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Do they fold for easier travel storage?

Published: January 8th, 2026

Do They Fold? (Spoiler Alert: No)

This is probably the most controversial change Sony made with the XM5. No, they don't fold, and if you travel a lot, this might be a dealbreaker.

Why Sony Made This Choice

Sony says they removed the folding mechanism to make the headphones more comfortable and better built. And honestly, they do feel more solid and comfortable than the XM4. But that comes at a cost.

The Reality of Traveling with These

The case is big: Like, noticeably bigger than the XM4's case. It's still well-made and protective, but it takes up significantly more space in your bag.

Daily commute: If you're used to folding headphones for your subway ride or stuffing them in a small backpack pocket, these won't work the same way.

Air travel: They still fit in carry-ons fine, but you'll need to plan for the extra space they take up.

What People Actually Do

Wear them: Many travelers just wear them on their neck during flights or while walking through airports. Not the most comfortable for long periods, but it works.

Bigger bags: Some people switched to slightly larger travel bags to accommodate the case.

Alternative cases: There are some third-party options that are more space-efficient, though they don't protect as well.

Is It Worth the Trade-off?

Here's the honest truth: if you travel frequently and pack light, this change might be frustrating enough to stick with the XM4 or look at Bose options that still fold.

But if you mostly use headphones at home, work, or for occasional travel, you probably won't mind the larger case in exchange for better comfort and build quality.

Bottom Line

Sony prioritized performance and comfort over portability. Whether that's the right choice depends entirely on how you plan to use them.

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How is the sound quality for music compared to the XM4?

Published: January 8th, 2026

How Do They Sound Compared to the XM4?

This is where things get interesting. Sony basically went back to the drawing board and tuned the Sony WH-1000XM5 for a more "grown-up" sound signature.

The Big Changes

Smaller drivers, better sound: They actually went from 40mm to 30mm drivers, which sounds like a downgrade until you hear them. The new drivers are just way more controlled and precise.

Bass that doesn't dominate: The XM4 could get a bit boomy, especially with electronic music. The XM5's bass is tighter and more accurate—it's still there when you want it, but it doesn't overwhelm everything else.

Vocals come alive: This is the biggest improvement. Voices sound so much clearer and more present. Whether it's podcasts, audiobooks, or your favorite singer, everything sounds more intimate and detailed.

Real-World Listening Experience

Here's how different music genres sound:

Rock/Metal: Guitar separation is fantastic, drums sound more realistic
Hip-Hop: Bass hits hard but doesn't muddy up the vocals
Classical: You can actually pick out individual instruments in orchestral pieces
Podcasts/Audiobooks: Voices sound natural and easy to understand for hours

The Honest Comparison

XM4: Fun, consumer-friendly sound with boosted bass
XM5: More accurate, audiophile-oriented with better balance

If you loved the XM4's sound signature, the XM5 might initially seem a bit "flat." But give them a week, and you'll start noticing details in your music you never heard before.

Bottom Line

The XM5 is for people who want their music to sound like the artist intended, not necessarily "exciting" or bass-heavy. It's a more mature sound that grows on you.

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Can I use them with multiple devices at the same time?

Published: January 8th, 2026

Can They Connect to Multiple Devices at Once?

Yes! And this is honestly one of the best features they added. The Sony WH-1000XM5 can connect to two devices simultaneously, which is a game-changer if you use both a phone and computer regularly.

How It Actually Works

Once you set it up in the Sony Headphones Connect app (super easy, takes 30 seconds), your headphones will connect to both your phone and laptop automatically when you turn them on.

The magic happens when a call comes in. Your music pauses, the call comes through, and when you hang up, your music resumes. No manual switching, no disconnecting and reconnecting—it just works.

Real-World Convenience

Here's why this matters in daily use:

Working from home: Music from your computer, calls from your phone, seamless switching
Commuting: Podcast on your phone, but laptop notifications still come through
Gaming: Game audio from computer, Discord or party chat from phone
Studying: Focus music from laptop, but you don't miss important calls

The Small Print

There are a couple of things to know:

Audio quality: When connected to two devices, it uses SBC codec (still good, just not the highest quality LDAC)
Music switching: You need to pause on one device before playing on the other
Occasional hiccups: Sometimes both devices "fight" for priority, but it's rare

Setup Process

  1. Open the Sony Headphones Connect app
  2. Go to System tab → Connect to 2 devices simultaneously
  3. Turn it on
  4. Pair normally with both devices

That's it. Once it's set up, it just works in the background.

Bottom Line

If you regularly use both a phone and computer, this feature alone makes these headphones worth considering. It eliminates so much daily friction.

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Do they work well for phone calls and video meetings?

Published: January 8th, 2026

How Are They for Calls and Video Meetings?

If you're working from home or take a lot of calls, this is probably a make-or-break feature. The good news? The Sony WH-1000XM5 absolutely nails call quality.

What People Actually Tell You

I've been using these for work calls for months, and I regularly get comments like "you sound really clear today" or "what headset are you using?" That's the kind of feedback that tells you the microphones are working.

