Sony
Features
HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3e – 3x faster than the QN1 in the WF-1000XM5, delivering cleaner, richer audio with an improved DAC and amplifier
Adaptive NC Optimizer – Eight microphones per side and dual processors work in real time to adjust noise cancellation to your environment and fit
Hi-Res Audio Wireless via LDAC – Transmits approximately three times more data than standard Bluetooth, preserving exceptional wireless sound quality
DSEE Extreme™ with Edge-AI – Real-time upscaling of compressed audio files by recognizing instrumentation, genre, and individual sonic elements
Sony's Best-Ever Call Quality – Dual beamforming microphones, a bone conduction sensor, and AI noise reduction combine for crystal-clear voice capture
Ergonomic, Pressure-Reducing Design – Natural ear-contour fit with a premium matte finish for all-day comfort and a secure seal that enhances isolation
Auto Ambient Sound & Speak-to-Chat – Intelligent microphones automatically balance music and the surrounding world, with instant volume reduction when you begin speaking
Long Battery Life with Quick Charge – Up to 24 hours total playback; five minutes of charging yields up to one additional hour of listening
Wireless Charging & Multipoint Bluetooth – Qi-compatible case and simultaneous pairing with two Bluetooth devices for seamless daily use
What's in the Box?
Warranty
Sound mastered. Noise cancelled.
Crafted with mastering-engineer insight and advanced noise-cancelling technology, the WF-1000XM6 delivers faithful, detailed sound. The refined ergonomic design keeps the fit natural for listening that lasts.
Refined shape. Naturally comfortable.
Thoughtfully designed for comfort, these earbuds fit securely, feel light, and stay balanced, making every listening experience feel just right.
Premium sound, co-created with the masters
Experience music the way it was meant to be heard. Developed alongside world-renowned mastering audio engineers, these earbuds deliver studio-quality precision—preserving every nuance, every note, just as the artist intended.
Advanced noise cancellation for focused listening
Block out distractions whenever you need. Advanced noise-cancelling technology—including HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3e, 3x faster than the processor found in the WF-1000XM5, Integrated Processor V2, Multi Noise Sensor tech, Adaptive NC Optimizer, and a secure fit—work together to keep your listening experience quiet and focused in any environment.
Sound quality, at its finest
Hear more of the music you love. The original custom driver and advanced audio processing reveal rich textures and spacious sound, while precise tuning keeps everything balanced, no matter where you listen.
Our best call quality ever
Two microphones and a bone conduction sensor work together to detect your voice, while AI beamforming technology reduces background noise. Your calls sound clear, so the person on the other end hears you, not your surroundings.
Ergonomic beauty. Crafted precision.
Designed for comfort, these earbuds fit naturally and ease pressure for long listening sessions. The premium matte finish feels soft and looks as refined as the sound they deliver.
Designed for the flow of daily life
Built to handle sudden rain showers and tough workouts, these earbuds offer water resistance and a long battery life of up to 24 hours of playback (8 hours on the earbuds and an additional 16 hours with the case). And, for your convenience, a five-minute quick charge gives you up to 1 hour of playback, keeping you powered up from your morning commute to your evening wind-down.
Experience immersive quiet, anywhere you go.
Advanced microphone control, powered by dual processors and adaptive noise cancelling algorithms, automatically adjusts to your environment—whether you’re commuting or relaxing at a café—so distractions fade, and your music stays front and center.
Dual processors. Unmatched noise control.
Dual processors work together: the Integrated Processor V2 monitors ambient noise and earbud fit in real time, while the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 precisely manages the microphones to block out everyday sounds.
Exceptional precision. Remarkably quiet.
With eight adaptive microphones on each side, you can control how much ambient sound comes through, from stronger noise cancelling to a more open and aware sound experience.
Adapts in real time
Intelligent by design. With Adaptive NC Optimizer, eight microphones track ambient sound while the processor automatically adjusts the noise-cancelling profile in real time, keeping performance strong in any environment or wearing condition.
Hear the world as it is
Dual ambient microphones let you hear what’s happening around you, conversations, cues, and sounds, all without removing your earbuds.
Stay in sync. Wherever you are.
