Sony’s flagship TWS earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, were launched in India a few weeks ago. These new fifth-generation earbuds are smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than their predecessors, and they promise class-leading noise cancellation and sound quality.
The WF-1000XM5 are the successors to the critically acclaimed XM4s, and they aim to carry on the legacy of the Sony XM series as the best noise-canceling headphones money can buy. So, does the WF-1000XM5 succeed? Let’s find out in our review.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Review Snapshot
Editor’s rating: 4.0/5
Design
Control
Hardware
SOund Quality
Noise Cancellation
Battery
Jump To..
- Design & Fit
- Companion App and Controls
- Hardware
- Sound Quality and ANC
- Battery
- Should you buy Sony WF-1000XM5?
Pros
- Great sound
- Effective noise-cancelling
- Good call quality
- Long battery life
- comfortable Fit
Cons
- Can’t customise gesture controls
Sony WF-1000XM5 Price in India
- Sony's latest WF-1000XM5 TWS earbuds are now available in India at an initial price of Rs 24,990. But there's a cashback offer of Rs 3,000, making the effective price Rs 21,990.
- Pre-orders are open until October 15th, and you can purchase these earbuds when they become available from Sony Center and major online and offline retailers.
Sony WF-1000XM5 review: Design & FIT
When it comes to the TWS (True Wireless Stereo) market, the WF-1000XM5 earbuds may not be the slimmest, but if you’ve used the XM4, you’ll immediately notice that the new design is significantly sleeker and improved. The XM5s are now 25% smaller and 20% lighter than their predecessors. Each earbud tips the scales at a mere 5.9 grams, while the case adds a feather-light 39 grams, tallying up to just over 50 grams.
These earbuds have undergone a style facelift to snugly nestle into your ear canals. They now sport a chic blend of glossy and matte recycled plastics. While we yearn for an all-matte finish for an extra touch of luxury (which would match the sleek case perfectly), the subtle metal grilles, guarding against pesky wind noise interference for the feed-forward microphones, add a hint of design flourish. The case, being reasonably compact, houses a pairing button, a USB-C port, and the convenience of Qi wireless charging.
Speaking of fit, the earbuds come kitted out with foam tips that create an impressive seal, perfect for everyday wear. With a range of four ear tip sizes, you can tailor your fit to perfection. Once you’ve found your sweet spot, the XM5s stay snug as a bug, whether you’re working, on the move, or working out. These IPX4-rated gems easily shrug off the sweat and are so comfy that you can even snooze with them. The only minor drawback might be that they don’t sit entirely flush in your ear. Nevertheless, their comfort level is so remarkable that even diehard over-ear fans might be tempted to make the switch.
Sony WF-1000XM5 review: Companion App and Controls
Sony’s feature-packed companion app boasts a wealth of options, albeit with a need for some scrolling and swiping to navigate effectively. This app empowers you to fine-tune your audio experience, tweak settings, and optimize your earbuds’ performance.
For instance, you can employ the app to capture images of your ears, enhancing the 360 Reality Audio upmixing, securing a snug fit for impeccable passive sound isolation and robust bass response. Plus, the app lets you manage calls with intuitive head gestures, and they work like a charm.
If you’re a stickler for a stable Bluetooth connection, the app has your back. It handled LDAC audio streaming like a champ, even in crowded metro stations. The app presents a buffet of EQ presets and a five-band equalizer for a tailored sound experience. ANC adjustments are limited to three options: on, off, and ambient sound passthrough. The adaptive mode automatically adjusts ANC intensity based on your surroundings, providing optimal cancellation during commutes and a touch of background audio while in the office.
Now, let’s talk controls. The earbuds’ touch-sensitive surfaces make playback and noise-cancelling adjustments a breeze. Whether it’s a single tap, double tap, triple tap, or a tap-and-hold gesture, you’ve got it under control. In addition, the earbuds offer nifty head nodding and shaking gestures for call management and they pause playback automatically when you take them off. The controls are pretty effective but do keep in mind that the range of customization for individual gestures isn’t as extensive as some competitors offer.
