WH-1000XM5

"The XM5s sound really nice and overall much clearer and less boomy than the XM3s or XM4s."

While some find the out-of-the-box sound a bit bass-heavy or warm, most agree that the sound quality is excellent, especially after EQ adjustments, offering clarity and improved bass over predecessors.

"While I loved almost everything about the XM5, I found it uncomfortable at the headband area. It even gave me minor headaches after wearing for about an hour."

Comfort is a mixed bag, with many users finding the headphones uncomfortable for long sessions due to headband pressure, shallow earcups, and heat buildup, though some find them comfortable.

"Battery life is superb on the XM5s at 30 hours or 40 hours with no ANC/Transparency activated."

Users report excellent battery life, often exceeding expectations, with fast charging capabilities being a significant plus.

"XM5 feels cheap. There are lot of reports of broken hinges and are not covered under warranty."

Concerns about build quality are prevalent, with users reporting material peeling near hinges and a general feeling of cheapness, despite some users having no hinge issues.

"the XM5s edge out the AirPods Max in the ability to literally make you sound like you’re in a quiet room despite there being wind or noises in the background."

The microphone performance is highly praised, especially in noisy environments, with users noting it makes them sound like they are in a quiet room.

"App support is a landslide victory to the XM5s with the ability to manually update the headphone, adjust EQ, set listening modes based on activity or location, view listening habits, adjust playback and ambient mode controls, etc."

The headphones offer robust app features, good connectivity, and useful functions like speak-to-chat, though some users express frustration with the lack of USB-C data transfer and older Bluetooth codec limitations.

"The stock sound was quite muffled and muddy, but luckily EQ really brings out the Mids and Treble quite well."

While the sound is described as rich and customizable with EQ, the stock tuning is often called muddy or veiled, requiring adjustments for optimal clarity and balance.

"However, those with narrower faces felt their ears ached and were squished after an hour."

The headphones are generally comfortable for many, but a significant number of users report discomfort, particularly those with smaller heads, due to shallow earcups and an uncomfortable fit.

"The Sony WH-1000XM5 is rated at 30 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is above average for its class."

Battery life is generally considered good and sufficient for long listening sessions, though some note it's not as long as some competitors.

"The questionable build quality, especially around the hinges, worries me a little for a headphone of this price range."

The build is frequently criticized for feeling too plasticky and less premium than expected for the price point, with some concerns about hinge durability.

"Phone calls don't get much better than the Sony WH-1000XM5."

Call quality is consistently highlighted as a major strength, with reviewers noting exceptionally clear voice pickup even in noisy environments.

"Incredible customization and reliable Bluetooth connectivity help make the Sony easy to use, even if the touch controls are finicky."

The headphones offer robust features like Multipoint connectivity, a comprehensive app for customization, and reliable Bluetooth, though some features like Speak-to-Chat are considered gimmicky by some.

"I bought the XM5 and finally understood what true high-fidelity sounds like. This is a premium product and worth every penny."

While many users enjoy the sound quality, finding it amazing, great, and an improvement, some describe it as muddy out of the box and prefer the XM4's drivers or find it comparable to phone speakers.

"I've had the XM4’s - wear them for up to 8 hours a day with absolutely no discomfort. One of the best technology investments I’ve ever made, hands down!"

The headphones are frequently described as very comfortable, lightweight, and suitable for long listening sessions, though some users report ear fatigue or warmth after extended use.

"I wore these for three hours straight and experienced no discomfort at all. My ears are relatively small (as a female) so perhaps these are more perfect for me than the reviewer who has larger ears. As for battery life, after charging them to 100% and using them for 6 hours, I have 80% of battery life left."

Battery life is consistently reported as excellent, lasting for long flights and multiple days of use without issue.

"My XM5 hinge failed during normal use while the headset was still under warranty. The warranty claim was denied and I was asked to pay ₹4,830 for repair after the issue was classified as “external damage”."

While some appreciate the premium feel and lack of folding hinges for durability, a significant number of users report issues with hinges breaking, plastic creaking, or overall cheap-feeling materials for the price.

"Mic quality is also vastly improved on the XM5 on both ends."

Call quality is generally seen as improved over previous models, with users noting it's decent and can block background noise, though some find it less impressive when outdoors.

"The way I can have it paired to my laptop and my phone simultaneously and it'll switch back and forth on the fly depending on which device is outputting sound to it (fairly useful during the workday)."

Users appreciate features like multi-device pairing and touch controls, but some find the app outdated and connectivity can occasionally be problematic.