The Technical Magic

Sony uses 4 microphones that work together to focus on your voice while filtering out everything else. It's like having a professional microphone setup, but built into headphones.

The coolest part? The AI processing happens in real-time. So if a dog barks, a car goes by, or someone's using a blender in the kitchen, your call participants won't hear it nearly as much.

Real-World Call Performance

Here's how they handle different scenarios:

Quiet home office: Your voice comes through crystal clear
Coffee shop: Background chatter gets filtered out effectively
Outdoors: Wind noise is well-controlled (though not eliminated)
Kids/pets around: Sudden noises get suppressed pretty well

Video Meeting Reality Check

Zoom/Teams: Works instantly, no setup needed
Battery anxiety: Never an issue with 30-hour life
Comfort: You can wear them through back-to-back meetings
Audio switching: Takes calls on your phone while connected to your computer

The Honest Truth

These are legitimately better for calls than most dedicated business headsets I've tried. If you're remote working or taking lots of calls, the call quality alone justifies the price.

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Are these comfortable for long listening sessions?

Published: January 8th, 2026

Are They Actually Comfortable for Long Sessions?

This is the question that matters if you're planning to wear these for work, travel, or long gaming sessions. The good news? Sony really listened to feedback and made meaningful improvements.

What They Got Right

Weight: At 250 grams, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is noticeably lighter than they feel. I've worn them for 4-hour work sessions without the "headphone fatigue" I get from heavier models.

Padding: The headband padding is much better than the XM4. It's thicker and distributes weight more evenly, so you don't get that pressure point on top of your head.

Ear cups: They made them bigger, which was smart. My ears fit inside completely rather than resting on the edges, which makes a huge difference for comfort.

Real-World Comfort Testing

Here's how they feel during actual use:

2-3 hours: Completely comfortable, no adjustments needed
4-5 hours: Still good, maybe a quick position adjustment
6+ hours: You'll feel them, but it's not uncomfortable—just present

The memory foam ear pads actually get more comfortable after a week or two as they adapt to your specific ear shape.

Things to Know

Glasses wearers: They work fine with most glasses, though really thick frames might break the seal slightly

Hot weather: The synthetic leather can get a bit warm, but it's not worse than other premium headphones

Head size: The adjustment range is excellent—works for small heads and large heads equally well

Bottom Line

If comfort during long sessions is a priority, these are among your best options. Sony clearly prioritized wearability with the XM5, and it shows.

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How effective is the noise cancellation compared to other headphones?

Published: January 8th, 2026

How Good is the Noise Cancellation, Really?

Short answer: It's fantastic. The Sony WH-1000XM5's noise cancellation is right up there with the best you can buy.

I've tested these against both Bose and Apple's top models, and honestly, you're splitting hairs at this level. The differences come down to personal preference more than outright performance.

What Makes the XM5 Special

Sony uses 8 microphones and their new V1 chip to constantly monitor what's happening around you. It samples the noise 700 times per second—that's incredibly fast, which means it catches and cancels sounds before you really notice them.

The coolest part? It automatically adjusts to your ears and environment. Put them on, and they learn the shape of your head and how they fit. Change altitude on a plane? They adjust for that too.

Real-World Testing

Here's how they perform in actual situations:

Airplanes: Engine noise basically disappears. I can sleep on red-eyes now, which never used to happen.

Coffee shops: Chatter becomes a low murmur. You can focus on work without cranking the volume.

Trains/Subway: The rumble and screeching are mostly gone. Way less stressful commuting.

Office: HVAC systems, keyboard clicking, phone conversations—all significantly reduced.

Honest Comparison

vs Bose QuietComfort: Similar performance, comes down to which sound signature you prefer

vs Apple AirPods Max: Basically tied for effectiveness, but the Sony costs less

vs XM4: Noticeable improvement, especially with voices and irregular sounds

The bottom line? If noise cancellation is your priority, you really can't go wrong with these.

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How long does the battery last and how long does it take to charge?

Published: January 8th, 2026

Real-World Battery Performance

You're probably wondering: "Will these headphones actually last through my day?" The answer is yes, and then some.

With 30 hours of listening time (noise cancellation on), the Sony WH-1000XM5 can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. That's multiple cross-country flights, several full workdays, or a week of commuting without touching the charger.

I've found that with noise cancellation off, you'll get even more time—though honestly, you bought these for the ANC, so you'll probably keep it on most of the time.

The Game-Changer: 3-Minute Charging

Here's the feature that'll save your day: 3 minutes of charging = 3 hours of listening.

Forgot to charge overnight? No problem. Plug them in while you're getting ready, and you'll have enough juice for your commute and then some. It's one of those features that seems small until you need it, then it becomes essential.

The full charge takes about 3.5 hours with the USB-C cable (thank goodness they finally ditched micro-USB).

Smart Features That Actually Work

The power management is surprisingly thoughtful:

  • They automatically go to sleep when you're not using them
  • The Sony Headphones Connect app shows you exactly how much battery is left
  • You can charge while using them wired (great for long editing sessions)

Honestly, battery anxiety just isn't a thing with these headphones. They last long enough that you'll probably forget when you last charged them, and when you do need power, that quick charge feature has your back.

