Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Is still Best earbuds for 2024​

Sony WF-1000XM5

Price: SGD $309

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds impressed me with their excellent sound quality, transformative ANC, and comfortable design.

4.2

Pros

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• Incredible sound quality


• Superior ANC performance


• Remarkably comfortable fit


• Future-proof connectivity

cons

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• Pricey for some budgets


• No support for Apple codec


• Fit may vary by user

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Personal Experience with the Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds

I’ve been in the market for quality earbuds for some time now and had my eye on the latest from Sony’s lineup. Having finally taken the plunge, I can confidently say that the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds offered an impressive experience right out of the gate.

Starting with the sound quality, it’s a noticeable step up from previous models. The bass is fuller, and there’s an undeniable clarity across different music genres. It felt like Sony’s promise of a larger driver and dedicated audio processing chips weren’t just tech babble but delivered real auditory improvements. Also, pairing my Android phone was seamless, especially when streaming over LDAC enabled me to enjoy high-res audio – a treat to anyone who values nuanced sound.

With the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), these buds are transformative. The world simply fades away as soon as you pop them in. Whether it’s the city traffic or the constant hum of household appliances, it all becomes distant noise, allowing you to immerse yourself in what you’re listening to without distractions fully. Though subjective based on fit and environment, their ANC capability has definitely raised my expectations.

Comfort-wise, there appears to have been a significant design boost – they are noticeably less intrusive than predecessors and don’t lead to ear fatigue after long listening sessions. They sit snugly while offering enough stability for everyday activities around town or at the gym with their IPX4 rating, tackling sweat and splashes without fuss.

The battery life offers about 7-8 hours of use which aligns with last year’s model; not groundbreaking but certainly sufficient for daily use without frequent charging stops. The case is more compact this time around though – a nice little improvement for portability.

One feature I found particularly useful was call quality due to its added bone conduction sensor; calls were crystal clear both ways even in bustling environments – a perk I didn’t know I needed until I experienced it first-hand.

Speaking of extras, Sony hasn’t skimped here either: features like speak-to-chat technology and DSEE Extreme upscaling make these buds feel premium. Although honestly, sometimes it feels like there’s almost too much packed into the companion app; it’s bursting with settings that take time to explore fully.

But let it not go unmentioned – if you’re deeply ingrained in Apple’s ecosystem, then AirPods’ tight integration might sway you despite sound quality because these Sony buds won’t support Apple’s upcoming high-fidelity audio codec.

After using them extensively across various scenarios from hectic commutes to quiet evenings enjoying my favorite albums – do I think they’re worth their price tag? My experience points toward yes if premium sound and cutting-edge features rank highly on your list. But if you’re budget-conscious or don’t need all those bells and whistles, other less costly options offer decent performance too.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Straight out of the box, the sleek design instantly grabbed my attention. The charging case felt robust yet conveniently compact for carrying around daily.

Sound Quality: Beyond Expectations

The sound quality is undoubtedly one of a kind. From the deep bass to the crystal-clear highs, each note resonates beautifully in the ear. As someone who appreciates a wide range of genres, I found that these earbuds brought an extra depth to music that I hadn’t quite experienced before.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): A Cut Above

Initially skeptical about how effective the ANC would be on earbuds, I was pleasantly surprised by its capability. It’s not just marketing talk; it really does create a personal bubble free from external disturbances. Bose might still be king for some, but these are certainly neck and neck in the race.

Comfort and Fit: Finally Spot On!

The previous models sometimes had me yearning for a more comfortable fit during long listening sessions. With this new iteration, however, comfort has clearly been made a priority. They’re so unintrusive that after several hours of use, I barely noticed them – definitely a game-changer.

Battery Life & Connectivity: Reliable Performance

While some may expect groundbreaking improvements, the battery life remains steady at an admirable 7 to 8 hours of actual playtime—enough to get you through most parts of your day without anxiety. And with Bluetooth 5.3 and LE future-proofing features looming, these buds feel ready for what’s next tech-wise.

Call Quality: Crystal Clear Communication

When it comes to phone calls, every word conveyed was met with clarity and crispness thanks to Sony’s incorporation of bone conductive technology – gone are days where call quality used to be a mere afterthought with earbuds.

Intangibles & Features Galore: Maybe Too Much?

The additional features packed into these earbuds are staggering – touch controls, speak-to-pause capabilities, customizable gestures; they have it all. Though it can be overwhelming at first dig into what’s offered via the app, once accustomed, it adds another layer to how personalized your experience can be.

Final Verdict

Do they hold value for their price point? For Android enthusiasts absolutely—these earbuds flaunt versatility like no other competitor within their range on sound quality alone.

However if you’re invested within Apple’s ecosystem exclusively – there might be cause for pause considering integration aspects and upcoming codec releases exclusive to Apple products. Yet despite potential drawbacks for certain users,the overall strides in audio performance and comfort make them contenders as one of the top choices available today — provoking serious consideration regardless of which devices dominate your digital landscape.

Ultimately whether or not you choose to invest in these will hinge heavily on both brand loyalty and specific needs catered by unique features bundled here — but rest assured; regret is likely a visitor that won’t come calling post-purchase…from my perspective anyway!

Specification

General Features

Audio Features

Battery Features

Connectivity Features

Dimensions and Weight