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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 93 of the 259 we've cataloged.
A 4.9 puts its audio quality in the top quarter of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 61 of the 259 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 241 of 259 we've cataloged.
below average for wireless earbuds — based on 239 of 259 we've cataloged.
IPX4 is the most common — on 36% of the 238 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 259).
None is the most common — on 54% of the 24 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 259).
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 | 7.3 |
| 25 | 8.9 |
| 32 | 10.4 |
| 40 | 11.7 |
| 50 | 12.4 |
| 63 | 12.3 |
| 80 | 11.2 |
| 100 | 9.1 |
| 125 | 6.6 |
| 160 | 3.3 |
| 200 | 1.1 |
| 250 | -0.3 |
| 315 | -1.0 |
| 400 | -1.6 |
| 500 | -2.5 |
| 630 | -2.2 |
| 800 | -1.3 |
| 1000 | 0.1 |
| 1250 | 1.9 |
| 1600 | 5.0 |
| 2000 | 7.7 |
| 2500 | 9.1 |
| 3150 | 8.7 |
| 4000 | 6.8 |
| 5000 | 7.5 |
| 6300 | 4.7 |
| 8000 | 0.0 |
| 10000 | 4.9 |
| 12500 | -1.6 |
| 16000 | -11.0 |
| 20000 | -31.2 |
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 | 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 |
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 | 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 |
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
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 notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
1 owner note
Every author writes under a generated pseudonym. 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!
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 ManagerThe 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/WriterSony somehow made the name of its new headphones even worseNobody knows what it means, but it's provocative.Adam BirneyManaging EditorHow 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 1 would buy again
1 owner
Battery in real life — better than expected
