We were very surprised to see that Sony had finally announced its new headband headphones, the WH-1000XM5, as we were expecting that launch in a few months.
Sony’s new earphones cost more than the previous model, but it’s also true that the brand has added some luxury specs: we’re looking at a new design, a foldable case and several big improvements, such as better active noise cancellation. noise.
We tell you more below.
How much do the new Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones cost?
The XM5s cost $450. This represents an increase of around 60 dollars compared to last year’s model.
The WH-1000XM5 headphones are now available for purchase on Sony’s official website. They are also available on Amazon Europe for $449.99.
Buy the WH-1000XM5 on Amazon
This price increase makes the Bose QC45 a much cheaper headphone option ($295 on Amazon). On the other hand, Apple AirPods Max are also a good rival for the great quality they offer. Of course, they will cost you even more: 451 $.
What are the specs and new features of the Sony WH-1000XM5?
The most obvious change to the WH-1000XM5 headphones from the WH-1000XM4 is the new design. Sony calls it a “silent design” and it features a continuous slider on the headband for a smoother fit.
Sony also offers a soft leatherette material that “fits comfortably around the head, relieving pressure from the ears and blocking out outside noise.”
The XM5s initially come in black and platinum silver, and the new carrying case is collapsible, making it even slimmer for easy storage. Note that the headphones no longer bend as before.
Like the Sony LinkBuds and LinkBuds S, the packaging is plastic-free and the headphones themselves use recycled plastic materials from automotive parts, although Sony doesn’t mention the percentage.
When it comes to audio enhancements, active noise cancellation is the main area of focus, with two processors handling input from no less than eight microphones to give you an even better experience than before.
They come to life with a new V1 integrated processor, as well as Sony’s QN1 HD noise cancellation processor. The company says the specially designed 30mm drivers also contribute to better noise cancellation.
They’re 10mm smaller than the XM4 and XM3, but offer better sound clarity and bass reproduction, according to Sony. The speakers are made of a lightweight and rigid carbon fiber composite material to improve high frequency sensitivity, resulting in a more natural sound.
Sony claims the XM5s “significantly reduce noise, particularly in the mid-to-high frequency range, and feature an automatic NC optimizer that optimizes noise cancellation based on the environment.”
They also use lead-free solders which contain gold for a better connection. A new feature is Quick Access, which Sony says lets you resume playing Spotify in just two or three taps without having to pick up your smartphone.
The headphones also support Fast Pair for Android and Swift Pair for Windows.
Sony delivers industry-leading call quality with its four beamforming microphones, Voice Pickup technology and AI noise reduction to isolate your voice. This is combined with a new wind noise reduction structure to reduce distractions.
Despite rumors of a 33% improvement in battery life to 40 hours, the WH-1000XM5 still offers the same 30 hour battery life as before. Sony claims that three hours of playback can be achieved with a three-minute charge via USB Power Delivery (PD).
Many other features remain the same as the older XM4 model with things like Speak-to-Chat, Adaptive Sound Control, Wireless Hi-Res Audio, 360 Reality Audio, Multipoint Connection, plus Amazon Alexa and Google compatibility Assistant.
