Second Chance version:
Returned
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Undamaged
According to our headphones expert
The Sony WH-1000XM5 Black are wireless headphones with high-end noise canceling. Thanks to the 2 noise-canceling processors, the headphones reduce ambient noise very accurately. That way, you won't be as bothered by your surroundings and don't have to turn up the volume too much. In the Sony Headphones Connect app, you can personalize the sound reproduction via an equalizer. This allows you to emphasize the bass and listen to the sound you like. On a full charge, the headphones last 30 hours. Is the battery empty? Continue to use the headphones for 3 hours after a 3-minute charge.
Noise cancelingThese headphones have 2 special noise canceling processors that reduce the noise around you very precisely. Both ear cups also have 4 microphones that measure ambient noise from every corner. The measured ambient noise is analyzed, so the headphones can create an anti-noise. This anti-noise makes sure you're bothered less by your surroundings.
Smart functionsThese Sony headphones have a number of smart functions, such as speak-to-chat and wear detection. The speak-to-chat function detects when you're talking. It then mutes your music and enhances the ambient noise. When you take the headphones off, the music pauses thanks to the wear detection. You can enable or disable both functions in the Sony Headphones Connect app. And thanks to the Precise Voice Pickup technology, you're always clearly audible during phone calls.
Sound according to expertJust like its predecessors, these headphones produce a powerful bass. Thanks to the emphasis on the low tones, the bass is very present. Because the mids are balanced, instruments and vocals sound the way the artist intended them to. Want to add an accent to the sound yourself? Download the Sony Headphones Connect app and adjust the sound with the equalizer.
Type of ear cushions | Over-ear | |
|---|---|---|
Bluetooth | ||
Noise canceling | ||
Quality noise canceling | High-end | |
Sound quality according to customers | Very good | |
Bass | Very present | |
Mid tones | Balanced | |
Carrying comfort according to customers | Good |
5 stars
222
4 stars
114
3 stars
32
2 stars
5
1 star
0
Sound quality
Wearing comfort
Build quality
Design
This was an upgrade from the WH-1000XM3 to the XM5. I have always been very satisfied with the XM3, which is still doing well after 3 years, but is now being used by someone else. The XM5 is even more luxurious than the XM3. The controls work flawlessly. The headphones have sensors that register when you take off your headphones. It's a pricey thing, but if you want rock-solid material, then these are the headphones you want.
Thorsten
23 October 2023
Automatically translated from Dutch
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the successor to the WH-1000XM4. After using the XM4 for about two years, now switched to the XM5. After using these headphones for a few weeks, my assessment is mixed. Because I have used its predecessor intensively, I can also compare these two models well. In my opinion, the XM5 is both an advancement and a regression for Sony that shouldn't have been.
To start with the positives of the XM5; The sound quality of the XM5 is better than that of its predecessor. As I am used to from Sony, the low tones come out well in the sound. The bass is very powerful, but also easy to adjust if you don't like it. The middle and high tones come into their own better than with its predecessor. In addition, just like with the XM4, a lot can be set in the app. Although the effect of all the "sliders" seems to me a bit bigger than with its predecessor. The Active Noise Canceling is also an improvement over its predecessor. Especially when you also play music. Without music, especially the dampening of low tones is a bit disappointing. Certainly male voices sometimes want to be audible. Other smaller advantages of the XM5 are the Bluetooth pairing speed (which is smoother and faster than its predecessor) and the adjustable physical button. For example, you can program the button for setting the ANC to launch Spotify twice quickly.
Then the negatives of the XM5; The main flaw is really the design. The XM5 has changed considerably compared to its predecessor, and not in a positive sense. An often mentioned drawback is the fact that the headphones are no longer foldable. Personally, I find that surmountable, but you can no longer easily put the XM5 in your jacket pocket, for example. A more important drawback of the new design is the new mechanism for adjusting the ear cups. This feels very cheap. The new mechanism is stepless (without clicks), but therefore does not stay "set" properly. In addition, the cushions of the XM5 are also a lot thinner and actually fall into the plastic housing of the ear cup. In practice, this means when your head rests against something (cushion, sofa, etc.) that the plastic housing presses against your head, which quickly starts to irritate. The main flaw of the new design is that the headphones creak. The movable parts creak quite quickly when you move your head, which is disturbingly audible. This is really annoying, especially in combination with wearing glasses. I never experienced this problem with its predecessor. A final flaw is the sensitivity of the touch controls on the ear cup. Where its predecessor sometimes did not respond well or slowly, I personally find the XM5 too sensitive. A small tap against the shell (for example because you want to place the headphones properly on your head) immediately gives a response.
A final conclusion; In terms of sound and ANC, the XM5 is certainly an improvement over its predecessor. Unfortunately, Sony has really taken a step back in terms of construction and wearing comfort. The question is whether the progress in sound quality outweighs the decline in construction and wearing comfort. Personally, I don't think the improvements afterwards are enough to choose the XM5, especially considering that the XM4 is a worthy opponent (high-quality headphones) that are also currently available and a lot cheaper.
As far as I'm concerned, the XM6 will be a combination of the design of the XM4 and the sound quality of the XM5. Can't wait to see what Sony will do...
Jasper
30 March 2023
Automatically translated from Dutch
These are my first headphones from a non-budget brand and you quickly notice what you've been missing all these years. Ease of use, sound quality, and of course the top noise canceling that is easy to turn on and off. I also tried and compared Sony's XM3 and XM4. The XM5 is a true improvement over the XM3, but you don't notice much compared to the XM4. The sound quality is largely the same and the noise canceling is slightly better. At the time of writing, the XM5 is about $100 more expensive than the XM4 - not really worth it. Make the decision for yourself.
Sebastian van Groesen
13 January 2023
Automatically translated from Dutch
Product number | 905648 |
|---|---|
Manufacturer code | WH1000XM5B.CE7 |
Brand | Sony |
Warranty | 2 years |
Processing of your defect | Carry-in warranty |
Weight in grams | 250 g | |
|---|---|---|
Color | Black | |
Material | Leather, Plastic | |
Built-in microphone |
Tested by expert | ||
|---|---|---|
Treble | Balanced | |
Mid tones | Balanced | |
Bass | Very present | |
Equalizer |
Sound reproduction | Spatial audio, Stereo | |
|---|---|---|
Hi-Res audio | ||
Volume limit | ||
Active headphones | ||
Noise canceling | ||
Quality noise canceling | High-end |
NFC | ||
|---|---|---|
Bluetooth | ||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | |
Multipoint pairing | ||
Compatible with voice assistant | Google Assistant, Siri |
Detachable cable | ||
|---|---|---|
Ribbon cable | ||
Coil cable | ||
Braided sleeve | ||
Remote in cable |
Sound quality according to customers | Very good | |
|---|---|---|
Carrying comfort according to customers | Good |
Power supply type | Rechargeable battery | |
|---|---|---|
Average battery life | 30 hours |
Water-resistant |
|---|
Type of ear cushions | Over-ear | |
|---|---|---|
Types of design | Closed | |
Foldable | ||
Rotatable ear cups | ||
Ear cushion material | Leather (skai) | |
Physical buttons ear cups | ||
Touchpad ear cup | ||
Remote control on ear cups | ||
Volume control ear cup |
Number of headphones | 1 |
|---|
Awards NL/BE | What Hi-Fi? | |
|---|---|---|
Best tested |
