Does the Sony WF-1000XM5 support 360 Reality Audio and spatial audio?

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Short answer: yes, the WF-1000XM5 supports 360 Reality Audio, and it's actually one of the best ways to experience Sony's spatial audio tech. Let me break down what that means and how to get it working.

What Even Is 360 Reality Audio?

Imagine taking off your earbuds and being in a recording studio with the band playing around you. The drums are behind you, the lead singer is front and center, the guitarist is to your left. That's what 360 Reality Audio tries to recreate.

Instead of cramming everything into a left/right stereo mix, it places individual sounds in a 3D space around your head. When it's done well, it's genuinely impressive. You notice details you never caught in the regular stereo version.

Getting It Set Up

The Ear Photo Thing

When you set this up in the Sony app, it'll ask you to take pictures of your ears. I know, it feels weird. But here's the thing: your ear shape actually affects how you perceive 3D sound. Sony uses those photos to customize the audio specifically for your ears.

Is it necessary? Technically no, but it does make a difference. Take the two minutes to do it.

You'll Need a Compatible Streaming Service

This is the catch. 360 Reality Audio doesn't work with everything. You need one of these:

• Tidal (you'll need their HiFi tier)
• Amazon Music Unlimited
• Deezer Premium
• nugs.net (mainly for live concert recordings)

Notice Spotify isn't on that list. Apple Music isn't either. If those are your main services, 360 Reality Audio won't do much for you.

What About Head Tracking?

The XM5 does support head tracking, where the sound stays fixed in space when you turn your head. But honestly? It's limited. It only works with specific Android phones (Pixel 7 Pro, Sony's own Xperia phones) and only in certain apps.

If you're coming from AirPods and used to how seamlessly Apple's Spatial Audio works, Sony's implementation will feel more restrictive. It works, but it's not as polished.

Is It Worth Using?

If you have Tidal or Amazon Music and you like immersive audio experiences, absolutely try it. Some tracks in 360 Reality Audio are genuinely cool to listen to.

But if you're mainly using Spotify or Apple Music, this feature probably won't change your life. It's a nice-to-have rather than a must-have for most people.