Why I Picked the XM5s
I’d been nursing along a pair of Bose QC35s for years, and they were finally dying. Did a ton of research, watched probably too many YouTube videos, and ultimately went with the Sony WH-1000XM5. Been using them for about four months now, so here’s my take.
The Good Stuff
Sound Quality
I’m not going to pretend I have golden ears, but music sounds noticeably better on these than my old Bose. There’s more detail, the bass has punch without being boomy, and podcasts come through really clearly.
I mostly use them for work calls and music while working, with some movies on flights. They handle all of it well.
Noise Cancellation
This is really why you buy these, right? And yeah, the ANC is excellent. I work from home but my neighbor’s dog barks constantly - with these on and some music playing, I genuinely forget about it.
Took them on a cross-country flight last month. Put them on during takeoff and the engine noise just faded into the background. I could still feel the vibration, but the sound was dramatically reduced.
Comfort
These are lighter than they look. I can wear them for 3-4 hour stretches without discomfort, which wasn’t true of my old headphones. The ear cups are soft and don’t make my ears hot, at least not in normal temperatures.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
They Don’t Fold
This annoyed me more than I expected. My Bose folded flat, which made them easy to pack. These don’t fold at all - you get a carrying case, but it’s bulkier. Not a dealbreaker, but kind of a weird regression.
Touch Controls Take Practice
The right ear cup has touch controls, and I still accidentally skip songs when I’m just trying to adjust the fit. You get used to it, but there’s a learning curve.
Price
Let’s be real - $350+ for headphones is a lot of money. I debated this purchase for months. For me, it was worth it because I use them 6-8 hours a day for work. If you’re just using headphones occasionally, cheaper options exist.
Battery Life
Sony claims 30 hours and I believe it. I charge these maybe once a week, and I use them a lot. The quick charge feature is handy too - 10 minutes gives you several hours of playback.
How They Compare
I don’t have the Bose 700s or the AirPods Max to compare directly, but based on what I’ve read and friends’ experiences:
- vs Bose 700: Very close. Bose might have slightly better call quality, Sony has slightly better ANC. Pick based on which brand you prefer.
- vs AirPods Max: The Sonys are cheaper and have longer battery life. AirPods Max might be better if you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem.
Should You Buy Them?
If you work from home, travel regularly, or spend a lot of time in noisy environments - yes, probably. The noise cancellation genuinely improves quality of life.
If you just need headphones for occasional use, the XM4s are cheaper and still very good. Or look at something like the Audio-Technica M50x if you don’t need noise cancellation.
For me, these have become essential. I reach for them every morning and they just work.
Prices change frequently. Always verify before purchasing!