BREAKS LIKE THE WIND
Stuff UK|July 2022
Whether you're on a damp British beach with a flat beer or going further afield in search of sunstroke, here's our guide to this summer's top tech for friction-free holidays
Dan Grabham, Chris Haslam, Sam Kieldsen, Carrie Marshall
BREAKS LIKE THE WIND

SONY WH-1000XM5

£379 / stuff.tv/WHXM5

We are huge, huge fans of the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. They're like dipping your feet in the surf after a heavy night on the tiles. Indeed, they're so good that nobody has been able to displace them from the top of our best headphones list (see p85) over the last TWO YEARS. So does the 2022 version up the game or merely fiddle with a winning formula a bit?

The key thing that has changed is the overall design, which is fairly fundamental. But while the look is new, they're almost exactly the same weight as the XM4s: there's hardly any fatigue when wearing them for long periods.

The recycled plastic material used in the earcups is nice to the touch, as is the synthetic leather across the headband. Still, while nothing here feels cheap, it's fair to say that some rivals look a bit more premium.

Titch school

Key to the XM5s' overall quality is a change in the drivers used. Gone is the 40mm type, replaced by a carbon-fibre composite 30mm version designed to be lighter. The result is a real surprise: there's even greater clarity than the previous generation, and the sound reproduction is beautifully precise.

The 30hr battery life with ANC on is now fairly standard, but the noise-cancelling itself remains best-in-class in high-hubbub environments. Sony has worked further on the ANC tech at higher frequencies, and there's Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts to your environment.

Something that isn't so good is that the on/off and ANC controls are both on the left earcup and a bit too close together. But the auto play/pause feature when you take them on and off works flawlessly. The Speak-to-Chat feature still has a slight delay, and to be honest you'll probably end up just taking the cans off in this scenario.

Denne historien er fra July 2022-utgaven av Stuff UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July 2022-utgaven av Stuff UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA STUFF UKSe alt
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess - It's really not what you expect from a major publisher these days, but Capcom's curious blend of action, real-time strategy and tower defence is one of the most original games you'll play all year
Stuff UK

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess - It's really not what you expect from a major publisher these days, but Capcom's curious blend of action, real-time strategy and tower defence is one of the most original games you'll play all year

It's really not what you expect from a major publisher these days, but Capcom's curious blend of action, real-time strategy and tower defence is one of the most original games you'll play all year.From its colourful costumes to a pastoral message of healing nature, Kunitsu-Gami is proudly Japanese in its inspirations. Your masked warrior is on a mission to help a divine maiden purge a mountain of an evil 'defilement'... but this is no Link/Zelda dynamic: you'll also rely on villagers to help you beat back monsters.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
Tesla Model 3 (2024)
Stuff UK

Tesla Model 3 (2024)

This is much more than a simple mid-cycle refresh for Tesla's most affordable electric vehicle: now smoother and quieter than ever, the updated Model 3 does everything you could want from a family car.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Stuff UK

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

This is the best iPhone Apple has ever made.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Cygni: All Guns Blazing
Stuff UK

Cygni: All Guns Blazing

Is this just a nostalgia trip, or does it genuinely offer something new to make it as memorable as the top-down shooters of yesteryear?

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Scott Contessa Voltage eRide 910
Stuff UK

Scott Contessa Voltage eRide 910

This is an electric trail bike designed with women in mind – not that you’d know that just by looking at it, because thankfully Scott hasn’t adopted the insulting ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach that many brands take.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Squareless whisper
Stuff UK

Squareless whisper

This budget smartwatch sequel from the Nothing sub-brand no longer looks like an Apple Watch wannabe... but can it improve on the original?

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
THE MUSICIAN
Stuff UK

THE MUSICIAN

SENNHEISER HD 490 PRO

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO EVO ONE
Stuff UK

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO EVO ONE

Considering how much the Evo One costs, slicing and dicing your veggies on it probably isn't the smartest idea.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
WEAR IS THE LOVE Google Pixel Watch 3
Stuff UK

WEAR IS THE LOVE Google Pixel Watch 3

Anyone who’s ever strapped on one of Google’s wearables will recognise the Pixel Watch 3.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
THE CREATE ESCAPE
Stuff UK

THE CREATE ESCAPE

Don’t let the end of summer bring you down – find joy in making stuff. Whether you’re a podcaster, streamer, designer, musician or any other kind of creator, here’s the clever new kit you need…

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024