Sony has been absolutely killing it lately with its lineup of wireless headphones, and the release of the new WH-1000XM5 is sure to turn more than just a few heads. Based on its predecessors, we know that there are certain things we can fully expect from this device: an excellent combination of Sony’s noise-canceling technology and superlative sound quality.
Now, if those two characteristics aren’t already enough, Sony looks to further add on to its WH-1000XM5 with a more comfortable design, exceptional call quality, easy connectivity, as well as being a smart, intuitive device.
Lucky for me, I was given the opportunity to test out this beauty to truly see what it’s made of and fully experience what it has to offer. Before deep-diving into the wonders of the WH-1000XM5, let’s first tackle some of my first impressions during its unboxing.
Design:
I wouldn’t necessarily say that the appearance of the headphones stood out upon first glance mainly due to it being solid-colored (in this case, black, with the other variant being silver/cream-colored) and having a very minimalist design. However, it being sleek and having subtle detailing is where you can appreciate its composition more.
Coated in newly-developed soft fit leather, the all-black headphones appear to have a matte finish that really make the gold Sony logos on either headphone standout. The WH-1000XM5 also has a very smooth and consistent texture that makes it a pleasure to both feel and wear.
From its rather minimalist design, sleek appearance and the leather used to coat it, the WH-1000XM5 definitely has both a premium look and feel to it.
Located at the bottom of the right headphone is the Type-C charging port. At the bottom of the left, on the other hand, is a button to control power and BlueTooth, another to quickly shift to and from the Noise Canceling and Ambient Noise modes, as well as an audio jack, if need be.
Another thing worth noting is the case/sleeve that the WH-1000XM5 comes with which I, personally, am a big fan of. Its styling and design emulates that of the headphones, with its all-around dark-toned finish and its zipper with the Sony logo that catches the eye due to its gold detailing. Inside consists of a cute little pocket that houses the charging cord and the audio jack. Aside from being conveniently sized, the case is also hard-bound to help protect the WH-1000XM5’s wellbeing.
Noise-canceling technology:
As previously mentioned, Sony has been making a name for itself in the Noise Canceling category, and its latest WH-1000XM5 seeks to defy that even more. With Sony’s Multi-Noise Sensor Technology, a 4-microphone setup is utilized to keep out more high- and mid-frequency sounds. Moreover, Auto NC Optimizer impressively optimizes noise cancellation based on your own wearing conditions, as well as the current environment you’re in.
Integrating noise cancellation into the more social aspect of the device, Sony makes use of Precise Voice Pick Up Technology that isolates and, ultimately, calibrates itself with your voice. This would then allow it to solely focus on your voice, while shunning all other noises.
All these indicate how much significance in noise canceling Sony places on its products, such as this one.
Features:
Though, of course, noise canceling wouldn’t be the only facet worth highlighting; Sony allows the listener to enjoy higher quality sounds through supporting High-Resolution Audio and restoring high-range sound lost in compression. Moreover, the WH-1000XM5 has a function that has an idea of where you are and what you’re doing based on behavioral patterns, adjusting its ambient sound settings accordingly.
Another noteworthy aspect is that the headphones can connect to multiple devices (2 max) at once, making it increasingly more convenient when multitasking and/or constantly switching between different devices.
Battery:
The WH-1000XM5 is powered by a battery that can last a whopping 30 hours total and can replenish 3 hours of charge in just 3 minutes, perfect for those long, extensive days without having to worry about low levels of battery.
Main takeaways:
The emphasis on noise canceling is the WH-1000XM5’s selling point, but its various notable supporting features make it an all the more enticing product, even at the steep price of P20,999.
To truly determine if Sony’s WH-1000XM5 is really worth all the aforementioned features and all that jazz (no pun intended), stay tuned for its full, in-depth review to be published next week.
