Latest news with #WH-1000XM5
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Nothing Headphones (1) vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Which noise canceling headphones win?
Nothing has finally entered the headphone game with the Nothing Headphones (1), a pair of cans that feature the brand's signature transparent design. There's a tape-cassette motif running through the earcups, and a whole host of features to fire a warning shot over the bow of the established competition. Nothing's first foray into the over-ear headphone space is one that not many were expecting, but they pack in some flagship features for a lower price. Excellent noise canceling and standout design are the name of the game here, but is it enough to worry the XM5? The WH-1000XM5 have only just been replaced at the top step of Sony's headphone lineup, but they're still some of the best headphones we've ever tested. They changed the ANC game with excellent noise canceling and very good sound. But how do they fare against the new kid on the block? Sony's WH-1000XM5 are a staple in the headphone game. They've been around a number of years at this point, and gained a host of different awards and accolades for their good sound and excellent noise canceling. So that begs the question — is it age and wisdom that will come out on top, or youth and enthusiasm that will win the day? I've put the two head to head to discover which is worth buying in 2025. Nothing Headphone (1) Sony WH-1000XM5 Price $299/£299/AU$549 $399 / £379 / AU$649 Colors Black; Silver Black; platinum silver; midnight blue; dusty pink Size Not specified Not specified Weight 11 ounces 8.8 ounces Battery life (rated) Up to 80 hours Up to 40 hours Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC support Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC and LDAC support Special features Adaptive ANC, Ambient Sound Mode, Bluetooth multipoint, customizable sound, quick charge, passive mode, Spatial Audio Adaptive ANC, Ambient Sound Mode, DSEE Extreme Audio, Bluetooth multipoint, customizable sound, quick charge, passive mode, 360 Reality Audio The Nothing Headphone (1) have launched at a flagship-challenging price of $299. That makes them a whole $150 less than the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, $250 less than the AirPods Max, and, crucially, less than the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony option is going to set you back $399 even to this day. That's a whole $100 more than Nothing's new effort, and while there are still reasons to pay the extra, there can be only one winner. Both are easy to get hold of at the likes of Amazon and Best Buy, and stock levels remain consistent across the board as of publishing. This is an early victory for the significantly cheaper Nothing Headphone (1), but let's see if it keeps this up throughout the battle. There's no way you could call the Sony WH-1000XM5 an ugly pair of headphones. There's a simplistic elegance to their design thanks to a single block color finish and uniform, smooth handfeel. They're minimalism in headphone form, and that lends them the ability to blend in. Those in the know are aware you've got an expensive pair of over-ear headphones, but those who don't won't think you're trying to show off. The carrying case is good, if a little large. They're fairly comfortable too, although I would watch out for their thin headband. I've found it can dig into the top of your head during extended listening sessions. As for the Nothing Headphone (1), you're looking at something that puts design before everything else. They've got that mad-cap transparent design and cassette motif, making them shout from the rooftops about your headphone choice. Build quality is better on the Nothing headphones, interestingly. There's plenty of metal here to go with the plastic components, and they feel much sturdier than the Sony cans. Unfortunately, the Nothing Headphone (1) is slightly less comfortable than the XM5. They're heavier and the cushioning isn't as thick, making them harder to wear for longer periods. I've also found they can press on ear piercings, too, something I'm not a massive fan of. They're still fairly comfy, but Sony is better. This is down to physical controls vs touch controls — and if you're anything like me, that means that the Nothing's controls are going to come out on top. They feature some very intuitive buttons, switches and even a roller that make controlling the headphones a joy. Volume is dictated by a volume roller, which clicks down to pause and play. Skipping is managed with a clicky paddle just under the volume roller. They turn on with a switch on the bottom of the earcup, and there's a customizable button on the top. They're all excellent, and you can change their function in the app. The app is well set out and easy to use, letting you manipulate the EQ with fewer bands but greater bandwidth than Sony. There's no fancy "change the ANC level depending on your GPS location," however. Sony's controls are, apart from ANC control and power, touch sensitive. That means a series of taps and swipes to control your music. They're some of the best touch controls around, but that doesn't stop them from