The consumer electronics market is becoming a ferociously competitive space when it comes to the best-selling true wireless product category, and active noise cancellation (ANC) is the technology that defines who's in the lead. For every technology accomplishment, the leading manufacturers are able to design a product that sets the bar a bit higher, and every detail matters when it comes to dispute the top five ANC products globally.
Following its successful predecessor, the WF-1000XM4, the new WF-1000XM5 raises Sony's own standards with improvements in driver technology and even call quality, which the Japanese company defines as its best ever, despite being a smaller and lighter design. The radio is now Bluetooth 5.3 Class 2 (10 meters range) dual mode, ready for Bluetooth LE Audio with support for the mandatory LC3 codec, apart from supporting SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 over Bluetooth Classic.
The WF-1000XM5 earbuds combine this cutting-edge technology and premium sound quality with the best noise-canceling performance, thanks in great measure to Sony's own real-time audio processors. Those are supported by high-performance microphones and a new specially designed driver unit, Dynamic Driver X, achieving "wide frequency reproduction, deep bass, and more detailed vocals," Sony says.
How does Sony manage to achieve a significant improvement in noise cancellation? Basically the WF-1000XM5 earbuds use every single trick in the book (and the latest advancements) by acting over a wider bandwidth and using the two proprietary processors to cancel more external noise than ever based on the information of dual feedback microphones. On the passive side, the new Noise-Isolation Earbud Tips also help support the real-time noise canceling processing by enhancing the response from the new Dynamic Driver X high-performance driver.
The WF-1000XM5 now feature three microphones on each earbud, including dual feedback mics, which improve low-frequency cancellation performance. Newly developed by Sony, the Integrated Processor V2 unlocks the potential of the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN2e, both in the 24-bit realm and complemented with high-performance analog amplification. The unique combination of technology controls the six microphones, across both ears, to deliver unprecedented noise-canceling quality that can be adapted to any environment.
The specially designed Dynamic Driver X is able to reproduce lower frequencies, thanks to a new dome-edge separation structure that combines different materials, allowing for a more accurate generation of cancellation waves in lower frequencies. At the same time, the drivers deliver richer and more detailed information thanks to the diaphragm structure with different materials for the dome and the edge, achieving low distortion and a clear sound quality.
Also according to Sony, the new WF-1000XM5 will not disappoint those in search of the magic of High-Resolution Audio Wireless, maintaining the LDAC Bluetooth codec streaming 24-bit/96kHz at 990 kbps from compatible sources. And using Edge-AI, DSEE Extreme upscales compressed digital music files in real-time, including those from popular streaming services. The algorithm dynamically recognizes each song's instrumentation, musical genre, and individual elements, and tries to restore high-range and sound detail lost in compression.
And Sony is also pushing forward with its own efforts to deliver spatial audio and offer a complete immersive experience with Sony 360 Reality Audio sources and devices. New head tracking ensures a realistic and compelling listening experience by automatically adjusting sound fields to compensate for head movement. This makes sounds precisely aligned with the smartphone screen or playing source, even as the head moves. Users can experience spatial sound content from Netflix, or YouTube with Android 13 smartphones capable of head tracking, depending on the smartphone. 360 Reality Audio content is available through Xperia 1V on 360 Reality Audio Live app, nugs.net or TIDAL.
And thanks to the advanced audio signal processing and Precise Voice Pickup Technology, Sony also claims big progress on call quality, even when in noisy situations. The WF-1000XM5's noise reduction algorithm was developed with AI machine learning using more than 500 million voice samples to suppress ambient noise, increase accuracy, and extract your voice clearly in various environments.
To help with the voice capture, Sony uses bone conduction sensors to pick up the vibration of the user's voice directly from skull bones, helping to isolate speech from ambient sounds and background noise. This is the secret recipe for clear calls even in loud environments. The AI-based noise-reduction algorithm based on Deep Neutral Network (DNN) processing combines with the bone conduction sensors to allow voice to come through clear and natural even in a noisy environment. The WF-1000XM5 also has a wind noise-reduction structure and a mesh wrap in the microphone that will minimize noise during calls so the user can be heard clearly in windy conditions.
Comfortable Design
The new Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are more compact and refined, and feature an improved, glossy texture that Sony says will feel more luxurious and fit comfortably in the ears while helping to keep out external sounds. By downsizing the earbud body and optimizing the placement of the components, the earbud is now approximately 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the WF-1000XM4 earbuds. The size of the charging case has also been reduced, so it will fit even more pockets.
The already mentioned Noise-Isolation Earbud Tips feature a unique polyurethane foam material which reduces noise in the high-frequency range. Soft and elastic, they maximize the contact area between the earbud tip and the ear canal, insulating sound and reducing noise. The new tips also improve adhesion to the ear canal for a more secure, stable fit.
The shape of the WF-1000XM5 earbuds is also a more ergonomic design for a more stable fit, perfected from extensive ear-shape data collated since introducing the world's first in-ear earbuds in 1982. "Sony's continuous evaluation of different ear shapes and sensitivities has helped design an ideal earbud shape, secure and comfortable for almost everybody," the company says.
And when updating the platform, Sony didn't forget anything in the WF-1000XM5 earbuds, including novelties such as Auto Play and audio notifications based on the usage profile. Music plays at preferred times, such as when starting to walk for a break, and audio notification remind the user of any important events, allowing the phone to stay in the pocket. Auto Play needs to be configured with Spotify, Endel or Apple Music, in line with the WH 1000XM5. The Auto Play app is in beta phase, meaning its features and benefits are subject to change and improve.
For those looking for new entertainment options beyond music and movies, the WF-1000XM5 uses new sensors and spatial sound technology to deliver immersive sound for Augmented Reality games like "Ingress" from Niantic. When playing "Ingress" with the WF-1000XM5, sensor and spatial sound technologies deliver a new experience: using head tracking, the sound is conveyed from different directions to line up perfectly with the action on the screen.
The WF-1000XM5 also presents Sony's popular features like Adaptive Sound Control and Speak-to-Chat as well as Multipoint Connect that lets users pair two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. These earbuds utilize the powerful new Integrated Processor V2, which transmits the Bluetooth signal simultaneously to and from both ears, so user can enjoy a more stable sound. And to add to the list, in just one tap, the WF-1000XM5 enables quick, effortless Bluetooth pairing with Android devices.
Voice activate commands allow hands-free features with "Ok Google" or "Alexa" activating the preferred voice assistant. Voice even allows controlling music, making calls, set reminders, and control the features of the earbuds, like noise cancellation.
Because they are smaller, battery didn't improve much, but effectively still delivers 8 hours in the earbuds plus up to 16 hours of charging in the case. And, for convenience, a 3-minute quick charge will now offer up to 60 minutes of play. Qi technology (charger sold separately) offers easy wireless charging which is not fast. The latest Sony Xperia smartphone models with Qi technology have battery share function allowing to charge the earbuds in their charging case.
The WF-1000XM5 earbuds are water-resistant with an IPX4 rating, use recycled plastic materials, and adopt Sony's proprietary paper Original Blended Material for the packaging. Original Blended Material is a paper material made from bamboo, sugarcane fibers, and post-consumer recycled paper.
The WF-1000XM5 are available in black and silver for $299.99 MSRP USD/ and are available for pre-order at Sony.com and other authorized dealers including Best Buy and Amazon.
With the product launch, Sony is also launching a new brand tagline "For The Music" for its audio products, affirming itself as a premier audio brand connecting creators and music lovers.
www.sony.com
