In the crowded landscape of premium noise-canceling headphones, Sony has long been the gold standard. With the release of the WH-1000XM5, Sony didn’t just iterate on their previous design; they completely reimagined what a flagship headphone should be. After spending several weeks testing these headphones in various environments, from bustling coffee shops to long-haul flights, it is clear that the WH-1000XM5 remains a top contender for the best noise-canceling headphones of 2024. But do the changes justify the price tag? Let’s dive into the details.
Design and Comfort
The most immediate change you will notice is the design. Sony has moved away from the folding mechanism of the XM4s to a sleek, minimalist, and single-hinge design. While this makes them slightly less portable, the build quality feels incredibly premium. The headband is now supported by a soft synthetic leather band that distributes weight evenly, while the ear cups are covered in soft, pressure-relieving material. For users who wear glasses, the clamping force has been reduced significantly, making these headphones comfortable enough for eight-hour work sessions without causing headaches.
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Audio Performance and Noise Cancellation
The core appeal of the WH-1000XM5 lies in its audio performance. Sony has replaced the 30mm drivers of the previous generation with new 30mm carbon fiber composite drivers. The result is a sound signature that is wider, clearer, and more dynamic than ever before. Bass is punchy but never muddy, mids are present and detailed, and highs are crisp without being harsh. When paired with LDAC codec support on Android devices, the audio quality rivals wired studio monitors.
However, the real magic happens with the noise cancellation. Equipped with eight microphones and two processors, the XM5s offer industry-leading active noise cancellation (ANC). In our tests, they effectively eliminated the drone of