Sony’s latest flagship noise-canceling earbuds have made their debut in Malaysia, and they’ve left quite an impression on us in multiple aspects. We had the chance to experience them hands-on during their recent launch, and here’s our take on the all-new Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds.
Design Revamped
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds come in black or silver. They are 25% smaller and 20% lighter compared to the older WF-1000XM4 model. Each earbud weighs only 6 grams, while the previous model was 7.3 grams. The charging case for the WF-1000XM5 is also 15% smaller and can be charged wirelessly. This makes the case easier to carry around and use every day.
You can choose from different sizes of ear tips to get a better fit. These earphones are designed to resist water and sweat. The case’s water resistance is not mentioned. The earphones have a shinier look than before, but they feel a bit different. The touch controls are easy to use, and you’ll hear sounds that confirm when you’ve done something with the controls. You can do many things with the touch controls, like control playback, change noise cancellation, skip tracks, and adjust the volume. These new earbuds fit well in our ears.
Impressive Features
Instead of talking about all the features in detail, which could make this review very long, we’ll talk briefly about what’s the same and focus more on the new stuff. The Sony WF-1000XM5 is still one of the earbuds with the most features.
They kept features like Quick Attention Mode (which lets you hear outside sounds), Speak to Chat (it pauses music when you’re talking), and Adaptive Sound Control (it changes noise cancellation based on where you are). You can use voice control with Alexa and Google. It’s also easy to connect with Android and Windows devices. An app helps you find the best ear tips and makes music sound better.
The app lets you change touch controls, noise cancellation settings, and more. You can connect to two devices at once. The earphones pause when you take them out of your ears. Some new things are also added, like the Find Your Equalizer feature, where you can make the sound how you like it. You can also hear your own voice during calls. You can answer calls by nodding and reject them by shaking your head. The sound changes as you move your head.
And there’s more! They use Bluetooth 5.3, which makes the sound quality better. You can also connect to two devices at once with Bluetooth, and the sound is even better with Android devices.
Performance Excellence
The new earphones are supposed to block more noise than before – about 20% more. I tested this myself, and it’s true. The noise cancellation works well to block sounds and voices. When you take off the earphones, you’ll notice how much quieter it is. I experienced this with the WF-1000XM5, so they’re really good.
The WF-1000XM5 made the sounds from a nearby performer quieter, and it reduced crowd noise and high-pitched sounds. It worked the same way on buses and trains – wind noise was much less. There’s also a mode where you can hear outside sounds, and it’s clear and natural.
Immersive Audio
The WF-1000XM5 has a new Dynamic Driver X for better sound. In short, these earbuds make all the sounds in music clearer. The sound is balanced, and you can hear all the details even if the volume isn’t too high. The sound is a bit more balanced now, which means it’s not too loud or deep, but the music’s details are clearer. These earbuds make music sound natural.
Battery Resilience
The earphones last for 8 hours, and with the case, you can use them for up to 24 hours with noise cancellation. We had tested this by playing music at half volume for two hours, and the battery went down by 10%.
A quick three-minute charge gives you an extra hour of music. You can also charge them wirelessly with some chargers or Samsung phones.
Our Conclusion
Sony’s new WF-1000XM5 earbuds are really good, with lots of improvements. The design changes result in a cozier listening feel, the noise cancellation is better than earlier, and the sound is crisper, with more details and clarity and most importantly, its earbuds look nice and feel comfortable. They’re smaller and lighter than the older model and has lots of features like better Bluetooth, sound, and noise cancellation.
For the first 50 buyers of the WF-1000XM5 will receive an exclusive gift package containing a special assortment. This package includes a limited edition gift box, a unique manicure set, and a stylish passport holder. But that’s not all – for every purchaser of the WF-1000XM5, there’s a chance to participate in a warranty registration with an exciting opportunity to win a Sony ZV-1F camera valued at RM2599.
And there’s more! Each customer will also receive a complimentary HYPE t-shirt with their purchase. The best part? This t-shirt can be customized according to individual preferences.
For more information check out Sony Malaysia website at https://www.sony.com.my/headphones/products/wf-1000xm5
