Last updated on December 14th, 2023 at 09:43 am

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

Sony’s newest high-end Bluetooth earbuds are more compact, lighter, and offer enhanced comfort, boasting top-tier noise cancellation and sound quality. However, in today’s competitive market, these features alone aren’t sufficient for them to truly distinguish themselves.

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

The latest model is 25% more compact and 20% lighter compared to the previous version, resulting in increased comfort and easier insertion into the ear. The foam earbud tips offer effective sealing in everyday situations, but the absence of stabilizing wings means they may be less suitable for physical activity.

Despite their reduced size, these earbuds are rated for eight hours of playback with noise-cancellation before requiring a recharge. However, in actual testing, they demonstrated an even longer lifespan.

The upper part of the earbud features touch-sensitive controls for playback and noise-cancellation adjustments, supporting various tap gestures ranging from one to four taps, as well as tap-and-hold actions. Additionally, they incorporate head nodding and shaking motions for accepting or declining calls, and automatically pause playback when removed. While the controls function smoothly, it’s worth noting that individual gestures cannot be customized, which sets them apart from some of the 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 for quick connection. They have the capability to link with two devices simultaneously, which proves useful for managing calls and enjoying video content. Additionally, they support the widely used SBC and AAC audio formats across all compatible devices.

For Android users, they are also compatible with the advanced LDAC and the recently introduced LC3 audio formats, provided your device is equipped to support them. While their current utility might be limited, LC3 holds the potential to significantly enhance the Bluetooth experience in the coming years, particularly with compatible smartphones, by reducing latency and elevating audio quality, ensuring that the earbuds remain forward-looking.

Furthermore, the Sony earbuds offer hands-free access to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice commands. They also enable quick initiation of music playback through a simple gesture on the earbuds, granting convenient access to Spotify and a selection of other music applications.

Specifications:

• Water resistance: Rated at IPX4 (resistant to sweat)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (Supports SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3)
• Battery life: 8 hours with ANC (up to 24 hours with charging case)
• Earbud weight: 5.9g
• Driver size: 8.4mm
• Charging case weight: 39g
• Charging case dimensions: 64.6 x 40 x 26.5mm
• Case charging: Supports USB-C and Qi wireless charging

Good sound and Android spatial audio

Sony’s top-tier earbuds have consistently been renowned for their exceptional sound quality. The XM5 maintains this reputation, delivering well-balanced, intricate audio with a satisfying punch when needed. However, they no longer hold an indisputable lead over their competitors and are surpassed by Sennheiser in certain aspects.

When used with an iPhone, they perform admirably across most music genres, although they may exhibit a slight lack of vigor and dynamism in some instances. A few adjustments in the Headphones Connect app’s full equalizer can infuse them with a livelier quality. Their optimal performance, however, is achieved when playing music from an Android device that supports the LDAC audio format, resulting in a fuller and more resonant audio experience overall.

A noteworthy addition for the XM5 is the introduction of advanced spatial audio support, coupled with head tracking when used in tandem with an Android phone like a Google Pixel. This feature heightens the realism and immersion of movies, placing you right in the heart of the action. Regrettably, the XM5 does not offer support for Apple’s version of spatial audio, limiting you to stereo sound when viewing videos on an iPhone. Nonetheless, they do seamlessly integrate with Sony’s comparable 360 reality audio system through compatible streaming platforms like Tidal and Amazon Music Unlimited.

Very effective noise cancelling

The XM5 also excel in noise reduction, effectively dampening the surrounding environment much like their predecessors. However, they fall slightly short of the industry-leading Bose QC Earbuds 2, allowing a bit more background chatter to filter through. While they still outperform most other competitors, they no longer hold a significant lead over Apple’s AirPods Pro or Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3.

The transparency mode is satisfactory, albeit with a touch of echo in confined spaces. By tapping and holding one of the earbuds, you can temporarily allow external sounds in, which proves to be an excellent feature for staying attuned to announcements. Additionally, the speak-to-chat function automatically pauses the music and activates transparency when the earbuds detect that you’re speaking.

Sustainability

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

Both the earbuds and their case are constructed using recycled plastic. In the UK, Sony does not currently run trade-in or recycling initiatives specifically for headphones. While detailed environmental impact reports for headphones are not provided, Sony does release annual sustainability reports, outlining its environmental goals and achievements.

Price

The Sony WF-1000XM5 cost £259 ($299.99/A$419).

For comparison, the Google Pixel Buds Pro cost £154, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 cost £189, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 cost £229.95, and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 cost £249.

Verdict

Sony’s fifth generation of noise-cancelling Bluetooth earbuds represents their smallest, lightest, and most comfortable offering yet. Despite still boasting some of the most effective noise-cancellation in the market, they fall short of Bose in this regard. While the WF-1000XM5 outperform their main competitor in sound quality, they are surpassed by some premium contenders from Sennheiser.

Although no other earbuds present as comprehensive a package as the Sonys, they no longer hold an overwhelming advantage. This makes the decision of choosing quality earbuds more dependent on compatibility with the devices you use, such as phones, tablets, and computers, rather than solely on headphone performance. For instance, while the XM5 support spatial audio with Android, this feature is absent with Apple devices, making the AirPods Pro a more suitable option in that context.

It’s worth noting that the XM5 are not repairable, and Sony does not offer battery replacement services, which results in a deduction of a star.

The XM5 remains an excellent choice for noise-cancelling earbuds that deliver impressive results; they just no longer stand head and shoulders above the competition as previous iterations did.

Pros: Impressive sound quality and spatial audio functionality for Android, highly efficient noise-cancellation, commendable ambient sound modes, clear call quality, extended battery life, comfortable fit, forward-looking connectivity, multi-device pairing, comprehensive EQ options, compact and portable case, versatile app support across platforms.

Cons: Relatively high price point, limited customization options for gesture controls, lacking additional wings for secure fit during physical activities like running, surpassed by Bose in noise-cancellation performance, absence of spatial audio support for movies on iPhone.