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As an audiophile who pursues the ultimate in audio quality, I have thoroughly reviewed and experienced Sony's WH-1000XM5. In my experience of using and testing this headset, I found that it does perform well in many areas, but there are also some disappointments. Today, I'm going to explore in detail a few significant drawbacks of the WH-1000XM5 that can have a significant impact when you use them.
Non-foldable design
The WH-1000XM5's non-folding design is puzzling. In 2024, someone even thinks that non-folding design is a good idea? Compared to the WH-1000XM4, the design of the WH-1000XM5 appears too stiff to be portable. This means you'll need to carry a larger headphone case, which adds to the baggage burden for travelers. Whether it's for everyday use or travel, it's clearly not practical enough.
Huge carrying case
When it comes to the headphone case, the WH-1000XM5's box is really too large. Compared to the WH-1000XM4's compact design, this case appears bulky and unsuitable for everyday use and travel. Also, the choice of materials is not as durable and easy to clean as faux leather. The new case is prone to dust accumulation and quickly looks old, completely failing to deliver the high-end experience it should have.
Feeling vulnerable
Sony makes heavy use of plastic materials on the WH-1000XM5. Although these plastics are not low in terms of technology, they are still fragile compared to the metal components of other high-end headphones. Although the suspension structure of the ear cups is full of technology, it gives the impression that it is easy to break. Considering the price, you'd expect it to be stronger.
Lightweight design
While the lightweight design sounds good, here it gives the headphones a sense of cheapness. Plastic headbands, while high-tech, don't feel durable. After some rough treatment, the headband may break. For headphones for everyday use, this problem cannot be ignored.
Narrower headband
Sony decided to make the headband narrower, which was not a good idea. Narrow headbands can create pressure points on the head, which can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. If you plan to wear it for a long time, such as when working on a long flight or marathon, you will feel this pressure. The synthetic leather headband is also thinner, adding to the discomfort. Comfort is crucial for headphones at this price, but the WH-1000XM5 doesn't do this well enough.
Ambient sound mode
When it comes to ambient sound mode, it's really disappointing. Users report that their voices sound strange and unclear, making communication awkward. This model is supposed to increase environmental awareness, but it is not as effective as it could be, making the interaction unnatural.
Equalizer limits
The equalizer settings are somewhat limited, and there are no full customization options. While the new 30mm carbon fiber drivers provide balanced sound, some users may miss the WH-1000XM4's punchy bass and bold sound. This subtle but impactful difference may affect your listening experience.
Volume level
Another problem is that the WH-1000XM4 is slightly louder than the XM5 at the same volume setting. If you like bass-heavy or loud music, the difference is noticeable. The overall music didn't hit as much as expected, which was a disappointment for music lovers.
Microphone performance
Even with the improvements, the quality of the microphone is still mediocre. Echo issues can occur when on calls, and background noise cancellation is not ideal in noisy environments. This is really a disadvantage for a high-end headset, especially if you rely on it for important calls.
Dependencies on the app
Many of the features of the WH-1000XM5, such as noise cancellation optimization and equalizer settings, need to be implemented through the app. If you prefer a simple and straightforward experience, this dependency can be inconvenient. In addition, the NFC pairing feature of the previous version has also been removed here, making fast pairing more cumbersome. This is a step backwards in terms of convenience.
Short charging cable
The included USB-A to USB-C charging cable is very short. This may not fit your charging settings and affect daily use. As for the battery life, it's still 30 hours, the same as the WH-1000XM4. This has not been improved, and it looks a bit disappointing with the new design and new features. Users expect better battery performance, but that's not the case.
Audio latency in the game
Attention gamers. The latency of the Bluetooth connection makes these headphones unsuitable for gaming, especially in fast-paced games. Using guides can help somewhat, but it's not ideal for competitive games. You need precise audio syncing, and the WH-1000XM5 doesn't do that. If you're a game lover, this is a key drawback.
Higher price
Finally, the headset sells for $400, which is $1000 more than the initial price of the WH-50XM4. Considering the relatively minor upgrades, it is difficult to convince people of the justification for this higher price. There are no substantial improvements in key areas such as battery life and build quality, making the WH-1000XM5 less cost-effective relative to its predecessor and some competitors. You're paying more for more, but are you really getting more? The answer is probably no.
conclusion
To sum up, although the Sony WH-1000XM5 inherits the excellent noise cancellation performance of the series, it also has quite a few flaws. From non-foldable designs and huge carrying cases, to comfort issues and sound quality limitations, these questions might make you think twice.
Add to that the limitations of audio customization, the lack of microphone performance, and the annoyance of application dependencies. In addition, the lack of battery life, Bluetooth latency issues in games, and a higher price point all require careful trade-offs. Hopefully, this information will help you make an informed purchasing decision.
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