Everyone and their mom recommends these headphones. Every “best of” list, every YouTuber, every tech blogger. So I finally got a pair to see what the fuss was about.
Short version: they’re really good. But there are some things nobody talks about.
First impressions
The big design change from the XM4 is that these don’t fold anymore. They just swivel flat. I thought this wouldn’t bother me but it actually does - they take up more space in my bag now.
The case is slimmer though, which helps a bit.
Build feels more plasticky than I expected at this price. Not bad, just… not premium feeling. The XM4 actually felt more solid somehow.
Comfort
OK this is where they really shine. I can wear these for an entire workday and forget they’re there.
The ear cushions are super soft and don’t get hot. The headband pressure is just right - enough to stay on your head but not enough to cause that “clamping” headache you get from some headphones.
I’ve done 6+ hour zoom days with these. No issues.
Sound
They sound great. Not much more to say really.
Bass is present but not overwhelming. Vocals are clear. I’m not an audiophile so I can’t tell you about the “soundstage width” or whatever, but music sounds good, podcasts sound good, movies sound good.
If you have a phone that supports LDAC (most Android phones), you get better quality than regular Bluetooth. iPhone doesn’t support it though, so you’re stuck with AAC.
Noise cancelling
This is Sony’s thing and yeah, it’s impressive.
On planes, the engine drone basically disappears. Coffee shops become silent. That one coworker who talks too loud? Gone.
It adapts to your environment automatically which sounds gimmicky but actually works. There are 8 microphones doing… something. I don’t understand the tech but the results speak for themselves.
Best ANC I’ve used. The only thing that comes close is the AirPods Max.
Phone calls
The XM4 was straight up bad for calls. Like, people would complain they couldn’t hear me.
These are much better. Not perfect - outdoor calls with wind are still iffy - but totally usable for work calls now. They added some AI noise reduction thing that makes a real difference.
Battery
30 hours with ANC on. That’s ridiculous. I charge these maybe once a week.
There’s a quick charge feature too - 3 minutes gets you 3 hours of playback. Saved me more than once when I forgot to charge before a flight.
vs AirPods Max
Everyone asks this.
AirPods Max has better build quality. Like noticeably better - it feels like a premium product. Sound is a bit different too, more “fun” sounding with punchier bass.
But the Sony has better battery life (30 vs 20 hours), better ANC (slightly), and costs less. Also, if you’re not on iPhone, the AirPods lose a lot of their features.
My take: Sony if you want the best overall package. AirPods Max if you’re deep in Apple’s ecosystem and want something that feels luxurious.
The annoying stuff
- No folding. Mentioned this already but it really does make them less portable
- Touch controls are finicky. I accidentally skip songs when I’m just adjusting them on my head
- The plasticky feel at this price is disappointing
- They’re $350-400 depending on sales. Not cheap.
Should you get them?
If you travel a lot, work in noisy environments, or just want really good wireless headphones - yes. They’re the safe choice. You won’t be disappointed.
If you already have XM4s and they’re working fine? Probably not worth upgrading. The improvements are nice but not dramatic.
If budget is a concern, the XM4s go on sale for like $200-250 now and are still excellent.
Bottom line
The XM5 is probably the “best” wireless headphone for most people. Best ANC, great sound, incredible battery, comfortable enough for all-day wear.
Are they perfect? No. The build quality could be better and I miss the folding design. But if I could only have one pair of wireless headphones, these would be it.
These go on sale fairly often - worth checking current prices before paying full retail.