Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones

I recently picked up the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, and while they come with a lot of hype, I must say my experience has been underwhelming in many ways. Here’s my honest take: Build Quality and Comfort: The first thing I noticed was the flimsy plastic build. Despite being marketed as a high-end product, the Sony WH-1000XM5 feels anything but luxurious. The plastic feels cheap and flimsy, and the overall design looks bulky, which doesn’t match the sleek aesthetic I was expecting. The earcups are tight on my ears, and within 40 minutes of wearing them, I start feeling the discomfort and heat building up. They’re simply not as comfortable as they should be for headphones at this price point. Phone Calls: Using these for phone calls has been a frustrating experience. Even after disabling active noise cancellation, I still struggle with mute issues and can’t hear my own voice clearly. This results in me unintentionally raising my voice, which not only makes the conversation awkward but also strains my throat. To manage this, I’ve had to slightly shift the headphones off my ears, which isn’t ideal. Sound Quality: I’ve been using the Sony WH-1000XM5 with my iPhone, and despite the support for LDAC, I wasn’t able to fully take advantage of its high-resolution audio because my iPhone doesn’t support LDAC. And even if I did have LDAC-compatible devices at home, the need for special hardware to support it makes it feel like a limited feature. For standard audio, the sound quality isn’t a huge improvement over my older Dr. Dre Beats headphones, which I bought back in 2017. There’s nothing that truly blows me away, and the difference isn’t as noticeable as I hoped. 360 Reality Audio: As for 360 Reality Audio, it’s not compatible with the music I already have in my library. To make use of this feature, I would need a premium subscription to services like Tidal or Deezer, which adds an extra cost. Unlike Apple headphones, which allow spatial audio with music already stored on my iPhone, Sony’s approach feels restrictive and less convenient. Application and Functionality: The Sony Headphones Connect app is nothing special to me. The notifications about random things, like “what time of the day it is”, feel unnecessary and annoying. Additionally, the auto-pause feature (music stops when you remove the headphones) and auto-shutoff after a period of inactivity seem more like gimmicks than practical features. These aren’t exclusive to the Sony headphones and are available on most modern headphones. They’re not a unique selling point. USB-C Issue: One of the most disappointing aspects of these headphones is the lack of USB-C support for audio. This limits the versatility of the headphones and prevents you from taking full advantage of their audio capabilities, especially when using them with other devices. It feels like a missed opportunity for better compatibility and sound quality. Final Thoughts: Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones don’t live up to the premium expectations. They feel uncomfortable, the sound quality isn’t revolutionary, and 360 Reality Audio and LDAC features seem underutilized for someone who uses standard devices like the iPhone. For the price, I expected more comfort and a noticeable sound upgrade compared to my older headphones, but sadly, they haven’t delivered. The application notifications and unimpressive auto features further detract from the experience. At this price point, I’d recommend looking into other options if you’re truly seeking audiophile-quality sound and comfort.