8 Cons of WH-1000XM5 (Review 2024)

Let’s take a look at Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, where everything that shines isn’t necessarily gold.

Sony’s WH-1000XM series has gained popularity, but what about the WH-1000XM5? There are aspects that may leave you puzzled. If you’re more interested in truths than praise, this is the place for you. Let’s explore the downsides of the WH-1000XM5 with all the details.

If after considering these drawbacks, you still decide to buy the product, well done! You’re making a decision that you probably won’t regret!

Design and Portability

Non-Foldable Design: Brace yourself. These headphones do not fold. Seriously, who thought a non-foldable design was a good idea in 2024? The WH-1000XM4 folded up neatly and compactly. Now with the XM5? No, it’s quite rigid. This means you’ll need to carry around a bulkier case. For travelers, this could be quite inconvenient as it takes up space in your bag. Unlike the design of the WH-1000XM4, this one appears larger. It’s not very practical for daily use or travel as it unnecessarily adds bulk.

Large Carrying Case: Speaking of the case, it’s enormous. Compared to the sleek, compact case of the WH-1000XM4, this one feels like it’s on steroids. It’s impractical for daily use and travel, adding unnecessary bulk. The material? Not impressive. It’s less durable and harder to clean than the faux leather cases we’ve grown to love. This new case collects dirt and shows wear faster, making it look shabby in no time. Definitely not the premium experience you’d expect.

Build and Durability

Perceived Fragility: Sony decided to go plastic-heavy with the WH-1000XM5. Sure, it’s high-tech plastic, but it still feels flimsy compared to the robust metal components found in other high-end headphones. The floating earcup mechanism? Feels delicate, like it might snap if you’re not careful. For a premium price, you’d expect something sturdier, right?

Lightweight Feel: Light as a feather might sound good, but here it gives the headphones a cheap vibe. They lack that solid, premium feel. The plastic headband, despite its high-tech pedigree, doesn’t inspire confidence in its durability. It feels like it could crack with a bit of rough handling. For daily use, this is a concern that shouldn’t be ignored.

Comfort and Fit

Thinner Headband: Sony’s decision to slim down the headband? Not the best move. The narrower design creates pressure points on your head, making extended use uncomfortable. If you’re planning to wear these for hours, like on a long flight or during a marathon work session, you’ll start feeling that pressure. The synthetic leather headband is also thinner, adding to the discomfort. For a pair of headphones in this price range, comfort is key, and this misses the mark.

Sound and Audio Quality

Ambient Sound Mode: Let’s talk about the ambient sound mode. It’s a letdown. Users report that their own voice sounds strange and muffled, making conversations awkward. This mode should enhance ambient awareness, but instead, it falls flat, making interactions less natural.

EQ Limitations: The equalizer settings? Limited. No fully customizable EQ here. Audiophiles, brace yourselves – you can’t tweak the sound to your heart’s content. The new 30mm carbon fiber drivers offer a balanced sound, but some might miss the punchy bass and bold sound of the WH-1000XM4. It’s a subtle yet impactful difference that could change your listening experience.

Volume Levels: Another point – the WH-1000XM4 plays slightly louder at the same volume setting compared to the XM5. If you’re into bass-heavy tracks or just like your music loud, this is noticeable. The overall impact of the music isn’t the same, which can be disappointing for music enthusiasts.

Feature Limitations

Microphone Performance: Even with improvements, the microphone quality isn’t stellar. Echo issues and subpar background noise cancellation during calls persist. In noisy environments, some background noise still creeps in. For a premium headset, this is a letdown, especially if you rely on it for important calls.

App Dependence: Many features of the WH-1000XM5, like noise cancellation optimization and EQ settings, require the app. If you prefer a straightforward, plug-and-play experience, this dependency is annoying. Also, the NFC pairing feature from previous models is gone, making quick pairing more cumbersome. It’s a step back in convenience.

Battery and Charging

Short Charging Cable: The included USB-A to USB-C charging cable is laughably short. Depending on your charging setup, this might not be practical. It’s an oversight that impacts daily usability. And the battery life? Still at 30 hours, same as the WH-1000XM4. No improvement here, which is disappointing given the new design and features. Users expected better battery performance, but it’s just more of the same.

Bluetooth Latency and Gaming

Audio Delay in Gaming: Gamers, listen up. Significant latency over Bluetooth makes these headphones unsuitable for gaming, especially in fast-paced games. Using an aux cable helps, but it’s not ideal for competitive gaming. You need precise audio synchronization, and the XM5’s don’t deliver. It’s a critical drawback if gaming is your thing.

Price

Higher Price Point: Here’s the kicker – these headphones are priced at $400. That’s $50 more than the WH-1000XM4’s initial price. Given the relatively minor upgrades, it’s hard to justify the higher cost. The lack of substantial enhancements in key areas like battery life and build quality makes the WH-1000XM5 a tough sell compared to its predecessor and some competitors. You’re paying more, but are you really getting more? Not really.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it. The Sony WH-1000XM5, while continuing the series’ legacy of excellent noise cancellation, comes with a slew of downsides. From the non-foldable design and larger carrying case to the perceived fragility and discomfort of the thinner headband, these issues might make you think twice.

Add in the limitations in sound customization, microphone performance, and the dependency on the app, and the cons start to stack up. And let’s not forget the unchanged battery life, Bluetooth latency issues for gaming, and the higher price point. Weigh these cons against the pros and decide if these headphones meet your needs.

However, if after reading all these cons, you still want to buy the product, congratulations! You’re making a well-informed decision, and you won’t regret your purchase.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CsJZxfZsL0&pp=ygUWU29ueSBXSC0xMDAwWE01IHJldmlldw%3D%3D
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WTHBCZBt_E&pp=ygUWU29ueSBXSC0xMDAwWE01IHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8wG67oko7E&pp=ygUWU29ueSBXSC0xMDAwWE01IHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5rCUK8KmhQ&pp=ygUWU29ueSBXSC0xMDAwWE01IHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-nSZEtu_eg&pp=ygUWU29ueSBXSC0xMDAwWE01IHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZhn-Q5OhJw&pp=ygUWU29ueSBXSC0xMDAwWE01IHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zolOnpuOHaA&pp=ygUWU29ueSBXSC0xMDAwWE01IHJldmlldw%3D%3D