suffering from the classic touch control problems. I'm talking about skipped tracks when you go to manipulate your headphones to be more comfortable, missed taps when it's wet outside, unwanted volume changes when you put your hood up in a snowstorm. They work, but they can still be annoying. Thankfully, the app for the XM5 is robust It's more complicated than the Nothing X app, but it's packed with features like a very strong EQ adjuster and loads of ANC settings. This is where things are going to start looking rocky for the Nothing Headphone (1). Despite sound tuning from premium audio brand KEF, the Headphone (1) doesn't sound particularly good out of the box. The tuning is too dark. It relies on the lower mids too much, and it means that the rest of the soundscape isn't as well represented. The result is music that sounds like it's happening on the street over. To make them sound better, you'll want to use the extensive EQ settings in the app. They are capable of sounding much better than the core tuning, but that shouldn't be locked away given that most users are never going to touch the EQ. To make the Nothing Headphone (1) sound better, you have to use the extensive EQ settings in the app. Sony's headphones sound very good out of the box. They've got more bass than some might like, but the sound is otherwise spacious, airy, and detailed when compared to the Nothing Headphone (1). They're not the best sounding headphones at this price point, but there's still plenty to enjoy when you get your tunes going. This round has to go to the Sony WH-1000XM5 and their superior sonic chops. Nothing has done its utmost here to try and upset the competition. The Headphone (1) is packed with features to bring them up to par with the XM5, including a version of spatial audio and its own leveled ANC system. The Spatial audio should be left turned off, however, and the leveled ANC system should either be used at 'max' level or in the off position — I've never found myself in a situation when I've needed 'medium' ANC. The EQ is a great feature, though, and the rest of the feature set, like LDAC and USB-C mode, are welcome additions to something that costs $100 less than the XM5. But the XM5 just bring more to the table. DSEE improves the sound of compressed audio files, and the GPS-enabled ANC modes are extremely impressive. The spatial '3D reality audio' feature might not be supported by many of the best streaming services, but it does a better job of spatializing music than Nothing's custom model. Overall, the Sony headphones pack in a greater number of more useful features to take the win in this round. Considering it's Nothing's first foray into over-ear noise canceling, the Nothing Ear (1) do a very good job of blocking out the outside world. Thanks to 6 microphones and some clever AI, they're capable of canceling the noise of buses, trains and annoying humming air conditioners in offices. They struggle slightly with loud, abrupt sounds, but that's true of all ANC cans. Where they fall down is when the world starts getting windy — wind noise has an annoying habit of making itself known through the microphones, and invading your personal music bubble. It's still good ANC, mind you, and it's better than that of the similarly priced competition. Alas, the Sony WH-1000XM5 feature even better noise canceling. Thanks to 8 microphones and equally as clever algorithms, the Sony headphones do a better job at blocking out unwanted sounds and noise. They similarly keep the noise of bus engines, trains and offices out, but they fare better with wind noise and with consistent noises like chatty coffee shops and loud airplane engines. Transparency modes are natural sounding across both headphones, although again, the Sony have a slight edge over the Headphone (1). This is another tricky section for the Sony's, although it might not be as cut and dry as first expected. The Nothing Headphone (1) have more battery life all in, but there's more to the story. ANC staying power is 35 hours for both sets of headphones, but turn the ANC off, and things are more interesting. The Sony WH-1000XM5 last for 40 hours with ANC off, while the Nothing Headphone (1) have a rated 80 hours of battery life. I'd love to know where 45 hours of battery life goes when you turn the ANC on, but that increase in endurance is welcome. Just look at how close the Nothing Headphone (1) got to the Sony WH-1000MX5. They've got a more interesting design, ANC that comes very close to the noise blocking of Sony's cans, and battery life that shows them the door. But the XM5 have still got it where it counts, and ultimately take the victory. They're more comfortable, sound much better out of the box, and have more features overall that are more useful to a wider range of potential users. The Nothing Headphone (1) are an impressive pair of headphones, no doubt about it, especially when you consider that they're Nothing's first pair. But they don't quite have the chops to take down Sony just yet. Nothing Headphone (1) Sony WH-1000XM5 Price and value (5) 4 4 Design (15) 14 13 Controls (10) 8 7 Sound quality (25) 15 22 Active noise cancelation (20) 17 19 Call quality (10) 6 8 Connectivity (5) 5 5 Battery life (10) 9 8 Total Score (100) 78 86