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How does the Sony WH-1000XM5 app and EQ customization work?

Published: February 21st, 2024

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones offer several features that make them stand out, and understanding the app and EQ customization can really help you tailor your listening experience to your liking. Here's a rundown of how it works based on our research and the manufacturer's product description.

The Sony Headphones Connect App

The Sony Headphones Connect app is available for both iOS and Android, and pairing these headphones with the app opens up a lot of customizable options.

The app handles various settings, but it's particularly useful for EQ customization and noise-canceling adjustments. There’s a feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically tweaks the noise-canceling levels based on what you're doing and where you are. For example, it can adjust settings if you're at a noisy train station, in a quiet room, or walking down the street. You can also manually set up custom sound profiles for different environments if you prefer.

EQ Customization

One of the most notable features of the app is its detailed equalizer (EQ) settings. You can adjust different sound frequencies to get the audio just how you like it. For instance, if you're into bass-heavy music, you can boost the bass, or if you want clearer vocals for podcasts, you can adjust accordingly.

According to our research, many users appreciate the pre-set EQ settings in the app, which cater to different music genres and environments like 'Bass Boost,' 'Treble Boost,' and 'Speech.' But if you have specific preferences, you can easily create and save custom EQ settings. To adjust the EQ, just open the Sony Headphones Connect app, go to the 'Sound' section, and tap on 'Equalizer.' From there, you can either select a preset or create your own custom sound profile by adjusting the sliders.

Additional Features

There are a few other cool features in the app worth mentioning:

  • Speak-to-Chat: Automatically pauses your music when you start talking and lets in ambient sound so you can have a conversation without taking off your headphones.

  • Location Learning: The app can remember places you visit frequently and automatically adjust noise-canceling settings based on past preferences for those locations.

  • Quick Attention Mode: If you place your hand over the right ear cup, it immediately reduces the volume and lets in ambient sound, which is great for quick chats or hearing announcements.

User Feedback

According to our research, most users find the app's EQ customization and features significantly enhance their listening experience. However, some have mentioned occasional connectivity issues, especially when switching between multiple devices. Despite these minor quirks, the general consensus is that the app and its customizable features add a lot to the usability and versatility of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM5's app and EQ customization features allow for a highly personalized listening experience. While there might be minor issues, the overall package is likely to satisfy most audiophiles and casual listeners.

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Do the Sony WH-1000XM5 fold up for portability?

Published: February 21st, 2024

So, about the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones and whether they fold up for easy carrying—unfortunately, they don't. The manufacturer designed these differently from the WH-1000XM4, so they can't be folded more compactly.

This might make them less handy for squeezing into small spaces when you're on the go. However, they do come with a carrying case that's designed to fit their shape. The case is fairly slim and allows them to slide into a backpack or suitcase without taking up too much room.

If having foldable headphones is a big deal for you, these might fall short, but the carrying case does help make them somewhat travel-friendly.

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Are the Sony WH-1000XM5 worth upgrading to from the XM4?

Published: February 21st, 2024

Absolutely! If you're thinking about upgrading from the XM4s to the Sony WH-1000XM5, here’s a quick rundown of what makes these a great choice based on our research and various user experiences. Here’s why you might want to consider the upgrade:

Advanced Features with Multipoint Connection

One of the standout features of the WH-1000XM5 is the multipoint connection, letting you connect to two devices at once. Imagine listening to music on your laptop and seamlessly taking a call from your phone, without needing to disconnect and reconnect. It might take a bit of fiddling to get it set up, but once it works, it’s a game-changer for managing multiple devices.

Superior Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation

The sound quality on these is excellent. The WH-1000XM5 features new 30mm carbon fiber drivers, providing great clarity and deep, balanced bass. The noise cancellation is also top-notch, thanks to Dual Noise Sensor technology and Sony’s QN1 Processor. It significantly cuts out most background noise, making your listening experience immersive.

Improved Battery Life and Fast Charging

You get around 30 hours of battery life, which is pretty impressive. And if you're in a hurry, a quick 3-minute charge can give you up to 3 hours of playback. This long battery life is particularly appreciated by folks who need their headphones to last throughout long days without constant recharges.

Comfort and Design Enhancements

These headphones are designed with comfort in mind. Lightweight with soft-fit leather headband and ear cups, they’re comfortable even for several hours of continuous use. Some folks mentioned that the ear cushions can get a bit warm, but that’s a common issue with over-ear headphones in general.

Connectivity and Versatility

These headphones are versatile with a range of connectivity options including Bluetooth 5.2. They work with voice assistants like Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri. The touch controls are generally reliable, although some users noted they're a bit sensitive at times.

Minor Issues to Consider

Like any product, they aren’t perfect. Some people reported occasional connectivity issues with the multipoint feature and felt the build was a bit fragile. While the noise cancellation is great, extremely loud sounds might still get through a bit.

Conclusion: A Worthwhile Upgrade?

Overall, if you value sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and useful features, the WH-1000XM5 is a solid upgrade from the XM4. Despite the higher price point, the advanced features and performance make it worth the investment for most people. If these features are important to you, upgrading is a sound choice.

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