Expert review of the Sony WH-1000XM5

The first thing I notice on the Sony WH-1000XM5 is the packaging. This is completely plastic-free, which is how Sony contributes to the environment. When I take the headphones out of the packaging, the design stands out in a positive way. This new model looks a lot more luxurious than its predecessors thanks to its build and materials. In the included storage pouch, I find an audio cable and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable.

The headphones compromise on functionality due to this new, luxurious design. For example, it's no longer foldable, which makes it more difficult to bring for on the go. It doesn't fit in my bag as easily and I can't put it in my pocket anymore

With 2 noise canceling processors, the headphones reduce the ambient noise very accurately. At the office, I'm not bothered by colleagues who are having a meeting, and I don't hear any noise of my surroundings when I'm on the train. Sony really raises the bar for noise canceling headphones for the other brands.

The bass is very clear with the Sony WH-1000XM5, which I like. It's powerful and deep, which makes kicks in dance music really come out well. For music that focuses more on higher-pitched and treble tones, like pop and rock music, I'm just as enthusiastic. Instruments and vocals sound crystal clear and very detailed. When I want to add some power to my songs, I boost the bas in the Sony Headphones Connect app. That way, I can listen to a personalized sound.

Thanks to the speak-to-chat function, I can automatically switch between music and a conversation. When I start talking, the music pauses and the ambient noise is being enhanced. This function works well, just like the wearing detection. The music will pause automatically when I take off the headphones, which I really like. Another new, smart function is Activity recording. Thanks to this, I can read extensive statistics about my listening sessions in the Headphones Connect app. For example, I can read how many hours I listen to music per day.