In an oversaturated ANC earbuds market, where even buds priced at Rs 2,000 offer noise cancellation, the quest for the perfect combination of top-tier ANC performance and superior audio quality persists. Sony, renowned for its excellence in music accessories, made waves over two years ago with the Sony WF-1000XM4, dominating the ANC scene. Now, the Sony WF-1000XM5 has entered the scene, landing in my possession for a thorough test. How does the latest WF-1000XM5 fare against its predecessor, the WF-1000XM4? Here’s a quick overview of all you need to know about Sony’s newest WF-1000XM5 earbuds.
Sony WF-1000XM5: Unboxing Experience
Before delving into the testing phase, let’s cover the essentials. First and foremost, the packaging caught my eye – a commendable concealment of the WF-1000XM5 within. Sony has adhered to their commitment to environmental friendliness by utilizing their proprietary paper-based original blended material for the packaging, a practice consistent with its predecessor.
Upon opening, you’ll find a quick start guide, a trial access code for the 360 Reality Audio music service, a USB Type-C cable, and a set of three ear tip pairs. With the basics covered, let’s move on to the intriguing part of the experience.
Sony WF-1000XM5: Design & Build Overview
Presented in the captivating Platinum Silver color variant, the WF-1000XM5 exudes a striking aesthetic appeal, although it’s also available in a Black variant. Personally, the Platinum Silver has won me over.
At first glance, the Sony WF-1000XM5 appears to be a more refined and compact rendition of its predecessor, the WF-1000XM4. This impression is swiftly affirmed when you grasp the case, and the edges no longer dig into your skin. The charging case boasts a pleasing papery texture, providing a comfortable feel in hand.
Upon opening the case to unveil the earbuds, the noticeable reduction in bulk compared to the XM4s catches the eye. The glossy finish, as opposed to the matte finish of the XM4s, adds a touch of elegance. Admittedly, the glossiness does attract more dust and smudges, but the overall premium look and feel of the WF-1000XM5’s earbuds outweigh this minor inconvenience.
A noteworthy design refinement is the elimination of the flashier LED at the front of the case, replaced with a more discreet alternative on the XM5. These subtle design choices contribute to the WF-1000XM5’s enhanced character, a welcome evolution in design aesthetics.
Sony WF-1000XM5: Comfort & Fit Evaluation
Going wireless with your music often involves wearing earbuds for extended periods, and a poor fit can lead to discomfort. The WF-1000XM5 addresses this concern by not only being 25% smaller and approximately 20% lighter than the XM4s but also by including memory foam tips for an enhanced and airtight auditory experience.
To cater to individual preferences, Sony provides three additional pairs of ear tips in different sizes within the packaging. This flexibility allows users to experiment and find the most comfortable fit. Personally, I found the default, pre-installed ear tips to be exceptionally comfortable during extended usage.
Conducting the obligatory head shake test, the WF-1000XM5 demonstrated impressive stability. The earbuds boast effective weight balancing, ensuring they sit securely in your ears without the need for constant adjustments. This feature adds to the overall comfort, making them suitable for prolonged wear without causing discomfort.
To add a final layer of versatility, Sony asserts that the earbuds are equipped with an IPX4 water resistance rating. For those unfamiliar, this rating signifies the ability to withstand sweat during intense workouts at the gym without a hint of concern. Moreover, the IPX4 rating ensures resilience against splashes and light rain.
Putting this claim to the test, I wore the WF-1000XM5 while briskly walking home. Despite sweating profusely and encountering an unexpected drizzle, the earbuds navigated through these conditions seamlessly, delivering uninterrupted music playback. The reliability showcased in real-life scenarios underscores Sony’s commitment to providing a comfortable and durable listening experience. In conclusion, the WF-1000XM5 attains a commendable standard in the comfort department, excelling in both design and functionality.
Sony WF-1000XM5: Audio Quality
As part of Sony’s esteemed 1000X series, my expectations for audio quality were naturally high. The on-paper specifications are indeed impressive, featuring a bone conduction sensor, AI algorithm-based noise reduction, and the powerful Integrated Processor V2 complementing the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e.
Sony has gone all out with LDAC and DSEE Extreme support, providing High-Res audio quality, and integrated a Dynamic Driver X to create a formidable specs sheet. Additionally, each earbud is equipped with a quad microphone setup, enhancing both noise cancellation and ambient sound capture.
Surprisingly, the Sony WF-1000XM5 doesn’t just impress on paper; it delivers a premium audio experience in real-world scenarios. Once past the somewhat tedious app setup (more details on this later), the performance shines. Whether navigating through extreme traffic or testing in noisy indoor environments, I put the WF-1000XM5 through a gamut of day-to-day scenarios, and it consistently delivered an exceptional audio experience.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 immerses you in an irresistible bubble of sound isolation, courtesy of its exceptional ANC capabilities. Remarkably, I never needed to exceed 60% volume on my smartphone and even lower on my laptop. Pushing the volume to the maximum across various devices resulted in zero distortion, showcasing unparalleled clarity.
