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Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds Extensive Evaluation: Essentially the same as the previous model but notably more compact
Not a substantial upgrade from the Sony WF-1000XM4, however, the XM5 performs slightly better in a remarkably condensed size.
Advantages: – Outstanding audio performance – Noticeably more compact than the XM4 – Comfortable fit in the ear with strong passive noise cancellation – Effective Active Noise Cancellation and environmental mode – Features like wear detection and multipoint support – Compatibility with LDAC codecs even when connected to two devices – Handy supporting application with intelligent sound adjustments – Reliable battery life and supports wireless power charging.
Downsides: – Control settings are not yet finely-tuned – Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), while decent, is not an improvement from the previous model – The cost could have been more aggressively priced.
Cost: Between Rs 22,290 and Rs 24,990. Score: 4 out of 5.
Sony introduced its much-anticipated WF-1000XM5 TWS earbuds in India in October of the previous year. For reasons that are not clear, the product took longer than expected to become available to us. Hence, rather than hurrying through the evaluation process, we decided to spend additional time with it for a comprehensive, long-term review. To be honest, this is indeed a product that is meant to be leisurely appreciated.
We've had considerable experience with the Sony WF-1000XM4, so we're quite familiar with its advantages and disadvantages. It continues to be one of the top-notch TWS (true wireless) earbuds available, presenting a challenging task for Sony to surpass it, even with more than two years to introduce its successor. One noticeable problem with the XM4 was its size, which has certainly been rectified. But does the Sony WF-1000XM5 surpass its predecessor in other aspects? Let's discover.
The design and comfort of Sony WF-1000XM5 Earphones are rated 8 out of 10. Their form is relatively similar, but they are significantly smaller and lighter compared to the WF-1000XM4 model. They are not as tiny as Linkbuds S, but according to the manufacturer, they are around 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the previous model. Each earbud has a weight of approximately 5.9 grams; they're not the lightest available, but they're not too heavy either. What's more essential is that they provide a sense of comfort when worn and fit nicely if positioned correctly. They do not protrude from the ears as much as the 1000XM4 model used to.
These earbuds differ from the majority which are equipped with silicone tips, as they come with polyurethane foam tips that conform to your ear's shape, offering superior passive noise isolation. This is so effective that it surpasses the active noise cancellation provided by many affordable and mid-range earbuds. Included are three additional pairs of tips, in case the initial ones don't suit you. It's worth taking a few moments to select the optimal ones.
The product's construction is robust, offering a mix of shiny and sleek matte textures, with large touch areas on the buds' rear. The shiny texture can make the buds somewhat slippery when taking them out of the case occasionally. The small, pocket-friendly charging case has a matte finish and weighs less than 40 grams. The case features a USB-C charging port and a Bluetooth pairing/reset button on the rear, along with a charge status LED on the front. The WF-1000XM5 comes in two color options – black and silver (beige).
Sony persists in its eco-friendly efforts, which are commendable. The headphones and their casing are reportedly constructed from various recycled plastic substances, and the external packaging is essentially free of plastic to maintain sustainability.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds: Details and Specs (8.5/10) Despite their compact size, each earpiece accommodates a larger 8.4 mm dynamic driver and three microphones – two specifically for Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and one for making calls. Additionally, it has been upgraded to include two processors instead of just one. The newly introduced V2 processor from Sony handles sound processing, while a separate QN2e chip manages the ANC. Maintaining each earbud's weight under 6 grams, incorporating all these features and without compromising on battery life, is indeed commendable.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are compatible with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 codecs through Bluetooth 5.3. Users have the option to prioritize either sound quality or connection stability, with a codec being selected based on the chosen priority. Ideally, when the earbuds and the source device share the same space, it's recommended to opt for sound quality and utilize the LDAC codecs. These earbuds have the capacity to connect to two devices at the same time, a feature known as dual-pairing. Impressively, the LDAC codec can be utilized on both devices – a capability that was not initially available in the XM4 model.
The earbuds also come with sensors that detect when they are worn, pausing the audio when removed and resuming it once they're back in your ear. The rear part of the buds is touch-sensitive, allowing you to carry out several tasks with one, two, or three-tap motions. These features can be set up through Sony's Headphones app. However, the options are not as detailed as we'd prefer. The features come in groups and you can't assign a particular feature to a specific gesture.
For example, if you opt for Playback on the right earbud, 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 functionality cannot be altered. In the same vein, if you set the left bud to ANC, it can be used to switch between various ANC modes, but only with one tap. Double or triple taps can be separately set up for quick access to Spotify Tap or Amazon Music Play Now. These earbuds are sweat resistant with an IPX4 rating and are suitable for wearing during workouts or when jogging.
The performance of Sony's WF-1000XM5 earphones is impressive, earning an 8.5 out of 10. They maintain a solid wireless connection even at distances of up to 10 metres, provided there's no obstruction between the earbuds and the device they're connected to. Video streaming is smooth with no delay issues. Similar to other Sony True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds with active noise cancelling (ANC), these also offer three sound settings – Noise Cancellation, Ambient Sounds, and a Normal mode where both features are off. You can select any two or all three to switch between using the Sony Headphones app, which has become increasingly popular over time.
