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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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
That's it. Once it's set up, it just works in the background.
If you regularly use both a phone and computer, this feature alone makes these headphones worth considering. It eliminates so much daily friction.
If you're working from home or take a lot of calls, this is probably a make-or-break feature. The good news? The Sony WH-1000XM5 absolutely nails call quality.
I've been using these for work calls for months, and I regularly get comments like "you sound really clear today" or "what headset are you using?" That's the kind of feedback that tells you the microphones are working.
Sony uses 4 microphones that work together to focus on your voice while filtering out everything else. It's like having a professional microphone setup, but built into headphones.
The coolest part? The AI processing happens in real-time. So if a dog barks, a car goes by, or someone's using a blender in the kitchen, your call participants won't hear it nearly as much.
Here's how they handle different scenarios:
Quiet home office: Your voice comes through crystal clear
Coffee shop: Background chatter gets filtered out effectively
Outdoors: Wind noise is well-controlled (though not eliminated)
Kids/pets around: Sudden noises get suppressed pretty well
Zoom/Teams: Works instantly, no setup needed
Battery anxiety: Never an issue with 30-hour life
Comfort: You can wear them through back-to-back meetings
Audio switching: Takes calls on your phone while connected to your computer
These are legitimately better for calls than most dedicated business headsets I've tried. If you're remote working or taking lots of calls, the call quality alone justifies the price.
This is the question that matters if you're planning to wear these for work, travel, or long gaming sessions. The good news? Sony really listened to feedback and made meaningful improvements.
Weight: At 250 grams, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is noticeably lighter than they feel. I've worn them for 4-hour work sessions without the "headphone fatigue" I get from heavier models.
Padding: The headband padding is much better than the XM4. It's thicker and distributes weight more evenly, so you don't get that pressure point on top of your head.
Ear cups: They made them bigger, which was smart. My ears fit inside completely rather than resting on the edges, which makes a huge difference for comfort.
Here's how they feel during actual use:
2-3 hours: Completely comfortable, no adjustments needed
4-5 hours: Still good, maybe a quick position adjustment
6+ hours: You'll feel them, but it's not uncomfortable—just present
The memory foam ear pads actually get more comfortable after a week or two as they adapt to your specific ear shape.
Glasses wearers: They work fine with most glasses, though really thick frames might break the seal slightly
Hot weather: The synthetic leather can get a bit warm, but it's not worse than other premium headphones
Head size: The adjustment range is excellent—works for small heads and large heads equally well
If comfort during long sessions is a priority, these are among your best options. Sony clearly prioritized wearability with the XM5, and it shows.
Short answer: It's fantastic. The Sony WH-1000XM5's noise cancellation is right up there with the best you can buy.
I've tested these against both Bose and Apple's top models, and honestly, you're splitting hairs at this level. The differences come down to personal preference more than outright performance.
Sony uses 8 microphones and their new V1 chip to constantly monitor what's happening around you. It samples the noise 700 times per second—that's incredibly fast, which means it catches and cancels sounds before you really notice them.
The coolest part? It automatically adjusts to your ears and environment. Put them on, and they learn the shape of your head and how they fit. Change altitude on a plane? They adjust for that too.
Here's how they perform in actual situations:
Airplanes: Engine noise basically disappears. I can sleep on red-eyes now, which never used to happen.
Coffee shops: Chatter becomes a low murmur. You can focus on work without cranking the volume.
Trains/Subway: The rumble and screeching are mostly gone. Way less stressful commuting.
Office: HVAC systems, keyboard clicking, phone conversations—all significantly reduced.
vs Bose QuietComfort: Similar performance, comes down to which sound signature you prefer
vs Apple AirPods Max: Basically tied for effectiveness, but the Sony costs less
vs XM4: Noticeable improvement, especially with voices and irregular sounds
The bottom line? If noise cancellation is your priority, you really can't go wrong with these.
You're probably wondering: "Will these headphones actually last through my day?" The answer is yes, and then some.
With 30 hours of listening time (noise cancellation on), the Sony WH-1000XM5 can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. That's multiple cross-country flights, several full workdays, or a week of commuting without touching the charger.
I've found that with noise cancellation off, you'll get even more time—though honestly, you bought these for the ANC, so you'll probably keep it on most of the time.
Here's the feature that'll save your day: 3 minutes of charging = 3 hours of listening.
Forgot to charge overnight? No problem. Plug them in while you're getting ready, and you'll have enough juice for your commute and then some. It's one of those features that seems small until you need it, then it becomes essential.
The full charge takes about 3.5 hours with the USB-C cable (thank goodness they finally ditched micro-USB).
The power management is surprisingly thoughtful:
Honestly, battery anxiety just isn't a thing with these headphones. They last long enough that you'll probably forget when you last charged them, and when you do need power, that quick charge feature has your back.
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