The Sony WH-1000XM5 are here and they are the upgrade to the Sony WH-1000XM4 which were and are still amazing over-the-ear headphones.
Design
The new Sony WH-1000XM5 are sporting a new look and design that make them look amazing with a bigger ear cup, new headband style, and softer vegan leather that gives them a more modern look while still keeping functionality. They come in both white and black.
Controls
The controls on the earcup are still the same gestures for the back and forward track and up and down volume which I am so glad for since I love this feature never having to take my phone out of my pocket to switch tracks or raise the volume.
Noise Cancelling
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has added more microphones to increase and make a better noise canceling experience. I found noise-canceling better by blocking out more noise than its predecessor. Transparency mode still is not great on these.
Charging
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has added fast charging three minutes of charging gives you three hours of listening. The battery seems about the same as the XM4’s with 30 hours of listening on a full charge. Which is still amazing for any headphones with noise-canceling technology.
Caring Case
This is one feature I am not really thrilled with the old XM4’s folder up and went into a nice tight case but because of the new headband style, the new XM5 cannot fold up. The headband style is similar to the AirPods Max but the Sony WH-1000XM5 has a premium carrying case that looks like a small backpack with a magnetic case area inside for a charging cord and other things. I really feel like the carrying case is a redeeming quality for them not folding up anymore. But the new case is a much bigger footprint than the old-style fold-up case.
Price
The Sony WH-1000XM5 comes in around $400 and the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes in around $350 what I would recommend is to look at both and see which style you like best if space is an issue for you the XM4 might be a better fit if that’s not an issue for you and you want something more modern looking with better noise canceling spend the extra $50 dollars and get the Sony WH-1000XM5.
App Support
The Sony headphones app is just as great allowing you to customize the headphones for voice assistant and equalizer settings. I do a review about the app just by itself and all the great features it’s a great companion to the headphones like always.
Final
I think the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great upgrade to the Sony WH-1000XM4 I don’t feel it’s enough of an upgrade if you are like me and own the XM4 I would not rush out to get the XM5. But if you need a premium set of headphones that sound great get the XM5 you will not be disappointed they sound and look great. I would honestly say they are worth the price you are paying.