Impressive battery life, excellent audio, and effective noise-cancellation create a worthwhile choice, but Sony falls short of surpassing Bose
Sony’s latest high-end Bluetooth earbuds are reduced in size, weight, and offer improved comfort while boasting top-tier noise cancellation and audio quality. However, these features alone are no longer sufficient to distinguish them in a competitive market. Priced at £259 ($299.99/A$419), the WF-1000XM5 earbuds mark the fifth generation of Sony’s benchmark-setting earbuds, succeeding the impressive XM4s from a couple of years ago.
The latest iteration is 25% smaller and 20% lighter than its predecessor, enhancing comfort and ease of fitting in the ear. The foam earbud tips offer a secure seal for everyday use, but the absence of stabilizing wings to hold them in place may make them less suitable for physical activities.
Despite the reduced size, these earbuds boast an eight-hour playback duration with active noise-cancelling between charges, though actual testing demonstrated even longer endurance.
The earbuds feature touch-sensitive controls on the top for managing playback and noise-cancelling settings, with support for one, two, three, or four taps, as well as tap-and-hold gestures. Additionally, they offer head nodding and shaking gestures for answering or declining calls and automatically pause music when removed. While the controls function effectively, they lack the ability to customize the function of each individual gesture, a feature found in some of the top competitors.
Prepared for the future
The earbuds offer seamless Bluetooth pairing for Android and Windows, facilitated by a case button for connecting to Apple and other devices. They have the capability to simultaneously connect with two devices, which is convenient for managing calls and watching videos. Additionally, they support the standard SBC and AAC audio formats, ensuring compatibility with all devices.
On Android devices, these earbuds are compatible with the high-quality LDAC and the emerging LC3 audio formats, provided your device is equipped to support them. Although currently of limited utility, LC3 holds the potential to significantly enhance the Bluetooth experience in the coming years when used with compatible phones. It aims to reduce latency and enhance audio quality, ensuring the earbuds are future-proofed.
The Sony earbuds also offer hands-free access to voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice control, in addition to quick access to Spotify and a few other music apps through earbud gestures, allowing for swift music playback initiation.
Specifications
Water resistance: Rated IPX4 (for sweat)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (Supports SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3)
Battery life: 8 hours with ANC (Up to 24 hours with the case)
Earbud weight: 5.9g
Driver size: 8.4mm
Charging case weight: 39g
Charging case dimensions: 64.6 x 40 x 26.5mm
Charging case charging: Supported through USB-C and Qi wireless charging
Impressive audio quality and Android spatial audio support
Sony’s premium earbuds have consistently delivered exceptional sound quality, earning them a top position in the market. The XM5 earbuds continue to offer impressive audio quality, characterized by a well-balanced, detailed sound profile and ample bass when needed. However, they are no longer significantly ahead of the competition and are surpassed by Sennheiser in some aspects.
On an iPhone, they perform well across various music genres but may lack a bit of vigor and dynamism in certain instances. Making slight adjustments using the full equalizer in the Headphones Connect app can add a touch more liveliness to their sound. Nevertheless, they truly shine when connected to an Android phone that supports the LDAC audio format, delivering music that feels fuller and richer overall.
A notable addition to the XM5 is advanced spatial audio support with head tracking, particularly when used with an Android phone like a Google Pixel. This feature enhances the realism and immersion of movies by placing you right in the heart of the action. Unfortunately, the XM5 do not support Apple’s version of spatial audio, restricting you to stereo sound when watching videos on an iPhone. However, they do offer compatibility with Sony’s 360 reality audio system through supported streaming apps like Tidal and Amazon Music Unlimited.
Highly efficient noise cancellation
The XM5 earbuds are equipped with effective noise cancellation, effectively reducing external disturbances to a similar extent as their predecessors. However, they do not quite reach the noise-cancellation performance of industry leaders like the Bose QC Earbuds 2, allowing slightly more ambient conversation to seep through. They maintain an advantage over most other competitors but no longer hold a significant lead over Apple’s AirPods Pro or Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3.
Regarding transparency mode, it performs well, though it may exhibit a slight echo effect in enclosed environments. Users have the option to tap and hold one of the earbuds to temporarily enable external sound, a valuable feature for staying attentive to announcements. Additionally, the speak-to-chat function automatically pauses music and activates transparency mode when the earbuds detect that you are speaking.
Environmental Responsibility
Sony does not specify the anticipated battery lifespan, but it is likely to exceed 500 full-charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its initial capacity. However, it’s important to note that these earbuds are not designed for repair, and Sony does not offer battery replacement services, rendering them essentially disposable.
In terms of materials, both the earbuds and the case are constructed from recycled plastic. Sony does not currently run trade-in or recycling programs in the UK specifically for headphones, nor does it provide environmental impact reports for this product category. Nevertheless, Sony does release annual sustainability reports outlining its objectives and progress in this regard.
Price
The Sony WF-1000XM5 is priced at £259 ($299.99/A$419).
To provide context, here are the prices of some competing earbuds:
- Google Pixel Buds Pro: £154
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3: £189
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: £229.95
- Apple AirPods Pro 2: £249.
Verdict
Sony’s fifth-generation Bluetooth earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, are the smallest, lightest, and most comfortable yet. While they still boast effective noise-cancelling, they are surpassed by Bose in this regard. In terms of sound quality, they outperform their chief rival, but they are outdone by some high-end competitors from Sennheiser.
While the Sonys offer a comprehensive package, they are no longer the clear leaders in the field. The choice of quality earbuds now depends more on compatibility with your devices than on pure headphone performance. For example, while the XM5 supports spatial audio on Android, it does not do so with Apple devices, making the AirPods Pro a better choice in that ecosystem.
It’s important to note that the XM5 earbuds are not repairable, and Sony does not offer battery replacement services, which affects their overall rating.
In summary, the XM5 is a great pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that do not disappoint, but they are no longer head and shoulders above the competition, as previous versions have been.
