Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones review: Unbelievable sound quality and ANC performance

Owning a strong-performing pair of headphones is paramount for any video editor, musician, or music lover. I'm working on creative projects all day long, which means I need a set of cans that not only produce outstanding sound but are also supremely comfortable. They've also got to be portable enough so I can work anywhere I want and monitor audio while out filming.

Enter some of the best headphones for video editing, the Sony WH-1000XM5. These headphones are part of a long lineup of Sony success stories, which is why I was so surprised to see such a major redesign compared to the WH-1000XM5.

Like others, I wondered if this would have an impact upon sound quality or result in a less comfortable fit. Having used these headphones for a number of weeks, I've put them through their paces while working through various creative tasks. In this review I'll cover the design, handling, and performance as well as provide an extended verdict.

Sony WH-1000XM5: Specifications

• Style: Over ear, closed back
• Connection: Bluetooth / 3.5mm jack
• Driver size: 30mm
• Frequency response: 4-40,000Hz
• Impedance: 48 ohms
• Colors: Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue, Smoky Pink
• Comes with: Hard case, 3.5mm audio jack, USB-C charging cable
• Weight: 250g

Sony WH-1000XM5: Design & Handling

A complete design overhaul sees Sony embrace a new “noiseless design” in an attempt to produce a slimmer shape that reduces wind noise. These changes are only noticeable if you take the headphones outside and are particularly good when filming in a location or taking calls while travelling. If you only use these while sat at your desk, then the experienced advantages will be pretty limited.

The design changes might have some benefits, but they have come at a cost to their portability. The XM4s could be fully folded away into a super compact footprint, but not so with the XM5s. In pursuit of a noiseless experience, Sony has had to remove the joints and hinges that afforded such flexibility.

The headphones do ship with a hard-walled carry case which keeps the precious cans safe from harm, but gone are the days of being able to throw them into a bag without fear of damage. The case is also opened via a zip rather than a magnetic catch, which adds unnecessary time to getting them out or putting them back.

The overhaul has also resulted in utilising different materials. The use of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is not only nice to see from an environmental perspective, but it also results in a four-gram weight reduction. That might not seem like much, but it is noticeable when holding and wearing them.

There are also changes to the ABS sliders, which, again, are plastic rather than metal. This provides a seamless aesthetic despite feeling less premium than before. These sliders have a noticeably jagged design, which feels rather disjointed from the rest of the look.

I appreciated the memory foam contained within both the earpads and the headband. Combined with a synthetic leather covering, these are some of the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. I had no issues wearing them for long periods of time, and even though I was ready to remove them after a full day's editing, that's the case with every headphone product.

Aside from the exterior changes, Sony has also swapped out the 40mm driver used in the XM4s for a new 30mm carbon fibre composite dome that is not only supremely rigid but also lightweight.

Sony has also made changes to the already very capable Noise Cancelling Processor QN1. Not only have they incorporated a second processor, but they have also added multiple microphones for enhanced noise cancellation. This combination allows the XM5s to achieve their best noise cancellation performance yet.

The USB-C charging port is located at the bottom of the right earcup, with the left earcup chosen for the 3.5mm headphone jack, on/off button, and Ambient Sound Mode button. All swipe gestures are picked up by the right earcup, with options to control music playback and volume. These took a little bit of getting used to, and I didn't always find them to be the most predictable.

Sony WH-1000XM5: Performance

Connecting the headphones to my laptop, phone, and Sony Sound Connect app was straightforward and seamless. It actually only took me around ten minutes to get fully up and running with all my devices. The app is easy to use, and it unlocks a range of features that enhance the overall listening experience and help to tailor which features you want to use. I personally found the headphones to be well set up straight out of the box, but it was nice to have the option for customisation.

Wireless connectivity was predictable and reliable thanks to Bluetooth version 5.2. There were no issues transferring audio from laptop or phone to the headphones, and I found no need to use the cable for a hardwired experience instead. They also worked in a range of around 10 metres, which meant I could jump up from my desk and enter another room to take a call.

The headphones are fantastic at responding to your cues. That means that if you remove them from your head, your music will be automatically paused. It'll also do the same thing if you begin to talk, thanks to the speak-to-chat feature.

In terms of sound quality, the XM5s don't pretend to be dedicated sound monitoring solutions, but they still deliver sound that is clear, precise, and lively. This blend makes them a perfect all-rounder for the creative who records audio on set, video edits at home, and listens to music on the go.

Qualified sound engineers would benefit from a dedicated pair of headphones, but for almost everyone else, the XM5s will be more than sufficient.

In terms of noise-cancelling technology, Sony has consistently delivered with every single release of these headphones, and the XM5s are no different. The introduction of more microphones and an additional processor helps to reduce noise across the frequency range as well as specifically at the higher end.

My own experience was largely positive, with excellent results in almost all environments, including a busy office and packed coffee shops. Yes, I work in a lot of different places, and these headphones were able to adapt without needing to run any optimisation processes. This adaptive and automatic sound control feature worked well.

They're not perfect, though. Despite being pretty invasive in terms of cutting out noise, I think they could go further and, as a result, be better. In some environments I could still hear some conversations across the room, and because I could only hear the high pitch of their voices, it proved to be rather annoying.

In terms of call quality, the XM5s are better than any of its predecessors. With four microphones, wind noise reduction, and AI-powered noise reduction, the headphones deliver sound that is clear and free from interference. I was able to use them to take calls in a variety of different contexts without fear of being drowned out.

Battery life is excellent, with an advertised 30 hours with Bluetooth and noise-cancelling enabled. If you'd like even better performance, then you can gain an extra ten hours by turning off the latter.

Sony WH-1000XM5: Verdict

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are not a dedicated pair of monitoring headphones, but they're not far off. With clear and detailed audio, you can rely on the XM5s to monitor audio while on set as well as edit audio when at your workstation.

I love being able to put them on at the start of the day and, thanks to excellent active noise cancellation, forget about my surroundings and focus on the creative tasks before me. They truly are something special.

As well as delivering in a professional context, they're also one of the best options for music lovers. With excellent sound quality across the whole frequency range, music is an absolute joy to listen to. And if you find yourself needing to take a call, the XM5s perform well in that area too.

Check out alternative options in our guide to the best headphones for video editing, and also in our rundown of the best headsets