Sure, it’s not strictly gaming-related news but the launch of a new iteration of Sony’s excellent premium noise-cancelling headphones is always cause for celebration.
The company has continued to bring out top-notch cans at a consumer-level price point for years now with each new version of the WH-1000XM series, and the XM5 looks to be one of the most exciting updates in a while with a slick new design and better noise cancelling technology than ever.
Thanks to two processors controlling eight microphones, Auto NC optimisation and specially designed 30mm driver units the XM5s are poised to be the best these headphones have ever sounded alongside the best and most intelligent noise cancellation yet. Sony claims improved sound clarity and bass reproduction thanks to optimised circuitry and meticulous build quality.
Speaking of build quality, the XM5s sport a fresh new design language with better comfort, a noiseless build and new synthetic soft fit leather material. The headphones look gorgeous with their bigger cups and sleek band and come in the usual colourways of black and “silver”.
Elsewhere, beamforming microphones and AI-based noise reduction, Adaptive Sound Control, Google Assistant/Alexa compatibility, Android Fast Pair and a 30 hour battery life with fast Power Delivery for a three-hour charge in three minutes rounds out the impressive feature set for the new headphones.
Early reviews for the WH-1000XM5 are incredibly positive. Wired pegged them “among the very best-sounding wireless headphones you can buy”, while What Hi-Fi scored them five stars, saying “redesigning its premium noise-cancelling headphones wasn’t without risk, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 are a sonic triumph.”
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are due to launch in Australia in late June at an SRP of AUD $649.95. You can pre-order them right now on Amazon for AUD $549 with free shipping.