Auto Ambient Sound mode adapts in real time, balancing your music and the world around you. Multiple microphones filter out noise or let in what matters, like announcements or conversations. You can adjust settings automatically or fine-tune them manually in the Sony | Sound Connect app.
Shaped for true immersion
The ergonomic design follows the natural curve of your ear, creating a comfortable, secure fit. Isolation ear tips and a steady seal boost noise cancelling and deliver a more immersive sound all day long.
Wind noise-reduction structure
A specially designed internal cavity helps cancel out wind noise, so you can enjoy clear sound—even outdoors.
Sound quality, at its finest
Expertly tuned with mastering audio engineers, the WF-1000XM6’s acoustic design delivers a natural balance and fine detail. From the softest breath to deep resonance, every element is placed with precision for a truly immersive listening experience.
Hear it as the artist intended
Developed in collaboration with mastering audio engineers, these earbuds refine every note for studio-level accuracy. From deep bass to crisp highs, the WF-1000XM6 earbuds unlock the full potential of every song—delivering emotion, energy, and detail exactly as the artist envisioned.
Delivering the artist’s intent unchanged
The sound the artist approves should reach the listener unchanged—that’s what a consumer product must ensure. You should hear details at low volumes and never feel fatigued at high volumes. Smooth, non-irritating sound is essential. The WF-1000XM6 earbuds are really easy to listen to. I find that I can listen to the same songs multiple times without getting bored or tired. Sony truly considers both consumer and professional needs—and designs products that meet both.
The power of co-creation with four mastering engineers
Sony’s partnership with four mastering engineers brings true studio sound to your earbuds. By working directly in the engineers’ studios, Sony captures the nuances and emotion of every track, ensuring the WF-1000XM6 delivers a sound experience that’s remarkably close to being in the studio—so you can feel the passion behind every song, anywhere you go.
Studio-level sound in a small form
The WF-1000XM6 earbuds pack studio-quality sound into a compact design. Subtle adjustments, like micro-EQ tweaks, make a big difference in how music feels. We listen to feedback from real users and work closely with our Tokyo design team, resulting in continuous improvements and rewarding evolution.
Beyond technology, into the music
The most satisfying listening happens when the technology fades away, and you’re simply immersed in the music. Great earbuds let the art take center stage, guiding you straight into the heart of the music.
Engineered for superior sound
A refined, original driver brings lifelike depth to your music. Smooth, full-bodied lows blend seamlessly with clear highs, creating authentic, high-resolution sound.
Clarity, elevated
Powered by the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3e—3x faster than QN1 in WF‑1000XM5— with an improved DAC and amplifier, the WF-1000XM6 earbuds deliver cleaner, richer sound that reveals every nuance—audio that feels true to the moment.
Enjoy High-Resolution Audio without wires
Thanks to LDAC, Sony’s industry-adopted audio coding technology, the WF-1000XM6 supports High-Resolution Audio Wireless. LDAC transmits about three times more data than standard Bluetooth® audio5, giving you exceptional wireless sound quality.
Real-time restoration of all your compressed files
Using Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), DSEE Extreme™ upscales compressed digital music files in real time.8 It recognizes instrumentation, genres, and individual elements of each song, restoring high-range sound lost in compression.
Fine-tune your entertainment experience
With the Sony | Sound Connect app, it’s easy to personalize your sound. Compare settings, tweak the details, and find the perfect balance for every song, scene, or game session.
A new sound experience for AR gaming
If you’re looking for new entertainment options beyond music and movies, the WH-1000XM6 headphones use new sensors and spatial sound technology to deliver immersive sound for Augmented Reality games like "Ingress" from Niantic.
When playing "Ingress" with the WH-1000XM6 headphones, sensor and spatial sound technologies deliver a new experience: using head tracking, the sound is conveyed from different directions to line up perfectly with the action on the screen.
Conventional use
With conventional earbuds, when your head moves, the sound moves with the earbuds. This disconnects the sound from its position in space, impairing the 3D effect and presence.
With head-tracking capability
With head tracking, when you move your head, the sound field retains its original position in 3D space, for a realistic viewing and listening experience.
