Sony - WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones - Silver

I have had many headphones. I have had predecessors to these (both XM3 and XM4s) and i have had/still have multiple of the largest competitors. Recently I have been daily driving for work and leasure the Surface Headphones 2+ which I love (Seriously the ANC on these things are better than any of my others by a landslide, too bad their sound quality isnt as good). So of course being headphone obsessed, I was sooo happy to hear the XM5s were coming and been reading up and prepping for today!! Had to drive 8 miles to a store partway across town to get the "white" pair but I got them! And I am not disappointed. Let's get into it! Pros: - Extremely light. Seriously these things just melt into your head. I would have had this review done hours ago BUT ended up listening to these for 6 hours because i just lost track of time and was wisked away in auditory bliss! Clamping force is super light though so not ideal for any as many action based activities. - Easy to set up/pair. Out of the box all I did was turn them on and they popped up to pair with my Samsung S22 Ultra. Set up was easy with configuration taking about 15 mins to set my button maps, Google Assistant, 360 Audio, enable LDAC, and pick a decent EQ preset to start with (Im a "bright" fan dialed down 4 notches with a little amp in the upper mids for my Sonys). All up took about 40 mins to get them completely to my prefered settings with a few tweeks here and there throughout the listening period. -Long battery life. All up i used 18% today in over 6 hours. Then when I threw them on to charge they took less than an hour to top out!! INCREDIBLE battery which is no shock from Sony. - Color/texture is gorgeous. As some reviews reported the "white" is more like a "Stone Creme" with some speckling to it. They have a matte finish and since people had reviewed saying the black smudged really easy I got white which really doesnt (plus i already had the denim blue XM4s and wanted these to really look different). -Packaging/quality. Everything is "classy" i dont know why people say these feel "cheaper". Plastic is used in headphones for a reason. Take it from someone who used to daily drive all metal Dr. Dre Detox Edition Pros (it was a different time ya'll lets move past it), you dont want that much weight and clamp force when doing 6,8, or 10 hours of listening in a day. These shave weight while staying sophisticated. I like it. - Sound quality. These things are SOOOO punchy i love it! That Carbon 30mm driver really is putting in work and its great at what it does. Less boom than the XM4s, much tighter "poppy" flavor to the bass notes (seriously go pull up Billie Jean - MJ with these and you'll see what i mean). Just very adaptable sound profile that really bring well mastered music to life! Don't believe me? Throw on "Reckoner"-Radiohead, or any "Off the Wall" - MJ track and have your jaw dropped!! Like your in the studio. Cons: - Pricey. This being the most expensive XM line item is hard to swallow. Are they worth it. I feel like yes. They bring more to the table than my Bose 700 for the same price. But still, price creep is present and could price these out of range for target customers who would love them. That's ok though, wait for black friday when the hit $349 or dare I say $329 then snag you a pair. - Portability. If you've looked into these you know this complaint. They don't fold in so harder to transport. Not really a major issue but noteworthy. Moving on... - ANC. It may just be how spoiled i have got with my Surface Headphones but i was slightly underwhelmed by the ANC. With my Surface Headphones i can snap right in front of my face at high-medium volume and not hear a peep. These i could snap at almost out stretched arm and still hear it at similar volume very clearly. Not too worried though as Sony is great at improving via firmware updates; but for launch day I'm a bit disappointed considering how much they hyped up how much they had improved. Still does the job just want more. - Included "charge cable".....seriously Sony.....its like 4 inches.....wire is not that expensive. I know you kept it short so it better fit in the magnetic case pocket but seriously what charger/situation is that gonna work with unless with a pc port or a table top usb hub. Do better for $400. - App. The app is very buggy right now. Setting up Google assistant it crashed twice and hung during registration at the start. Again this is day one stuff so you HAVE to expect that things like that aren't gonna be perfect and will improve but want to inform potential buyers so they are bummed by it. - LDAC unavailable for dual device mode. This isn't really a con, just a hope. In order to have dual device pairing LDAC is disabled. Im assuming it is due to bandwidth limitations caused by dual stream splitting the avaiable bandwidth but sucks having to enable it every time i go back to single mode. At least make it so they remember i had it on before dual device mode and have it automatically turn on. With that, we're done with the major stuff. I hughly recommend these. They are so light, comfortable, and sound amazing. If you're coming from the XM4s I can't say that they are necessarily an "upgrade" but more just a variant. The sound is just different enough to give a different experience, and honestly i think it makes these an even better all arounder than the XM4s were. Most of the issues will be patched in the coming weeks, and then these will be slayers!! They are definately gonna be daily driven with me for the next few months to put them through their paces. I would have loved to see aptX for PC and something like Team Certification given the events that have occured in business/workplace since the XM4 that i could use in my work, but that was prolly wishful thinking. Overall strong 5/5 and so happy to finally have them in my hands. But ultimately everyone's preferences will impact their thoughts on them so get out there, get yours and decide for yourself. Happy listening.

