Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony has launched the WH-1000XM5, successor to the popular WH-1000XM4 wireless noise canceling headphones. The new model features some changes and improvements along with a higher price tag.

The WH-1000XM5 have a new design with more cylindrical yokes and a thinner headband that feature a stepless sliding design and silent joints. The new ear cups can rotate sideways but cannot fold inwards like they did with previous model. To accommodate for that, the WH-1000XM5 come with a larger carry case.

The WH-1000XM5 feature a new 8-microphone system with two QN1 audio processors. Sony claims the WH-1000XM5 have better noise canceling performance over its predecessor, especially in the mid and high frequencies.

The WH-1000XM5 also feature new drivers. The 30mm drivers are smaller than the 40mm found on the previous generation model but Sony claims they have improved high frequency response with more natural sound quality. The headphones still support the same SBC, AAC, and LDAC Bluetooth codecs as before.

Other features include Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with multipoint connection, Google Fast Pair and Windows Swift Pair support, ambient noise mode, gesture control, wear detection for play/pause, and Google Assistant/Alexa support.

The WH-1000XM5 have a rated battery life of 30 hours of audio playback with ANC on and 40 hours with with ANC off. The headphones charge over a USB-C connector.

With two processors controlling eight microphones, Auto NC Optimizer for automatically optimising noise cancelling based on your wearing conditions and environment, and a specially designed driver unit, WH-1000XM5 headphones with industry-leading noise cancelling rewrite the rules for distraction-free listening and call clarity.

Industry-leading noise cancellation

From airplane noise to people’s voices, our WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones with multiple microphone noise cancelling keep out more high and mid frequency sounds than ever. And with Auto NC Optimizer, noise cancelling is automatically optimised based on your wearing conditions and environment.

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.Multi Noise Sensor technology

With four microphones on each earcup, this is our biggest ever step forward in noise cancelling. Ambient sound is captured even more accurately for a dramatic reduction in high frequency noise. Thanks to Auto NC Optimizer, noise cancelling performance is always and automatically optimised based on wearing conditions and external environmental factors such as atmospheric pressure.

Incomparable noise cancelling

Specially developed by Sony, the new Integrated Processor V1 unlocks the full potential of our HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1. This unique combination of technology controls eight microphones to deliver unprecedented noise cancelling quality.

Specially designed 30mm driver unit

The specially designed 30mm driver unit featuring a soft edge enhances noise cancelling, especially in low frequency ranges, helping you enjoy your music precisely without ambient noise. The carbon fiber composite material realizes light weight and high rigidity dome and improves sound clarity, especially in high frequency ranges.

Superlative sound, engineered to perfection

The specially designed 30mm (precision-engineered) driver unit with light and rigid dome using carbon fiber composite material improves high frequency sensitivity for more natural sound quality. Sony unique technologies include a premium lead-free solder containing gold for excellent conductivity, Fine Sound Resistor for even power distribution, and optimised circuitry for an improved signal-to-noise ratio to ensure clear, consistent sound.

Enjoy High-Resolution Audio with and without wires

The WH-1000XM5 supports High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless, thanks to LDAC, our industry-adopted audio coding technology. LDAC transmits approximately three times more data3than conventional Bluetooth® audio for exceptional High-Resolution Audio quality.

Real-time restoration of all your compressed files

Using Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), DSEE Extreme™ upscales compressed digital music files in real time. Dynamically recognising instrumentation, musical genres and individual elements of each song, it restores high range sound lost in compression.

Multiple microphones, focused on your voice

Equipped with four beamforming microphones, these headphones are calibrated to only pick up your voice. An improved signal-to-noise ratio enables them to catch every single word, even when there’s a lot of noise around.

Ultra clear, noise-free calls

With Precise Voice Pickup Technology and advanced audio signal processing, the person on the other end of the call will hear your voice clearly, even when you are in noisy situations. Our noise reduction algorithm was developed with AI machine learning using more than 500 million voice samples to suppress ambient noise and extract your voice clearly in a wide range of environments.

1 = With noise

2 = Without noise

All day comfort with a noiseless design

These lightweight headphones are beautifully finished in newly developed soft fit leather. This material fits snugly around the head with less pressure on the ears while keeping out external sounds. Our noiseless design with stepless slider, seamless swivel and hanger, and silent joints, makes WH-1000XM5 a pleasure to wear.

Adaptive Sound Control automatically adjusts to whatever you do

Adaptive Sound Control is a smart function that senses where you are and what you’re doing, then adjusts ambient sound settings for the ideal listening experience. When activated, it learns your behaviour and recognises locations that you frequently visit, such as your workplace or a favourite café, and tailors sound to suit the situation.

For everyday convenience, just Speak-to-Chat

As soon as you start a conversation, Speak-to-Chat automatically stops your music and lets in ambient sound – handy if you want to keep your headphones on or talk hands-free. This smart feature uses microphones built into your headphones and advanced audio signal processing to recognise and react to your voice. Once your chat is over, your music starts playing again automatically.

Quick access to your favourite music

With Quick Access, you can configure these headphones to resume Spotify music playback with two or three taps – no need to touch your smartphone.

Multipoint connection

For total convenience, these Bluetooth® headphones can be paired with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. So when a call comes in, your headphones know which device is ringing and connects to the right one automatically. You’ll also be able to quickly switch your headphones to either of the two devices at the touch of a button.

All day power and quick charging

With a huge 30 hours of battery life you’ll have enough power even for long trips. If you need to top up in a hurry, you can get 3 hours' worth of charge after just 3 minutes with an optional USB-PD compatible AC adapter.

Everything’s at your fingertips

The WH-1000XM5 headphones feature intuitive touch control settings – for example, push the button on the left side to switch from Noise Cancelling to Ambient Sound or use the touch panel on the right side to play or pause music, skip tracks, change volume and much more.