Do They Fold? (Spoiler Alert: No)

This is probably the most controversial change Sony made with the XM5. No, they don't fold, and if you travel a lot, this might be a dealbreaker.

Why Sony Made This Choice

Sony says they removed the folding mechanism to make the headphones more comfortable and better built. And honestly, they do feel more solid and comfortable than the XM4. But that comes at a cost.

The Reality of Traveling with These

The case is big: Like, noticeably bigger than the XM4's case. It's still well-made and protective, but it takes up significantly more space in your bag.

Daily commute: If you're used to folding headphones for your subway ride or stuffing them in a small backpack pocket, these won't work the same way.

Air travel: They still fit in carry-ons fine, but you'll need to plan for the extra space they take up.

What People Actually Do

Wear them: Many travelers just wear them on their neck during flights or while walking through airports. Not the most comfortable for long periods, but it works.

Bigger bags: Some people switched to slightly larger travel bags to accommodate the case.

Alternative cases: There are some third-party options that are more space-efficient, though they don't protect as well.

Is It Worth the Trade-off?

Here's the honest truth: if you travel frequently and pack light, this change might be frustrating enough to stick with the XM4 or look at Bose options that still fold.

But if you mostly use headphones at home, work, or for occasional travel, you probably won't mind the larger case in exchange for better comfort and build quality.

Bottom Line

Sony prioritized performance and comfort over portability. Whether that's the right choice depends entirely on how you plan to use them.

How Do They Sound Compared to the XM4?

This is where things get interesting. Sony basically went back to the drawing board and tuned the Sony WH-1000XM5 for a more "grown-up" sound signature.

The Big Changes

Smaller drivers, better sound: They actually went from 40mm to 30mm drivers, which sounds like a downgrade until you hear them. The new drivers are just way more controlled and precise.

Bass that doesn't dominate: The XM4 could get a bit boomy, especially with electronic music. The XM5's bass is tighter and more accurate—it's still there when you want it, but it doesn't overwhelm everything else.

Vocals come alive: This is the biggest improvement. Voices sound so much clearer and more present. Whether it's podcasts, audiobooks, or your favorite singer, everything sounds more intimate and detailed.

Real-World Listening Experience

Here's how different music genres sound:

Rock/Metal: Guitar separation is fantastic, drums sound more realistic
Hip-Hop: Bass hits hard but doesn't muddy up the vocals
Classical: You can actually pick out individual instruments in orchestral pieces
Podcasts/Audiobooks: Voices sound natural and easy to understand for hours

The Honest Comparison

XM4: Fun, consumer-friendly sound with boosted bass
XM5: More accurate, audiophile-oriented with better balance

If you loved the XM4's sound signature, the XM5 might initially seem a bit "flat." But give them a week, and you'll start noticing details in your music you never heard before.

Bottom Line

The XM5 is for people who want their music to sound like the artist intended, not necessarily "exciting" or bass-heavy. It's a more mature sound that grows on you.

Can They Connect to Multiple Devices at Once?

Yes! And this is honestly one of the best features they added. The Sony WH-1000XM5 can connect to two devices simultaneously, which is a game-changer if you use both a phone and computer regularly.

How It Actually Works

Once you set it up in the Sony Headphones Connect app (super easy, takes 30 seconds), your headphones will connect to both your phone and laptop automatically when you turn them on.

The magic happens when a call comes in. Your music pauses, the call comes through, and when you hang up, your music resumes. No manual switching, no disconnecting and reconnecting—it just works.

Real-World Convenience

Here's why this matters in daily use:

Working from home: Music from your computer, calls from your phone, seamless switching
Commuting: Podcast on your phone, but laptop notifications still come through
Gaming: Game audio from computer, Discord or party chat from phone
Studying: Focus music from laptop, but you don't miss important calls

The Small Print

There are a couple of things to know:

Audio quality: When connected to two devices, it uses SBC codec (still good, just not the highest quality LDAC)
Music switching: You need to pause on one device before playing on the other
Occasional hiccups: Sometimes both devices "fight" for priority, but it's rare

Setup Process

1. Open the Sony Headphones Connect app
2. Go to System tab → Connect to 2 devices simultaneously
3. Turn it on
4. Pair normally with both devices

That's it. Once it's set up, it just works in the background.

Bottom Line

If you regularly use both a phone and computer, this feature alone makes these headphones worth considering. It eliminates so much daily friction.