Experience head tracking for yourself
Experience the immersive power of head tracking for yourself with this simulation—just put on headphones and watch the video to see how it makes your listening more realistic.
Certified earbuds for a personalized experience
With 360 Reality Audio Certified earbuds and the Sony | Sound Connect app, you can optimize your experience by analyzing your ear shape for the ultimate immersive music experience.3 Advanced algorithms enhance sound space, distance, and height, drawing you deeper into the music.
A personal cinematic experience with BRAVIA1010
Enjoy Dolby Atmos® and 360 Spatial Sound that adapts to your ears with BRAVIA™ and these earbuds for a thrilling home theater experience.
360 Spatial Sound Personalizer
With the Sony | 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer app, you’ll get a sound experience tailored just for you. The app analyzes your ear shape, allowing these earbuds to create your own personal spatial sound field when paired with recent BRAVIA TVs.
Sony’s best-ever call quality6
Enjoy crystal-clear conversations wherever you are. The AI beamforming noise reduction algorithm focuses on your voice and reduces background noise for clearer calls—even in busy places. You can also double-tap the earbuds to mute your microphone during calls using the app settings.
Your voice, accurately captured
A new dual-microphone beamforming layout on each earbud directs pickup toward your mouth, capturing your speech with greater focus. Your calls sound clearer, even in lively environments.
Optimized voice pickup
By sensing your voice directly and intelligently directing the microphones, the bone conduction sensor ensures your voice is picked up accurately.
Intelligent noise reduction
The AI-optimized noise reduction algorithm suppresses background sounds while isolating your voice. Trained on a variety of sources, including open earbud datasets, it enhances beamforming precision and voice pickup accuracy. Two microphones, a bone conduction sensor, and Precise Voice Pickup Technology work together to make sure every word is heard clearly—even in noisy settings.
1 = With noise
2 = Without noise
Wind-noise-free calling
Refined microphone placement and structure minimize wind interference, reducing noise on your calls and ensuring a clearer, more comfortable listening experience.
Refined shape. Naturally comfortable.
The earbud shape follows the natural contours of your ear for a light, secure fit. Pressure points are minimized, making long listening sessions feel effortless.
Evolved ergonomic design. Exceptional fit.
Every contour is thoughtfully crafted for the ideal shape. The evolved ergonomic housing provides a stable, natural fit that lasts.
Eases inner noise
A smarter airflow path reduces occlusion, so your own voice and movements sound more natural. It also helps the fit feel lighter for longer listening.
Designed for feeling
A premium matte texture elevates the look and feel, offering a gentle grip for easy repositioning and all-day comfort.
Sophisticated, matte charging case
A streamlined silhouette and smooth surface give the charging case a modern, minimalist look.
Find your ideal fit
A balanced, ear-hugging form provides a consistent fit across sizes.
What's in the box
Inside, you’ll find the earbuds, a charging case, a USB charging cable, and four sizes of earbud tips.
Stable, smooth. Always connected.
Enjoy consistent connectivity with fewer dropouts and smoother playback. Move freely while your audio stays locked in.
Stronger signal, even in tough spots
A redesigned antenna on the top of the earbud and an advanced connection algorithm keep your Bluetooth link stable, so music and calls are less likely to drop out—even in challenging environments.
Multipoint Connection
For total convenience, your headphones can pair with two Bluetooth® devices at once, automatically switching when a call comes in or when playback starts on either device.
Easy pairing with your computer
Swift Pair makes it quick and easy to pair your headphones with your Windows 11 or Windows 10 laptop, desktop PC, or tablet. Pop‑up pairing guidance appears on nearby Windows 11 or Windows 10 devices when pairing mode is selected.
Find your headphones with Fast Pair
Just press and hold the power button for quick, effortless Bluetooth® pairing with your Android™ devices.5 You can even check where you last used them if they’re misplaced.
Next-generation Bluetooth audio
Enjoy ultra-low latency for flawless gaming, effortless access to public broadcasts with Auracast™, and—of course— exceptional sound quality. Multi-point and auto-switching keep you connected without interruption.
