Sony WH-1000XM5 - Almost Perfect

Almost Perfect

- Kenny Yeo

A GLANCE

DRIVERS 30mm, Neodymium

FREQUENCY RESPONSE 4Hz - 40kHz

CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth 5.2, Stereo mini-jack

BATTERY UP TO 30HRS/40 HRS (ANC ON/ ANC OFF)

PRICE $569

For the first time in years, Sony has completely revamped its flagship wireless ANC headphone. The headband is thinner and it extends as a single piece all the way down to the earcups. And the earcups have a clean polygonal shape.

It has an all-plastic construction to keep weight down - just 250g. The leather used in the headband and earpads is also a newly developed soft fit leather material that Sony claims fits snugly while relieving pressure.

Sony has definitely nailed down the comfort aspect of this headphone. I recently took these on my trip to WWDC 2022 and it never felt uncomfortable during the long flight to the US.

However, my major gripe with the design of the WH-1000XM5 is that they don’t fold, making them a pain to carry as the case is substantially bigger. Also, when you take them off and place them on your neck, the earcups don’t lay flat on your body. If you swivel the earcups, they face the wrong way - upwards and away from you. Sure, you could say it’s a minor issue, but it’s one that the WH1000XM4 didn’t have.

Fortunately, other aspects of the WH-1000XM5 are improved. Touch controls on the right earcups have never been more accurate or responsive. The WH-1000XM5 also supports multipoint connection so it can pair with up to two devices simultaneously, and switches between source devices very quickly.