Reality Audio files.

The Sony WI-1000XM2 Bluetooth wireless earbuds are among the top of the line for those looking for headphones that have the best bass response. The wireless earbuds come with the same QN1 processor as Sony's flagship headphones, and they support a variety of audio codecs like aptXHD as well as LDAC. They also come with advanced features such as Quick Alert and Transparency Mode that can be turned on by rubbing the right ear cup or lifting your hands.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 are top-quality noise-cancelling headsets that offer outstanding audio quality and a rich sound profile. The headsets come with an actual control system instead of the tap-and-swipe gestures used on other Sony Bluetooth headsets. However they do have a Bluetooth connection isn't always stable and they do not support an unwired connection to backup.

Design

Sony offers a wide selection of wireless headphones suitable for all kinds of music lovers. Sony's headphones come with a variety of earbud and over-ear designs 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-cancelling technology as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Many of the headphones are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and Siri voice control.

The WH-1000XM5 are the most recent iteration of Sony's popular wireless noise-canceling headphones. These premium over-ear headphones are a slight departure from their predecessor in terms of design but they're still able to provide the same excellent sound quality and comfort.

Similar to their predecessors, the XM5s come with a pair of 30mm mica-reinforced cellular full-range cellular drivers that produce clear and precise audio. The earcups are also smaller to lessen weight, making them a little easier to wear. The headband is covered with soft synthetic leather and scattered with memory foam which makes the XM5s one of the most comfortable pair around.

The XM5s are a very premium wireless headphone that competes with the Bose QC35 II, Apple AirPods Max, and other top brands. They compete against high-end headphones like Bang & Olufsen, Montblanc and more. But the XM5s offer more value for money and perform better.

For those who aren't willing to shell out the price tag of the XM5s there's the WH-C500, which is less expensive. These earbuds are of high-quality audio and noise cancellation. They are much cheaper than the more expensive XM5s. They're also compatible with the Sony headphones sony app, which allows you to customize setting of EQ, and can be connected to two devices simultaneously.

The WH-SP800N is another great pair of Sony headphones that are perfect for commuters, sports enthusiasts and those who spend a lot of time working at work or at home. These wireless earbuds are lightweight and compact, and have a powerful battery that lasts up to 17-hours. They're a little more bulkier to wear than other wireless headphones, but they're still extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Noise Cancellation

Whether it's the low sound of an airplane's engine, noise Cancelling Headphones or your friend's chattering colleague the noise cancellation feature is essential in every pair of headphones. The WH-1000XM5s don't disappoint, with excellent active noise cancellation that blocks out the majority of unwanted sounds in your surroundings. The headband is padded and curved to fit around your ears, securing you off from the outside world by creating an acoustic enclosure that blocks out most low-frequency sounds such as air conditioning or background conversations.

Sony's noise cancellation can do an excellent job of filtering higher-frequency sounds, like the clanging of dishes or other conversations. There's a limit to the amount of noise cancelling headphones (Recommended Web site) you're able to cancel, and that limit is largely determined by the surroundings. The WH1000XM5s block the constant rumble of a jet engine but not a squealing brake system or your seatmate's animated conversations. Passive isolation is a better option.

If you'd like to block out more background noise, there are various settings to choose from. 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 on the left ear cup to select three "favorite" noise cancellation levels. You can select between 10 different ANC levels by pressing a single button.

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

For the most expensive pair of headphones, you're paying for the high-quality Bluetooth codecs, great audio, and superior noise cancellation. That makes the WH-1000XM5s an excellent choice, particularly in the event that you already have a previous version of the headphones and want to upgrade. They're among the top wireless noise-cancelling headphones on the market. These are the best headphones we've tested over the last few years. They're perfect for commutes.

Battery Life

Battery life is crucial for earbuds that are truly wireless. Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones provide up to 30 hours of playback and noise cancellation. This is enough for the majority of users and exceeds the specs of similar Bluetooth earbuds.

The earbuds are equipped with a smart charging case that keeps the earbuds charged when they are not in use. This makes it easy to keep your listening sessions on all day long. They also come with fast charging technology that can give you up to three hours of music in only 10 minutes.

When the case is closed the earbuds turn off automatically and enter power saving mode to extend battery life further. You can change the headset's sound settings like DSEE HX Auto and Equalizer through the Headphones Connect app to get the most from your listening experience. However, be aware that the available operating time can decrease when high-quality sound settings are activated.

The WH1000XM5 headphones support Bluetooth 5.2 that includes LDAC audio streaming. They are compatible with a variety of bluetooth headphones devices. They also come with a 3.5mm cable that allows you to listen to your favorite songs in analog form.

In terms of features, the earbuds have the ability to use touch controls on both sides to control audio and phone calls. With just one touch you can play or pause music using the right earbud. You can also quickly switch between ANC and transparency modes with the double-tap. The left earbud has a built-in mic for calls made by phone. It can be used to stop or answer calls.

The earbuds can also be used with Sony's Headphones Connect App, which allows users to customize audio settings, control Bluetooth connection and receive useful tips and updates. The app provides a variety of pre-set listening modes and also the option to adjust manually the DSEE and equalizer settings. This is a great feature for those who prefer to listen to podcasts and music while on the go. The app is available free of charge on Android and iOS phones. Some reviewers find the app difficult to navigate and cumbersome.