Advanced features, everyday ease
Smart listening features anticipate what you want to hear, how you like to listen, and when you need to talk. With adaptive sound, automatic playback, app control, and voice or gesture commands, everyday listening feels smoother from morning to night.
Quick Access
Your earbuds sense your activity—like walking, running, or hitting the gym—and tailor the sound experience just for you.
Scene-based listening
Your earbuds sense your activity—like walking, running, or hitting the gym—and tailor the sound experience just for you.
Plays music automatically
Music starts right when you need it. Just turn on Wear to Play in the Sony | Sound Connect app,3 and playback begins as soon as you put your earbuds in—no need to touch your phone. The right music plays for the moment, based on your daily routine or workout. Voice Cue keeps you updated on appointments and reminders, so you stay connected to both life and entertainment.
Adjusts to the world around you
Adaptive Sound Control uses AI to sense where you are and what you’re doing, then automatically adjusts ambient sound settings for the best listening experience. Over time, it learns your habits and favorite locations to personalize your sound.
Total convenience, total customization
Your earbuds are even better with the Sony | Sound Connect app.3 Its simple, intuitive interface lets you fine-tune your sound and shortcut settings and keeps track of your listening history.
Talk it out with Google Gemini
Get hands-free help – Say “Hey Google” To access Gemini and have a natural, free-flowing conversation about anything you need on the go. Listen to music, connect with friends, get notifications, and more when paired to your smartphone.
Built-in voice control
Use built-in voice control for noise cancellation, volume, and playback—no matter what device you’re connected to.
Instant pause. Instant play.
Take the earbuds off and your music stops automatically—a capacitive sensor knows when you’re wearing them. Put them back on, and the music resumes.
Control earbuds with head gestures
Operate your earbuds with natural head gestures, like nodding or shaking your head to answer or decline calls13 or to control Auto Play.
Talk and hear only ambient sound
Speak-to-Chat automatically lowers your music volume when you start talking, so you can hear ambient sound and have a conversation—perfect when your hands are full. Once you’re done, your music returns to normal automatically.
Designed for the flow of daily life
Stay powered up with a battery that lasts all day, plus a five-minute quick charge when you need it.
Sweat and splash-resistant
The earbuds have an IPX4 rating and matte finish that repels sweat and splashes so you can train, commute, and unwind with confidence. Note: Splash-resistance applies only to the earbud’s main unit; the charging case is not water-resistant.
Listen all day, charge in minutes
Enjoy long-lasting power for your daily routines, with quick charging so you can top up between meetings, errands or workouts. Enable Battery Care in the Sony | Sound Connect app to help reduce battery wear by stopping earbud charging just before it reaches 100%.2,3,4,26
Freedom from cables & clutter
Rest the case on a standard Qi-compatible charging pad—no wired connection required.
Aiming to achieve a zero environmental footprint
Inspired by the beauty of the world, Sony is committed to preserving the Earth while delivering superior sound quality and listening experiences. To achieve a zero environmental footprint across the entire Sony Group by 2050, we’re accelerating green initiatives.
Made with renewable plastic
WF‑1000XM6 earbuds use circular materials that include up to 25% recycled plastic, helping to reduce reliance on bio‑based plastic.15
Sustainable paper materials
Sony continues to advance the use of its proprietary Original Blended Material for packaging across our flagship 1000X series—including WF1000XM6, WF1000XM5, WF1000XM4, WH1000XM6, and WH1000XM5. This environmentally conscious paper is made from bamboo, sugarcane fibers, and post-consumer recycled paper.16
Accessibility
Sony believes technology should make the world more interactive, creative, entertaining, and inclusive. By incorporating human-centric, inclusive designs into our audio products, we deliver our Kando experience to all users—regardless of age, ability, or environment.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds Review
The Best Wireless Earbuds Just Keep Getting Better
How do you improve upon the already best-in-class noise-canceling earbud? I don't know, but Sony sure has found a way. The new WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds from Sony are completely redesigned this year, offering a smaller, smart-looking chassis and even more tech thrown inside. It's an impressive feat, to say the least, but let's take a look at what's new and just how much is improved.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds Review
PROS
- Still reigns kings of ANC for earbuds
- Excellent sound quality: Fun, V-shaped signature
- Great battery life for all-day listening
CONS
- New chassis is smooth- gets slippery if working out/wet
- Smaller design for a more in-ear fit- great for comfort, not great for dexterity or those without nimble fingers
Features Summary
- The best truly wireless noise-canceling headphones on the market.
