Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling

[Hubert481]

People’s ears are different. Not all will hear the same. Condescend all you want, but using my NW-A55 vs iPhone 11 Pro, we noted more differences in the mids. If you don’t hear differently, got it.

A difference does not always mean better sound
which phone had better sound?

 

[tcellguy]

Any idea on how to adjust these so that all the weight isn't focused on 1 cm on the very top of your head?

No repositioning seems to fix the top of head pain I get after about 10-30 minutes.

I think this is related to the very low clamp force on these and due to the very thin and poorly padded headband.

 

[starepiernikowe]

Wow. Sarcasm much?

In my last several posts I have agreed that for some LDAC won't matter because it isn't supported on their phones.

I have and will continue to disagree with calling LDAC snake oil or marketing hype as I do prefer it. But I also acknowledged that others might not agree.

Seems that may have offended. Not my intent.

I happened upon this thread hoping to see what I could learn about the XM5. Probably will come back another time

Knowledge comes from discussion.
Let's not be afraid of it.
One of the purposes of a lossy audio codec is to achieve perceptual audio transparency.
As many tests over the years shown, transparency is achieved by correct codec design and implementation, not amount of bitrate.
It's a general knowledge that modern implementation audio codecs at bitrates above 300 kbps in 99,999% are perceptually transparent.

So, in those terms; making an audio lossy codec at 900kbps, one can say it is in fact a "snake oil".
If there is an audible difference in the final product between those codecs; it must be purposeful by the designing company.

I will say that for me, ldac is more metallic but has a bit more air to it.
I'm also aware, that this can be a placebo, because of the lag when switching, and the fact that I know I'm switching it.
I would argue, differences if any, are because headphones are designed this way.
Not because of codec quality.
Which is entirely my point.

 

[starepiernikowe]

Any idea on how to adjust these so that all the weight isn't focused on 1 cm on the very top of your head?

No repositioning seems to fix the top of head pain I get after about 10-30 minutes.

I think this is related to the very low clamp force on these and due to the very thin and poorly padded headband.

Hello, nope unfortunately.
Maybe buy something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Geekria-Compatible-MDR-CD900ST-Replacement-Installation/dp/B012MAO7WW

 

[The1Signature]

I personally don't have good opinion about LDAC.
Good audio codec implementation at 300+ bitrate at which SBC HD transmits is sufficient enough for high quality audio.
Considering that all the data later is processed with ANC.
And any lossy codec implemented right; at bitrates above 300 kbps is 99,999% perceptually transparent.
On the other hand, if there were lossless transmission of audio data.
And all that lossless data inside the headphones get to be processed with ANC, than I would say that maybe it's worth trying it out.

colleagues in my office sometimes take my xm4 (in th past) or xm5 (today) and listen to a couple of songs via my samsung s22 utltra / ldac. they then connect it with their iphone and are confused why "it sounds different"...

Pick 100 people off the street and hand them a pair or M5s and android phone and I'd wager most would be on best effort getting something akin to AAC or SBC quality and would not be able to tell the difference.

my example from above happened around 10 times at work.

Hopefully you and others understand that these headphones are tuned differently. The codec question is relevant if you compare the same headphones with the same music, same source, volume matched, and only vary the codec…. You may like one headphone over the other simply due to tuning differences…

exactly, otherwise you compare apples with pears.

 

[starepiernikowe]

colleagues in my office sometimes take my xm4 (in th past) or xm5 (today) and listen to a couple of songs via my samsung s22 utltra / ldac. they then connect it with their iphone and are confused why "it sounds different"...

They need to ask Sony why is that.

 

[ishmaelk]

Wow. Sarcasm much?

In my last several posts I have agreed that for some LDAC won't matter because it isn't supported on their phones.

I have and will continue to disagree with calling LDAC snake oil or marketing hype as I do prefer it. But I also acknowledged that others might not agree.

Seems that may have offended. Not my intent.

