Sony WH-1000XM5 Review – Now in LE SSERAFIM Colorway

Unboxing the Sony WH-1000XM5

Starting off our Sony WH-1000XM5 review with the unboxing, the packaging seems to be par for the course with Sony products as they’re focusing more on sustainable materials. It’s some kind of paper which notes the product model and color wrapping around a box made of hard recycled paper. Inside the box, we found the following items:

• USB-C cable
• 3.5mm headphone cable (1.2m)
• Protective carrying case
• Documentations
• The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones itself

It’s worth noting that this Smoky Pink is a new, special color option that was launched in collaboration with popular K-pop group, LE SSERAFIM. This is by no means an all-new successor.

Specifications

Drivers	30mm Neodymium Drivers
Frequency Response	4Hz – 40,000Hz 20Hz – 20,000Hz (Bluetooth, 44.1kHz Sampling) 20Hz – 40,000Hz (LDAC 96kHz Sampling, 990kbps)
Impedance	48Ω
Sensitivities	102dB(1kHz) / mW (on) 100dB / mW(1kHz) (off)
Headphone Type	Closed, dynamic
Connector	Wired USB-C (1.2m cable) Wireless Bluetooth 5.2 with A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP NFC
Audio Formats	SBC, AAC, LDAC DSEE Extreme Hi-Res Audio / Hi-Res Audio Wireless
Wireless Range	10m
Noise-cancelling	Yes, Auto NC Optimizer
Battery	Up to 30 hours Up to 38 hours without noise-cancelling
Weight	250g
Colour	Smoky Pink, Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue

Mic Test

The audio quality you get from the microphone feels a little better than your typical phone call quality. It’s clearly focused more on vocal clarity but lacking in depth as evident by the lack of bass. If you’re using it for phone calls, this should be more than sufficient but try not to use it in a noisy environment. When I had music playing in the background via speakers, you don’t really hear the music but the noise cancellation did cut out some of the words I said.

If you want to compare this with its predecessor, check out our Sony WH-1000XM4 review by clicking right here.

The Good

There are a number of reasons to consider getting the Sony WH-1000XM5. For starters, the build quality has improved over its predecessor, showcasing Sony’s commitment to quality. The headphones feel durable and solidly built, though the plastic earcups can attract fingerprints, which may slightly detract from its polished look. There’s a reason why they managed to do this but I’ll save that for the next section.

Next up, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones offer a versatile user experience when interacting directly with it as it combines touch controls with physical buttons to cater to diverse preferences. This flexibility allows users to enjoy either the tactile feedback of buttons or the smooth ease of touch controls, a feature familiar to fans of the series.

Comfort is another strong point. Despite having a slimmer headband than previous models, these headphones sit comfortably for extended periods as I could easily use it for an hour straight without any discomfort. The soft, spacious earpads also comfortably accommodate larger ears, though individual fit and comfort may vary.

Sound quality is bass-forward, ideal for those who appreciate deep, resonating lows. The WH-1000XM5 provides a robust sound signature with rich bass, giving tracks depth and energy. If I were to describe it in another way, I would say it adds soul to the music that you’re listening to but it does bring another issue into the fray but that will be discussed further in the next section.

A standout feature is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Sony has consistently led in ANC technology, and the WH-1000XM5 effectively cancels most ambient noise, especially useful in noisy environments or while traveling. It blocks out nearly all external sounds, except for sudden or particularly loud noises, making it an excellent choice for those needing true noise isolation.

It’s worth pointing out that battery life is pretty good with the Sony WH-1000XM5. I get roughly 30 hours per full charge with ANC on, and get an additional 7 to 8 hours with ANC off. If you’re the kind of person who somehow wears a headphone in every waking moment, that’s practically 3 days worth of usage right there. Anything lesser than that and you might be able to stretch it close to a week, though a full week would be very difficult to reach unless it’s barely being used.

The Bad

Of course, it has its share of drawbacks as well. For starters, the choice to drop the foldable design in the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a mixed bag. On the positive side, it enhances durability and structural strength as we mentioned earlier. However, it comes at the expense of portability, which might be a downside for frequent travelers or commuters.

On the technical front, the WH-1000XM5’s soundstage is somewhat narrow. The audio doesn’t fully extend beyond the headphones, which could slightly impact the immersive feel for some users. If you’re very particular about separation in audio, like with how different instruments come together in a song, you might feel a lack of enjoyment from this.

The bass-heavy profile, while appealing to those who love deep lows, can occasionally overpower the mids and highs, creating a slightly imbalanced audio experience. Treble can sometimes feel recessed or even harsh, indicating some unevenness in tuning. This can make listening to intricate, multi-layered tracks a bit inconsistent for discerning ears.

Lastly, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is unsurprisingly far from cheap. Originally, it retailed for RM1,799 but Sony Malaysia did slash the price down to RM1,399 for all colorways. While an RM400 price cut is nothing to scoff at, it’s still quite a bit to swallow. Given that the sound profile might not be a fit for a majority of people, I would recommend trying out first at a nearby Sony store as its class-leading ANC performance alone make it an attractive gadget to own.

Sony WH-1000XM5 Verdict

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great pair of headphones but it might not necessarily be ideal for a lot of consumers. If you prioritize ANC and comfort, this would work great for you but if you want a more portable listening solution or something that doesn’t lean too heavy on the bass, you might want to consider alternative options. This new Smoky Pink color is attractive, and it’s not the overly-bright pink that would look obnoxious either. It still follows the same design language of subtlety and class that they’re known for.

At the end of our Sony WH-1000XM5 review, I award this pair of headphones with our coveted Gold Pokdeward.

Big thanks to Sony Malaysia for sending us this headphone for the purpose of this review.