2023-11-09 16:56:40
The flagship true wireless headphones from Sony, the WF-1000XM5 are aimed at music enthusiasts. We tested whether the self-proclaimed best noise reduction on the market lived up to its ambitions.
Attention audiophiles and those who love the sensations that a good piece of music can provide. The WF-1000XM4 had already set the bar very high, the WF-1000XM5, the new flagship of Sony’s range of wireless in-ear headphones, takes up the torch and holds its place for many reasons.
Available since last August, in two colors (black and white), this version focuses on a more compact and redesigned format. It even prides itself on being “the best noise reduction” on the market with consistently high-end sound. All for a slightly lower price (299 euros).
The advantages of the Sony WF-1000XM5
Audio quality above the rest
At Sony, music is no small matter. And these 1000-XM5s are the perfect illustration of this. Sometimes you wonder if you don’t have a helmet on your head. Thanks to its new Dynamic Driver Of course, the latter varies depending on the recording quality of the songs, but often it is possible to hear all the details of the sound, whether soft or loud.
Sony WF-1000XM5 – Sony
The spatialization is just as excellent and the precision of the diffusion is pinpoint. The proximity of the voice, the distance of the choirs and instruments, etc. 360 Reality Audio technology is one of the great strengths of the WF-1000XM5 in this sense.
Noise reduction that puts you in your bubble
If you dreamed of being immersed in a musical bubble, this fifth generation is certainly the best compromise you can find. Thanks to its Headphones Connect application, the Japanese manufacturer gives you three choices: not to activate noise reduction; leave a muffled ambient sound or have effective active noise reduction.
The Headphones Connect app interface and ambient sound control page. – Tech&Co
For the latter, whether you are in a noisy street, on the bus or next to your squeaky washing machine, the result is unequivocal. Noise reduction is made possible thanks to three microphones located on each earpiece – including two with feedback – which limit background noise.
The only downside is that this noise reduction lacks naturalness. Simply switch from “ambient sound” to “noise reduction” mode in a quiet room to realize this. Amplifying outside sound — when you don’t activate noise reduction — also sums up poor management of surrounding sounds. Less good than its Apple competitor: the 2nd generation AirPods Pro.
The Headphones Connect app: infinite settings
This isn’t anything new, but with its Headphones Connect app, Sony allows users to have full sound control over the 1000-XM5. Among other things, the manual equalizer will allow you to choose between muffled or pronounced highs. A function that works just as well for bass. A real positive point.
And if your audiophile side is not the most advanced, eight settings are offered by the application: lively, enthusiastic, calm, relaxed, singing, treble increase, bass increase and speech. A beta version of the equalizer also allows you to find your preferred sound balance. In summary, you have an infinite number of sound settings available. Something to delight the most picky among us.
The equalizer of Sony’s “Headphones Connect” application – Tech&Co
Comfort of use
The change is radical if we compare this new generation with the previous model. Lighter in the ears (20% weight lost) and more compact (-25%), the headphones are very comfortable to use and will suit many more ears. So much so that the Sony intras do not move a single inch once properly secured in the roof. Ideal for a running session with music and other activities of all kinds.
The Japanese manufacturer gives you the benefit of choice for the tips of its headphones with four sizes offered (SS, S, M and L). Made from foam – and not silicone, like most smartphone headphones – the tips provide decent, but not exceptional, sound isolation. And even following three hours of non-stop listening, it’s not unpleasant to wear this pair of WF-1000XM5s. A little extra that is not insignificant and seems essential at this price: they can connect to two devices simultaneously thanks to Multipoint Bluetooth.
Foolproof autonomy
If Sony announces 8 hours of continuous listening time, we verified 8 hours 17 minutes without interruption with active noise reduction. Without this last parameter, the headphones go up to 11:26 (compared to 12 hours max promised by the manufacturer). Full recharge (0 to 100%) is completed in 1 hour 23 minutes, seven minutes less than what Sony announces. The case allows the headphones to be fully charged twice and once to 60%. It is also compatible with wireless charging. The must for autonomy, if you have a long journey ahead of you without the possibility of recharging.
Nos regrets
Practicality not always there
While the 1000-XM5s offer a plenitude of tactile actions on the headphones, it’s easy to get lost in the controls. Navigating between tracks, controlling volume, changing listening mode and activating the voice assistant. That’s a lot to learn and not confuse for stemless earbuds (like Apple’s 2nd generation AirPods Pro). For example, tap the surface of the headphones four times in a row to reduce or increase the volume of the track. And Sony doesn’t offer the ability to change the controls, so you’ll have to get used to it.
The voice recording is quite disappointing. She, who is supposed to stop the music when you speak, turns out to be far too sensitive. Even when brushing your teeth or coughing, voice capture is activated. A bit unfortunate for headphones costing almost 300 euros.
The 1000-XM5 case – Sony
Conclusion
You might as well make no mistake if you want to buy a pair of Bluetooth headphones. These Sony WF-1000XM5s are intended for music lovers who are not averse to wasting time on settings to have the best possible audio quality. Once immersed in the musical bubble offered, it is difficult to return to anything else. They compete on this point with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, but which do not support multipoint connection or wireless charging of the case.
If you want a product that is more in keeping with the times (and you are a fan of Apple), its competitor, the AirPods Pro 2nd generation (2023) should do the trick.
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