The touch controls on the Sony WH-1000XM5 are pretty user-friendly and straightforward. You use the right earcup's touchpad for most things, all with simple gestures. Here's the lowdown on what each does, based on our research and feedback from others who’ve used them.
Volume Control: Swipe up or down on the touchpad to adjust the volume. Swipe up to increase, and swipe down to decrease. It’s quick and easy to manage without messing with your device.
Playback Control: Tap once to play or pause your music. Swipe forward to skip to the next track or swipe backward to go to the previous one. Perfect for when you’re on the go and don’t want to pull out your phone.
Call Handling: A single tap answers an incoming call, and another tap ends it. To reject a call, just press and hold the touchpad for a couple of seconds. It’s great for handling calls without rummaging for your phone.
Voice Assistant Activation: If you want to use voice assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, just touch and hold the touchpad. Super handy for voice commands without needing to grab your phone.
Ambient Sound Control: This is where it gets nifty. Cupping your hand over the right earcup lowers the volume and lets in outside sound. Ideal for catching announcements or having a quick chat without taking off your headphones.
According to our research, folks generally find these touch controls quite responsive and convenient once they get the hang of the gestures. However, there is a bit of a learning curve, especially with the swipe gestures for volume and track changes. Some mentioned they can be a tad too sensitive and might pick up accidental touches from clothing or other objects.
Overall, though, the feedback is positive, with many appreciating the seamless functionality these controls offer. These touch controls, combined with the excellent noise cancellation and sound quality, make the WH-1000XM5 a solid choice. Whether you’re commuting, working, or just lounging at home, they definitely add a nice layer of ease to your listening experience.
Where to Buy
Considering the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones?
Here's our "TLDR" Review
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More Answers
If you're still curious about the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones, here are some other answers you might find interesting:
Do they fold for easier travel storage?
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 is the sound quality for music compared to the XM4?
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 I use them with multiple devices at the same time?
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
- Open the Sony Headphones Connect app
- Go to System tab → Connect to 2 devices simultaneously
- Turn it on
- 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.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones doesn't quite fit your needs, here are some other options to consider:
Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are designed with plush cushioning and lightweight materials, perfect if comfort during long listening sessions is a priority. Many folks report wearing these headphones for hours without discomfort, addressing a common drawback of the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Sennheiser PXC 550-II
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II headphones offer a highly customizable sound profile, allowing folks to tailor their audio experience through the Sennheiser Smart Control app. This feature stands out for those seeking greater control over their listening experience compared to the WH-1000XM5's limited customization options.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 headphones offer excellent noise cancellation and sound quality at a fraction of the price of the Sony WH-1000XM5. With features like multi-device pairing and impressive battery life, this model is perfect for people looking to save money while still enjoying advanced headphone technology.
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