Until the arrival of the Sony WH-1000XM2 and its excellent successor, the so-called wireless headphones with active noise cancellation were practically unknown on the consumer market. It’s true that there were manufacturers (starting with Sony themselves) who had been betting on them for some time, but this model was the first they achieved. take off commercially thanks to the always delicate balance between quality, performance and price.

Over the past few days we’ve been able to enjoy the fifth generation of this device, which represents a big leap in quality and somewhat of a bummer compared to the excellent (and still highly recommended) XM4. New as well SonyWH-1000XM5.

Sony WH-1000XM5, technical characteristics

• • Closed circumaural headphones with electrodynamic transducer
  • Carbon fiber sensor (30mm.)
  • Neodymium magnet
  • 8 microphones (beamforming support)
  • 4Hz to 40kHz response
  • USB-C charging. 3.5 mm jack port.
  • Bluetooth 5.2 and NFC connectivity
  • SBC, AAC and LDAC support
  • Up to 30 hours of autonomy (with active cancellation)
  • Price: 449 euros

The Japanese company supplies its headphones in a curious packaging made of recycled material. The size of the case already indicates the first major design change: Unlike its predecessors, These headphones are not foldable. Like any technical decision, this has its advantages in terms of strength and durability (in general, the less movement the better) and the obvious disadvantage of taking up more space in the backpack. It’s no drama, but it’s a factor to consider for those who prioritize mobility.

The aesthetically well-designed case hides a surprise as a compartment with a lid where you can store cables and adapters (for example, the one for the screens of most airplanes). Of course, I would have liked one more point of quality in materials and solidity in construction, considering that we are talking about headphones that are around 450 euros.

The new debut of the Sony WH-1000XM5 more modern and careful design than previous models. Details such as the arms with completely free adjustment (no steps or “clap, clap”), the materials of the protectors or the headband or the new arrangement of the microphones (necessary for the ANC to work as it should) are aspects that jump around. to the fore and are visible from the first minute.

Apart from aesthetics ergonomic work is impressive. The headphones are designed to distribute the pressure on our skull (and not just on the top or the pads), which provides a feeling of comfort and lightness that is unique in this price category. They are not much lighter than the fourth generation (4 grams, according to the manufacturer), but they remain among the best in this category and seem less thanks to the noble construction and design.

Unlike their predecessors, they are not collapsible.

This is evident We are not dealing with headphones to “use them for a while” and that anyone who makes a significant economic effort expects to amortize it over hours and hours of use. That is why it is so important to consider aspects such as comfort, lightness, the heat they generate or adjustment options, as well as good sound quality or their suppression functions.

While I’m not a huge fan of touch interfaces where they aren’t necessary, I have to give credit to the company’s work with the XM5s. Compared to my XM4, the controls are more precise and I don’t miss the physical buttons as much as I expected. Good job on this point too, which will get better in future software updates.

of from a purely technical point of view there are no big differences compared to previous iterations. We are facing circumaural connecting headphones with an electrodynamic speaker and a neodymium magnet. According to the manufacturer, the response ranges from 4 Hz to 40 KHz, thanks to the work of the 30 mm carbon fiber driver. In practice and in terms of sound quality, it’s more of an evolution than a revolution.

Excellent sound. Sublime insulation.

To test the Sony WH-1000XM5, I spent several days using them as my main headphones in all situations and connected them to devices such as the iPhone 12 Pro, Xbox Series X (via jack) and a Sony Bravia TV from a few years ago.generations. Uses, as you can imagine, range from work to enjoying multimedia content, video games, podcasts or simply using relaxation tracks or white noise tracks to take advantage of the isolation features.

The the leap in quality compared to the XM4 is palpable and it is especially noticeable in songs where sound detail is important. One of my favorite pieces to try out is the magnificent Duel of the Fates by master John Williams, which I recommend you play at the highest quality possible to test your sound systems.

Another scenario where it’s easy to notice the quality of such a device is in songs where instruments gradually enter the scene. “Between Two Waters”, by Paco de Lucía, is a perfect example of how quality headphones are able to precisely and losslessly separate and localize each sound source.

Obviously limitations of the wireless standard they are what they are (the same for everyone, on the other hand) and those who want to get the most out of the device have to go back to cable. From my point of view, it doesn’t make much sense to invest in something you’re not going to use (in this case Bluetooth connectivity), so it’s an aspect I didn’t come across in the review. It is not a product for audiophiles in the true sense of the wordbut neither does not pretend or play with marketing, something we can’t say about any of its competitors.

There are no big differences in playing movies or video games compared to previous models or other headphones in this series. If I were to play with the EQ a bit to give more exposure to the voices and low end, but that’s more a matter of taste and personal perception than anything else. The Sony WH-1000XM5 are undoubtedly a device that can cope well in any situation.

In terms of noise cancellation, my rating is excellent. these headphones They’re the best I’ve tried at the moment and outperform anything I’ve tried, including designs from Apple, Bose or Philips among others.

The main reasons are two: the ergonomic shape and the materials used already provide an interesting level of passive isolation, and Sony’s patented technology takes care of the rest. The Japanese combine the dedicated HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1 with a second support chip for complex situations such as unexpected noise, wind or subway rush. The result is impressive.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 has eight external microphones, beamforming technology and automatically adapts to changes such as use with or without glasses, hats, hairstyles or haircuts, head position and much more. The algorithm receives a large number of inputs every second and transparently adjusts the cancellation system for the user. Fantastic work that results in a sublime experience for every day.

Conclusions

Some Remarkable headphones with excellent noise cancellation. The Sony WH-1000XM5 represents the culmination of the Japanese firm’s commitment to bring ANC technology to every user and thus fulfill its goal. They are not cheap (about 450 euros at the time of writing), but they offer very interesting value for money, which allows them to compete in their price range. Its biggest problem is perhaps being too close to the Airpods Max. Our experience tells us that we will see the XM5 downsizing before long.

If silence and noise cancellation are important in your daily life, don’t think about it: You won’t get anything better for the money. If that’s not that important, there are cheaper options, or options that offer more nuances of sound in exchange for giving up a feature that almost feels like magic.

Related Article | Noise cancellation: what it is and how it works