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@tidy_lumen_11 · Owner-reported
Owned 1–2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
The sound is somewhere behind my ears. I prefer music presence of AirPods Pro 2 very much!
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Cut out all the noise, keep all the fidelity.
At 8.7, its noise cancelling beats 97% of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 91 of the 252 we've cataloged.
A 4.9 puts its audio quality in the top quarter of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 64 of the 252 we've cataloged.
Would not buy it again and still uses it daily.
Owned 1–2 years.
What gave out: Ear tips (1)
above average for wireless earbuds — based on 236 of 252 we've cataloged.
below average for wireless earbuds — based on 235 of 252 we've cataloged.
IPX4 is the most common — on 36% of the 232 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 252).
None is the most common — on 46% of the 24 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 252).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Frequency Response (measured on a B&K 5128)
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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 | 5.6 |
| 25 | 7.2 |
| 32 | 8.7 |
| 40 | 10.0 |
| 50 | 10.7 |
| 63 | 10.6 |
| 80 | 9.4 |
| 100 | 7.4 |
| 125 | 4.9 |
| 160 | 1.5 |
| 200 | -0.7 |
| 250 | -2.0 |
| 315 | -2.7 |
| 400 | -3.3 |
| 500 | -4.3 |
| 630 | -3.9 |
| 800 | -3.0 |
| 1000 | -1.7 |
| 1250 | 0.2 |
| 1600 | 3.3 |
| 2000 | 5.9 |
| 2500 | 7.4 |
| 3150 | 6.9 |
| 4000 | 5.0 |
| 5000 | 5.7 |
| 6300 | 2.9 |
| 8000 | -1.7 |
| 10000 | 3.2 |
| 12500 | -3.4 |
| 16000 | -12.7 |
| 20000 | -32.9 |
Sony WF-1000XM5 Attenuation (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Solid lines: passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Dashed lines: total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 11.8 |
| 26 | 15.2 |
| 33 | 11.8 |
| 41 | 13.4 |
| 52 | 14.3 |
| 65 | 17.4 |
| 82 | 15.7 |
| 103 | 16.2 |
| 130 | 14.6 |
| 163 | 14.5 |
| 205 | 14.2 |
| 259 | 12.5 |
| 325 | 14.9 |
| 410 | 15.6 |
| 516 | 16.9 |
| 613 | 15.2 |
| 772 | 16.8 |
| 972 | 23.5 |
| 1220 | 24.0 |
| 1540 | 26.6 |
| 1940 | 29.9 |
| 2440 | 30.6 |
| 3070 | 42.7 |
| 3870 | 49.5 |
| 4870 | 48.6 |
| 6130 | 47.3 |
| 7720 | 48.0 |
| 9720 | 43.1 |
| 12200 | 39.4 |
| 15400 | 34.9 |
| 19400 | 41.6 |
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 13.7 |
| 26 | 21.6 |
| 33 | 31.6 |
| 41 | 32.2 |
| 52 | 34.8 |
| 65 | 36.4 |
| 82 | 32.4 |
| 103 | 32.1 |
| 130 | 30.4 |
| 163 | 29.8 |
| 205 | 28.8 |
| 259 | 24.6 |
| 325 | 24.0 |
| 410 | 19.7 |
| 516 | 18.9 |
| 613 | 16.8 |
| 772 | 16.7 |
| 972 | 24.2 |
| 1220 | 23.7 |
| 1540 | 27.8 |
| 1940 | 30.1 |
| 2440 | 31.5 |
| 3070 | 38.5 |
| 3870 | 38.4 |
| 4870 | 37.3 |
| 6130 | 46.8 |
| 7720 | 48.9 |
| 9720 | 37.9 |
| 12200 | 27.5 |
| 15400 | 25.2 |
| 19400 | 43.1 |
Sony WF-1000XM5 MDAQS
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores, Scale 1 - 5
Virtual mean opinion scores (MOS) on a 1–5 scale, modeled from the measured response by HEAD acoustics’ MDAQS (Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score) model. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
The verdict
The Sony WF-1000XM5 takes notes from the success of its predecessor and runs with it. Featuring a more comfortable design, outstanding ANC performance, and fantastic battery life, they have secured their place as one of the best noise canceling earbuds on the market.
✓Liked: Excellent ANC and Isolation, Comfortable, SBC, AAC, and LDAC support, Great app support
✕Could be better: Price, Default sound too bassy
What a reader who owns the Sony WF-1000XM5 reports after living with it. Owner-reported, checked before publishing; ordered photo-verified first, then newest.
Owner reviews are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not rewritten by us: at most we proofread typos, which is shown on the review’s own page and which the author can undo. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from owner reviews.
1 owner review
TLEvery author writes under a generated pseudonym; a member can choose to show their name and photo beside it. A signed-in author’s email is never shown. Read more · The reader says they own it. We have not seen proof, and we say so — no label here is proof of a purchase. Read more · Owned 1–2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
Would not buy againThe sound is somewhere behind my ears. I prefer music presence of AirPods Pro 2 very much!
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What readers ask about the Sony WF-1000XM5, answered by the people who own it.
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Ask the first question →See how the Sony WF-1000XM5 stacks up against the competition.
Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeApple's AirPods Pro 3 beat Sony's best earbuds on this key featureSony's WF-1000XM5 have been the benchmark for premium ANC. Apple just raised the bar even higher.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorCan $100 earbuds sound better than $300 earbuds? We ran tests to find out.We compared the Soundcore Liberty 5 with the Sony WF-1000XM5 to see if a higher price tag gets you better sound.
Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerSony brought back its original Walkman headphones, but they don't work with WalkmansNostalgia or fashion statement? Sony's new MDR-3R headphones bring a 1979 classic into 2026 with USB-C audio and a dash of irony.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe Sony XM4C prove we don't need a new headphone model every yearSony's newest headphones aren't new at all, and that's kind of the point.Adam BirneyManaging EditorI didn’t love the Sony 1000X The Collexion until I tried this settingSometimes the best upgrade is already hiding in the app.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterClip-on earbuds fixed my biggest issue with open-earsClip-on earbuds offer a secure fit, better sound, and zero pressure.
Brady SnyderContributorI ditched my AirPods Pro 3 for Sony's WF-1000XM6 and only lasted a weekI thought the more expensive earbuds would win. I was wrong.Dave CarrVideo Producer/Writer3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterHow long should your earbuds last? Our battery tests have the answerEarbuds don't last long, but how much is enough?Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
1 of 2 would buy again
2 owners
The battery beat their expectations
Comfort beat their expectations
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Expected more from comfort
2 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · owners report ~10 h per charge vs 8.73 h claimed
Comfort beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Comfort beat their expectations
2 of 2 would buy again
2 owners
The battery beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · owners report ~7 h per charge vs 10 h claimed
Comfort beat their expectations
