Sony has cracked the formula to make great noise canceling headphones and give longtime rival Bose a run for its money. Sony’s WH-1000XM5 is the latest iteration in the WH-1000X lineup, which debuted the original model in 2016. Sony’s formula for making the world sit up and pay attention is simple: make high-quality noise-cancelling headphones that improve ANC (active noise cancellation) with each iteration and solidify its position in the premium ANC headphone segment.
Launched for Rs 34,990, the Sony WH-1000XM5 competes with the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless and Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones. It also closes horns with the Jabra Evolve2 65 which was unveiled for Rs 35,990. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is available for Rs 26,990 on e-commerce site Amazon India, which certainly makes it a good deal and cheaper than rivals Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless and Jabra Evolve2 65. Before 2018, buying an ANC headset would mean getting your hands dirty. must choose between Bose’s QC series or Sennheiser. Fast forward to 2022, Sony has turned the tables and the WH-1000 series is among the highly regarded ANC headphones on the market. Opting for top-level noise-cancelling headphones means tough competition for Bose and Sennheiser, from Sony’s stable. Read our detailed review to find out if the headphones are worth your money.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Design, looks and build
Sony has deviated from the design language of the WH-1000XM4 headphones and updated the WH-1000XM5, which is made from recyclable plastic for a sleeker, more convenient look. With the WH-1000XM5, Sony has made a design shift from its predecessors over generations, and that’s a good change I must say. Another departure from the WH-1000XM4 is the synthetic leather padding in the headphones, which is super comfortable and smoother than the faux leather from the previous iteration. Sony has gone minimal in terms of branding with just small Sony logos on each hinge. The overall look and feel of the headphones is premium and doesn’t scream for attention.
With 252 grams, the headphones are ergonomic and more comfortable than the predecessor and suitable for wearing for hours on end. In the shape of the ear cups, they are more oval and longer than the previous generation of WH-1000XM4 headphones. The headband is thinner this time, has comfortable foam padding and is integrated into the ear cups. The headphones come in two color variants: black and silver. The latter looks more chic and sophisticated in my opinion. This year’s iteration has what Sony calls “silent design,” which is reflected in the design of the headphones: it’s seamless and sleek, with the company working on an aerodynamic design to reduce wind noise.
One of the not-so-welcome changes is no water resistance, nor can the headphones fold in on themselves, which reduces their portability. Fortunately, the carrying case is slim and makes up for the less portable WH-1000XM5.
Pairing is easy – just press and hold the power button below the left can to initiate Bluetooth pairing mode and you’re good to go. There’s a first that lets you toggle between noise cancellation and situational awareness settings. The right earcup is touch sensitive and contains the controls to increase and decrease the volume, double tap to pause a song and answer calls. You can also cover it with your palm to activate the Situational Awareness mode. There is a USB Type-C charging port on the right head and the standard 3.5mm headphone jack is on the left.
Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony Headphones Connect App
The Sony Headphones Connect app is available on both the Google Play Store and the App Store and works well with the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. The Sony Headphones Connect app provides easy access to settings and controls, including displaying battery level and operational codec, equalizer settings, Bluetooth connection quality, Adaptive Sound Control for adjusting ANC based on location and environment, Spotify Tap among others configuration.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Sound Output
Not only in terms of design, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 brings a significant change from its predecessor, in terms of thumping bass (as a premium pair of headphones should). The headphones sound balanced and don’t go overboard with the thumping base. The USP, ANC, also stands out better than the XM4, both outdoors and indoors. The XM5 has 30mm drivers as opposed to the XM4 which came with 40mm drivers and the result is no downgrade. In fact, the WH-1000XM5 delivers top-class sound, with the highs and lows sounding louder than the mids.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is undoubtedly one of the best noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones on the market today. However, if you want this pair to be your training partner, you should also keep in mind that it is not resistant to sweat and water. Battery life is pretty good and I got over 30 hours of backup on a single charge, with ANC mode on. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is definitely recommended if you come from models older than the XM4.
