Hi there – as a tech professional and audiophile, I was eagerly awaiting the release of Sony’s next-generation WH-1000XM5 noise canceling headphones. On paper, these seemed to promise significant leaps over popular predecessors like the WH-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM4 models.
However, since their launch, reviews have been mixed. While reviewers praise aspects like sound quality and comfort, several consistent complaints about the XM5 have left some fans underwhelmed.
In this in-depth guide, I’ll analyze the 8 most common complaints about the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. Comparing them to past Sony models and the competition where relevant, you’ll get the full story on how these premium headphones deliver – and fall short.
Equipped with this complete picture, you can determine if the $400 WH-1000XM5 upgrade is worth it for you or if you‘re better served saving money with an older generation.
Let‘s dive in!
Overview: Do the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones Live Up to Expectations?
Sony makes big claims about the WH-1000XM5 as the "new standard in noise canceling excellence." Powered by a new integrated processor V1 chip, Sony promises these flagship headphones deliver:
- Breakthrough noise canceling able to eliminate 30% more high-frequency sound
- Next-level listening experience aided by premium drivers and supporting hardware
- Superior call quality enabled by precise voice pickup and AI processing
On paper, it sounds like significant progress – the pinnacle of noise-canceling headphone innovation. However, testing shows reality doesn‘t completely match the marketing hype:
- The fancy new hardware delivers only minor noise canceling improvements
- Hands-on reviews reveal various flaws and drawbacks
- Key Changes negatively impact aspects like comfort and portability
- Upgrades seem too incremental to warrant the premium price tag
In this guide, we’ll closely analyze the 8 most common Sony WH-1000XM5 complaints raised on expert review sites and consumer forums.
Getting granular on precisely where and how the Sony WH-1000XM5 disappoint expectations helps inform your buying decision. Delving into real customer pain points aids our headphone quest!
Now, let’s start breaking down the major areas where reviewers and users found the XM5 model lacking:
Complaint 1: Plasticky and Cheap Physical Design
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones sport a plastic resin composite build for reduced weight. However, the materials used severely cheapen the look and feel, especially for the $400 price point.
Reviewers widely pan the plasticky aesthetic as out of line for premium headphones:
- What HiFi? calls the build quality “cheap plastic” that leaves "a slightly disappointing first impression.”
- TechRadar says the plastic body “lacks a luxury feel” next to the metal/leather accents of past Sonys and competing Bose headphones
- CNET finds them “almost toy-like” in hand feel compared to others
lightweight definitely aids comfort. But Sony seems to have prioritized functionality too heavily over sophisticated industrial design expected in upscale electronics.
How do you feel about the materials used here? For $400, I expect a more refined, luxe look and feel. There are sacrifices, but plastic seems a compromise too far.
Verdict:
For what consumers are asked to pay, premium materials should feature. Sony cut the wrong corner.
Complaint 2: Underwhelming ANC Improvements
Industry-leading active noise cancellation made Sony’s 1000X line famous. So each new model faces immense expectations on ANC advances.
Sony talks up the WH-1000XM5 upgrades like revolutionary processors for dramatic ambient noise reduction. But how much better are they in reality?
Testing shows a maximum 30% high frequency improvement vs Sony WH-1000XM4 – barely noticeable per reviews
Here’s how reviewers summarize ANC quality:
- PCMag finds changes “not a massive upgrade” over already great predecessors
- WhatHiFi? says upgrades merely “fine-tunes an already class-leading package.”
- CNET thinks ANC “5-10% more effective” – nice but "not a quantum leap" by any means
So while ANC refinements exist, it’s hardly the game-changer advertised. Not meaningfully better than Bose or Sony’s own past efforts.
I expected revolutionary gains that never materialized. For ancillary sound damping, competitors continue keeping pace with Sony.
Verdict:
Over promised, under delivered. Noise cancellation quality unfortunately fails expectations.
Complaint 3: Reduced Portability and Ergonomics
A polarizing change, Sony altered the way WH-1000XM5 headphones fold…and not for the better.
Unlike predecessors collapsing neatly flat, the WH-1000XM5 earcups now jut out at an angle when folded:
Folded headphones now less compact
While subtle, reviews note true portability and in-bag footprint suffers:
- TechRadar finds the new angled fold “strange” making them "fairly sizable" in bags
- Wired reports the altered foldability "reduces overall portability"
- Digital Trends flags the lack of flat folding a “downgrade” from past editions
For frequent travelers and commuters needing to stash headphones away, it’s a perplexing ergonomics downgrade.
I’m disappointed Sony disturbed a previous winning formula here. Our headphones must travel unfazed! This area leaves much to be desired now.
What do you make of the folding changes? Dealbreaker for your on-the-go usage?
Verdict:
ogenous improvements shouldn‘t create new issues. Sony failed on delivering true mobility advances.
Complaint 4: Lack of Granular ANC Controls
Sony bills the WH-1000XM5 headphones as smart. Powered by integrated processing V1 silicon, that intelligence auto-tunes ambient noise cancellation levels on the fly.
However, missing from the equation is manual user control:
Minimal controls mean no custom ANC tuning
With no way to fine tune ANC intensity, you remain at the mercy of Sony’s algorithms which occasionally falter.