- Astonishing sound quality with High-Resolution Audio.
- Sony’s best-ever call quality with AI-based noise reduction algorithm and bone conduction sensor.
- Small, light, and beautifully designed.
- Smooth switching and a clear Bluetooth signal with a powerful new Integrated Processor V2.
- Adjusts to the world around you with adaptive sound control, using AI to offer the ideal listening experience.
- Talk and only hear ambient sound using Speak-to-Chat which pauses the music when you start talking.
- Water-resistant for everyday use so splashes and sweat won’t stop you.
- Designed with the environment in mind with construction from recycled plastic materials and 100% paper packaging.
- Battery life up to 8 hours (24 hours with case). Quick charging - 3 min. for up to 1 hour of listening.
Design
One of the first things that you'll discover is that the chassis has been redesigned from the previous generation. Sony opted for a smoother, sleeker-looking bud design that fits more like a universal IEM, sitting more inside the crevasses of your ear than previous models. From a comfort standpoint, this is a great move, as I can leave these buds in for hours at a time with little to no pressure or discomfort. The new XM5 bud is about 25% smaller than the XM4 bud just for comparison.
A big part of this comfort is the ear tip and making sure you have the right size for your ear canals. Making sure you have the right size will not only ensure you have a more comfortable fit, but also establish the correct seal so that the low-end frequencies will perform the way they're supposed to and that the noise-canceling features are working appropriately. Sony has included 4 different sizes of ear tips to make sure you have enough options, and the foam is pliable and soft enough for establishing a great seal without adding pressure. I would consider myself extremely sensitive to IEMs and sticking things down my ear canals, and apart from the Meze Audio Rai Penta IEM, Sony is the only other design that does it for me. I've been thoroughly enjoying listening to these all week while testing.
The charging case is also wonderfully compact and provides up to 24 hours of battery life. It's quite a bit smaller than the WF-1000XM4 case as well. I'll admit, if you have sweaty fingers the buds might be a little difficult to take out at times, but I found the best way if you're having trouble pulling them straight up is to actually pry each bud towards the ear tip to disconnect them from the magnets. It's a lot easier to pull them out this way. The case is heavy plastic, and I do feel as though they would be adequately protected inside if a fall occurred. The magnets on both the earbud attachment and the lid to the case are strong and I wouldn't necessarily feel as though they would fall out or disconnect just from being jostled a bit inside a bag.
On the back of the charging case, you'll find a lone USB-C charging port along with the sync button for setting up Bluetooth connections. Another thing to keep in mind, like all earbuds or IEMs designed with removable ear tips, feel free to experiment with multiple tip sizes and materials to see what you like most. Different materials (foam, silicone, etc) can also affect the sound properties as well as the tightness of the seal. It's about finding the right fit for you.
Sound
The WF lineup of earbuds from Sony has always amazed me. The fact that they cram so much of the technology from the WH full-size headphone lineup into these tiny buds is astounding. The WH-1000XM5 full-size headphones are our top noise-canceling headphones here at Moon Audio, and you'll find a lot of the tech and sound enhancements in the WF-1000XM5 earbuds too. First things first, you'll need to download and install the Sony Headphones Connect application to access a lot of the features and customization options for your earbuds. The Sony Connect app is available on both iOS and Android. We'll get more into the app in a bit.
Noise-Canceling
Sony has raised the bar when it comes to the sound quality of the XM5 buds over the XM4. The WF-1000XM5 features three microphones on each earbud, which optimizes the efficiency of the ANC performance, especially in lower frequencies. They've also included dual feedback mics in this design. The new Integrated Processor V2 makes sure that all 6 microphones (in total) are working effectively and efficiently at utilizing the best performance out of the advanced HD Noise Canceling Processor QN2e.
