Sony WF1000XM5
Sony WF1000XM5
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MUSIC: Very Good—8.0/10
CALLS: Poor—5.0/10
GAMING: Poor—5.1/10
TV: Poor—5.4/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Poor—4.9/10
EXERCISE: Fair—6.1/10
AIR TRAVEL: Very Good—8.6/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Very Good—8.7/10
BUILD QUALITY: Very Good—8.5/10
BATTERY: Best in Class—10.0/10
The Sony WF1000XM5 earbuds, released in 2023, are a premium-priced, stemless, and closed-back option with wireless connectivity. They provide very good overall sound quality and excel in noise isolation, especially useful for air travel and portable use. They feature dynamic drivers, support LDAC for better audio quality, and are sweatproof, making them suitable for exercise. However, they have a limited battery life of 9 hours that extends to 18 hours with the charging case. Mic quality is only fair, which might not be ideal for calls and meetings. They also do not perform well for gaming or TV and video due to latency issues. These earbuds offer an app with equalizer and customization options, and they are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. They come with wireless charging capabilities, and their build quality is very good, ensuring durability. If you prioritize sound quality and noise isolation in a compact, portable form and can manage with moderate battery life and mic performance, the WF1000XM5s could be the right fit for your needs. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Good comfort
- Very good build quality
- Excellent active noise cancelling
- Very good portability
Cons
- Only fair microphone quality
- Poor score for calls and meetings
- Not suitable for gaming
- Poor for TV and video
Ratings by Category
Battery Life:5.0
The Battery Life rating is based on hours of typical, actual usage.
Air Travel:4.6
This score evaluates the product for use on airplanes and other similar kinds of travel. It takes into account noise reduction and portability, including case shape, case size, and weight. It also incorporates the battery life of the product, long-haul comfort, noise reduction (both active and passive), and sound quality. We generally consider wireless products to be more suitable for air travel.
Music:4.4
The Sony WF1000XM5 earbuds excel in music listening due to their closed enclosure type, which helps create an intimate and private listening experience with better passive noise isolation, and their high overall sound quality. They also support Sony's 360 Reality Audio for virtual surround sound, enhancing the feeling of being at a live concert or in the studio with the musicians, though this feature requires compatible applications.
Portability:4.4
The Portability score is based on an overall assessment that includes volume and maximum dimension of the product (and case, if relevant), and its weight. Special features like foldability for headphones are also taken into account.
Exercise:3.2
This score evaluates the product when used for exercise and physical activity. It mainly takes into account comfort, whether or not the products are sweatproof and how secure are the earbuds or headphones while wearing them. We also consider products with wireless capabilities to be more suitable for this particular scenario
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $298 | ||
Brand | Sony | ||
Release Date | July 1, 2023 | ||
Form Factor | Earbuds | ||
Connectivity | Wireless | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 8.1/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | ||
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | 9 Hours | ||
Wireless charging | Yes | ||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | ||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | ||
Case Battery Life | 18 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | ||
Virtual Surround | Yes | ||
Android App | Yes | ||
iOS App | Yes | ||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | ||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | ||
Size | Medium | ||
Weight of single earbud | 6 Grams | ||
Microphone style | Integrated | ||
Shopping
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Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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