Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Smaller in Size, Bigger on Sound

Sony has been a gold standard when it comes to audio products for decades. About eight years ago, when Apple changed the portable audio game by introducing the first generation of AirPods, Sony took things personally, by the end of 2017, they launched their AirPod killers, and since then, the WF-1000XM series (or simply, the ‘XMs’) have dropped one banger after another. We recently received the fifth iteration of these buds and we have to say – we dig their new design and the slightly tweaked audio signature. But are the Sony WF-1000XM5 buds worth a buy? Find out in our review.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Design and controls

If you’ve used the XM4’s, the first thing you’ll notice about the XM5s is their downsized footprint with about 25% smaller size and 20% lighter. We were easily able to put the case in our pockets without any visible bump in the pocket. While the new sleek design might not be as compact as AirPods Pro 2, you will feel a night-and-day difference when you compare the XM5 to their predecessors.

As for the tips, some might find the material a bit too smooth with a bit more grip, but it seemed to have a nice and snug fit in our usage.

However, the sleekness comes with a caveat: glossy surfaces. While the matte case feels great, the glossy buds attract fingerprints at the blink of an eye and tend to slip from your hands easily when taking them out of the case. Quote: People who like to keep their belongings meticulously, such as myself, will have a tough time keeping these clean.

Comfort-wise, these are great! Thanks to the smaller size and softer polyurethane foam tips, these buds can be worn comfortably for a couple of hours.

While these buds have intuitive touch controls, they also have a large touch surface. As a result, even a slightest readjustment of your buds will result in an unintended tap – and it can get on your nerves really quick. The controls here are slightly different from other earbuds, so here’s a quick cheat-sheet for you:

Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Audio performance

Apart from the physical footprint, the XM5s also come with a brand-new driver. They pack an 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X, which is much larger than the 6.4mm units used in their XM4s. The “big driver-big sound” logic applies here, because we could evidently feel higher volume levels.

But, more than that, Sony claims that these new drivers also help reduce mechanical noise, or the unwanted sounds produced by the drivers themselves, because they have to move less.

Overall, these offer a delightful listening experience. What really impressed us was the crystal-clear clarity and richness in the sound output. The bass isn’t something out of this world, but it’s important to note that this change doesn’t mess with the overall balance of the sound. In fact, it seems to bring a more accurate representation without overshadowing the mids or highs, maintaining an overall enjoyable listening experience.

In our usage, no matter what genre of song we heard, from hyper-energetic South-Indian songs such as “Vaathi Coming” by Anirudh Ravichander, or “The Eyes” by Travis Scott, to the low and mellow songs by A.R. Rehman such as “Matargashti” or “Phir Se Ud Chala”, the type of songs that have a lot of instruments in them; the kind of songs that makes you experience the depth in them, while listening to such songs – the highs, mids, and bass felt perfectly balanced.

The XM5s can sometimes help you uncover an element of a song you never paid attention to, like a subtle guitar riff.

So, while bass enthusiasts might miss the thump in the default settings, the earbuds manage to deliver a finely tuned audio profile that should appeal to a broader range of music tastes.

If you prefer bass rich sound, you can tweak around in the settings, use the Bass Boost equaliser preset in the application, or just create your custom preset, and you’ll be good to go!

Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Mic performance, ANC and transparency mode

If you think the only good thing about a sleeker design is added comfort, think again. Sony says that it also helps with reducing wind noise that seeps into the mic. Adding to this, is an AI-based noise reduction engine, which helps remove ambient sounds even better.

Further, it even lets you accept and reject calls just by nodding your head. We tend to move our heads while listening to music, so this became a bit of a nuisance for us, so we kept this feature turned off.

However, during calls, the audio takes on a slightly robotic tone, revealing a subtle discrepancy in the otherwise commendable mic engineering. While undeniably solid, the WF-1000XM5 microphones fall just short of the superior quality.

The noise cancellation on the XM4s was sublime, and this time Sony has tried to one up that as well. It uses three mics (compared to two) on each bud to reduce noise by 20%. Apart from mics, it also has two new chips, namely QN2e HD Noise Cancelling chip and V2 processor. All this aids in suppressing even more frequencies, especially the drone of low-end sounds.

We were easily able to enjoy our playlists without any external noise disturbance, even while taking the metro to work. The transparency mode lets you hear what’s happening around you, is a nice touch too, although it’s not as flawless as you would expect it to be. Nonetheless, it serves its purpose and can get the job done.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Connectivity and App Support

The Sony Headphones Connect app acts as a backbone to the XM5s. It is a blend of practical functionality and occasional frustrations, because while its interface is somewhat cluttered and lacks a modern design, it excels in providing essential controls for the earbuds.

The Status section keeps you informed about connected devices, media playing and the Adaptive Sound Control feature, which tailors noise cancellation based on your preferences in different locations.

The Sound menu offers an array of options, including Ambient Sound Control for noise-cancelling adjustments and an extensive Equaliser for fine-tuning audio profiles. This is one specific place where we felt that the application could do some redesigning.

The “System” menu allows you to customise tap controls, multipoint connectivity, update the earbuds, and control head gestures, choose between your default voice assistant and hands-free Alexa or Google Assistant integrations etc.

The “Services” menu contains all the toggles that can help your earbuds to communicate with your selected apps such as Spotify, Amazon Music etc.

Sony Headphone App

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The connectivity features of the WF-1000XM5 showcase modern capabilities, supporting Bluetooth 5.3 for robust connections and energy efficiency. The inclusion of multipoint connectivity enables simultaneous pairing with two devices, enhancing versatility.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Battery

Battery life on the XM5s is definitely solid for audiophile-grade true wireless. In our testing, we got around seven and a half hours of listening time with ANC on, which comes close to the advertised eight hours. If you crank up the high-res LDAC codec, that number drops around six hours, but that’s the price you pay for sonic purity, right?

The charging case packs two full charges, bumping your total playtime to a respectable 22.5 hours. That’s enough to fuel weeks of commutes, gym sessions, and spontaneous music binges before needing a plug. Plus, you get both wired and wireless charging options, catering to every charging scenario imaginable.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Verdict

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are priced at Rs 24,990, which marks a significant advancement in the true wireless series. Despite some minor issues with ear tip fit and 360 Reality Audio personalization, they offer an exceptional audio experience, making them a worthwhile upgrade. The noise cancellation is great, which when coupled with the impressive features offered by slightly outdated but useful Headphones Connect app, contribute to their appeal.

They are ideal for commuting and travel, with their lightweight design and effective ANC system. However, they are no longer leagues ahead of the competition as previous versions have been. The choice of quality earbuds now depends more on compatibility with the devices you use, more than on the outright performance of the headphones. Despite this, they may not be perfect, but they are certainly a step in the right direction.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Alternatives

For iPhone users specifically, the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) can be considered an excellent alternative. Leveraging seamless integration with Apple devices, they’re not gonna disappoint you.

Another compelling alternative to explore is the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. Renowned for their exceptional noise-cancelling capabilities, and immersive audio experience, these earbuds can be a strong contender for the XM5s.