I'll say that the ambient noise settings sound more transparent than on the XM4 - the previous iteration just sounded like a thin door opening to the work around you. The XM5's ambient setting sounds more perceptively open-sounding as if it were temporarily an open-back headphone. It doesn’t take away from the music listening, but I felt as though it gave me a better sense of my surroundings as well. I could see this especially helpful in high-traffic areas on work commutes or during runs, etc. The ear tips do a great job of sealing out the outside naturally on their own without the help of the ANC, so having a clearer "picture" of your surroundings is quite nice.
Obviously, it's a different fit than the full-sized WH-1000XM5, but I dare say that the active noise-cancellation is on par with the over-ear performance. Needless to say, from an ANC perspective I'm impressed.
The WF-1000XM5 is designed with Sony's Dynamic Driver X - which is aptly named - because it is a single dynamic driver in each earbud. The Dynamic Driver X is able to reproduce lower frequencies thanks in part to a new dome-edge separation structure. This new design combines different materials which supposedly allows for a more accurate generation of cancellation waves in lower frequencies. This is huge because I personally always gave kudos to Bose for their lower frequency cancellation - which was especially effective when traveling in a plane. The effectiveness of cutting out the engine noise was the true test for me and Bose always did an outstanding job in this regard. It was primarily the only reason I held onto them. Upon some simulation testing I did, I have no reason to hold onto my Bose headphones. The WF-1000XM5 does an effective job now in canceling out these problem frequencies. Now, more than ever, Sony reigns as ANC king.
Sound Impressions
Like the driver redesign in the WH-1000XM5 headphones, the earbuds also have a richer and more detailed presentation thanks to the diaphragm structure on the Dynamic Driver X. Using different materials for the dome and the edge, Sony is able to achieve low distortion while maintaining super clean sound quality.
The Sony sound is not the audiophile sound - I'll go ahead and be upfront about that. But the WF-1000XM5 (just like the full-sized headphone) is getting closer to that audiophile-grade sound. Sony has a fun and V-shaped sound signature on a lot of their headphones and earbuds. It's historically a consumer-friendly sound, due to the boosted lows and highs. With that sound, oftentimes the detail and clarity go missing, and you're left with an artificial-sounding bass response and an EQ'd high end to try to balance that low end so it doesn't sound like a bloated carcass of bass. The Dynamic Driver X, despite its singular driver design, has none of that. The bass response is tightly controlled, the mids are surprisingly transparent and present in the mix, and the highs are clear, detailed, and unveiled. It still retains a lot of that Sony signature with a close soundstage and putting you "in the action," but the presentation is surprisingly dynamic and energetic.
As I said previously, the seal and the fit of the earbud make an impact on the sound quality that you'll get. Lots of times people just stick a bud in and expect it to sound great - and sometimes it does. But if your fit isn't sealing properly then try a new tip. The tip is supposed to fit just inside the canal and provide just enough room to provide a seal to isolate the outside noise as well as provide just enough pressure to keep it stabilized in your ear. If the seal is too loose then you'll lack a lot of the bass response. If the ear tip is too big then you'll experience a lot of pressure in your ear and get fatigued rather quickly, resulting in short and unenjoyable listening sessions. Fit is key with earbuds. Feel free to reach out to us for other great tips to try out - there are literally thousands of options out there if you don't like the stock tips and we'll be more than happy to help. The tips can make or break the ear bud or IEM.
Sony does a lot of things well when it comes to making a product that serves a lot of genres and represents them well. That is in part why the V-shaped sound signature is so popular. The XM5 buds do a great job with Rock, Alternative, and Metal due to the energy of the dynamic drivers. The wall of sound they provide can't be beat for this price range of earbuds. Classical and Jazz sound intimate and articulate - which is saying a lot coming from the last generation in my opinion. It even handles Rap and R&B with ease - the lower frequencies are well-defined and they carry the weight in these genres. The dynamic driver is tuned extremely well - and it's certainly the best in class for ANC and sound quality for an earbud in this price range.
Battlescars
By OZMA
(Rock and Roll Part Three)
It Hurts
By Angels & Airwaves
(We Don't Need To Whisper)
He Was a Friend of Mine
By The Byrds
(Turn! Turn! Turn!)
