Last updated on December 14th, 2023 at 10:05 am

Impressive battery life, excellent sound quality, and effective noise cancellation make this a worthwhile purchase – though Sony falls short of surpassing Bose.

Sony’s most recent high-end Bluetooth earbuds are now more compact, lighter, and boast enhanced comfort, touting top-tier noise cancellation and audio quality. However, this alone doesn’t set them apart in the saturated market.

Priced at £259 ($299.99/A$419), the WF-1000XM5 represent the fifth iteration of the company’s benchmark-setting earbuds, succeeding the impressive XM4s introduced a couple of years ago.

The latest iteration is 25% more compact and 20% lighter than its predecessor, enhancing comfort and ease of insertion into the ear. While the foam earbud tips offer a secure seal for everyday use, the absence of stabilizing wings limits their suitability for physical activities.

Despite their reduced size, the earbuds are rated for eight hours of playback with noise-cancellation before needing a recharge, although real-world testing demonstrated even longer endurance.

The upper part of the earbud features touch-sensitive controls for playback and noise-cancelling adjustments, accommodating one to four taps as well as tap-and-hold gestures. Additionally, they incorporate head-nodding and shaking gestures for call management, and automatically pause playback upon removal. While the controls function effectively, it’s worth noting that individual gesture functions cannot be customized, which sets them apart from their leading competitors.

Future proofed

These earbuds offer seamless Bluetooth pairing for Android and Windows devices, and for Apple and other platforms, there’s a dedicated button on the case. They also have the capability to connect to two devices simultaneously, which proves useful for managing calls and enjoying video content. Additionally, they support both the SBC and AAC audio formats with universal compatibility across devices.

For Android users, they also seamlessly integrate with the advanced LDAC and the recently introduced LC3 audio formats, provided your device is compatible. While the benefits may be limited presently, LC3 holds the potential to significantly enhance the Bluetooth experience in the coming years, particularly with compatible smartphones. This feature ensures that the earbuds remain up-to-date.

Furthermore, the Sony earbuds offer hands-free access to both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice commands, as well as quick access to Spotify and select other music apps via a gesture on the earbuds to swiftly initiate playback.

Specifications:

• Water resistance: Rated at IPX4 (resistant to sweat)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (Supports SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3)
• Battery life: 8 hours with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) (up to 24 hours with charging case)
• Individual Earbud Weight: 5.9g
• Driver Size: 8.4mm
• Charging Case Weight: 39g
• Charging Case Dimensions: 64.6 x 40 x 26.5mm
• Charging Options for Case: USB-C, Qi wireless charging

Good sound and Android spatial audio

Sony’s premium earbuds have consistently been known for their exceptional sound quality. While the XM5 still deliver impressive audio with a well-balanced, intricate profile and robust bass when needed, they no longer hold a significant lead over their competitors, occasionally being surpassed by Sennheiser in certain aspects.

When used with an iPhone, they handle most music genres capably, although they may lack a touch of vigor and dynamism in specific instances. Making slight adjustments using the full equalizer in the Headphones Connect app can infuse them with a livelier quality. Nevertheless, their optimal performance shines through when playing music from an Android device that supports the LDAC audio format, resulting in a fuller, more lush musical experience overall.

A notable addition for the XM5 is their advanced spatial audio support, complete with head tracking functionality when used with an Android phone like a Google Pixel. This feature elevates the immersion and realism of movies, placing you squarely in the heart of the action. Regrettably, the XM5 do not accommodate Apple’s version of spatial audio, limiting you to stereo sound when watching videos on an iPhone. However, they do offer support for Sony’s akin 360 reality audio system through compatible streaming platforms like Tidal and Amazon Music Unlimited.

Very effective noise cancelling

The XM5 earbuds excel in noise reduction, effectively hushing the external environment to a level akin to their predecessors. However, they fall just short of surpassing the industry-leading Bose QC Earbuds 2, allowing a tad more ambient conversation to filter through. While they still outperform most other competitors, they no longer hold a significant edge over Apple’s AirPods Pro or Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3.

The transparency mode is serviceable, albeit slightly reverberant in confined spaces. A useful feature allows you to tap and hold one of the earbuds to temporarily let external sounds in, which proves handy for catching announcements. Moreover, the speak-to-chat function automatically pauses playback and activates transparency mode when the earbuds detect you are speaking.

Sustainability

Sony does not specify a definitive lifespan for the batteries, but they are anticipated to endure over 500 complete charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of their original capacity. It’s worth noting, however, that these earbuds are not designed for repair, and Sony does not offer battery replacement services, essentially categorizing them as disposable items.

Both the earbuds and their case are constructed from recycled plastic. While Sony does not run trade-in or recycling programs in the UK for headphones, and environmental impact reports specifically for headphones are not available, the company does release annual sustainability reports outlining its objectives and progress.

Final Thoughts:

Sony’s fifth-generation noise-cancelling Bluetooth earbuds represent their smallest, lightest, and most comfortable offering yet. While they still boast some of the most potent noise-cancellation capabilities in the market, they fall short of surpassing Bose. In terms of sound quality, the WF-1000XM5 outshine their primary competitor but are outperformed by high-end rivals from Sennheiser.

While the Sonys present a well-rounded package, they no longer hold a substantial lead over their competitors. The choice of quality earbuds now heavily relies on compatibility with the devices you use, rather than sheer headphone performance. For instance, the XM5 supports spatial audio with Android, but not with Apple devices, making the AirPods Pro a more suitable option for Apple users.

It’s worth noting that the XM5 earbuds are not repairable, and the battery cannot be replaced by Sony, which deducts a star from their overall rating.

In essence, the XM5 are outstanding noise-cancelling earbuds that deliver on their promises. However, they no longer stand head and shoulders above the competition, as their predecessors once did.

Pros: Impressive sound quality and spatial audio for Android, highly effective noise-cancelling, useful ambient sound modes, commendable call quality, extended battery life, comfortable fit, forward-looking connectivity, multipoint functionality, comprehensive EQ options, conveniently portable case, and cross-platform app support.

Cons: High price point, limited customization of gesture controls, absence of additional wings for secure fit during physical activity, outperformed in noise-cancelling by Bose, and no spatial audio support for movies on iPhone.