WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Wireless Headphones

AT A GLANCE

The latest edition of Sony’s heralded ANC headphones, the WH-1000XM5 goes further to boost clarity. Active noise cancellation uses two processors and eight mics to filter out more high and midrange sound. Four of the mics are beamforming and use Precise Voice Pickup technology to better isolate your voice for pristine hands-free calls. What you hear is also high-quality thanks to Hi-Res Audio support via a newly developed 30mm driver. Add in a lightweight design, additional convenience features, and up to 30 hours of power, and you have a pair of headphones that you can wear all day.

Keep Things Quiet When They’re Not

You can enjoy a personal audio experience free of distraction thanks to Sony’s processor and microphone combination. Even in noisy environments, Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 lets the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1 control eight different microphones to cancel out ambient noise, with the WH-1000XM5 improving on high and midrange frequency blocking. Then there’s Sony’s Auto NC Optimizer that automatically maximizes proper noise cancellation based on your wearing conditions and environment, such as taking atmospheric pressure into consideration.

Hi-Res Audio

With LDAC support, the WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones can receive approximately three times the data than conventional Bluetooth transmissions, resulting in Hi-Res Audio from supported sources like select Android smartphones and media players. In addition, Sony’s DSEE Extreme will upscale your compressed audio, using Edge-AI in real-time to recognize instruments, genre, and song elements to restore lost high-range sound. It’s all pumped through newly developed 30mm drivers that are precisely engineered with the following range of sophisticated and high-quality components to achieve clear and consistent sound.

• A soft TPU edge is used to help with noise cancellation, with a focus on low frequencies.
• Carbon fiber composite with a high rigidity dome is used for sound clarity and natural sound, with a focus on high frequencies.
• Fine Sound Resistor is used for even power distribution.
• Optimized circuitry improves the WH-1000XM5’s signal-to-noise ratio.
• Everything is connected internally with premium lead-free solder that contains gold to improve connectivity.

They Can Hear You Now

Wireless headphones are as much for talking as they are for listening. When you’re on the go, you need to be able to effectively communicate with others. Sony worked to keep your voice heard clearly, even in noisy situations, with Precise Voice Pickup technology. It was developed with AI machine learning and over 500 million voice samples to know how to remove ambient noise and isolate your voice, which they do using four beamforming microphones to focus on what you say.

Speak-to-Chat

Have a chat or order your morning coffee without taking off your headphones. Once you begin speaking, the music will automatically stop and let in ambient sound. Once you’re done talking, noise cancelling and playback resume. This setting can be toggled in the Sony Headphones Connect app, available for iOS and Android devices.

Quick Attention

This mode can be activated at a moment’s notice when you need to quickly hear someone or an announcement. When activated, it will lower music, call audio, and ringtone, letting ambient sound in so you can hear what you need to hear.

All-Day Power

On a full charge, the WH-1000XM5 headphones will run for up to 30 hours with ANC on, or up to 40 hours with it off. When talking, you get up to 24 hours of continuous communication time with ANC on, or up to 32 hours with it off.

Quick Charge

Forgot to charge your headphones? A quick 3-minute charge of the WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones gives you up to 3 hours of playback when using an optional USB-PD adapter.

Comfortable & Lightweight

With such a long battery life, the WH-1000XM5 headphones need to be comfortable, which is why Sony uses soft-fit leather and designed them to fit snugly, but with less pressure on your ears. Adjusting them for a personalized fit is easy with a stepless slider, seamless swivel and hanger, and silent joints.

Instant Pause and Play

The WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones know exactly when you’re wearing them. When you take them off, sensors know and instantly pause your audio, resuming automatically once you put them back on.

Pair to Two Devices

Using multipoint technology, you can pair the WH-1000XM5 headphones to two different mobile devices and seamlessly switch between the two. So you can stream a TV show on your tablet, and then immediately take an incoming call, and get back to the show when you hang up.

Use Your Assistant

Simply say “OK Google” or “Alexa” to connect with others, get information, listen to notifications, and more through your compatible smartphone. Using Google Assistant or Siri, you can also control noise cancellation with your voice, listen to Microsoft Outlook emails, and join meetings in Microsoft Teams.

Fast and Swift Pairing

Both Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair are technologies to take the frustration out of pairing the WH-1000XM5 headphones with your devices. Google Fast Pair gives you a pop-up and pairing with a tap as soon as they are close to a compatible Android device. Swift Pair works in a similar way with Windows 10 or 11 desktops, laptops, and tablets. Pop-up pairing guidance walks you through the process quickly and easily when pairing mode is selected.

Wired or Wireless

While primarily designed for wireless audio streaming, the WH-1000XM5 headphones can also be used as a wired pair of headphones with the included 3.94′ audio cable. An ideal option for when you have an older, non-wireless device or you’ve run out of battery power.

360 Reality Audio

The WH-1000XM5 headphones supports Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, which immerses you in your music, making you feel like you’re in a personal live concert or in the studio with the artist. This can be enabled and customized in the Sony Headphones Connect app, and 360 Reality Audio is compatible with select music services.

360 Spatial Sound Personalizer

Continuing to provide a more personal listening experience, Sony supports the 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer app with the WH-1000XM5 headphones. This app optimizes your sound experience by capturing and analyzing your ear shape to develop a personal spatial sound field. This can be enjoyed when using the WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter and a compatible BRAVIA XR TV.

Dolby Atmos

Feel like you’re in the movie with Dolby Atmos support when pairing the WH-1000XM5 headphones with Sony’s WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter and a compatible BRAVIA XR TV.

Environmentally Friendly and Socially Responsible

Sony takes care to help our environment by using no plastic in the packaging, using a low-toxicity design with 99% of the paper used (except labels) being made from recycled and sustainable materials. Also, the plastic components of the headphones are comprised of recycled plastic sourced from automobile parts.

Earpiece Design Over-Ear (Circumaural), Closed-Back

Earpiece Swivel Yes

Earpiece Connection / Wearing Style Headband

Foldable No

Driver Type Dynamic

Driver Size 1.2″ / 30mm

Magnet Type Neodymium

Impedance 48 Ohms (Active)
16 Ohms (Passive)

Active Noise Cancellation Yes

Controls/Microphone Location Controls: Earpiece (Side Unspecified)
Microphone: Left Earpiece, Right Earpiece

Full Remote OS Support Not Specified by Manufacturer

Sensors Touch

Frequency Response 20 Hz to 40 kHz (Wireless)
4 Hz to 40 kHz (Wired)

Number of Voice Mics 4

Beamforming Support Yes

Noise Cancelling Microphone Yes

Bluetooth 5.2

Supported Audio Codecs AAC, LDAC, SBC

Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

Wireless Range 32.8′ / 10m (Bluetooth)

FrequencyBluetooth:2.4 GHz (2.4 to 2.4835 GHz)

Multipoint Support Yes

Maximum Paired Devices 2

Wired Connectivity

Audio Connector 1x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm Right-Angled

Audio Connector to Earpiece 1x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm

Cable Length 1x 3.94′ / 1.2m (1/8″ / 3.5 mm)

Runtime 30 Hours (BT+ANC)
40 Hours (BT)

Quick Charging Times 3 Minutes for 3 Hours

Recharge Time 3.5 Hours

Wireless Charging Yes

Charging Input USB-C

Color Silver

Material of Construction Leather, Plastic

Weight

Headphones:8.8oz / 249g