Overall Score: 9.4/10
- Industry Leading noise cancellation-two processors control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation. With Auto…
- Industry-leading call quality with our Precise Voice Pickup Technology uses four beamforming microphones and an AI-based…
- Magnificent Sound, engineered to perfection with the new Integrated Processor V1
₹27,030
Reviewed October 2024 · By: EditorSony's 1000XM series has long been the benchmark for wireless noise-cancelling headphones. Since the XM3, each generation has felt like a leap rather than a shuffle. The WH-1000XM5, launched in May 2022, represents a bold architectural rethink — a completely new design language, upgraded internal hardware, and Sony's most sophisticated ANC system yet. Now available in India at a street price of approximately ₹26,499 to ₹29,999 (down from its launch price of ₹34,990), this is an even more compelling buy than it was at launch. But how does it hold up in 2025, especially with the newer XM6 now in the market? Let's find out.
Design & Build Quality
The XM5 marks the most significant visual overhaul the series has ever seen. Gone is the familiar folding design of the XM3 and XM4. In its place is a cleaner, more streamlined aesthetic — a tubular headband structure that bears a passing resemblance to the Bose 700 series. The earcups now fold flat in a single direction rather than folding in completely. This is both a design upgrade (the case is easier to use) and a step back (the case is notably larger and less travel-friendly than the XM4's).
The headphones weigh just 250g — actually 5g lighter than the XM4 — which is impressive given their size. The new soft-fit leather earpads are noticeably plusher than before and create a very effective acoustic seal around most ear shapes. The headband padding is equally generous. Extended listening sessions of 4–5 hours rarely result in discomfort, which is a genuine achievement for full-sized over-ears.
Where the XM5 draws criticism is in perceived build quality. The plastic hinges and outer earcup surfaces feel somewhat lightweight relative to the ₹30,000+ price tag. Multiple reviewers globally — and a pattern visible on Reddit and eBay — note hinge fragility as a recurring issue with this model. Indian buyers on Amazon.in report no significant concerns with day-to-day durability, but this is clearly a premium product that warrants careful handling.
Active Noise Cancellation — The Star of the Show
This is where the WH-1000XM5 genuinely earns its reputation. Armed with 8 microphones and 2 integrated processors (the QN1 and a new dedicated ANC processor), the XM5 delivers noise attenuation of up to 31dB in the low-to-mid frequency range — enough to reduce the perceived loudness of engines, traffic, and HVAC systems to roughly one-eighth of their original level. In independent lab tests by SoundGuys, it outperformed all prior XM generations and matched the Bose QuietComfort Ultra as the best ANC available in its price class.
In real-world conditions — Mumbai local trains, open-plan offices, busy cafés — the ANC is transformative. Low-frequency rumbles (train engines, air conditioners, aircraft cabins) are almost entirely eliminated. Mid-frequency voices are substantially reduced. The 20+ levels of ANC customisation via the Sony Sound Connect app let you dial in exactly how much isolation you want, including mixing in controlled amounts of ambient sound through the excellent Transparency Mode (Ambient Sound Mode). This granularity of control over your sonic environment remains unmatched in its class.
The Auto NC Optimizer feature is particularly useful — it automatically fine-tunes the noise cancelling based on your environment and whether you're wearing glasses, eliminating the tiny sound leaks that glasses frames can create around the earcup seal.
Sound Quality
The XM5 sounds engaging and immersive out of the box, but it is not without flaws. The default sound signature is warm and bass-forward, with a dark treble and a slightly recessed upper-midrange. This gives pop, hip-hop, and electronic music a satisfying, full-bodied presentation, but classical, jazz, and rock genres can feel a bit muted and veiled straight from the factory.
The good news: the Sony Sound Connect app includes a detailed custom EQ with multiple bands, and a modest adjustment — reducing the bass by a few dB and lifting the upper mids/treble — transforms the sound into something genuinely impressive. Indian Amazon reviewers consistently note that post-EQ sound quality is 'excellent' and 'superbly detailed.' The LDAC Bluetooth codec (supported on Android) allows for near-lossless wireless transmission at up to 990kbps, which noticeably improves resolution and soundstage width for compatible devices. Apple users will be limited to AAC, which is still very good but doesn't quite match LDAC's ceiling.
Soundstage is intimate rather than expansive, and imaging accuracy is high — instruments are well-separated and placed convincingly. Bass response is textured and punchy rather than muddy, once EQ is applied. For casual listeners not interested in EQ, the out-of-box sound is still enjoyable — just not particularly refined or neutral.
Call Quality
The XM5 uses 4 beamforming microphones with Sony's Precise Voice Pickup Technology, calibrated to isolate the user's voice from surrounding noise. This system is genuinely impressive: multiple Indian Amazon reviewers explicitly call out the microphone performance as 'decent even in the middle of heavy traffic.' In our research, call quality tested in busy airport environments showed voices coming through cleanly and clearly on the receiving end. This is arguably the XM5's most underappreciated strength — it's one of the best calling headsets available at any price point in the over-ear category.
Battery Life
Sony rates the XM5 at 30 hours with ANC on and 40 hours with ANC off. In practice, independent tests consistently exceeded these figures — one test clocked 31 hours 53 minutes with ANC enabled at 50% volume. For most users, a full charge lasts 1–2 weeks of daily commuting and work use. A 3-minute fast charge via USB-C provides 3 hours of playback — a lifesaver for the morning rush.
There is one important caveat: the USB PD fast charger is not included in the box. The supplied charger charges at standard speed. If fast charging is important to you, budget for a USB Power Delivery adapter separately.
Features & App
The Sony Sound Connect app (formerly Sony Headphones Connect) is one of the most feature-rich companion apps in the category. Beyond EQ, it offers listening mode shortcut customisation, Speak-to-Chat (which pauses music automatically when you start talking), Adaptive Sound Control (which shifts between ANC and Ambient modes based on your activity), and DSEE Extreme upscaling for compressed audio. The app has a learning curve — first-time users report feeling overwhelmed by the feature density — but power users will appreciate the granularity. The XM5 also supports simultaneous connection to two Bluetooth devices, Google Fast Pair for Android, and multipoint switching, though full multipoint audio sharing is not as seamless as on some competitors.
Value in the Indian Market
At the current discounted price of ₹26,499–₹29,999, the XM5 represents exceptional value compared to its global launch price. It now sits meaningfully below the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (₹35,000+) while offering comparable — and in some dimensions superior — noise cancellation. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 (₹26,000–₹29,000) is its most direct competitor in India on price and offers better out-of-box sound neutrality and a much longer rated battery life (60 hours), but cannot match the XM5's ANC depth or call quality.
PROS
- Best-in-class ANC
- 30hr battery life
- Crystal-clear call quality
- Lightweight & comfortable
CONS
- Non-foldable design
- Expensive at ₹29,990
- No IP rating
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
| Sound Quality | 9.6/10 |
| ANC Performance | 10/10 |
| Comfort & Build | 8.8 / 10 |
| Battery Life | 9/10 |
| Value for Money | 8.2/10 |
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| Driver Size | 30mm Dynamic |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2, LDAC, multipoint |
| Battery | 30 hrs ANC on / 40 hrs off |
| Weight | 250g |
| Mic | 4 beamforming mics + AI noise reduction |
Our Verdict
If you’re spending ₹25,000–₹35,000 on headphones, the WH-1000XM5 is the obvious answer. No other pair in this price range combines ANC, sound quality, battery life, and comfort this well. The non-foldable design is the only real gotcha, but for most buyers, it won’t matter.
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