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Nothing's first over-ears: Design speaks loudly, while sound whispers elegance
This mustn't have been easy. Despite a fair amount of success with true wireless earbuds over the years, for the United Kingdom (UK)-based startup Nothing, beginning its headphone foray by competing with the flagships is a bold move. This is a domain with discerning consumers—cognisant of the money they're spending and the sound signature they prefer. It is also a space overwhelmingly dominated by Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser, with Sonos and Dyson making their bids. Physical controls galore on the Nothing Headphone (1), and while at it, very seamlessly integrated within the design and don't spoil the overall visual appeal (Vishal Mathur / HT Photo) Nothing Headphone (1) tries to line up the cards in its favour, foremost by getting the pricing right. Sony's WH-1000XM5 is priced at ₹34,990, while Sennheiser demands ₹20,990 for a Momentum 4, and Bose wants ₹24,990 to be sent its way if you'd like a QuietComfort Ultra. Suddenly, the Nothing Headphone (1) looks like good value—more so when you realise the sound is tuned by British luxury audio company Kent Engineering and Foundry (KEF). Though you may be interested in the specifics of sound, chances are the rather different design language of the Nothing Headphone (1) will get your attention along the way. It's difficult to ignore. There is a distinct attempt to carry forward the transparency-driven design language from Nothing's smartphones, and while it may take a while to get used to this initially, it has mostly worked. The metal housing looks good, but you'll have to be a bit careful because it shows scratches quite easily. That's inconvenient. But at least it remains smudge-free. A slight design eccentricity that must be noted — the Nothing Headphone (1) folds flat in a way that, when being reseated into the carry case, the right ear cup ends up on the left side. It's a flip every time, and frankly, it shouldn't have been there in the first place. Also Read: Nothing Phone 3 and Nothing Headphone 1 sale goes live in India: Check price and offers I've never been a fan of touch controls on headphones, and Nothing seems to share that opinion. Physical controls abound, and while at it, they're very seamlessly integrated within the design and don't spoil the overall visual appeal. And these aren't just buttons for the sake of physical controls. The thoughtful implementation includes roller controls for managing volume, a paddle-esque control for selecting the next or previous track, and a button that can be configured for quickly accessing favourites if you're using a Nothing Phone (3). These, with on-point tactile feedback, simply work. The experience of sound is built rather nicely on a robust foundation provided by 40mm audio drivers. Very much flagship-grade, if that's what you're wondering about. The audio signature is well recognised if you've used the first-generation Ear true wireless earbuds — of course, hardware differences are perceptible, but in a broader sense, you know what sort of tuning you'll get with the Nothing Headphone (1). It is decidedly lively, without a perceptible 'V' in terms of how the equaliser is tuned out of the box. The Nothing X app gives you all the options to change that, but even without it, most music genres sound good. Also Read: 'Hatke' vibes: Nothing Headphone 1 allegedly leaks ahead of July 1 launch In my book, the sound is more versatile than Bose's decidedly more subdued tuning, and at par with Sennheiser headphones. Once you toggle the bass controls, this easily gets into Sony XM territory (for much less money, mind you). Active noise cancellation (ANC), is really as on point as it gets. Safe to say, this is almost matching the Sony ANC implementation — and that is no mean feat, because Sennheiser and Bose haven't quite got it all spot on, especially with no noticeable change in how the track sounds with ANC off and ANC on. Often, headphones struggle to get the lower frequencies right when ANC is off. Attention has been paid to the little things that matter. The USB-C cable that arrives with the Nothing Headphone (1) can be used for charging and listening, and there's the 3.5mm headphone jack with a supplied cable that can be used too — except the headphones must be powered on for this to work. Bad luck if the battery runs out. Pair that with long battery life of upwards of 32 hours with ANC on, and it gets you through most transcontinental return flights on a single charge. Also Read: How to pick the right headphones? Here are the best tips to ditch the hype and tune into real value You may have assessed whether the Nothing Headphone (1) suits your budget and the sort of headphone you're looking for. Do add some more weight to the personality aspect, because no other headphone looks this good. Not the Apple AirPods Max. Not the Dyson OnTrac. And certainly nothing rolling out from the sea of sameness from the Sony, Sennheiser, and Bose lines. Vishal Mathur is Technology Editor for Hindustan Times. When not making sense of technology, he often searches for an elusive analog space in a digital world.