Fight For Your Right
By Beastie Boys
(License to Ill)
Features
The Best Truly Wireless Noise Cancellation: The WF-1000XM5 reduces external noise over a wide bandwidth, from low to high frequencies. It contains two proprietary processors that cancel more external noise than ever, a new high-performance driver unit Dynamic Driver X, dual feedback microphones, and innovative Noise Isolation Earbud Tips for a more stable fit. Real-time noise-canceling processing can be optimized to provide the best performance for your environment so you will hear a big difference, especially in airplanes, trains, or buses.
Multi Noise Sensor technology: Three microphones on each earbud, including dual feedback mics improve low-frequency cancellation performance. This is our biggest step forward in noise canceling, resulting in ambient sound captured even more accurately so you can enjoy one of our purest sounds.
Noise Cancelation technology: Exclusively developed by Sony, the Integrated Processor V2 unlocks the full potential of our HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e. The unique combination of technology controls the six microphones, across both ears, to deliver unprecedented noise-canceling quality that can be adapted to provide the best performance for your environment.
Enjoy High-Resolution Audio: The WF-1000XM5 supports High-Resolution Audio Wireless, thanks to LDAC, over industry-adopted audio coding technology. LDAC transmits approximately three times more data than conventional Bluetooth audio for exceptional High-Resolution Audio quality that is closer than ever to studio recording.
AI technology for precision sound: Using Edge-AI, DSEE Extreme upscales compressed digital music files in real-time, including those from popular streaming services. It dynamically recognizes each song’s instrumentation, musical genre, and individual elements, and restores high-range sound lost in compression.
Head tracking function: Head tracking ensures a realistic and compelling listening experience by automatically adjusting sound fields to compensate for your head movement. Sounds are precisely aligned with your smartphone screen, even as you move, to completely involve you in your viewing by connecting to compatible smartphones/services.
Spatial sound with 360 Reality Audio: With 360 Reality Audio headphones and the Sony Headphones Connect app, an advanced personal optimization algorithm gives you an even greater sense of sound space, distance, and height, allowing you to become even more immersed in the music. It’s as if you are at a live concert, or with your favorite artist in a recording studio. With 360 Reality Audio, music has never been so immersive and so real.
Additional Features:
- Detects speech vibrations to enhance clarity - includes bone conduction sensors
- Designed with an AI-based noise reduction algorithm for better ANC during calls and music listening.
- Adaptive sound control senses where you are and what you're doing. Over time, the AI learns your behavior and adapts to your environment more efficiently.
- Multipoint Connection 3: can be paired with 2 Bluetooth devices and will switch automatically if a call comes in.
- New AR sound experiences for gaming: If you’re looking for new entertainment options beyond music and movies, the WF-1000XM5 uses new sensors and spatial sound technology to deliver immersive sound for Augmented Reality games.
- Quick Access: set your quick access action by configuring two or three taps - configure through the Sony app.
- Head gestures: You can operate your earbuds using natural head gestures like receiving or declining calls or operating Auto Play by nodding or shaking your head.
- Superior battery life: Battery life of up to 8 hours (24 hours with case). Quick charging - 3 min. for up to 1 hour of listening.
- Water resistant: With an IPX4 resistance rating, splashes and sweat won’t stop these headphones – so you can keep moving to the music.
Setup
NOTE: This setup guide is for the WH-1000XM5 headphones but works exactly the same way for the WF-1000XM5. Just pretend in the images below that they're the earbuds rather than the full-sized headphones :)
Setting up your XM5 is a pretty straightforward process after downloading the app. Available on both iOS and Android, head over to your app store and download the "Headphones Connect" application by Sony. The app will guide you through the rest of the steps:
1) Download the "Headphones Connect" app by Sony
2) On the welcome screen, check the box before clicking the "Start" button
3) Next, make sure the headphones are powered on and click "Next"
4) Wait for the spinning wheel to find your headphone - if for some reason the headphone does not show up or get detected, you can always turn off the device and repeat steps 2-3. Otherwise feel free to register the headphone through your device's Bluetooth settings or from the list.
