The multimedia test of the formidable Sony WF-1000XM5 headphones

2023-08-21 03:52:21

Sony WF-1000XM5: more stylish.

Sony continues to produce the best headphones on the market. With his WF-1000XM5 at 299 francs, he drives the point home! This version is not only more compact than the previous version, but also lighter. And the Nippon has done everything to further improve the sound. The comparative multimedia test.

Setting up these headphones is very simple. A small touch on the back of the case makes it easier to pair them than the models produced so far. Previous version users will have already downloaded Sony’s Headphones app, otherwise it’s a must to get the best results. (Technical sheet).

Start of the test: initial update

The headphones paired with your smartphone, you can go through the Bluetooth settings to choose the LDAC mode in order to benefit from the best possible Bluetooth transmission. In the application, it is also possible to opt for the best musical quality. Likewise, it is essential to download the latest version of the firmware of the headphones, as the app immediately offers.

After a good thirty minutes on Android during which it is possible to use its WF-1000XM5, the installation still requires a little patience. Note that Sony also offers a substantial update for the previous version, the WF-1000XM4, whose test already offers good indications on the performance of this type of headphones…

An essential app

The Headphones application allows you to really take advantage of all the features of these WF-1000XM5s. It allows you to control very finely the impressive reduction of ambient noise and the performance of these headphones which can even adapt very finely to the shape of your ears, cliché in support. And the application allows you to check the adhesion of the tips thanks to a small test!

The screenshots opposite show that it is possible to get the most out of your headphones, especially the touch surface. On the left atrium, a tap allows you to lower noise reduction to ambient mode. On the right atrium, you can move forward or backward in your playlist. Four taps allow you to lower or increase the volume depending on the headset.

Full of useful functions

The application is full of interesting functions. In addition to a traditional graphic equalizer, it is also possible to find your ideal equalizer by following a short course during which you are invited to choose the sounds that you like the most. In the end, we will end up with more or less low mids or highs. Interesting.

While listening, the application allows continuous measurement of the acoustic pressure measured on the hearing. Sony also gives some reference values so that the user can take care of his ears and avoid becoming deaf prematurely. Well seen, we can never insist enough on prevention!

Capture d’écran app Headphoness.

Very pleasant on the ears

On the ears, there is no picture! This generation, lighter and more compact, is more comfortable to wear, especially since Sony offers different tips, very comfortable, for all ear sizes. A very important point, because choosing the right size improves passive insulation against outside noise.

Moreover, in this period of heat wave, I noticed that both these tips and the noise cancellation of these WF-1000XM5 better mask the weariness of the powerful fan in my living room than those of the previous generation. From this point of view, Sony ensures everything by reducing the size of its headphones, which are also more comfortable.

Sony provides Hi-Res Audio

And on the ears? Sony has accustomed us both for its over-ear headphones, and for its in-ear headphones, the best to ensure Hi-Res Audio compatibility, synonymous with quality sound. The first thing that surprises is first of all the extent and amplitude of the reduction of ambient noise…

Then, the musicality and the audio performances are at the rendezvous, once again. Obviously, we then got down to a comparison with the best products from Nippon, namely the WF-1000XM4 and the on-ear headphones WH-1000XM4, which have superior ergonomics to the WH-1000XM5. Even though all of these helmets are excellent, there are small differences…

Sound at the top

It is always difficult to make these comparisons, because the richness of the sound is influenced by different factors such as the volume or the equalizers which must be set to zero… So I carried out multiple tests, concentrating in particular on certain pieces of Leonard Cohen particularly chiselled in bass…

It seemed to me that these WF-1000XM5s were calibrated to sound very natural. Bass lovers will be assisted by the automatic equalizer to reach nirvana. For the rest, both the mids and highs are rich and reproduce the harmonics with great musicality.

A very musical balance

After having tasted this very musical balance, I continued my comparative tests, in particular with the previous generation, which actually seems to protect less well from ambient noise, while being less comfortable on the ears due to the size and weight of these earpieces.

Finally, I again compared the result with the magnificent WH-1000XM4 on-ear headphones, whose extraordinary musical qualities and form I continue to enjoy. And here we have to be honest, even if these earphones are really superb, such headphones give more depth and breadth to his music.

A balance sheet at the top

I must admit that so far I have been blown away by the different versions of Sony’s noise canceling headphones and earbuds. With this model of headphones, Sony is making further progress in terms of performance and musicality as well as design. Moreover, the quality of the various tips, which are very comfortable, is an undeniable plus.

Finally, a little hats off to the latest version of the Headphones application, well thought out and which allows one of the best customizations on the market. It will be understood, for 299 francs, Sony once again offers headsets that are real references. And we’re not even talking about 360 Reality Audio… Not to mention that the native ability to connect these headphones to two devices simultaneously (without leaving the LDAC) is significant!

Xavier Studer