Sony set to launch WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones

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by Ian Collen
Hi-Fi News

Sony set to launch WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones

Sony has announced that its WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones will be launching at the end of May, boasting what it calls “the brand’s most advanced noise cancelling product to date”.

The latest addition to Sony’s headphone family, building on the impressive foundations of its WH-1000XM4 predecessor, uses an Auto NC Optimiser to, well, automatically optimise noise cancellation based on your environment. Such is the emphasis on this “industry-leading” tech, even the design is called ‘noiseless’, with a soft-fit leather finish offering a snug feel that also helps to block out background noise.

Meanwhile, its twin processors that control eight microphones also “dramatically reduce noise, especially in the mid-high frequency range”, combining with a specially designed 30mm driver unit to help improve clarity and bass reproduction. The driver uses a carbon fibre composite material that we’re assured “improves high frequency sensitivity for more natural sound quality”, while the WH-1000XM5 includes a lead-free solder, using gold to provide an audio performance that’s as clean and clear as its circuitry.

Sony set to launch WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones come with a collapsible carry case that can be stashed away when not in use.

The headphones are 360 Reality Audio Certified, and also come with High-Resolution Audio using Sony’s own LDAC audio coding tech, which can be used with DSEE Extreme to upscale your music files in real time. They also boast an impressive 30 hours of battery life, including three hours on a quick three-minute charge using USB Power Delivery.

Of the eight microphones mentioned, four of them use beamforming technology as part of Sony’s Voice Pickup system, while the WH-1000XM5 boasts a new wind noise reduction set-up to help further minimise background interference if you’re taking a phone call in the not-so-great outdoors. There’s also Adaptive Sound Control to automatically adjust the audio based on your location and the ambient sounds.

Of course, the WH-1000XM5 headphones come in complete sync with Sony’s Connect App to access some of its finer features, and even offers up notifications if you’re blasting your music at a pressure level deemed to be too high by the World Health Organisation. Other features include Speak-to-Chat for a one-touch transition from music to a more natural background sound ready for a conversation, and then back again when you’re done.

Sony set to launch WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones

There’s also compatibility with many of the usual companions, such as Google Assistant and Alexa, and of course Bluetooth – with the WH-1000XM5 capable of being paired with two other devices, in case you need to swap between your phone and TV at the touch of a button. The headphones also support Google’s Fast Pair feature to help sync with Android devices and Smart Pair to hook up to your Windows-friendly laptop or PC.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are priced at £380 (€420) and will be available from the end of May in a black or silver finish. We’re already hearing good things about them, so could they be your new silent partner for the summer?

SOURCE: Sony (via press release)
IMAGES: Sony

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