Tom's Guide
7 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Last chance to grab Sony's WH-1000XM5 at an unbeatable price before Prime Day ends
Sony's flagship WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones have dropped to an astonishingly low price for Prime Day, with a massive saving of 33% on the RRP bringing their cost down to just AU$549 AU$369 — that's a saving of AU$180! Even outside of Amazon, this is the best price we've seen on local stock of the WH-1000XM5, though they have been cheaper on the import market. In our WH-1000XM5 review, we praised their "spectacular sound quality, noise-cancellation and integration with one of the best headphone apps we've encountered", scoring them 4.5 stars in the process. Sounds great, right? You'll have to hurry though — Amazon's Prime Day sale event ends at 11:59pm AEST tonight (July 14), which means this is likely your last chance to score them at this incredible price. This sale is only on the black pair, something worth keeping in mind. Otherwise, it's the same WH-1000XM5 we've rated highly. You get 30 hours of battery life, a comfortable fit and solid sound. And, as you might have already guessed, a new lowest price on Amazon! Also worth mentioning, this is a Prime-exclusive deal, which means you'll need an Amazon Prime membership in order to nab the WH-1000XM5 at this price. Thankfully, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new members, which means you can nab this deal with plenty of time to decide whether you want to keep the subscription going. You should also know that this particular version of the WH-1000XM5 owes its affordability to the inclusion of a soft case. However, Amazon also offers the hard-case version at a smaller 18% discount, bringing it down to AU$449. And, while you still have an active Prime account, it's probably a good idea to head over to our Amazon Prime Day AU deals LIVE blog to see what other deals you can take advantage of before the event comes to a close at midnight!
Tom's Guide
10-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
I'm getting sick of writing about the WH-1000XM5 this Prime Day — so please buy them at this new, even lower lowest price
I just... can't do it anymore. It feels like there have been one million different price drops of the WH-1000XM5 this Prime Day, and this new sale only brings their price down lower. How much lower do we have to go before they're all sold out? The Black Sony WH-1000XM5 are now just $248 at Amazon. That's another lowest price ever. This sale is only on the black pair, something worth keeping in mind. Otherwise, it's the same WH-1000XM5 we've rated highly. You get 30 hours of battery life, a comfortable fit and solid sound. And, as you might have already guessed, a new lowest price! The Sony WH-1000XM5 pack in excellent noise canceling, solid sound, and a comfortable blah de blah de blah — I've written it goodness knows how many times this week, and I don't think I've the wherewithal to do it much more. I have to cut that list down every day to some of the best deals for you. Good deals. Great deals. Somehow, I do this without going insane. The Sony WH-1000XM5 might just be the cans that do it. I've penned about their 30-hour battery life this week more than I've spoken to my mom in the last month, and tried to demonstrate their comfortable fit around with the same frequency as I've changed my socks in this hot weather. That's a lot — it's really hot. If I have to write about their "warm, welcoming sound" again, I think I might just go postal — so instead, I'll just make an impassioned plea. Please, please go and buy out the entire stock of the WH-1000XM5 from Amazon. They are really really good headphones, and this deal makes them the deal of the Prime Day sales. Just make sure that I don't have to write about them again this week. Please. Wait, what do you mean the white, blue, and silver colors aren't that cheap... No. I'm not doing it. This is the last time... There are plenty more deals to be had this Prime Day — make sure you check out our Prime Day live blog to make sure you're staying on top of all the latest sales and offers.
