Sony’s WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling wireless headphones, priced at $250 (was $400), feature 8 microphones and two processors to read the environment and instantaneously adjust to whatever noise is there. When you lift off, say from an airplane, distracting background noise disappears, while office banter or city traffic fades into a distant hum that no longer draws your attention.
Regular travelers notice a significant difference on flights, trains, and even the daily commute. Those persistent background noises simply vanish, allowing you to focus on the music or podcast in your headphones without distraction. The optimiser conducts all of the work for you, so there is no need for fiddling or following instructions. Simply plan your day, and the noise is taken care of behind the scenes.
- PREMIUM NOISE CANCELLATION: Two processors control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation. With Auto NC Optimizer, noise canceling is...
- MAGNIFICENT SOUND: Engineered to perfection with the new Integrated Processor V1.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR HANDS-FREE CALLING: 4 beamforming microphones, precise voice pickup, and advanced audio signal processing.
It’s also clear that they spent a lot of effort into making these extremely comfortable. The lightweight frame and super-soft cushions sit comfortably on your ears, ensuring that no pressure points bother you even after hours of wear. Yes, some people wear them for an entire working day without ever taking them off. The battery life is also outstanding, lasting up to 30 hours with noise canceling turned on. If you get to the end of that and still need some power, plugging in for 3 minutes will give you another 3 hours of sound time, which comes in handy on unexpected detours.
The sound quality is great and balanced, regardless of what you’re listening to. The bass is tight but not muddy, and the vocals and instruments are crystal clear. If you want to change things up a little, the program allows you to change parameters to make jazz tunes sound smoother and richer or electronic beats seem more energetic. Phone calls sound as clear as day because the beamforming mics pick up your speech while filtering out any background noise, allowing the person on the other end to hear how you sound in real life. It’s especially useful for meetings in noisy environments since it prevents you from feeling like you’re shouting into the wind.
The touch controls are simple to use; simply tap or swipe the earcup to instruct the headphones what to do, such as alter the volume. A single finger covering the right cup pauses the music; another lift resumes it, and a fast double touch allows you to communicate with your voice assistant. After some practice, all of the gestures work consistently, and you’ll find yourself doing them without even thinking about it. Another thing to note is that they have considered travel and storage options. The included durable case protects your headphones, while the charging and audio cords are all neatly stored within.
