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@zesty_otter_44 · Owner-reported
Owned 1–2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
Getting here form the M4s, great comfort, decent battery life. Overall a great purchase.
@brisk_timpani_14 · Owner-reported
Owned 1–2 years · Still using it: no, stopped · Posted
Great headphones, but the 2nd Sony headphones of mine, what physically broke after a few years, and Sony service rejected to fix.
@lello75 · Owner-reported
Owned 1–2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
I knew I was getting into a high-end experience but the XM5s just moved the bar MUCH higher for me. Sound is extremely clear, speakers are loud and the battery lasts around a month and charges quickly. They will kill the sound quality the moment you get in a call though.
Own it? Your review joins these
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Sony shows why it's the leader of the over-ear pack.
At 8.4, its noise cancelling beats 58% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 64 of the 243 we've cataloged.
A 4.2 puts its audio quality in the top half of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 49 of the 243 we've cataloged.
3 of 5 would buy again. 2 of 5 still use it daily, 1 sometimes, 2 stopped.
Owned 1–2 years.
What gave out: Headband / hinge (3)
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 160 of 243 we've cataloged.
Usb-c is the most common — on 89% of the 139 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 243).
5.2 appears on 16% of the 153 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 243).
Bluetooth appears on 44% of the 252 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 243).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Frequency Response (measured on a B&K 5128)
Click a line or a legend entry to highlight it. Click again to clear.Tap a legend entry to highlight its line. Tap again to clear.
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 | 5.7 |
| 25 | 5.8 |
| 32 | 5.4 |
| 40 | 5.0 |
| 50 | 4.6 |
| 63 | 4.0 |
| 80 | 3.7 |
| 100 | 3.4 |
| 125 | 3.0 |
| 160 | 2.4 |
| 200 | 1.5 |
| 250 | 0.1 |
| 315 | -2.0 |
| 400 | -3.1 |
| 500 | -3.2 |
| 630 | -3.2 |
| 800 | -2.5 |
| 1000 | -3.6 |
| 1250 | -3.1 |
| 1600 | 1.4 |
| 2000 | 2.9 |
| 2500 | 4.2 |
| 3150 | 10.5 |
| 4000 | 8.9 |
| 5000 | 6.6 |
| 6300 | 6.4 |
| 8000 | 4.6 |
| 10000 | 3.3 |
| 12500 | -10.1 |
| 16000 | -11.6 |
| 20000 | -30.6 |
Sony WH-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 | -0.6 |
| 26 | -1.7 |
| 33 | -0.0 |
| 41 | 0.1 |
| 52 | 0.0 |
| 65 | -0.6 |
| 82 | -0.8 |
| 103 | -1.3 |
| 130 | -5.1 |
| 163 | -3.0 |
| 205 | -0.1 |
| 259 | 5.0 |
| 325 | 10.8 |
| 410 | 14.1 |
| 516 | 21.8 |
| 613 | 22.8 |
| 772 | 25.0 |
| 972 | 27.7 |
| 1220 | 29.1 |
| 1540 | 34.9 |
| 1940 | 36.3 |
| 2440 | 39.6 |
| 3070 | 33.3 |
| 3870 | 39.1 |
| 4870 | 47.3 |
| 6130 | 49.2 |
| 7720 | 49.0 |
| 9720 | 45.4 |
| 12200 | 39.9 |
| 15400 | 41.4 |
| 19400 | 46.8 |
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 4.9 |
| 26 | 7.6 |
| 33 | 11.3 |
| 41 | 16.4 |
| 52 | 20.7 |
| 65 | 25.6 |
| 82 | 28.4 |
| 103 | 28.0 |
| 130 | 22.9 |
| 163 | 24.5 |
| 205 | 22.5 |
| 259 | 21.9 |
| 325 | 21.4 |
| 410 | 22.9 |
| 516 | 21.1 |
| 613 | 20.1 |
| 772 | 23.2 |
| 972 | 25.9 |
| 1220 | 28.5 |
| 1540 | 29.1 |
| 1940 | 32.0 |
| 2440 | 38.0 |
| 3070 | 32.8 |
| 3870 | 41.7 |
| 4870 | 47.3 |
| 6130 | 46.5 |
| 7720 | 44.2 |
| 9720 | 44.6 |
| 12200 | 37.9 |
| 15400 | 40.2 |
| 19400 | 44.3 |
Sony WH-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 predecessors to the Sony WH-1000XM5 were king of the hill, and this new headphone takes that crown. With new drivers, features, and design, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is an intriguing set of headphones among the flagship active noise canceling (ANC) devices on the market. It excels in travel or at the office, in particular.
✓Liked: ANC performance, Outstanding microphone, App features, including custom EQ, Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and wired connectivity options
✕Could be better: Price, No IP rating
What readers who own the Sony WH-1000XM5 report 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.
5 owner reviews
ZOEvery 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 buy againGetting here form the M4s, great comfort, decent battery life. Overall a great purchase.
BTEvery 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: no, stopped · Posted
Would not buy againGreat headphones, but the 2nd Sony headphones of mine, what physically broke after a few years, and Sony service rejected to fix.
LEvery 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 buy againI knew I was getting into a high-end experience but the XM5s just moved the bar MUCH higher for me. Sound is extremely clear, speakers are loud and the battery lasts around a month and charges quickly. They will kill the sound quality the moment you get in a call though.
BAEvery 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: sometimes · Posted
Would buy againThey aren't the most comfortable in the world if you have wonky ears like I do, the ear cups are a bit shallow and the headband can be painful over long sessions.
SVEvery 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: no, stopped · Posted
Would not buy againUncomfortable headpiece, earpads wear out fast and not too comfy with glasses, not sweatproof, hinges are very dainty and broke
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What readers ask about the Sony WH-1000XM5, answered by the people who own it.
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Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
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Review9:55Sony WH-1000XM5 - 3 Years Later ReviewSoundGuysCommentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorWe asked if your Sony WH-1000XM5s have failed: Nearly half of you said yesYou shared your experiences with the Sony XM5 headphones—here’s what we learned.Adam BirneyManaging EditorHow to choose the right headphones for different music genresWhether you listen to EDM, rock, or classical, we have you covered.
Tom TriggsContributorFour years later, the Sony WH-1000XM4 are still my favorite headphonesGo on, save money and get something nice. 
Lil KatzContributorSony 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/WriterI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
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 1 would buy again
1 owner
Comfort beat their expectations
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · owners report ~55 h per charge vs 53.77 h claimed
The battery beat their expectations
