Sony's best ever noise cancelling earbuds are here: meet the WF-1000XM5

24 July 2023

As expected, Sony finally took the wraps off the WF-1000XM5 ANC earbuds a few hours ago - don't confuse these with the already available WH-1000XM5 which are over-the-ear headphones.

The new buds come with "Sony's biggest ever step forward in noise cancelling" according to the company itself, thanks to three mics on each earbud, including dual feedback mics, which improve low-frequency cancellation performance.

The earbuds have Sony's new Integrated Processor V2 at the helm, which "unlocks the potential of the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e". These chips control the mics, across both ears, to deliver "unprecedented noise cancelling quality" that can be adaptive to your changing environment.

Lower frequencies are better reproduced than on the WF-1000XM4 thanks to the new Dynamic Driver X, which enables a wide frequency reproduction and clear vocals, while the "Noise Isolation Earbud Tips" have "a unique polyurethane foam material" which reduces noise in the high frequency range.

The WF-1000XM5 support High-Resolution Audio Wireless through the LDAC codec, as well as DSEE Extreme to upscale compressed music in real time. Additionally, you get 360 Reality Audio too, complete with head tracking. Speaking of which, AR games like Ingress from Niantic get support for immersive sound using new sensors and spatial sound technology.

Sony promises its best ever call quality on these buds, thanks to "an AI-based noise reduction algorithm based on Deep Neural Network (DNN) processing and bone conduction sensors". Your voice is bound to sound crystal clear and natural even in a noisy environment, and there's a wind noise reduction structure.

The WF-1000XM5 are 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the WF-1000XM4, and they're designed with comfort in mind, having a shape modeled after the human ear. Sony promises an ergonomic design that enables a secure and stable fit. You get four sizes for the foam tips.

Audio notifications are supported, as is linking your device with Spotify, Endel, and Apple Music, in order to access your favorite music and relaxing soundscapes. You can also set something to auto play once you put your earbuds in. Adaptive Sound Control and Speak-to-chat make a return on the new earbuds, as well as the ability to connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

The WF-1000XM5 are claimed to have 8 hours of battery life, with a 3-minute charge topping up an hour of play time. Wireless charging is supported, and the earbuds are IPX4 splash resistant.

They will become available in black and silver starting from August for €319, £259, $299.

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