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Long-term Review of Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds: Notably smaller, yet closely resembles the previous model
While the XM5 isn't a drastic upgrade from the Sony WF-1000XM4, it does perform slightly better in many areas and comes in a much smaller size.
Advantages: – Superior audio performance – Notably more compact than the XM4 – Pleasing fit in the ear, effective passive noise reduction – Remarkable active noise cancellation and ambient mode – Features like wear detection and multi-point support – LDAC codecs compatibility even when connected to two devices – Handy accompanying application, intelligent sound adjustments – Reliable battery life, compatible with wireless charging.
Downsides:- The adjustment of the controls is not yet detailed enough- The active noise cancellation, although decent, doesn't surpass the previous model- The cost could have been more market-friendly.
Cost: Between Rs 22,290 and Rs 24,990
Review Score: 4 out of 5
Sony introduced its much-anticipated WF-1000XM5 TWS earbuds in India in October of the previous year. For unclear reasons, it took an unusually long time to get to us. Therefore, instead of hastily conducting the testing process, we decided to spend more time with it and put together an extensive review. Honestly, this is a product meant to be leisurely enjoyed.
We have a deep understanding of the Sony WF-1000XM4's capabilities and limitations, having used it extensively. Despite its flaws, it continues to be one of the top true wireless earphones on the market. Sony faced a great challenge in surpassing it, even with more than two years to launch its successor. One obvious problem with the XM4 was its large size, which has certainly been rectified. But, does the Sony WF-1000XM5 surpass its predecessor in other areas? Let's discover.
The design and comfort of the Sony WF-1000XM5 Earphones are rated 8 out of 10. Although they bear a resemblance to their predecessor, the WF-1000XM4, these headphones are significantly more compact and lighter. They're not as diminutive as the Linkbuds S, but they are about a quarter smaller and a fifth lighter than the previous model, according to the manufacturer. Each one weighs roughly 5.9 grams; they're not the lightest on the market, but they're not heavy either. Most importantly, they provide a comfortable and secure fit when worn correctly. Unlike the 1000XM4, these earbuds don't protrude from the ears as much.
Rather than the usual silicone ear-tips found in many earbuds, these come with polyurethane foam tips. These adapt to your ear canal's shape and provide superior passive noise isolation, often outperforming the active noise cancellation (ANC) feature found in many budget to midrange earbuds. There's also an additional three pairs of tips included, in case the original ones don't fit you well. It's worthwhile taking a few moments to select the correct ones.
The product is robustly constructed, featuring a blend of shiny and sleek matte textures, with large touch-sensitive areas on the rear of the earbuds. The shiny texture can occasionally make the buds somewhat slippery when taking them out of the case. The charging case, small enough to fit in a pocket and with a matte texture, weighs less than 40 grams. The case is equipped with a USB-C charging port, a Bluetooth pairing/reset button on the back, and a charge status LED on the front. The WF-1000XM5 model comes in two color options – black and a silver shade that leans toward beige.
Sony persists in its eco-friendly efforts, which is commendable. The headphones and their case are reportedly constructed from a range of reprocessed plastic substances, and the exterior packaging is essentially free of plastic to maintain environmental sustainability.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds: Details and Features (8.5/10) Despite their compact size, each earbud is equipped with a larger 8.4 mm dynamic driver and trio of microphones – two are dedicated for ANC and one for making calls. Furthermore, there's an upgrade to two processors from the previous one. Sony's latest V2 processor handles the audio processing, while a separate QN2e chip manages the ANC. It's impressive that each earbud weighs less than 6 grams, considering all the integrated circuitry, and this doesn't affect the battery life.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 is compatible with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 codecs via Bluetooth 5.3. Users have the option to prioritize either audio quality or a consistent connection, with a suitable codec selected based on the choice. When the earbuds and the device they're connected to are in the same room, it's recommended to prioritize audio quality and utilize LDAC codecs. These earbuds can connect to two devices at once, thanks to their dual-pairing ability. Furthermore, the LDAC codec can be used on both devices simultaneously, a functionality that was not initially available with the XM4.
The earbuds also come with sensors that detect when they're being worn, pausing the sound when you take one out of your ear and resuming once you put it back in. The rear of the earbuds are touch-sensitive, allowing you to carry out several actions via single, double or triple tap movements. These can be set up using Sony’s Headphones app. Despite this, the options are not as detailed as we would prefer. The available functions come in groups and it is not possible to allocate a particular function to a particular gesture.
For example, if you select Playback for the right earpiece, one tap will play or pause, two taps will skip to the next song, and three taps will go back to the previous song. This cannot be altered. Likewise, if you set ANC for the left earpiece, a single tap can switch between different ANC modes. Quick access for Spotify Tap or Amazon Music Play Now can also be set up separately using a double or triple tap. The earpieces are sweat-resistant with an IPX4 rating, making them suitable for exercise and jogging.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds: Efficiency (8.5/10) These earbuds offer a solid wireless connection up to 10 meters, provided there is a clear path between the source device and the earbuds. There was no lag in video streaming. Similar to other Sony True Wireless Stereo buds with Active Noise Cancellation, these offer three different settings – Noise Cancellation Active, Ambient Noise Active, and a standard mode with both options turned off. You can select any two or all three modes to switch between in the Sony Headphones application, an app which has become increasingly popular over time.