5) Once the app detects your XM5, you'll see it pop up at the top of the screen. Simply tap the image to proceed
6) The next screen will display a prompt. Click next to continue
7) The name of your headphone should pop up: "WF-1000XM5." Tap on this to select the headphone
8) The following screen will show that your headphones have registered. Click "OK" to continue
9) Setup is now complete and you can click "Go to dashboard" to finish
10) Welcome to the dashboard!
*Note: There will be a lot of pop up screens in between these steps to set up, so continue the setup according to your personal preferences. Steps 1-10 are the necessary steps to configure the XM5 headphones to your device.
The Headphones Connect application is one of the best experiences for wireless and noise-canceling headphones - giving you complete control to assign button operations, set EQ, dsee extreme, adjust adaptive ambient settings, and more. The app will even learn your environment and frequented locations - allowing the headphone to learn your behavior and settings to automatically adjust to your preferences when you need them. There are also some neat options for the headphone to learn the shape of your ear so that the optimizer influences your music accordingly. There are also specific streaming services like Deezer that use 360 Reality Audio - this is not compatible with all streaming services however. The app itself hasn’t changed much from the past year or so, and it’s compatible with both the WH and WF headphone and earphone lineup, including the WF-1000XM4, WF-1000XM5, and WH-1000XM5. It's a sophisticated and robust user experience, and I have yet to find a headphone/app pairing that beats it.
Dragon Cables
Verdict
When it comes to noise cancellation, few do it better than Sony. I'm continually impressed by how they legitimately improve upon the technology from one generation of product to the next because there are true quality-of-life (and sound) improvements being made. I joked with the XM3 headphone review that they simply put a new number on the box and called it a day. Well, I think that joke fell flat because that couldn't be further from the truth.
Sony has completely revamped the design of the WF-1000XM5, making them smaller, sleeker, and more comfortable. Somehow they even managed to pack more (and better) tech inside. The driver redesign sounds dynamic and resolute - we're getting a lot more top-end clarity and tightening in the bass response from previous iterations. You can certainly hear the differences and improvements when A/B testing the XM5 with the XM4. It's night and day.
Although the app experience hasn't changed that much, it hasn't necessarily needed to. You have all the control and customization at your fingertips, and it makes for a great user and listening experience overall.
Sony continues to reign as king when it comes to high-end consumer audio. The WF-1000XM5 is the real deal, and if you're in the market for some incredibly premium earbuds with more features than you can shake a stick at, then look no further. The WF-1000XM5 is the earbud to beat.
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What's in the Box
- Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds
- Charging case
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- 4 Different Ear tip sizes
- Quick start guide
- Warranty
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Physical Specifications | |
| Earbud Weight | Approx. 6.5 g × 2 (including earbud tips (M)) |
| Charging Case Dimensions | Approx. 61.6 × 41.1 × 26.5 mm |
| Charging Case Weight | Approx. 47 g |
| Headphone Type | Closed |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 |
| General Specifications | |
| Driver Unit | 8.4 mm |
| Frequency Response (Bluetooth®) |
20 Hz – 20,000 Hz (44.1 kHz sampling) 20 Hz – 40,000 Hz (LDAC 96 kHz sampling, 990 kbps) |
| Noise Canceling | Yes |
| Ambient Sound Mode | Yes |
| Quick Attention | Yes |
| Bluetooth® Specifications | |
| Bluetooth® Version | Specification Version 5.3 |
| Effective Range | 10 m |
| Frequency Range | 2.4 GHz band (2.4000 GHz – 2.4835 GHz) |
| Profile | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, CSIP, MCP, VCP, CCP |
| Supported Audio Formats | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Supported Content Protection | SCMS-T |
| Battery Specifications | |
| Battery Charge Method | USB charge / Wireless charge (with case) |
| Battery Life – Earbuds Only | Max. 5 hrs (NC ON) / Max. 5.5 hrs (NC OFF) |
| Battery Life – With Charging Case | Max. 8 hrs (NC ON) / Max. 12 hrs (NC OFF) |
| Battery Chemistry | Lithium-ion (Li-ion) — Earbuds & Case |
| Battery Form | Rechargeable |
| What's In The Box | |
| Supplied Accessories |
Earbuds Charging Case USB Charging Cable Earbud Tips (4 sizes) |