Sony WF-1000XM5 Review

Our Sony WF-1000XM5 Experience

The earbuds pair easily with any device, Apple or Android. The case is required for pairing, which adds a reassuring level of security. We didn't experience any notable connectivity issues. The case is sleek, secure, and clearly defines the slots for the left and right earbuds. It has an elongated shape that makes it narrower than most.

The snug foam tips ensure a secure fit, even if the pressure can be fatiguing over longer periods. They remained firmly in place despite ridiculous attempts to dislodge them. Whether it was running, walking, climbing, pulling hoodies on and off, practicing headstands, or headbanging, nothing dislodged them, not even a day of route setting at the climbing gym. They also don't mind a little sweat. With an IP of X4, they can withstand water splashes from any direction, though there's no protection rating for dust.

The downside is that foam isn't as durable as silicone. After smashing them into our ears a few dozen times, we noticed some wear and tear, which is frustrating for a pair of high-priced earbuds. They also get gross pretty quickly, especially if you tend to have waxy ears. While we appreciated the departure from slick silicone tips, these won't last long, which is disappointing for buds in this price range.

The foam tips do have their upsides, however, as the seal they create helps with the impressive noise cancellation. Much like earplugs that form a snug fit to your ears to drown out sound, these buds keep the music directed at your eardrum while blocking out the world. While they aren't the best, we enjoyed them and the focus and clarity they bring to calls and music.

At high volumes, the bass remains clear without muddying, while the treble avoids any overly sharp sounds. We needed to keep the volume a notch or two higher on these earbuds than on other models. Wearing them to the gym or store without the ANC turned on left the music hard to hear.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Sound Quality

We found the out-of-the-box equalization of the WF-1000XM5 pleasant, if a little flat. These earbuds settled into the middle of the pack, falling short of other options with similar prices.

Sony's neutral sound mix works well for atmospheric pop, such as Miki Fiki's “Just Fine,” and the folksy feel in “I Am California” by John Craigie. However, the low-end bass frequencies lack power and warmth, which is especially noticeable when listening to EDM or hip-hop. Music that relies more on rhythm and melody, like “You Don't Know” by Leon Bridges, fares better, with the disco beat clean and distinct but not overpowering.

The middle frequencies are full, warm, and punchy in rhythm and blues songs, such as “Blue Mesas” by Leon Bridges, and classic pop-rock, like “As Long as You Follow” by Fleetwood Mac. They sound clear and accurate without feeling overly sculpted. High treble tones are similarly crisp and well-developed, the cleanest frequency range for these earbuds. When we listened to “If It Feels Good (then It Must Be)” by Leon Bridges, the high percussive clink throughout the track sounds distinct, not sharp or thin.

While these earbuds failed to wow us, the frequency response curve aligns well with our preferred curve. The comparison chart shows the relative loudness of each frequency for the WF-1000XM5 in its factory settings compared to our idealized curve. They are strikingly similar, with the Sony earbuds emphasizing the middle and treble frequencies a bit more.

Soundstage

The WF-1000XM5 creates a focused soundstage rather than an expansive one. The smaller stage sometimes creates a cluttered soundscape. These earbuds lack the full, clean, powerful sound that the best provide. Though they don't create the stunning immersive soundscapes we've come to expect, they maintain clarity and definition in the vocals and instrumentals at all levels.

When listening to atmospheric songs like “Impatient” by Sebastian Paul and “Kiss City” by Blondshell in active noise-cancelling mode, the music feels immediate and clear, without the stuffy, airplane-like feeling that some earbuds can cause.

Comfort and Fit

We believe these are among the most comfortable earbuds in the group. The Sonys manage to be more comfortable than the rest by replacing silicone tips with moldable foam and providing four tip sizes. The malleable foam, similar to protective earplugs, contours to the ear, avoiding common pressure points and ensuring a good fit for most.

Noise Cancellation

The WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer active noise cancellation.

It works well to showcase the music, but it is less effective at blocking the noise of an office, airport, or subway. In short, their active noise cancellation isn't as powerful as we'd like, but it does a lot to help enjoy music.

Because these earbuds are quieter to begin with, favorite songs can be hard to hear without ANC. Once activated, the listening experience is substantially improved. While it doesn't create a completely tranquil environment, it does reduce background noise, allowing the lyrics, notes, and melodies to shine through.

Sony also excels at blocking noise passively. Since active noise cancellation reacts to the environment, it's often a step behind. That's why it works best for consistent, low-frequency sounds, like the rumble of a plane's engine or the background chatter in a cafe. Passive noise isolation is most effective at blocking high-frequency sounds, such as clattering plates.

App Features

The app includes practical features, like an ear fit test to optimize listening, adjustable equalization settings for bass, mid, and treble tones, and the ability to turn active noise cancellation on or off, let in ambient sound, and use voice commands via “Ok Google” or “Alexa.”

If you subscribe to compatible streaming services, including Amazon Music Unlimited, nugs.net, PeerTracks, and 360 Reality Audio Live, you can access a spatial audio feature Sony calls 360 Reality Audio.

Sony has packed a lot of technology into these little buds. They track head movements to optimize the listening experience and utilize AI to adjust the ambient sound settings, restoring musical details that are often lost to compression. While innovative, these features don't outperform other similar competitors.

Battery Life

Playing at 75% volume without ANC, the Sony buds lasted an impressive 14 hours before the batteries finally ran out. This is two hours past the twelve hours that Sony advertises without ANC.

Sony claims that the earbuds last a workday, eight hours, with the ANC feature running. The WF-1000XM5 earbuds clearly dominated the group in terms of battery life, and if that isn't enough, the case provides two additional charges. They offer wireless charging, and Sony claims that three minutes in the case provides an extra hour of listening.

Call Quality

Sony claims that the earbuds pick up the vibrations that travel along your bones as you speak, which helps it translate your voice. Unfortunately, the bone-conductor sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) struggled during testing, both on our machine and in real calls.

Talking to friends using the WF-1000XM5 can be challenging. The AI-driven signal processors designed to separate voices from background noise sometimes fail. With the subway in the background, all was lost. The voice audio sounded terrible and cut in and out.