If you own the Sony WH-1000XM5, congratulations - you now hold the best pair in 2022. As you'll probably have already experienced Sony offer an unrivaled combination of sound performance, functionality and comfort.
But as wireless headphones can do more and more things today, with many pairs on the market, offering multiple connectivity features, various active noise canceling modes as well as apps, it can be difficult to know if you are getting the most out of all they have to offer. For you, we've put together some tips to help you get to know your Sony XM5 better…
To get the most out of the WH-1000XM5 you will need to install the Sony Headphones Connect
The app is a gateway to all sorts of features. it allows you, for example, to see the battery life of the headphones without removing them; manually select noise cancellation and environmental awareness modes; adjust sound equalizer; and enable/disable features such as Speak-to-Chat (which automatically pauses the music and activates aware mode when you start speaking) and multipoint connection (which lets you connect and manage two devices simultaneously) . You can also set up a personalized experience for listening to 360 Reality Audio music, track how you use your XM5 in an activity log, and match touch controls to specific actions.
The app also installs firmware updates, and there's also a help section for any issues you might encounter.
No, unfortunately not. The XM5s are not waterproof and not sweat resistant. According to the user manual, "If water or foreign matter gets inside the headset, it may cause it to malfunction." This means you should be wary of wearing them in the rain or during your workout where moisture and sweat could seep inside.
Although few headphones tend to offer much waterproofing, it's a disappointment. Nevertheless, the technical data sheet remains impressive
(Image credit: future)
Many high-end gaming headsets these days offer surround sound in an effort to make your gaming experience more immersive. However, these rarely tend to perform well, so it's worth prioritizing good old-fashioned stereo sound quality and considering any surround sound processing as a potential bonus.
In terms of sound, the Sony XM5s are certainly up to the task. There are, however, a few logistical things to consider regarding connectivity. Although the PS4 and PS5 are Sony consoles, they do not don't take support the Sony XM5 – unlike dedicated Sony gaming headset models like the very good PlayStation Pulse 3D wireless headset and the new Sony InZone headsets. This does not mean that the XM5 cannot be used; all you need to do is purchase and connect a Bluetooth adapter/transmitter to the console's USB port. It's this adapter that the headphones connect to wirelessly via Bluetooth, rather than the console itself, so you'll need to make sure it's selected as "audio output" in the PlayStation's "sound" settings. The headset mic will not work when docked, although the PlayStation controller has a built-in mic that works fine.
If you find that there is a lag issue on a wireless connection, you can always wire the XM5 to the console by plugging them into the 3,5mm jack on the bottom of the DualSense controller.
Yes, the Sony XM5 can be wired for those occasions when you need to fly, run out of battery life, or just prefer a wired experience. While some wireless ANC headphones require battery life to even facilitate wired playback, the Sonys don't, meaning you'll never be completely let down if their 30/40 hour battery life expires before you can get them. recharge.
If you have battery left in your Sony XM5, they can also be used with active noise cancellation turned on.
How to Connect Sony WH-1000XM5 to Mac and Other Devices
For wired listening, you can directly plug the Sony XM5 into the 3,5mm headphone jack of a Mac, laptop, computer or any other device with this headphone output via the audio cable 3,5, 5mm included in the XMXNUMX box.
To listen wirelessly via Bluetooth, pairing your Mac* and Sony XM5 requires opening the "Bluetooth File Exchange" application on your Mac and waiting for the XM5 to appear in the list of available devices. For this to happen, the XM5 must be charged, be within one meter of the Mac, and be in pairing mode, which can be achieved by pressing and holding the power button (right earbud) for 5 seconds until the light flashes blue. and a voice inside the XM5 says "pairing".
Once a pairing between the XM5 and the device has been established, they will automatically connect when the XM5 is powered on and remote.
*For other devices, open Bluetooth settings and follow the pairing steps below.
Yes, Sony's multipoint connection feature allows you to connect the XM5 to two devices simultaneously. This can be extremely handy if, for example, you're listening to audio from your laptop but need to be connected to your phone so you don't miss any calls. If a call comes in, you can seamlessly switch to your phone without having to unpair your laptop, pair your phone, and inevitably miss your call!
Having this capability can be a godsend and it works quite seamlessly, once you enable the feature in the Sony Headphones app. Note, however, that you cannot use this feature and stream music wirelessly using LDAC at the same time; you have to choose one or the other.
(Image credit: Sony/John Lewis)
YES, the Sony XM5s are worth it. Despite their sizable asking price compared to Bose and Sennheiser rivals and older Sony models, we think they're the best wireless headphones on the market, as represented by their "What Hi-Fi?" » Best buy et Product of the Year Awards.
Reference in terms of sound quality just like the AirPods Max, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 and Focal Bathys. They offer a decent range of connectivity and usability features that make them a dream to own.
All consumer electronics stores (physical and online) should stock the Sony XM5, as well as Amazon
Sony's WH-1000XM models have been some of the most popular headphones for years, so they're widely stocked and don't tend to have restocking issues.
While the WH-1000XM5 are Sony's latest and greatest pair of high-end wireless noise-canceling headphones, the older WH-1000XM4s are still available to buy – and, due to their age, at a more expensive price point. affordable. For those who can't stretch their budget to the XM5, we think the XM4 is the next best option in the wireless earphone market. They actually offer many of the attributes of the XM5 and are still very competitive against newer rivals Bose and Sennheiser.
