Product highlights

closed-back, over-the-ear headphones with active noise cancellation 

flexible headband with large, breathable earcups 

generous cushioning on headband and earpads 

headband does not fold up 

Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity for wireless music listening and phone calls with compatible smartphone 

LDAC, SBC, and AAC decoding provides high-quality music streaming from compatible devices 

NFC-compatible for one-touch pairing with compatible devices 

multipoint connection for pairing to two devices at once 

dynamic 30mm drivers with carbon-fiber composite diaphragm domes 

tuned for clear, consistent sound across a wide frequency range 

DSEE Extreme™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) processing restores high-frequency signals to compressed digital formats 

uses artificial intelligence to dynamically recognize song elements and restore in real time 

dual-chip system includes the QN1 HD Noise Cancelling Processor and V1 Integrated Processor 

strengthens noise cancellation for human voices and other higher-frequency sounds 

active noise cancellation circuitry adjusts to the level of external sound 

four microphones in each earcup to capture ambient noise 

QN1 chip senses and adjusts to music and noise signals up to 700 times per second 

free Sony Headphones Connect app for Apple® and Android™ lets you adjust settings 

customize the sound and manually choose the level of noise cancellation 

20 steps of ambient sound control for allowing external sounds in 

personalized Sony 360 reality audio experience with select music services (firmware update required) 

Adaptive Sound Control uses movement sensors to adapt noise cancellation 

detects whether you're running, walking, standing still, or riding in a car (app required) 

barometric pressure sensor optimizes noise-canceling and sound to your altitude when in flight 

summon Alexa or Google Assistant by voice (on your smartphone) 

ask questions, dictate texts, and control music by voice 

available for Apple® and Android™ 

only one voice assistant can be set up at a time 

requires one-time setup through the Headphones Connect app  

earcup touch controls let you answer calls, play/pause music, skip tracks, and control volume 

Ambient awareness features: 

• "Quick Attention" turns off noise-canceling and engages ambient when you cover the right earcup with your hand 
• "Speak-to-chat" detects when you're speaking and automatically cuts off music and lets in external sounds 
• built-in microphone system for making calls with a smartphone 
• four-mic system filters out background noise for clearer calls 
• music automatically pauses when headphones are removed 
• built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 30 hours of wireless use with noise cancellation (40 hours without) 
• 3 minutes of recharging provides enough power for 3 hours of listening 
• includes USB-C cable for charging 
• 47" audio cable with 3.5mm plug for wired use 
• carrying case included 
• frequency response: 4-40,000 Hz (wired), 20-40,000 Hz (wireless, LDAC mode), 20-20,000 Hz (wireless, non-LDAC) 
• weight: 8.82 oz. 
• warranty: 1 year 

What's in the box

• Over-ear wireless headphones (silver) 
• 48" Audio cable (straight 3.5mm plug on one end and right-angled 3.5mm plug on other end) 
• 8" USB charging cable (Type A USB on one end and USB-C on other end) 
• Zippered hard storage case 
• Reference Guide 
• Limited Warranty sheet 
• Warning sheet (on exposure to water/sweat) 
• 360 Reality Audio promo card 

About this item

Written by Crutchfield's Jeff Miller

Sony's world-class, flagship noise-cancelers get a new look

A new release in Sony's "XM" noise-canceling headphone series is always a huge deal. But the WH-1000XM5 wireless over-ear headphones mark the company's first major makeover to the much-beloved line. They sport a sleek, industrial design that's completely new, while still maintaining — and in some cases enhancing — much of what we love about the super-popular H-1000XM4 headphones. 

WH-1000XM5 vs WH-1000XM4 — what's new?

You'll find the previous generation 'XM4s in more of my " est-of lists" than any other headphones, and they are one of our bestselling headphones ever. That's a lot for these 'XM5s to live up to. So along with the new cosmetic design, Sony's added a second processor chip and extra mics, and they've redesigned the drivers. Taken together, these upgrades give you better sound, phone call clarity, and noise-canceling performance.

Here's a closer look at the key upgrades and changes:

• Roomier earcups with more padding and a more flexible headband: I haven't auditioned the 'XM5 headphones yet, but the new redesign includes larger earcups with thicker, plusher ear pads. They're designed to improve the noise-isolating seal, without increasing pressure on the side of the head. The padded headband is also more pliable and slightly relaxed — but note that it will not fold up for travel, so the included case takes up more space.   
• Stronger noise-canceling circuitry: It's hard to imagine Sony's world-class noise cancellation getting any better, but it somehow improves with every generation of these headphones. This time around, they have two of their ground-breaking wireless processing chips on board — the QN1 and V1 chips. They also claim to better cancel out higher frequencies and voices thanks to new "Auto NC" algorithms and eight mics dedicated to hushing external sounds. These tiny mics "read the room" and optimize the noise cancellation for your surroundings in real time.
• Bluetooth 5.2: This is the latest and most reliable version of Bluetooth available, and it makes for a stronger connection to most phones and devices. Not only should it cut down on dreaded audio dropouts, but it should also make "multipoint connection" and moving between two devices even snappier. That allows you to pair, say, your laptop and phone simultaneously — a game changer for the office or working at home.    
• Hands-free "Hey Google" and "Alexa" support: The 'XM4s gave you the option to reconfigure the touch controls to immediately pull up Google Assistant or Alexa from your smartphone. You can do that with these headphones, too, but you can also set up Google Assistant or Alexa to activate via a voice command "wake word." It requires a one-time setup through Sony's Headphones Connect mobile app, a free download for Apple® and Android™. 
• Redesigned drivers: The 30mm drivers inside the 'XM5s may be physically smaller than the 40mm drivers inside the 'XM4s, but Sony says these headphones deliver a more spacious sound. That's notable, because the 'XM4s have a good-sized soundstage themselves. Inside the new 'XM5 drivers are diaphragm domes made of a light, rigid carbon fiber composite that can move quickly and accurately. It helps deliver more high-frequency detail without distortion, and what Sony says is a clearer, more refined sound overall — versus the extra bass emphasis you get from the 'XM4s.        

Completely personalized noise cancellation

Sony has used adaptive noise cancellation for a while now, and I've always found the circuitry very effective. And the new Auto NC Optimizer is their most advanced version yet. Special on-ear sensors detect whether you are moving or standing still — and even if you're wearing glasses or not. Another sensor monitors barometric pressure. So now Sony can automatically serve up noise cancellation that's optimized to the altitude of your flight during travel.

Sony's app lets you fine-tune the settings

The Headphones Connect app gives you direct control over what noises you let in or keep out. You can customize the level of noise cancellation or ambient sound based on your task, movement, or even location. In previous generations, I've found the ambient awareness mode great for walking the dog. It allowed some outside noise to seep in, so I could hear whenever a car came down my quiet cul-de-sac.

The app gives you a few other controls, too. For instance, you can customize the sound characteristics and tell the app to prioritize either connection stability or sound quality. (The former is helpful when competing with other wireless signals in a high-traffic area like an office or mall.)

A convenient way to hear others 

With all the new design touches and features, I'm glad to see Sony bring back the “Quick Attention” feature from the 'XM4. Simply place your hand over the right earcup to temporarily turn off the noise-canceling technology. Tiny built-in mics will pick up external sounds, so you can hear voices or your surroundings. 

The right earcup also has a snappy touch-sensitive panel. You control music, volume, and calls with a simple tap or swipe of your finger. 

Higher-quality streaming