The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the successor to the WH-1000XM4. After using the XM4 for about two years, now switched to the XM5. After using these headphones for a few weeks, my assessment is mixed. Because I have used its predecessor intensively, I can also compare these two models well. In my opinion, the XM5 is both an advancement and a regression for Sony that shouldn't have been.
To start with the positives of the XM5;
The sound quality of the XM5 is better than that of its predecessor. As I am used to from Sony, the low tones come out well in the sound. The bass is very powerful, but also easy to adjust if you don't like it. The middle and high tones come into their own better than with its predecessor. In addition, just like with the XM4, a lot can be set in the app. Although the effect of all the "sliders" seems to me a bit bigger than with its predecessor.
The Active Noise Canceling is also an improvement over its predecessor. Especially when you also play music. Without music, especially the dampening of low tones is a bit disappointing. Certainly male voices sometimes want to be audible.
Other smaller advantages of the XM5 are the Bluetooth pairing speed (which is smoother and faster than its predecessor) and the adjustable physical button. For example, you can program the button for setting the ANC to launch Spotify twice quickly.
Then the negatives of the XM5;
The main flaw is really the design. The XM5 has changed considerably compared to its predecessor, and not in a positive sense. An often mentioned drawback is the fact that the headphones are no longer foldable. Personally, I find that surmountable, but you can no longer easily put the XM5 in your jacket pocket, for example.
A more important drawback of the new design is the new mechanism for adjusting the ear cups. This feels very cheap. The new mechanism is stepless (without clicks), but therefore does not stay "set" properly. In addition, the cushions of the XM5 are also a lot thinner and actually fall into the plastic housing of the ear cup. In practice, this means when your head rests against something (cushion, sofa, etc.) that the plastic housing presses against your head, which quickly starts to irritate.
The main flaw of the new design is that the headphones creak. The movable parts creak quite quickly when you move your head, which is disturbingly audible. This is really annoying, especially in combination with wearing glasses. I never experienced this problem with its predecessor.
A final flaw is the sensitivity of the touch controls on the ear cup. Where its predecessor sometimes did not respond well or slowly, I personally find the XM5 too sensitive. A small tap against the shell (for example because you want to place the headphones properly on your head) immediately gives a response.
A final conclusion;
In terms of sound and ANC, the XM5 is certainly an improvement over its predecessor. Unfortunately, Sony has really taken a step back in terms of construction and wearing comfort. The question is whether the progress in sound quality outweighs the decline in construction and wearing comfort. Personally, I don't think the improvements afterwards are enough to choose the XM5, especially considering that the XM4 is a worthy opponent (high-quality headphones) that are also currently available and a lot cheaper.
As far as I'm concerned, the XM6 will be a combination of the design of the XM4 and the sound quality of the XM5. Can't wait to see what Sony will do...
