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The WF-1000XM5, the most recent model of Sony’s premium true wireless earbuds, is about 25 percent more compact than its predecessors. Why am I putting that out there for discussion. Because it is exceedingly difficult to discover any issues with the XM5’s predecessor, the WF-1000XM4, other than their size and design, the XM5’s predecessor is referred to as the WF-1000XM4. Many people found that the XM4 were simply too big for them to have a comfortable fit.
Therefore, straight from the beginning, the new XM5 have succeeded in accomplishing what might be their most crucial objective (presuming that their smaller size actually translates into superior comfort). Sony also asserts that the XM5 has improved sound quality, as well as better noise cancellation and improved call quality. Oh, and there’s one more minor adjustment I should mention: The WF-1000XM5 are Sony’s most expensive pair of wireless earbuds to date, coming in at a price of $300.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Specifications
The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the earbuds that many are most excited to see released this year, and the rumors that they will be smaller than previous models turned out to be accurate.
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 (codec support: SBC, AAC, LDAC) |
Water resistance | IPX4 |
Driver Size (mm) | 8.4 |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Headphone Type | In-Ear |
Battery Life (Hrs) With Case Total | 24 hours of playback |
Sony WF-1000XM5: Design

Although one male team member found them almost too tiny and reported that the ear tips actually remained in his ear when he withdrew the units, I feel confident in stating that these should fit and be comfortable for the vast majority of listeners. It’s not shocking that Sony has made significant progress in the size of their earbuds; the WF-C700N and Sony LinkBuds S are two of my absolute favorites, even though I have quite small ears.
The case serves its purpose and closes with a satisfying click; furthermore, the brushed plastic doesn’t attract fingerprints. However, the Technics EAH-AZ80’s case, with its sleek metallic top plate, is arguably more high-end. Sony’s case may not be the most eye-catching, but it protects its contents well and can be tucked away discreetly in a pocket.
Sony WF-1000XM5: Connection
The Sony WF-1000XM5 is compatible with the latest version of Bluetooth, which is 5.3. In terms of codecs, the earbuds have SBC, AAC, and Sony’s LDAC, which is a higher-quality codec. Additionally, the earbuds offer Bluetooth connectivity. The earphones are also capable of streaming low-latency audio in conjunction with low-latency (LE) audio. It is unfortunate that Sony’s third-generation ANC earbuds do not support either aptX or aptX HD audio codecs.
The WF-1000XM5’s dedicated pairing button is a good feature, especially considering that anyone who has already used AirPods or Samsung Galaxy Buds will be familiar with the process of setting them up. When using the Sony WF-1000XM4, you are required to insert the earbuds into your ears and keep your finger pressed firmly on the touch sensors for a period of eight seconds. The earphones are equipped with Bluetooth multipoint, allowing them to be connected to a maximum of two devices at the same time.
Sony WF-1000XM5: Sound Quality

The Sony WF-1000XM5 is compatible with the latest version of Bluetooth, which is 5.3. In terms of codecs, the earbuds have SBC, AAC, and Sony’s LDAC, which is a higher-quality codec. Additionally, the earbuds offer Bluetooth connectivity. The earphones are also capable of streaming low-latency audio in conjunction with low-latency (LE) audio. It is unfortunate that Sony’s third-generation ANC earbuds do not support either aptX or aptX HD audio codecs.
The WF-1000XM5’s dedicated pairing button is a good feature, especially considering that anyone who has already used AirPods or Samsung Galaxy Buds will be familiar with the process of setting them up. When using the Sony WF-1000XM4, you are required to insert the earbuds into your ears and keep your finger pressed firmly on the touch sensors for a period of eight seconds. The earphones are equipped with Bluetooth multipoint, allowing them to be connected to a maximum of two devices at the same time.
Call Quality and Noise Cancelling
In an effort to enhance the quality of the calls made with the XM5, Sony has included a few key improvements. First, the new, more compact design has what Sony refers to as a wind noise reduction structure, which makes it easier to have a conversation on the phone even when there is a breeze present. The headphones also come equipped with a bone conductor sensor and an artificial intelligence machine learning noise reduction engine that can detect when you are speaking.
When a phone call comes in, you can now either shake your head to indicate “no” or nod your head to indicate “yes” You can test it out with a little demonstration within the Headphones app; it works pretty well, despite the fact that some people will give you strange looks if you use it in public. In actual use, the modifications to the architecture and technologies appear to have been successful. Even though it was windy while we were conducting the test, the noise from the wind was minimal. Because we were both wearing wireless earbuds, our conversation was not only audible but also easy to follow. This does not usually happen.
Sony WF-1000XM5: Price
The Sony WF-1000XM5 is one of the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market right now, but it doesn’t come cheap. At $299.99, these earbuds aren’t the best choice for people who want to listen to music on a budget. But if active noise cancellation, music quality, and a lot of software support are important to you, the WF-1000XM5 is worth the high price.
If you have a Sony WF-1000XM4, you might be thinking if you should buy the newer model. I don’t think that the gains in sound quality and active noise cancellation are big enough to make it worth spending $300 on an upgrade.
Final Words
the WF-1000XM5 is already the leader in its category, but it went above and beyond to make sure that these buds landed in the number one slot. The recently developed QN2e and V2 processors produce flawless ANC, which should cause Apple and Bose to feel a little bit of heat. The audio is unparalleled as a result of Sony’s high-end sound characteristics and the Dynamic Driver X unit, which broadens the frequency spectrum in order to provide a sound that is expansive and well-balanced. Enhancements to their design, fit, and spatial audio contribute to the high price tag associated with them.
Sony WF-1000XM5 review: The good and The bad
In terms of active noise cancellation, the new Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are not nearly able to unseat the Bose Quiet Comfort II earbuds as the industry standard.
The Good
- Outstanding sound quality
- Strong noise cancelation
The Bad
- Battery life remains the same as predecessor
Questions and Answers
These headphones have four beamforming mics that are set up to pick up only your voice. With a better signal-to-noise ratio, they can hear every word, even when there is a lot of background noise.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are good for sports and exercise, but not everyone likes using over-ear headphones for these activities. They are well-made, can play for 27 hours straight, and are easy to use because they have both physical and touch controls.