

Sony WH-1000XM5
2 of 3 would buy again
3 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
The battery beat their expectations
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
Expected more from comfort
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Taking aim at the top-flight ANC headphones, the ACCENTUM has a lot to offer.
At 7.4, its noise cancelling beats 17% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 63 of the 238 we've cataloged.
A 3.6 puts its audio quality in the bottom quarter of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 47 of the 238 we've cataloged.
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above average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 238 we've cataloged.
Usb-c is the most common — on 89% of the 137 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
5.2 appears on 16% of the 149 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Bluetooth is the most common — on 43% of the 246 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 8.2 |
| 25 | 8.4 |
| 32 | 8.4 |
| 40 | 7.8 |
| 50 | 6.8 |
| 63 | 5.1 |
| 80 | 3.3 |
| 100 | 2.1 |
| 125 | 0.4 |
| 160 | -1.2 |
| 200 | -2.3 |
| 250 | -2.8 |
| 315 | -3.1 |
| 400 | -2.6 |
| 500 | -1.0 |
| 630 | -0.5 |
| 800 | 0.0 |
| 1000 | 0.1 |
| 1250 | 0.4 |
| 1600 | 0.6 |
| 2000 | 0.4 |
| 2500 | 4.5 |
| 3150 | 4.6 |
| 4000 | -2.6 |
| 5000 | 6.4 |
| 6300 | 3.8 |
| 8000 | 5.9 |
| 10000 | 3.8 |
| 12500 | -6.8 |
| 16000 | -7.7 |
| 20000 | -15.5 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -2.0 |
| 26 | -2.7 |
| 33 | 0.6 |
| 41 | 0.3 |
| 52 | 0.6 |
| 65 | 0.2 |
| 82 | -2.1 |
| 103 | -2.7 |
| 130 | -1.0 |
| 163 | 0.3 |
| 205 | 1.8 |
| 259 | 3.6 |
| 325 | 5.4 |
| 410 | 5.2 |
| 516 | 6.9 |
| 613 | 9.4 |
| 772 | 12.0 |
| 972 | 16.5 |
| 1220 | 18.2 |
| 1540 | 22.2 |
| 1940 | 29.8 |
| 2440 | 36.8 |
| 3070 | 37.7 |
| 3870 | 37.6 |
| 4870 | 34.1 |
| 6130 | 40.5 |
| 7720 | 43.9 |
| 9720 | 38.8 |
| 12200 | 32.4 |
| 15400 | 36.6 |
| 19400 | 43.2 |
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -0.2 |
| 26 | 7.8 |
| 33 | 9.0 |
| 41 | 11.8 |
| 52 | 11.4 |
| 65 | 14.8 |
| 82 | 11.5 |
| 103 | 12.5 |
| 130 | 13.8 |
| 163 | 15.6 |
| 205 | 15.7 |
| 259 | 17.8 |
| 325 | 14.4 |
| 410 | 14.6 |
| 516 | 20.6 |
| 613 | 21.5 |
| 772 | 20.7 |
| 972 | 22.0 |
| 1220 | 19.7 |
| 1540 | 22.2 |
| 1940 | 26.3 |
| 2440 | 33.8 |
| 3070 | 38.4 |
| 3870 | 37.1 |
| 4870 | 35.9 |
| 6130 | 41.6 |
| 7720 | 36.6 |
| 9720 | 36.0 |
| 12200 | 35.4 |
| 15400 | 39.0 |
| 19400 | 43.8 |
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
The verdict
For a set of ANC headphones that cost roughly half of what the top-end competitors do, there's a lot to like about the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless headphones. However, the ANC is a little on the weak side, and the microphone doesn't reject noise all too well. Still, this is one of the best value buys on the market at the moment.
✓Liked: Price, Weight, Comfort, aptX, aptX HD support
✕Could be better: Will not get LE Audio, No TRS jack
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Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.


2 of 3 would buy again
3 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
The battery beat their expectations
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
Expected more from comfort


1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Nothing surprising about comfort


0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The noise cancelling beat their expectations



0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · 1 photo-verified
Expected more from comfort


0 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · 2 photo-verified
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations

