Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back!

Summary

In this review, MKBHD explores Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones, highlighting their sleek new design, improved comfort, and enhanced noise cancellation capabilities. The XM5s feature a larger ear cup, softer vegan leather, and an eight-microphone setup for better sound quality and voice isolation. Despite the lack of folding capability, which makes them less travel-friendly, the headphones offer a premium experience with 30 hours of battery life and fast charging. MKBHD suggests that while the XM5s are excellent for Android users and those who can accommodate their size, the XM4s might still be a better choice for others due to their portability and cost-effectiveness.

Takeaways

• 🎧 The Sony WH-1000 Mark 5 headphones represent a significant design departure from previous models, with a new shape that is minimal, sharp, and clean.
• 👂 The Mark 5 headphones are more comfortable for long-term wear due to their larger and wider ear cups, softer vegan leather material, and super lightweight design.
• 🔊 They retain the touch-sensitive panel for controls and have improved microphone slots, increasing from four to eight total microphones for better noise cancellation and voice quality.
• 🛫 A notable drawback is the lack of foldability, making the headphones less travel-friendly and requiring a larger carrying case.
• 🎵 The noise cancellation capabilities have been significantly improved in the Mark 5, offering better performance across both low and higher frequencies.
• 📱 The headphones have a transparency mode with 20 levels of adjustment and are compatible with the Sony app for extensive customization.
• 🎵 The sound quality remains excellent, similar to the Mark 4, and they feature a new 30-millimeter carbon fiber driver for improved audio performance.
• 🔋 The battery life remains at 30 hours, matching the Mark 4, but the Mark 5 offers faster charging, providing three hours of listening with just a three-minute charge.
• 📱 For Android phone users with larger bags and a need for travel headphones, the Mark 5 offers a premium experience with excellent sound and noise cancellation.
• 💰 The Mark 5 is priced at $400, with the Mark 4 being kept in the lineup at a lower price point, making the older model a more cost-effective option for some consumers.
• 🔉 The Mark 5 headphones show an improvement in voice quality during calls, providing better isolation of the voice against background noise compared to the Mark 4.

Q & A

What is the main change in the design of Sony's Mark 5 headphones compared to previous models?

The Mark 5 headphones have a new shape that is minimal, sharp, and clean. They no longer fold up, which makes them less travel-friendly, and they have a new sliding headband design similar to the Bose 700s and AirPods Max.

How does the comfort of the new Sony Mark 5 headphones compare to their predecessors?

The Mark 5 headphones are considered the most comfortable pair of noise-canceling headphones the reviewer has ever tried, thanks to the slightly bigger and wider ear cups and the new vegan leather material which is much softer.

What are the improvements in the microphone setup of the Mark 5 headphones?

The Mark 5 headphones have doubled the number of microphone slots from four to eight total microphones, with four on each side, which should improve noise cancellation and voice quality.

How does the noise cancellation capability of the Mark 5 headphones compare to the Mark 4?

The Mark 5 headphones have significantly improved noise cancellation capabilities, even better than the already world-class Mark 4, with better cancellation of higher frequencies such as appliances, whinier sounds, and human voices.

What is the transparency mode like on the Mark 5 headphones, and how does it compare to competitors?

The Mark 5 headphones have a transparency mode with 20 levels of adjustment in the app. While it is better than the Bose headphones, it does not reach the level of the AirPods Max, which provide the most natural transparency mode experience.

How does the sound quality of the Mark 5 headphones compare to the previous model?

The sound quality of the Mark 5 headphones is very similar to the Mark 4, which is excellent. They feature a new 30 millimeter carbon fiber driver and support for LDAC if the user has the right combination of smartphone and music source.

What is the battery life of the Mark 5 headphones, and has it improved from the Mark 4?

The Mark 5 headphones have the same 30 hours of battery life as the Mark 4s. There were rumors of an increase to 40 hours, but that did not happen.

What is the charging improvement in the Mark 5 headphones?

The Mark 5 headphones have faster charging capabilities. A three-minute charge provides three hours of listening time, which is a convenient feature for travelers.

How does the Mark 5 headphones' case compare to the Mark 4's case in terms of size and design?

The Mark 5 headphones come with a larger case that does not fold, making it less portable than the Mark 4's case. The new case has a modern design with angular origami-type seams and a magnetic door for storage compartments.

What is the price difference between the Mark 5 and Mark 4 headphones, and what do you get for the extra cost?

The Mark 5 headphones retail for $400, while the Mark 4s are kept around for $350. For the extra cost, you get a new design, improved noise cancellation, faster charging, and potentially better voice quality due to the extra microphones.

What is the reviewer's recommendation for someone considering the Mark 5 headphones?

The reviewer recommends the Mark 5 headphones for Android phone users with a big enough bag for travel, and for those who value premium noise-canceling headphones. However, for others, especially those who travel frequently and need a smaller footprint, the Mark 4s might be a better choice.