Sony has been at the top of the line for years now when it comes to Noise Cancelling Headphones, and their latest addition continues that tradition. So far my experience with the WH-1000XM5 have been excellent! UNBOXING & SETUP: - Sony has really impressed me this time around with their minimalist packaging and unboxing. Its a subtle thing but its just nice that everything is recyclable and it does not come with a bunch of extra packaging, twist ties, and plastic wrap. - Once you take them out of the carrying case, they are essentially ready to use! Just connect them to your phone / tablet / computer and you are ready to go! - Sony recommends downloading their Sony Headphone App as well, which is definitely useful. Especially since it downloads any software updates needed for the headphones in the future. PROS: - I absolutely love the refreshed design on these! The XM3 / XM4 had the same design which was fine, but the XM5’s really have a more modern sleek look to them that are a big upgrade. - I was very impressed with how light these are and how comfortable they are! Sony opted for more of a plastic feel to keep them lighter, but I don’t think it makes them feel cheap. I think it was the right choice to make to keep all day comfort in mind as well as portability. - On that note, I wore these for a long time and they were comfortable the entire time. The adjustable headband is better fitting, the ear pads are comfortable, and they are not too tight at all. - When I first put these on I was truly blown away at the Noise Cancelling. I have used plenty of noise cancelling headphones in the past, but these easily offer the best noise cancelling I have used. Instantly you are taken back by how much sound they drown out. - The Sound Quality is of course exceptional! Everything I listen to is so crisp and offers a ton of clarity. The dialogue / vocals are excellent, the bass is impactful, and everything about the music or show you listen to just feels alive. Overall I am very pleased with how great these sound. - The touch controls are once again excellent as well! You can pause, play, change tracks, change from noise cancelling to transparency mode, and if you hold your hand over the right touchpad you can quickly hear what’s going on around you which is an cool little trick. - Taking calls on the XM5’s are fantastic as well! I can tell the call quality has improved and people have told me the mics sound great on their end as well. Definitely would be really easy to use for phone calls, work meetings, or gaming as well. - Battery life is really solid too! 30 hours with ANC on, 40 without ANC, and they give you 3 hours of playback from 3 mins of charging if you are in a pinch. - Lastly, the minor details all work well too! They still offer a aux port, still charge via USB-C, and the carrying case feels premium. CONS: - I do wish these had a waterproof design for use outdoors or while working out. - The carrying case is larger than before since the headphones do not collapse/fold in, and instead just lay flat. However I still think the carrying case is really nice. BOTTOM LINE: - The Sony WH-1000XM5’s are simply the best Noise Cancelling Headphones you can buy! They offer superb Sound, Noise Cancelling, have great features, and are very comfortable! Plus Sony headphones just work with everything - Android, Apple, Windows, you name it. If you are in the market and want the best headphones possible, these are the ones to buy!

