TechAudioHeadphonesSony’s best noise-cancelling headphones ditch one beloved feature – but it’s for the bestSony WH-1000XM5 can’t fold like their predecessors, but all-new design promises reduced wind noise for noise-cancelling useWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechAudioHeadphonesSony’s best noise-cancelling headphones ditch one beloved feature – but it’s for the bestSony WH-1000XM5 can’t fold like their predecessors, but all-new design promises reduced wind noise for noise-cancelling useWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Sony WH-1000XM5 can’t fold like their predecessors, but all-new design promises reduced wind noise for noise-cancelling use
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sony)
(Image credit: Sony)
You are looking at theSonyWH-1000XM5 – the 2022 release of the Japanese giant’s top active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones – which introduce a very different design to the much-laudedWH-1000XM4predecessors, and ditch one beloved feature in the process.
What exactly is this redesign revelation? The WH-1000XM5 do not fold. The earcups do not flip back in upon themselves for neat stowage in their carry case, a la the XM4, introducing a whole new design concept for this generation. But, as we’ll come to, this might very well be for the better for this headphones series.
Interestingly, however, the XM5’s new included carry case can partially flatten. But this does also mean the new case isn’t a hard shell, however, which avid travellers may see as a major downside to this new design.
(Image credit: Sony)
(Image credit: Sony)
WH-1000MX4 vs WH-1000MX5: What’s new?
The XM5 also doubles down on the number of microphones compared to the XM4 – there’s now eight, up from four in the older over-ears – for not only more advanced ANC (it can choose which microphones to use when and how), but also more advanced beam-forming for improved clarity in voice calls. These headphones promise to be top notch when it comes to voice.
In terms of overall size and footprint the WH-1000XM5 is almost identical to the XM4, if you can ignore the various nips and tucks of the new design. The new model weighs 250g, which is almost identical to the older over-ears' 254g measure on the scales.
(Image credit: Sony)
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony WH-1000XM5: What about sound quality?
If you’ve ever heard or indeed owned 2020’s XM4 over-ears then you’ll know that the audio quality of these headphones is second to none. So how can the XM5 improve upon that? Well, Sony has introduced all-new 30mm drivers, which are dome shaped, and claim to deliver even better ANC.
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Not only that, the introduction of real-time noise-cancelling means these headphones are always adapting for your personal needs, without having to dig deep in an app. It just happens constantly, to provide the best possible ANC all of the time. Clever.
From a technical standpoint the WH-1000XM5 continue to offer Sony’s LDAC (higher quality than standard Bluetooth) for Hi-Res Audio support, along with DSEE Extreme audio upscaling to get the utmost out of more heavily compressed tracks.
Sony WH-1000XM5: Price and release date
The Sony WH-1000XM5 will be available from 20th May 2022, priced £380 in the UK, $399 in the USA, €420 in Europe, and $650 in Australia. A fair chunk of cash more than their predecessors, but the non-folding design, smooth and silent headband adjustment, and improved anti-wind-tear microphones all sound mighty appealing a prospect.
So the WH-1000XM5 are among Sony’s pricier products, but if you want the best of the best you’ve got to pay for it. That said, withBose’s similar Noise Cancelling Headphones 700now at a cut of the price, and the olderSony WH-1000XM4also comparable value, you may want to consider your options.
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