Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Sony’s Best Bet for Premium Earbuds

The Sony WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds are the successor to the acclaimed WF-1000XM4 and aim to reign supreme in the premium wireless earbud market. They boast industry-leading noise cancellation, promising audio quality, and retaining Sony’s high-fidelity LDAC Bluetooth codec. They make the controls even more adaptable.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Review

The WF-1000XM5 costs INR 25,000, which is INR 5000 more than the WF-1000XM4. This review will go beyond specifications and explore how the WF-1000XM5 earbuds stack against the competition.

Sony WF-1000XM5: Design and Comfort

The first thing that attracts anyone to the WF-1000XM5 is these earphones’ premium look and finish, which can be felt as soon as you hold them. The earbud comes in a dual-tone finish with a matte and glossy design that blends seamlessly. However, sometimes, due to their glossy nature, they slip out of hand and make it difficult to take them out of the case, but still, for the looks, we give full marks.

These earbuds weigh just 5.9 grams, which is light. The ear fit is comfortable due to the memory foam tip, and it is quite tight, as it doesn’t fall out even during a run.

Water Resistance

Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are IPX4-rated, which makes them resistant to water splashes from any angle. They are suitable for exercise or running, as they resist light rain and sweat. However, these earbuds are not completely waterproof and may not be ideal for heavy rain or swimming.

Sony WF-1000XM5: Sound Quality

Listening to anything, whether a song, podcast, or pure vocals, is a pure bliss experience. The sound clarity is great, with clear vocals and instrument sounds even at high volumes.

Noise cancellation is best in the segment and works almost everywhere, including calls. Its “Speak-to-chat” feature comes into effect as soon as the person standing close to you starts interacting with you, which is probably the best thing for a TWS like this, which makes you available for essential conversations when you use them at work.

Using the headphones app, you can adjust the sound character by setting the equalizer according to your preference. Moreover, they have 360-degree reality audio, an immersive sound experience supported by some third-party apps.

Sony WF-1000XM5: Connectivity

Powered by Bluetooth 5.3, the WF-1000XM5’s connectivity is quite robust. We tested it through our office walls, and I could hear music on the office balcony when my phone was in the innermost room. In addition, you can prioritize sound quality or a stable connection according to your usage requirements.

The charging case has a USB C port that can be charged using your iPhone or Android phone’s cable with the charger. It also supports wireless charging and has an LED light that shows the status of the charge.

Sony WF-1000XM5: Gesture Controls

Quick Access with touch control on the WF-1000XM5 extends even further than I have experienced with other TWS earbuds. This one allows you to configure separate actions for single, double, triple, and even tap and hold on both left and right earbuds.

It can be configured to listen to your recommended music on Spotify and Amazon Music with a single tap without touching your phone.

Conclusion

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds represent a seamless advancement in the brand’s premium series. They stand out for their enhanced comfort and fit, surpassing all prior models, although the new glossy finish can be somewhat irksome. The active noise cancellation and audio quality have noticeably improved, even if the enhancements don’t revolutionize the industry. The earbuds also give you confidence during calls, ensuring clear communication without the fear of sounding indistinct or muffled.

The WF-1000XM5 embodies Sony’s most comprehensive and well-executed vision to date. However, I remain vigilant about monitoring their battery life over time.

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