I recently purchased the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones in Black, and I must say that these headphones have completely transformed my audio experience. From their exceptional sound quality to their industry-leading noise cancellation capabilities, the WH-1000XM5 headphones are a true testament to Sony's commitment to innovation. Let's start with the sound quality. The WH-1000XM5 headphones deliver an immersive and detailed audio experience that is truly outstanding. The soundstage is wide, allowing me to accurately perceive the position of instruments and vocals in the mix. The bass is powerful and well-defined, without overpowering the other frequencies. The mids are rich and clear, while the highs are crisp and nuanced. Whether I'm listening to my favorite music genres, watching movies, or playing games, every sound is reproduced with remarkable clarity and depth. The noise-canceling technology in these headphones is simply exceptional. Sony has truly mastered the art of noise cancellation, and the WH-1000XM5 takes it to the next level. Whether I'm in a noisy office, on a crowded train, or in a bustling café, the headphones effectively block out the ambient sounds, allowing me to enjoy my music or focus on my work without distractions. The adaptive noise cancellation feature analyzes the surrounding environment and adjusts the level of noise cancellation accordingly, ensuring an optimal listening experience in any situation. The comfort of these headphones is another aspect that deserves praise. The over-the-ear design provides a secure and comfortable fit, even during long listening sessions. The ear cups are plush and well-padded, and the headband distributes the weight evenly, reducing any pressure or discomfort. The overall build quality is excellent, with a sleek and durable design that exudes premium craftsmanship. The battery life on the WH-1000XM5 is impressive. With a single charge, I can enjoy up to 30 hours of uninterrupted listening. Additionally, the quick charging feature provides several hours of playback with just a few minutes of charging, ensuring that I never have to be without my favorite headphones for long. The integration of smart features and connectivity options further enhances the user experience. The headphones seamlessly connect to my devices via Bluetooth, and the companion app allows me to customize the sound settings and adjust the noise cancellation levels to my preference. The touch controls on the ear cups are intuitive and responsive, providing convenient access to playback controls, volume adjustment, and more. In summary, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones are a remarkable audio companion that delivers unparalleled sound quality and exceptional noise cancellation capabilities. Whether you're a music enthusiast, a frequent traveler, or someone who simply appreciates high-quality audio, these headphones are a worthwhile investment. Sony continues to raise the bar with their audio technology, and the WH-1000XM5 headphones are a testament to their commitment to providing an immersive and enjoyable listening experience.

If you're looking for a pair of headphones that can deliver superb sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort, you might want to check out the Sony - WH1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones - Black. These headphones are the latest model from Sony's acclaimed WH1000XM series, and they offer some impressive features and improvements over their predecessors. The first thing you'll notice about these headphones is their sleek and elegant design. They have a matte black finish, soft leather ear pads, and a sturdy metal headband. They also come with a carrying case, a USB-C cable, an audio cable, and an airplane adapter. The headphones are lightweight and foldable, making them easy to store and carry around. The second thing you'll appreciate about these headphones is their sound quality. They have 40mm drivers that produce rich and balanced sound across various genres and volumes. They also have adaptive sound control, which automatically adjusts the sound settings based on your environment and activity. Whether you're listening to music, podcasts, or movies, you'll enjoy a clear and immersive audio experience. The third thing you'll love about these headphones is their noise cancellation. They have dual microphones that detect and cancel out ambient noise from both sides of the headphones. They also have a noise-canceling optimizer, which analyzes the shape of your head, ears, and glasses to optimize the noise cancellation performance. You can also adjust the level of noise cancellation using the touch controls on the right ear cup or the Sony Headphones Connect app on your smartphone. With these headphones, you can block out any unwanted distractions and focus on your sound. The fourth thing you'll admire about these headphones is their comfort. They have soft and cushioned ear pads that fit snugly over your ears without causing any pressure or fatigue. They also have a swivel and tilt mechanism that allows you to adjust the fit and angle of the headphones according to your preference. The headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours with noise cancellation on, and they support fast charging via USB-C. You can also use them as wired headphones with the included audio cable. The fifth thing I have enjoy about these headphones is their smart features. They have touch controls on the right ear cup that let you play, pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, activate voice assistants, and answer calls with a simple tap or swipe. They also have a speak-to-chat feature, which automatically pauses the music and lets in ambient sound when you start talking to someone. They also have a quick attention mode, which lets you lower the volume and hear what's going on around you by placing your hand over the right ear cup. The Sony - WH1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones - Black are truly one of the best headphones on the market today. They combine excellent sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, and smart features in a stylish and durable package. They are worth every penny if you're looking for a premium listening experience.

For anyone looking to upgrade from the XM4s— These are *much* lighter and more comfortable if you wear them constantly like I do. I've worn the XM4s just about every day for the past 14 months, for at least 4 hours a day. From day one, the cups hurt my ears after 3 or so hours. I've been wearing these XM5s for nearly 5 hours now and I have no outer ear pain! They also hold a charge like a champ. Noise cancellation is the #1 priority for me, as everyday sounds at home set off my anxiety. I want the sounds of my neighbors, passing cars/sirens, AC, etc. dulled to near non-existence. These do the trick! The XM4s are fantastic, but these are better. There's less sound leakage, for one, due to the new design/shape of the pads. That being said, I wouldn't have upgraded from the XM4s if noise cancellation wasn't my #1 need. These have better sound without any equalizer needing to be set, but the price point of these XM5s are steep considering how good the sound of the XM4s is, especially with the equalizer. That being said, if you don't already have the XM4s, or want the top of the line ANC, these are worth it in my opinion.