Feature rich and sound as great as they feel!
October 05, 2022
After extensive use I can confidently say that Sony’s new WH-1000XM5 headphones are a tremendous leap forward from previous models and the competition. The headphones themselves feel very sturdy and will not break from minor contact or pressure. A big improvement from previous models is that these fold flat into their case in a very intuitive and natural manner, whereas older models I experienced required some twisting and I worried each time about exerting too much pressure and causing a break. The weight seems much improved and even after hours of use I don’t experience any pressure points or fatigue on my head or ears. My absolute favorite part of the WH-1000XM5 is the noise cancellation, which is superior. The cancellation is adaptive and filters the majority of ambient or ancillary sounds without the need to run optimization. For example, other brands I have used may filter the din of traffic and sidewalk sounds but when an ambulance zooms by its siren penetrates the level of active noise cancelling in place causing a startling intrusion of loud sound. The WH-1000XM5 manages such abrupt changes in ambient sound perfectly and optimizes with immediate recalibration to the active filtration. I have truly not experienced this level smart adjustment on any other brand or model except for Apple’s top model. An additional feature that I absolutely love is that the headphones intelligently perceive when they have been removed and pause playback; and when put back on, playback resumes (perfect if responding to a quick question, waiter, etc.). All of these features combine together to make the WH-1000XM5 my essential traveling companion. As for sound quality, the WH-1000XM5 is impressive and consistent. Bass is deep and strong, but not overbearing and never prone to distort. Highs are crisp but not intrusive – I feel that they were likely tuned with a perfectly flat response, then a slight bass boost applied. The result is perfect for my listening experience and I never EQ the sound playback that they receive. In summary, I highly recommend the WH-1000XM5 and am confident that others will be as impressed with the features as I continue to be.... Read More
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