Sony WF-1000XM5 review: Hardware
Sony didn’t cut any corners with the WF-1000XM5’s hardware. These earbuds are fueled by the mighty Integrated Processor V2, boasting 24-bit audio processing and analog audio amplification. Not stopping there, they pack in the QN2e HD Noise Cancelling processor, adeptly handling both the ANC system and Bluetooth SoC. The cherry on top is the Quick Attention feature, accessible with a long press on the left earbud. It niftily flips to transparency mode when you need to catch someone’s words, effortlessly toggling back to ANC once the conversation’s over.
Let’s not forget the star of the show – the 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X units. They promise an upgrade in lower-frequency reproduction, extending the sound frequency range from 20 to 40,000 Hz while keeping distortion at bay. With the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard on board, now with support for the LC3 codec, you enjoy lower latency and less power consumption compared to the older SBC and AAC codecs.
Each earbud flaunts a trio of microphones, and Sony has thrown in an AI machine-learning noise reduction engine and bone conductor sensors. The result? Crystal-clear voice pickup during calls. Additionally, you can revel in the convenience of Google Fast Pair for Android devices and Swift Pair for Windows 10 and 11, making the pairing process a breeze. Furthermore, the earbuds play nice with hands-free Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, offering seamless control over a plethora of earbud functions and the smorgasbord of features these virtual assistants bring to the table.
Sony WF-1000XM5 review: Sound Quality and ANC
We put the WF-1000XM5 through their paces with an iPhone, an Android phone, and a trusty Windows laptop. The result? Seamless multipoint pairing that left us thoroughly impressed. Fresh out of the box, the XM5s deliver a balanced audio profile with the perfect touch of bass, harmoniously spanning the entire frequency spectrum. These earbuds continue the tradition of their predecessors, favoring a warm sound stage and effortlessly handling lower, midrange, and higher frequencies. The sound quality emanating from the XM5s exudes a sense of maturity, putting them ahead of the pack compared to other popular in-ear options we’ve recently put to the test. It’s a notable upgrade from the XM4s.
The midrange is richly rendered, revealing nuanced details in vocals and instruments, which might be elusive on more budget-friendly in-ear counterparts. The treble response takes a step up from the XM4, introducing heightened clarity in the higher range. The Sony Headphone app further sweetens the deal, allowing you to fine-tune the EQ to cater to your individual audio preferences.
Now, let’s dive into noise canceling—the signature feature of the WF-1000XM series. The improved ANC system in the XM5s sets a new benchmark for in-ear buds. Aiding this achievement are the foam ear tips, which significantly bolster passive sound isolation.
Whether it’s the droning of air conditioners, the chatter of water coolers, or mid-frequency intrusions, the XM5s masterfully silence them once you slip them in. What’s truly remarkable is their performance in bustling environments, where they adeptly subdue a wide spectrum of ambient noise. While the ANC doesn’t quite reach the levels of the WH-1000XM5, the WF-1000XM5 sets the gold standard for in-ear noise canceling.
Sony WF-1000XM5 review: Battery Life
Sony’s claim for the XM5s is an impressive 8 hours of battery life with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) engaged. The case extends this with two full recharges, providing a total playtime of 24 hours. In our hands-on testing, we achieved approximately 7 hours of use with ANC activated. While this performance is quite good, it falls slightly short of the leading models in the class, some of which offer over 11 hours on a single charge.
Sony WF-1000XM5 REview Verdict: Should you buy it?
The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the best-sounding wireless earbuds we’ve tested to date. They also happen to offer superb noise cancelation, an extensive set of features, and come in a lighter and more pocket-friendly design. Thanks to the new 8.4mm drivers and finely tuned audio, these earbuds have addressed a previous concern—the muted upper treble. The noise-canceling prowess of the XM5s is in a class of its own, eclipsing rivals from Apple and Samsung. If you’re willing to invest, the WF-1000XM5s are a resounding “yes!” These earbuds offer a winning combo, regardless of your smartphone ecosystem.
