Let's get this bit out of the way, Sony's new flagship headphones, the WH-1000XM5, cost £379. By any measure that is expensive, even when compared to the likes of Apple and Bang & Olufsen who scoff at the idea of affordable. And with headphone tech improving to the point where you can buy a decent pair for under £100, there's no sane reason to spend nearly £400. Or is there?
If you're not familiar with these headphones, they have a bit of a history. Over the last five years they've scooped up every award in the business, becoming the go-to for anyone looking for noise-cancelling wireless headphones. But with so many competitors now, is this upgrade worth the new, bigger price tag?
A COMPLETE REDESIGN
Since the first iteration of these headphones back in 2016, Sony has relied on a singular design, only making small upgrades here and there. This time, Sony has gone for a complete redesign. The result is a sleek and slim pair of headphones, with minimal lines and uniform materials. It's a design that's reminiscent of the WH-1000XM5's biggest competitor, the Apple AirPods Max.
While the redesign gives the headphones a modern look and feel, the main benefit is the comfort. They are seriously light and can be worn for hours without really noticing them - a feat many over-ears don't manage.
Sony has also added a section of memory foam in the middle of the headband, and the headphones seem to apply just the right amount of clamping so your head doesn't feel like it's being squeezed.
There is one major downside. Unlike previous versions, these cannot be folded up. Instead, the earcups can be rotated to make the headphones flat. They do come with a case to store them, but chucking them in a bag without the case is more of a challenge.
TOP-TIER AUDIO
Bu hikaye BBC Science Focus dergisinin August 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye BBC Science Focus dergisinin August 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
CHANGE THE (BODY) CLOCKS
Why the end of British Summer Time can be a wake-up call for our circadian health
ARE OCTOPUSES SENTIENT?
If you've watched the Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher or been lucky enough to encounter an octopus in the wild, you'll know there's something special about them.
THE MEXICAN MOLE LIZARD
Imagine what would happen if an earthworm, a lizard, a snake and a mole went on a night out, had too much too much tequila and let their guard down.
Do we finally know how the Egyptian Pyramids were built?
A number of breakthrough studies are beginning to paint a picture of how these wonders of the world were built, but much of the story still remains a mystery...
ECLIPSES ON DEMAND
Inside an unassuming building, behind a damp car park in Antwerp, Belgium, scientists are teaching two spacecraft to be dance partners for a performance that will take place in front of the Sun.
How light's 'secret code' reveals the story of the cosmos
The starlight we can see tells us alot about the Universe, but it's the parts we can't see that contain the biggest revelations
An artificial heart inspired by plumbing
Mechanical circulation could revolutionise transplant design and reduce waiting lists
Major Stonehenge discovery deepens mystery around ancient monument
New findings suggest a key six-tonne stone came from over 450 miles north of the circle
THE UNEXPECTED RETURN OF PNEUMATIC TUBES
Once a pioneering technology that revolutionised deliveries, pneumatic tubes had all but disappeared. Now they're back and enjoying a resurgence
LIVING FOSSILS
FOR SOME CREATURES ALIVE TODAY TIME HAS ALMOST STOOD STILL. MEET THE 'LIVING FOSSILS' THAT GIVE US A GLIMPSE INTO LIFE IN THE DISTANT PAST