I happened upon this thread hoping to see what I could learn about the XM5. Probably will come back another time

You still haven't understood my original message, or you quoted mine and responded to something else by mistake. I don't know.
I didn't say (you can check) it's snake oil or marketing hype. Someone else did. I just said it wasn't relevant for me as a selling point.
You made the rest up for whatever reasons. And yes, you were rude. As for offending me, you just can't.
I just recommended you to pay more attention to what you actually read before being rude. That's all.
There was simply no way you could draw the conclusions you drew with what I said.
Come back any time you want. Just be polite even if people's opinions (their actual opinions, and again, read what I said) bother you.
Have a nice day.

 

[PointyFox]

colleagues in my office sometimes take my xm4 (in th past) or xm5 (today) and listen to a couple of songs via my samsung s22 utltra / ldac. they then connect it with their iphone and are confused why "it sounds different"...


my example from above happened around 10 times at work.


exactly, otherwise you compare apples with pears.

Are they doing something like Audeze does where they apply an EQ to the Bluetooth input but don't for the line-in?

 

[J Mirra]

Loving the ANC on the XM5 shuts me out from the noise when at home when I wish to be in a quiet space.
I am surprised by the sound quality at 0db across the board there is not enough resolution for my preference but pushing the 16K EQ in the app to its max brings out what I like.
It is not harsh at all with this setting and it creates spereration and a good image.
I would call the sound natural without grain.
Usage - PC, TV, Phone.
Using the Avantree DG80 soundcard emulation USB dongle on PC there is minimal audio lag. Is it perfect no but I am very sensitive to delay and it is better than direct from the TVs Bluetooth.

All in all I am very happy indeed and quite surprised by the sound quality at this price (after my EQ of the high frequencies) I was not expecting no grain or the image.

 

[starepiernikowe]

Loving the ANC on the XM5 shuts me out from the noise when at home when I wish to be in a quiet space.
I am surprised by the sound quality at 0db across the board there is not enough resolution for my preference but pushing the 16K EQ in the app to its max brings out what I like.
It is not harsh at all with this setting and it creates spereration and a good image.
I would call the sound natural without grain.
Usage - PC, TV, Phone.
Using the Avantree DG80 soundcard emulation USB dongle on PC there is minimal audio lag. Is it perfect no but I am very sensitive to delay and it is better than direct from the TVs Bluetooth.

All in all I am very happy indeed and quite surprised by the sound quality at this price (after my EQ of the high frequencies) I was not expecting no grain or the image.

Hello
Have you tried the "bright" preset, what do you think?

For my xm4 there was a time I equalised and crossfeed albums on pc to my liking haha.

 

[Gamerlingual]

A difference does not always mean better sound
which phone had better sound?

iPhone 11 Pro gave me synergy. The N55 is a Sony Walkman. Still sounded awesome, but out of the box, the iPhone sounded better with these than my AirPods Max did

 

[J Mirra]

Hello
Have you tried the "bright" preset, what do you think?

For my xm4 there was a time I equalised and crossfeed albums on pc to my liking haha.

I did try bright but I prefer just moving the 16k region as the rest of the frequencies sound good flat to me.
I don't normally EQ but with being used to a more resolving sound from my other headphones amps etc I find I get closer to that with the 16K push.
Over the moon with the quality of the sound at this price and the ANC for my usage is crazy good.

 

[The1Signature]

Are they doing something like Audeze does where they apply an EQ to the Bluetooth input but don't for the line-in?

just basic comparison without any eq adjustments at all.

 

[starepiernikowe]

I did try bright but I prefer just moving the 16k region as the rest of the frequencies sound good flat to me.
I don't normally EQ but with being used to a more resolving sound from my other headphones amps etc I find I get closer to that with the 16K push.
Over the moon with the quality of the sound at this price and the ANC for my usage is crazy good.

Can't argue, what I will add, I really like stereo image, it's precise and selective.
You say only 16k to the max, gonna check it out.

Thx

 

[J Mirra]

Can't argue, what I will add, I really like stereo image, it's precise and selective.
You say only 16k to the max, gonna check it out.

Thx

I agree with the image it is great and no hint of grain in the treble even with a boost.