Sony WH-1000XM5

Source

Dave2D

Key Takeaways

• Completely ditches the beloved inward folding hinges of the XM4, resulting in a 50% larger footprint case that hogs backpack space.
• Apple-style forced 'Auto-ANC Optimizer' removes manual maximum ANC lock; automatically downgrades intensity in quiet rooms so voices leak in.
• Narrow headband strip concentrates weight onto a skinny pressure line across the crown of the head, causing soreness within an hour.
• Recycled matte finish acts like a sponge for fingerprint oils and facial sebum, creating permanent greasy blemishes within days.

✅ Pros

• Class-leading 8-microphone array suppresses wind howling on phone calls
• Ultralight 250g chassis feels well-balanced during posture shifts
• LDAC codec faithfully conveys intricate hi-res instrumental textures

❌ Cons

• Inability to fold hinges flat balloons travel footprint
• No manual maximum ANC toggle lets chatter slip in quietly
• Thin narrow headband creates hot-spot pain on top of skull
• Chassis plastic absorbs skin oils leaving indelible greasy marks

📝 Verdict

"Ditching the folding design and mandating an overthinking Auto-ANC optimizer makes the XM5 a regression from the XM4."

Source

• Video: Sony WH-1000XM5 Two-Years Later Review: Still Worth BUYING?
• Channel: SoundGuys | Type: Retrospective review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• He calls the XM5 the "Thanos" of noise-cancelling headphones: it shows up on every list of the best noise-cancelling headphones
• The build still holds up by today's standards: the thinner headband and hollow structure make them very light, and he can wear them for hours without issue; the ear cups are deeper than the XM4's, so the XM5 is recommended for big ears or big heads
• The Sony Headphones Connect app is feature-rich: EQ, ambient sound control and Adaptive Sound Control
• The tuning suits most people's tastes, with slightly elevated bass and treble; the low end can fatigue your ears over long listening sessions, so he suggests turning Clear Bass down a notch
• The downside is limited codec support, with no aptX Lossless/Snapdragon Sound; but the connection is stable, with no dropouts in the city or at home

✅ Pros

• Light and comfortable
• Excellent noise cancelling
• Well-supported app
• Stable connection

❌ Cons

• No lossless Bluetooth codec support
• Bass-heavy and fatiguing
• Not cheap

📝 Verdict

As long as you're not after lossless audio, they're still worth buying today, and on sale they're a worthwhile long-term investment; if you care about connectivity options, consider the Sonos Ace.

Source

• Video: Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones Review - 6 Months Later
• Channel: 6 Months Later | Type: Long-term review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• Used for 6 months; official battery life is 30 hours (with ANC on), and real-world battery life and standby are both very good
• Noise cancelling is excellent, on par with the AirPods Max he loves, and works everywhere from a crowded office to a plane; the Sony headphones app lets you adjust noise cancelling and EQ
• The sound isn't the best he's used, but EQ and LDAC help with tuning; at only 249 grams they're very light
• Downsides: there's less space inside the ear cups than other headphones, and his ears get uncomfortable after about an hour; the faux-leather ear pads don't breathe, and his ears get hot after an hour; he finds them a bit ugly for work calls
• Other strengths include a fully protective case and multipoint connection

✅ Pros

• Good battery life
• Excellent noise cancelling
• Light
• Multipoint connection

❌ Cons

• Cramped ear cups, uncomfortable over long sessions
• Ear pads don't breathe
• Unappealing look

📝 Verdict

He'd recommend them, but if your ears are like his, they may not be comfortable all day; he suggests buying from a retailer with a good return policy.

Source

• Video: Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back!
• Channel: Marques Brownlee | Type: Professional review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• The XM5 completely breaks the previous winning formula: an all-new clean, sleek look, in black and cream
• Bigger, wider ear cups, extremely soft new vegan leather and a very light weight make them, he says, the most comfortable noise-cancelling headphones he's tried; microphones go from 4 to 8, and call audio isolates voices better
• Sound quality is still excellent; battery life stays at the official 30 hours (the rumored 40 hours didn't happen), which roughly matched his testing
• The biggest step back: the new sliding headband design doesn't fold at all, so the case is much bigger, which he suspects was copied from the Bose 700
• He thinks the overall design is a downgrade for him; the XM4 is much cheaper, folds and has about 90% of the XM5's capability, missing only slightly faster charging and the noise cancelling and call improvements from the extra microphones

✅ Pros

• Extremely comfortable
• Excellent sound quality
• Improved call audio
• Excellent noise cancelling

❌ Cons

• Doesn't fold, bigger case
• No improvement in battery life
• US$400 price
• XM4 is better value

📝 Verdict

These are still very good, very comfortable US$400 premium noise-cancelling headphones, but the new design leaves him a bit dissatisfied.