The noise isolation in this model is so effective that you might mistakenly think the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is activated. When you do switch on ANC, it further minimizes noises of lower and middle frequencies such as the humming of a fan or the sound of traffic. It significantly lessens human voices, though it doesn't completely block them out. However, as good as the noise cancellation is, it doesn't seem to surpass its previous model's performance. Having had the chance to compare it with an XM4 unit, I anticipated more from the XM5's specialized QN2e processor.
The surrounding sound setting in this model is one of the best available, producing natural sounds with the occasional interference from wind noise. I was able to interact with individuals on the sidewalk and a taxi driver without having to take the earbuds out. The Active Noise Cancellation modes can be switched by simply tapping the left earbud once. Alternatively, you can choose Adaptive Sound Control to auto-toggle between ANC and ambient modes based on your surroundings. The earphones' app also offers additional features such as head gesture recognition, DSEE Extreme audio enhancement, 360 Reality Audio, and more.
Let's now discuss the audio quality. The Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones have a great volume capacity, being quite loud even at just 60% of their full volume. Surprisingly, though, these high-end earphones have a default sound setting that leans a bit towards the bass side. But don't worry, it's not as bass-heavy as some mid-range earphones that only cost a fraction of its price, nor does it resemble the sound from Sony's older XB series. It's also worth mentioning that the Sony 1000X series has never been marketed as producing a neutral sound. Instead, it's known for its slightly warm and enjoyable audio quality, and the XM5 continues this trend after making some minor adjustments using the companion app.
The app allows you to either experiment with the pre-existing audio settings or tweak the equaliser to craft your own. For individuals who may find using a multi-band equaliser challenging, Sony has devised an easy method to establish your unique EQ. Simply play any audio and tap on the various numbered circles displayed on the screen to discover the sound output that appeals to you. It's straightforward, efficient, and doesn't require understanding the complexities of varied frequency ranges. Just rely on your hearing and select what you prefer the most.
Once properly adjusted, the Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers an intricate, even, and highly satisfying audio performance. Indeed, it leans towards the bass tones, but the bass is profound and firm without overpowering the middle frequencies. The voices are crisp, and there's excellent distinction between instruments. The treble sounds are pointed, but well-balanced to prevent a hissing sound. The audio perception is impressively wide for a set of TWS earbuds, enhancing the overall listening experience across different types of music and video content.
Once more, the overall audio quality isn't significantly superior to the 1000XM4's, which was already outstanding, but it is a tad more polished, and the audio field certainly seems wider here. I believe Sony's most significant hurdle this time was maintaining all the great features of the XM4 within a more compact design, and it's safe to say, they've achieved it.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Headphones: Phone Call Quality (7.5/10) The phone call quality of the 1000XM5 is fairly good. The person on the other end of the line was easily heard, and my own voice was communicated with a decent level of clarity. However, the voice transmission could have been a bit more distinct. While outside, the earphones' microphones did capture some background noise, but not too much to disrupt the call. The noise reduction feature functions adequately, but it might slightly diminish the voice transmission in noisy environments.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds: Battery Duration (8/10) Sony maintains that these earbuds have a battery life of 8 hours when using Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and up to 24 hours in total with the charging case, which is in line with their XM4 model. These figures are likely accurate when using the AAC codec. However, in my personal testing using the LDAC codec, the earbuds lasted just over 6 hours when ANC was constantly enabled. The case can fully recharge the earbuds two more times, bringing the overall battery life close to 18 hours.
As previously stated, the earbuds offer superior passive noise isolation, effectively reducing ambient noise even when active noise cancellation (ANC) is not in use. When ANC is not activated, the earbuds have an impressive battery life of more than 9 hours after being fully charged. The case provides an additional estimated 28 hours of battery life. Therefore, if you use ANC judiciously, you can achieve nearly 24 hours of listening time from the earbuds and the case combined, which is quite decent, especially when using the LDAC codec.
The power level of each earpiece and the charging box can be seen on the connected mobile device or through the associated application. The application also alerts you when the power level of the box falls under 30%. It takes roughly an hour and a half to fully charge the earpieces and box using a normal USB-C charger. The XM5 enables quick charging, with three minutes of charging translating to an hour of music play; a useful characteristic to possess. The box also allows Qi wireless charging.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds: Cost and Evaluation
Sony introduced the WF-1000XM5 true wireless earbuds in India at a price of Rs 24,990, which comes with a 12-month warranty. Nowadays, they are available for around 22K. Sony could have made improvements in terms of pricing to be more competitive. The earlier model, WF-1000XM4, was introduced at Rs 19,990 locally, a price that would have been more appropriate for the new version considering their similar performance levels.
Indeed, the XM5 stands out for being significantly smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than the XM4, without missing any essential features, making it one of the best true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds currently available in India. However, its sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) are not remarkably superior to its predecessor. Therefore, if you don't mind slightly larger earbuds and a little extra weight, you can get the Sony WF-1000XM4 for less than 14K, or even as low as Rs 12,490 if you're fortunate. This translates to a much better value for your money until you find its successor selling for less than 20K.
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