The noise isolation in this device is so effective that you might mistake it for the active noise cancellation (ANC) being activated. When you actually enable ANC, it further suppresses specific low and medium-frequency noises such as the hum of a fan or traffic sounds. Conversations are significantly lessened but not completely removed. However, even though the noise cancellation feature is impressive, it doesn't seem to surpass its previous model. I had an XM4 model on hand for comparison and anticipated the dedicated QN2e processor on the XM5 would perform a tad better.
The surrounding sound setting provided by these earbuds is one of the best available, producing natural audio with occasional wind interference. I was able to converse with passersby and a taxi driver without needing to take out the earbuds. By simply tapping the left earbud once, one can switch between active noise cancellation modes. Moreover, one can choose the Adaptive Sound Control feature to automatically toggle between noise cancellation and ambient sound modes based on their location. Additional features such as head motion commands, DSEE Extreme audio enhancement, 360 Reality Audio, among others, can be accessed through the app on these earphones.
Let's discuss the audio performance. The Sony WF-1000XM5 produces ample loudness at a 60% volume level. Oddly, the default sound leans towards the bass side, which is unusual for high-end earphones. However, it's not as bass dominant as some mid-range earphones that are priced much lower, nor does it resemble the sounds from Sony’s older XB series. It's worth noting that the Sony 1000X series has never promised to deliver a neutral sound, and has always maintained a slightly warm yet enjoyable sound. The XM5 follows suit, with a few minor adjustments made using the companion app.
The app provides options for you to either select from pre-existing audio settings or experiment with the equalizer to make a personalized one. If you're not confident using a multi-band equalizer, Sony has devised an uncomplicated method for you to formulate your own customized EQ. Simply play any audio and hit on the various numbered circles that pop up on the screen until you find the sound quality that matches your preference. It's a straightforward, efficient process that doesn't require any knowledge of different frequency ranges. Just rely on your ears and pick what appeals to you the most.
Once adjusted properly, the Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers a clear, well-balanced, and highly pleasurable sound quality. Although it leans towards the lower frequencies, the bass is profound and compact without overpowering the midrange frequencies. The voice quality is pristine and the distinction between instruments is exceptional. The high pitches are precise but well moderated to avoid an overly hissing sound. The audio spectrum is impressively wide for a set of true wireless stereo earbuds, which enhances the overall listening experience across different types of music and video content.
Once more, the total audio quality isn't much superior to the 1000XM4, which was already superb, but it's a tad more sophisticated, and the audio field certainly appears wider with this one. I believe the main task for Sony this round was to maintain the high quality of the XM4 in a more compact casing, and I can confidently affirm that they have accomplished it.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds: Communication Quality (7.5/10) The 1000XM5 earbuds provide fairly good call quality. The individual at the other end of the call was easily heard, and my voice was conveyed with appropriate clarity, although it could have been a bit crisper. The microphones do capture some background noise when used outside, but it doesn't significantly interfere with the conversation. The noise cancellation feature functions quite well, but it might slightly muffle the voice in loud environments.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds: Battery Duration (8/10) Sony states that these earbuds have an 8-hour battery life when the active noise cancellation (ANC) is turned on, and up to 24 hours when paired with the charging case, the same as the XM4 model. However, these figures are likely applicable when using the AAC codec. In my experience, when I used the LDAC codec, the earbuds lasted slightly over 6 hours with the ANC continuously active. The charging case can fully recharge the earbuds two more times, extending the overall battery life to approximately 18 hours.
As previously stated, the earbuds have top-notch passive noise isolation, reducing a significant amount of ambient noise even without activating the Active Noise Cancelling feature. When ANC is not in use, the earbuds can run for more than 9 hours on a single charge, which is impressive. The case increases the total usage time to roughly 28 hours. Therefore, if you use the ANC feature judiciously, you could potentially achieve nearly 24 hours of usage from the earbuds and case combined, which is quite good, especially when using the LDAC codec.
You can see the power level of each earpiece and the charge case on the connected smartphone or through the associated application. The application also alerts you when the case's battery level falls under 30%. Charging the earbuds and the case completely takes roughly an hour and a half using a regular USB-C charger. The XM5 has a fast charging function that allows for an hour of music play with just a 3-minute charge, a convenient feature to have. The case is also compatible with Qi wireless charging.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 TWS earbuds initially hit the Indian market with a price of Rs 24,990, accompanied by a one-year guarantee. Presently, they can be bought for around 22K. Sony could have potentially attracted more customers by introducing a more aggressive price. The WF-1000XM4 was released for Rs 19,990 in the country, which would have been a more suitable initial price for the WF-1000XM5 considering their comparable performance levels.
Indeed, the XM5 stands out for being smaller, lighter, and more comfortable without missing any important features of the XM4. It's unquestionably one of the top TWS earbuds you can buy in India right now. However, it doesn't offer a significantly superior sound quality or better Active Noise Cancellation compared to its predecessor. If you don't mind slightly larger earbuds or the additional one and a half gram weight in each ear, the Sony WF-1000XM4 could be yours for less than 14K, and potentially as low as Rs 12,490 with a bit of luck. This makes it a much better deal until its successor is available for less than 20K.
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