The Transparency Mode on the XM5 deserves special mention, offering a splendid experience. I couldn’t help but feel a bit like Daredevil, with the earbuds amplifying the sound of someone typing aggressively right behind me. Additionally, the audio experience can be further elevated with the 360 Reality Audio feature, accessible through any of the three listed apps within the Sony Headphone Connect app.
Straight out of the box, the bass, highs, and lows are finely calibrated. During my experience watching live shows on YouTube, I noticed the impressive balance between vocals and instruments without one overpowering the other. Minimal tweaking was required in the app, a testament to Sony’s success in providing a well-balanced default audio setup on the WF-1000XM5. Constantly adjusting settings is often a sign of dissatisfaction, and in this regard, Sony has done an excellent job delivering a satisfying audio experience right from the start.
The icing on the cake is the impressive microphone quality offered by the earbuds, thanks to their quad microphone setup. During numerous calls in diverse environments, I never faced any communication issues – no one ever responded with a puzzled “huh?” This assured me that my voice was consistently crystal clear. It was a relief to experience such clarity, regardless of the ambient noise levels. In any setting, the Sony WF-1000XM5 proved reliable in isolating unwanted sounds, providing a top-notch calling experience.
In summary, these earbuds live up to Sony’s legacy and surpass their predecessor. While not a monumental leap, there’s a noticeable improvement in sound quality, reaffirming their position as a reliable and commendable choice.
Sony Headphone Connect App
Discussing the setup process for the earbuds through the application, it’s worth noting that while the Headphone Connect app is not inherently problematic, it did involve a bit of a setup journey. While signing into most apps is a breeze these days, the Headphone Connect app required some additional steps. I had to create a Sony account initially and then integrate it with my Google account before finally gaining access to use the Sony WF-1000XM5 seamlessly.
Once past the initial setup, the overall app experience proved to be rewarding. The app is structured with four primary tabs – Status, Sound, System, and Services. Within the app, you can conveniently toggle Adaptive Sound Control on/off and manage Multi-Device Connect, a feature allowing simultaneous connection to two devices (if enabled under the System tab). The app includes an Activity panel displaying Total Use Time, featuring a Safe Volume Control toggle switch. Furthermore, users can view the Badges they’ve earned by using the application. Despite the initial setup intricacies, the app offers a comprehensive suite of controls and features for an enriched user experience.
On the Sound tab, you’ll likely spend a significant amount of time managing key features. Here, you have control over the ANC and Ambient Sound (Transparency mode) settings. Additionally, you can enable the Speak-to-Chat feature, allowing the earbuds to automatically switch between ANC and Ambient Sound modes. While I initially had this feature on, I eventually turned it off as the constant shift to Ambient Sound mode with even the slightest external sounds became bothersome.
The System tab offers customization options for double-taps and triple-taps in the Quick Access menu. It also introduces the Head Gesture feature, enabling you to answer calls with a nod and decline them with a horizontal head shake. The Services tab allows you to link your Spotify account for convenient one-tap access, adding a useful touch.
These features, among others in the application, contribute to an enhanced user experience with the Sony WF-1000XM5. However, it’s worth noting that running the Headphone Connect app in the background did have a noticeable impact on my smartphone’s screen-on time.
Sony WF-1000XM5: Battery Life & Charging
Sony asserts that the WF-1000XM5s can provide a battery life of up to 8 hours, extending to 24 hours with the charging case. Additionally, they claim that a mere 3 minutes of charging can offer an hour of battery backup. Captivated by these assertions, I opted to verify their validity.
With my volume hovering around 50-60%, ANC turned on, I achieved approximately 5 hours of battery backup, which is commendable. Disabling ANC would likely yield the earbuds’ promised backup. The charging case and earbuds replenished fairly quickly, sparing me from lengthy charging times.
An appealing feature is the real-time display of individual percentage drops in battery level for each earbud, instead of a sudden 10% drop. The app consistently showed the earbuds and case battery percentages in my notification bar, offering convenient tracking. Additionally, the Sony WF-1000XM5s incorporate Qi wireless charging technology, enhancing their charging versatility.
In terms of battery life, the XM5s align closely with their predecessor. The XM4s demonstrated a similar battery performance, indicating minimal changes in this aspect.
Sony WF-1000XM5 TWS: Pros & Cons
Sony WF-1000XM5: Should You Buy It?
Concluding this hands-on review of the Sony WF-1000XM5, priced at Rs 24,999 in India, it’s worth noting that the Sony WH-1000XM5, the headphone counterpart, is available at a similar price in the Indian market. Ultimately, the decision between earbuds and headphones depends on individual preferences.
In overall assessment, the Sony WF-1000XM5 emerges as one of the most impressively crafted ANC earbuds in recent times, distinguishing themselves in a saturated market. With these earbuds, Sony solidifies its reputation as the undisputed king of ANC technology, providing a compelling option for those seeking top-tier performance.
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