Business Insider
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Here's every product on sale for Prime Day that's earned the top spot in our expert-tested buying guides
Let's be honest — of the hundreds of thousands of Prime Day deals out there, most are garbage. And I'm not necessarily talking about the size of the discount; there are a huge number of products on Amazon that are just plain our team of experts has been testing and writing about the best products you can buy on the web for over a decade. Collectively, we've put in tens of thousands of hours of hands-on testing, and our buying guides only recommend products we think are worth your time and money. This Prime Day, we rounded up the discounts on the products that have earned a "best overall" title in one of our buying guides — in other words, the best of the very best you'll find an assortment of on-sale products from every category — tech, sleep, kitchen, style, and more — all of which we've tested personally to give a top spot in our buying guides. For more of the best, be sure to check out our Prime Day deals hub, which we're updating throughout the four-day sale. The S90D is our favorite TV overall. Its QD-OLED panel delivers a high-contrast image with vivid colors, wide viewing angles, and impressive brightness for this class. The WH-1000XM5 are one of Sony's top over-ear headphones. They boast excellent noise-canceling performance along with great audio quality and a truckload of convenient features. The AirPods Pro 2 are a big upgrade from their predecessors, with improved noise cancellation and battery life. They also support new aural health features to assess your hearing and function as hearing aids. This model comes with a USB-C charging case and added dust resistance. This powerful 11.1.4 soundbar system has up-firing drivers, a dedicated subwoofer, and separate rear satellite speakers. It takes up more space than smaller options, but delivers the best Dolby Atmos performance we've heard in a system like this. Sony's WF-1000XM5 earbuds deliver excellent sound quality and noise canceling in a sleek, comfy design that's tough to beat. The Panasonic NN-SN65KB Microwave Oven packs 1,200 watts of power to cook food quickly and evenly. It's compact, yet has a spacious interior, and comes with many helpful preset buttons for easy cooking. With its massive 26-quart size, the Ninja Foodi DT201 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Convection Toaster Oven is one of the largest countertop air fryers you can buy, large enough to fit a 12-pound turkey. The Casabrews Espresso Machine is a sleek, compact machine that is simple and quiet to use. It consistently makes flavorful espresso with excellent crema. This new generation of the Our Place Always Pan combines three metals — aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium. Our tests found it to be great at conducting heat and extremely durable. For its price, it doesn't get much better than the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro. This compact machine is a straightforward way to learn the ins and outs of espresso. The Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum gets the cleaning job done with strong, automatically adjusting suction and easy maneuverability. This is a great vacuum for households with everyday vacuuming needs. The Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow offers thoughtful features like adjustable fill, a washable pillow cover, and an unparalleled 100-night trial, making it the best choice for most people. With its five-level pressure control, impressive water heating, and an array of high-end features, like remote-controlled operation and UV sanitizing, the Coway Bidetmega 500S turns your toilet trips into a luxury spa experience. The Midea Duo Smart Inverter Portable Air Conditioner has a feature-rich app that pairs with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control, and it does an outstanding job of cooling while operating quietly. The Rest Evercool comforter is one of the coolest and most versatile options we tested, offering exceptional breathability and a silky-smooth feel in various colors and sizes, ensuring a sweat-free and comfortable night's sleep. The mid-plush Brooklinen Down Pillow conforms well to different sleeping positions, making it the ideal pillow for people who shift throughout the night. It feels as good as pillows double its price. If you need a powerful, energy-efficient air purifier for medium to large rooms, the Airmega AP-1521HH Mighty is your best option. It includes three filters and ionization, and the fan speed adjusts based on the air quality. The Bona Premium Spray Mop is our top pick if you're looking for a versatile mop that can be used to clean a variety of sticky and dry messes on wood, vinyl, and tile. The Coop Sleep Goods Body Pillow is soft, supportive, and perfect for any body type. The Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On is our top pick for the best carry-on bag. It's beloved by frequent fliers, holds everything you need and then some, and stands out from the competition thanks to its attention to detail at every point. My top pick is the Adidas Ultraboost Light, which have spacious uppers for your feet to spread out, a supportive midsole, and an attractive design. The Shark FlexStyle has a rotating wand that can be used as a hair dryer brush or multi-purpose hair styler. This advanced electric razor offers the most effective, close shave out of all razors we've tried. These Dream Paris sandals have a whopping 24K reviews and four stars on Amazon. We put them to the test ourselves and agree with all the rave reviews about their comfort and walkability — and the best part is that they're under $40. Though it's one of the priciest lip plumpers we recommend, this cult favorite gets the job done. If you're looking for major volume, this is the product for the job. This swimsuit has gone viral for being universally flattering. It's ruched at the middle to emphasize your waist and has lots of bust support. The NuMe Octowand is a multi-purpose styling tool offering a variety of curl options thanks to the multiple interchangeable barrel sizes. This no-fuss moisturizer has a cult following for its ability to nourish sensitive skin without causing future breakouts. Our top pick for the best no-pull dog harness is the Balance Harness. It significantly reduces pulling without impeding a dog's movement, sagging, or twisting. With its bird-friendly design, sharp video quality, and exceptionally user-friendly app, the Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder Pro outperformed the other feeders in almost every category. The Chom Chom Roller is reusable, works well, and is large enough for a variety of surfaces but small enough for easy portability. Suitable for furniture, bed, and clothes. The Outward Hound Hide N' Slide is a puzzle toy that will keep your pup occupied during long days. Right now, it's over half off. This is a low price we don't see often. This third-party-tested pure fish oil contains four marine-based oils rich in omega fatty acids, which experts say provide anti-inflammatory benefits and are the best ingredients to ease joint pain in dogs. Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.
