Features
Many of the features of the Sony WH-1000XM5 have been carried over from the XM4 model. These include the DSEE Extreme engine, which aims to upscale compressed music to near hi-res quality, as well as compatibility with Sony’s LDAC technology, which allows for the streaming of high-quality audio from compatible devices at higher bitrates than conventional Bluetooth (although there is no support for aptX or aptX HD).
The Quick Attention feature allows you to lower the volume and have a conversation simply by covering the right earcup with your hand. The Speak to Chat feature senses when you start talking and pauses playback, switching to ambient sound mode in the process. We have used this feature on the XM4 and found it to work reasonably well, with the delay between starting to talk and the headphones switching to ambient sound mode appearing to have been slightly shortened on the XM5 model.
According to Sony, the “Wearing Detection” feature of the WH-1000XM5 has been improved from previous models. The headphones can now detect when they are taken off and automatically pause your music or video, restarting as soon as they are put back on. This is made possible by a proximity sensor located in the left earcup, which was previously visible on the old model but is now hidden from view. Sony states that these updates reduce the chances of accidental playback starting. During testing, we were impressed by the speed at which the XM5 stopped and started, and how much this feature enhances the overall user experience.
Another feature that we are happy to see return in the WH-1000XM5 is the ability to pair the headphones with two devices simultaneously. This can be extremely useful if you want to listen to audio from a laptop while remaining connected to a mobile phone to receive calls. This feature works seamlessly, as long as you have enabled it in the Headphones app. It is worth noting, however, that you cannot use this feature and stream music wirelessly using LDAC at the same time – you must choose one or the other.
Noise Cancellation
Sony’s noise-cancelling technology has consistently impressed us in recent years, and the company claims that the WH-1000XM5 offer the best in the industry. In previous models, Sony focused on improving low-frequency noise cancellation, but for the XM5, the company has attempted to improve noise cancellation further up the frequency range.
