This week, Sony unveiled the updated edition of its flagship headphones with high-end noise cancellation. If you’re only interested in how Sony’s $400 WH-1000XM5 compares to Apple’s $549 AirPods Max, be sure to check out our direct comparison. The following is an independent review of Sony’s newest headphones.
Since their launch in August 2020, Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones have been among the most productive cases in the over-ear noise cancellation market, so Sony probably decided to keep them in its lineup despite the release of this new version. You can still buy the XM4 for $349, while the XM5 costs $399. But does paying the extra $50 give you a better listening experience?it will probably be dictated through the revised design.
While the XM5s are still available in black or silver (broken white) color options, Sony has revised the look and feel of its flagship WH-1000 series headphones. While the XM4 has wrapped arms that move the headphones on either side, the XM5 has exposed arms with a bar attached to the caps, which are wider and padded than in the previous generation.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are shown on the right. Elsewhere, Sony has brought the microphone holes closer to the user’s head in an effort to reduce wind noise while traveling. The weight of the headphones hasn’t dropped much (250 grams versus the XM4’s 254 grams), but Sony’s cans are still lighter than Apple’s AirPods Max (384 grams).
Overall, the XM5s look more plasticized than their predecessors, but feel stronger in the hand. This may be due to the fact that there are fewer pivot problems and fewer possible weak problems, but in any case, the differences build confidence when adjusting the cups, and they feel incredibly comfortable even after using them for several hours at a time.
An obvious result of the redesign is that the headphones don’t fold like on the XM4, forcing Sony to offer a larger, less portable case. Without exaggerating the size difference, it must be said that it seems like a downgrade, especially when you are used to storing your XM4 in a small compartment and not in the main segment of your bag. No matter how many other people intend to stick with those headphones at home, there’s no denying that noise-canceling cans are designed for travel/travel, as Sony’s marketing suggests.
In terms of sound, Sony replaced the XM4’s 40mm drivers and replaced them with 30mm drivers. The difference is hard to notice and you need to pay full attention to distinguish them, however, the XM5’s low frequencies sound more developed, while the mid-range remains wonderfully balanced, the treble still shines on the instrumental tracks, and the total fun keeps that spacious, detailed soundstage that XM4 owners are familiar with.
As before, the headset uses LDAC to provide high-resolution audio, given the right source device type, while the SBC, aptX/aptX HD, and AAC formats are supported, as is the improved DSEE Extreme for compressed audio. Sony’s 360 Space Reality Audio sound effect is also on board, and the effect is transparent and immersive, for those who like this kind of thing. Purists also have the option to plug the cable provided into the 3. 5mm connector.
As far as noise cancellation is concerned, Sony has kept the same QN1 processor it uses in the XM4, meaning it still has the full repertoire of adaptive NC functions at its fingertips. Launch the Sony Headphones Connect app and you can manually drag a slider that adjusts the degree of noise cancellation, allowing you to decide between maximum insulation, wind noise relief or 20 degrees of variable ambient attenuation.
It’s wonderful for locating your ideal NC diversity when stationary, but you can also transfer to adaptive sound when you’re on the pass and the built-in QN1 processor will do its job just as well, automatically adjusting the corresponding opposite sound frequencies. to block out all ambient sounds that come your way.
In addition, Sony increased the number of microphones to 8 (four more than the previous model) and placed them in what Sony says is a more optimal position to attenuate high-frequency noise, and they would be right. Engines and traffic as before, however, the XM5s are better at cutting off background conversations in a busy coffee shop or on a daily commute.
Ambient noise also reduces voice calls, which is decent enough for headphones that are placed over the ears. I didn’t have a pair of AirPods Max on hand to directly compare the XM5’s NC chops, but the Transparency mode on AirPods Pro is a bit better than what Sony has achieved. Otherwise, those noise-canceling cans are definitely among the most productive.
One thing missing from the XM5 of the previous model is the optimization button, which treated the non-public NC optimization feature as sampling ambient noise and canceling out a wider variety of sounds with corresponding opposite frequencies. Activate the function on the XM4 reason the headphone speakers emit a series of tones that bounce between the microphones to analyze the shape of your head, if you have a lot of hair, wear glasses and more. Sony says everything is now done automatically and in the background, and I can’t say I missed its manually activated incarnation.
When it comes to battery life, Sony impresses by providing the same 30 hours of wireless battery life with ANC as the XM4 and 40 hours with ANC disabled (10 more than the previous model). In addition, Sony has increased the stakes in force. delivery issues, and now you can get 3 hours of playback in just 3 minutes with the provided USB-C charger. The XM5s are also multipoint, so you can connect to two devices at once, but as with the XM4, you can’t use the serve as and the LDAC at the same time for some reason.
Sony hasn’t had to reconsider the XM5s, but the fact is that those headphones seem to be more in tune with the spirit of the current era: narrow, sleek boxes that look modern and retain the audio functionality that Sony’s flagship headphones are famous for. Overall, the redesign is positive, but if you’re an ordinary traveler, the extra volume that comes with not being foldable could be enough to put you off.
If you already have a pair of XM4s, the difference between them and the XM5s isn’t enough to require an upgrade (for my part, I’m satisfied with mine). However, Sony has relied on the good fortune of the past style without too many compromises, and if you’re looking for a pair of high-performance noise-cancelling forged headphones with matching sounds, I can only propose them.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones can be ordered today on Sony’s online page and on Amazon for $399.
Note: Sony has provided MacRumors with the WH-1000XM5 headphones for the purposes of this review. No additional refund was obtained. MacRumors is an Amazon Associate Partner. When you click on a link and make a purchase, we may get a small payment, which helps us make the site work.
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