Here’s how reviewers critique the lack of manual overrides:
- Wired wants "more granular control”, finding the forced automation “perplexing”
- TechRadar reports the system “doesn’t always get it right”, leaving you powerless
- TrustedReviews flags the omission of granular settings a “shame”
For ANC to shine, personalized optimization seems essential. What situations have you experienced subpar noise cancellation? More control capability would help target those weak spots.
Verdict:
In an otherwise advanced ecosystem, missing customization delivers rare disadvantages.
Complaint 5: Fiddly, Imprecise Touch Controls
Like their predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM5 feature touch gestures for device control – no physical buttons. Tap, swipe and touch regions let you manage playback, volume, calls etc.
It’s a sleek system…when it works. Accuracy issues plague the capacitive surfaces in practice per reviews:
- Engadget finds touch controls “fidgety” with “false inputs” happening
- TechRadar reports the interface “too sensitive”, causing “accidental taps” regularly
- CNET describes gestures as “imprecise”, noting difficulty pulling off intended taps
While modern when operational, the hyper-sensitive touch controls need refinement before seamless.
In my experience, give me tactile buttons any day for precision input! Though innovative touches excite, tried and true wins for reliability.
What’s your take – are fiddly touch controls a dealbreaker? Or practice makes perfect?
Verdict:
Technology for technology‘s sake backfires here. Legacy approaches suffice better currently in areas.
Complaint 6: Fit Could Be Problematic for Large Heads
A stable, customized fit makes or breaks headphones, influencing overall performance. Here, changes impacting comfort, seal and clamping pressure give cause for concern.
Rather than the familiar expanding headband strap, Sony incorporated a new rigid telescope arm system:
Telescoping design less adaptive to oversized noggins
For those extra endowed up top, flexibility suffers as reviews confirm:
- Android Central warns the arms “may not open wide enough for larger heads”
- Wired reports the headset “doesn‘t fit very large heads as comfortably”
- The Verge flags “issues getting a decent seal” around bigger skulls in testing
I suspect long-term durability improvements motivated Sony’s redesign. However, comfort compromises seem a cost. If your cranium skews big, I’d recommend trying these headphones on first before purchasing!
How’s your head size – any related fit struggles to share?
Verdict:
Significant ergonomics limitations introduced for a non-trivial portion of prospective user base.
Complaint 7: Quality Control Concerns
When you invest $400 in a premium product like the Sony WH-1000XM5, perfection is the expectation. But scattered buyer complaints signal worrisome QA issues cropping up.
Problem areas like poor Bluetooth connectivity, random power shutdowns in use, and dead units straight out of the box concern:
- Reddit users report “constant Bluetooth dropout every 5 mins” rendering cables necessary
- Amazon reviews mention “shut off randomly” failures within days of use
- Best Buy customers received “DOA” units that simply never turned on
While not widespread, such defects appearing at all in $400 flagship headphones gives pause. Here’s hoping Sony addresses with prompt firmware fixes!
In your experience, have you dealt with glitchy connectivity or reliability problems? How much leeway is acceptable?
Verdict:
Sporadic flaws souring limited buyers undermine confidence in quality safeguards.
Complaint 8: WH-1000XM4 Cheaper and Nearly As Capable
Here’s an interesting wrinkle – since the WH-1000XM5‘s launch, you can now find WH-1000XM4 deals $100+ cheaper:
Savings galore on previous near-identical model
For just incremental upgrades in areas like ANC, such savings on the still excellent predecessor give serious pause.
Reviewers praise the savings potential while questioning the value proposition of the latest model:
- CNET finds "for some, the XM4 will be the better bargain" thanks to discounts
- Wired says the new model "doesn’t add enough" revolutionary features to compel upgrading
- The Verge suggests most "can save some money by opting for the XM4s instead"
When virtually no downgrade occurs sticking with past generation hardware thanks to fire sale prices, satisfaction with minimal evolution hits challenges.
Does saving $100+ appeal to you as well for extremely comparable utility? Or are you hooked on owning the shiniest new gadget?
Verdict:
With predecessors massively discounted without drawbacks, value judgment favors legacy options currently. New tech premium exorbitant.
The Bottom Line: Sony WH-1000XM5 Still Shines With Caveats
The Sony WH-1000XM5, while an impressive noise canceling headphone, comes with non-trivial drawbacks. Underwhelming upgrades in key areas like ANC coupled with ergonomic downgrades make them a questionable investment.
Reviewers agree that these remain top-tier headphones in the category, but the lack of meaningful improvements leaves the still-fantastic WH-1000XM4 as better bang for buck.
Before jumping to Sony’s latest and greatest, scrutinize if promised advances matter for your actual usage. Audiophiles expecting revolution over past Sony models may leave disappointed. Casual listeners won’t gain much benefit either from the XM5 upgrade.
Thanks for sticking through this deep dive! I aimed to spotlight precisely how and where the Sony WH-1000XM5 falls short of expectations – but still remains a capable noise-canceling headphone option nonetheless if shortcomings don’t bother you.
What final takeaways or questions persist for you on these polarizing new Sony headphones? I welcome any feedback or discussion!
