A worthy successor to the WH-1000XM4, the 1000XM5 is the gold standard in audio for music lovers.
If headphones are no longer as popular as they once were, they retain a certain aura with true music lovers due to the richness of the sound they are able to deliver compared to simple headphones. And in this market, Sony continues to dominate its competitors with its absolutely flawless premium headphones. It improves the formula further this year with the 1000XM5, successor to the XM4 and XM3.
Let’s not be afraid to say it from the outset, the 1000XM5 is not a headset for all audiences. With its price of €419, it very clearly targets music enthusiasts and by design is more the type of headset that you will wear either at home or everywhere with you. Quite simply because it is not foldable and has a very classy finish, but which risks quickly being damaged. Considering the price, it is therefore not the type of helmet that you slip into your bag on the fly.
Fiche technique: Sony WH-1000XM5
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Connectivity
Bluetooth multipoint 5.2
NFC -
Audio quality
Frequency response 20Hz – 40kHz
Sensitivity 102dB/mW
Codec SBC, AAC, LDAC -
Active noise reduction
Oui -
Weight
250g
On the design side, Sony has completely revised the model. Exit the leather finish which was damaged much too quickly, place this time in a plastic finish, more sober, but which seems less fragile. The design is closer to what Apple does, and seemed more successful to us. Except perhaps in terms of comfort, with greater pressure on the top of the skull. Nothing serious in itself, the helmet remains very pleasant to wear for hours.
Sony’s headphones introduce a few welcome new features this year. For example, there is a quick pairing system with Android smartphones and Windows PCs, as on Apple Airpods. As on the previous model, there is also an automatic sound pause system when the user removes the headphones and an automatic cut-off system thanks to an integrated sensor. After five minutes of inactivity, the headset switches off automatically. And casually, it changes your life because you never let your headphones discharge!
In short, small novelties, but practical novelties. For the rest, the Sony headset retains everything that made its predecessors so successful: an app that lets you customize the audio down to the smallest detail, ultra-efficient touch controls, an impeccable active noise reduction system and full sound insulation. On the audio side, we are close to perfection with a warm, perfectly balanced sound. The Sony headset adapts easily to all uses: intensive playlists, video streaming, audio calls, Teams calls… The sound quality is impeccable, and the microphones are extremely efficient. We’re not going to lie to you, the 1000XM5 is potentially the best noise canceling headphones. For this one, Sony uses no less than 8 (!) microphones which analyze and filter the ambient sound. The technology is on point and compared to other models, there is really nothing to complain regarding on the audio part. For purists, it is even possible to use it wired thanks to a cable supplied with the helmet.
The real good surprise, however, concerns autonomy, which significantly exceeds 30 hours with ANC activated, and 40 hours without. Huge, once morest the competition. Sony’s headphones therefore live up to their promises at all levels. Without revolutionizing the formula or bringing many new features, it has the merit of offering a solid experience and further improving the recipe. Clearly, music lovers will find their account, if they deign to pay the price.
Comparateur: Sony WH-1000XM5 / Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless / Bose QuietComfort 45
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|
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless | Bose QuietComfort 45 | |
|
Connectivity: |
Bluetooth multipoint 5.2 NFC |
Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
|
Autonomy: |
30h with noise reduction 3h30 for full charge |
5 p.m. with noise reduction 2h for full charge |
24h with noise reduction 2h30 for full charge |
|
Audio quality: |
Frequency response 20Hz – 40kHz Sensitivity 102dB/mW Codec SBC, AAC, LDAC |
Frequency response 6Hz – 22kHz Codec aptX |
Frequency response 20Hz – 20kHz Codec AAC |
|
Comfort: |
Comfortable headband Place for the ears Non pliable |
Well distributed pressure Discreet clamp effect |
Sits naturally Comfortable for ears |
|
Active noise reduction: |
Oui | Oui | Oui |
|
Transparency mode: |
Oui | Oui | Oui |
|
Weight: |
250g | 304g | 240g |
The +:
- The finish, impeccable
- Top-notch audio quality
- Complete sound insulation
- L’app
- The redesign
- A solid autonomy
- Le support du Bluetooth multipoint
- The great comfort of use
The – :
- A nice budget all the same (419€)
- Materials that would tend to deteriorate quickly
So, do we crack?
With its WH-1000XM5, Sony improves the recipe even further and quite simply gives us the best headphones with active noise reduction on the market. The XM5 is close to perfection at all levels, whether for the audio part, irreproachable with perfectly balanced crystal clear sound, active noise reduction / sound isolation which reaches a new level of excellence, autonomy which is close to 30 hours with the ANC activated, the comfort of use or the design. It’s quite simply one of the best if not the best headphones on the market right now. Be careful however, you will have to pay 419€ all the same to get it. The XM5 headset is also not designed for ultra-nomadic use. It does not fold up and is made with materials that tend to scratch quickly. So pretty, but not necessarily the type of helmet that you slip into your bag. Music lovers who will use it at home and wear it around their necks, however, have found their valhalla.
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