Searching for a brand new pair of Sony earbuds however aren’t certain whether or not to splurge on the newest mannequin, or save on the older WF-1000XM5? We’re right here to assist.
We’ve reviewed each the Sony WF-1000XM6 and the WF-1000XM5 that can assist you resolve which earbuds are a greater match for you.
In case you’re not satisfied by both Sony pair, then go to our greatest headphones and greatest wi-fi earbuds guides as a substitute.
Value and Availability
The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are the newer of the 2 and, unsurprisingly, naturally have a better price ticket at £249/$249.
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Though the WF-1000XM5s are the older pair, they’re nonetheless readily that can be purchased. Not solely that however, though the earbuds’ official RRP is £199/$199, it’s not inconceivable to discover a hefty value minimize for them. For instance, on the time of writing, the XM5 buds had been simply £169 on Sony’s official website.
Design
- Sony WF-1000XM6s are chunkier although slimmer in profile
- Each are comfy to put on, though the XM6 buds might be extra fiddly to put on
- Each are IPX4
Though each the WF-1000XM6 and the XM5 are comparatively slim and undoubtedly pocketable, there are a couple of notable variations between the 2.
Firstly, as a result of further microphone, the XM6 mannequin is barely chunkier than its predecessor, and subsequently could make the earbuds fiddly to put on and match appropriately. Whereas we by no means famous a difficulty with consolation, we did battle to get a wonderfully hermetic seal for ANC. Utilizing the Sony Sound Join app, we discovered the earbuds struggled to move Sony’s strict check for an appropriate seal. It’s irritating, however fortuitously doesn’t appear to impede the ANC an excessive amount of – however extra on that later.
In any other case, each earbuds are fitted with responsive contact controls that cowl playback, switching between ANC modes, quantity management and extra, all of which might be customised by way of the companion app.
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As well as, each earbuds are fitted with the identical stiffer ear-tips that goal to plug your ears extra successfully than silicon options, and each have an IPX4 score too. This implies each buds can face up to sweat and rain drops.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony WF-1000XM5
Options
- Each earbuds are filled with options, together with Converse to Chat, Adaptive Sound Management and voice assistants
- Each additionally assist 360 Actuality Audio and might be related to 2 units directly
With each, you’ll profit from the likes of Fast Consideration Mode, Converse to Chat and Adaptive Sound Management. There’s additionally head gesture management, your alternative of voice assistant and a intelligent Discover Your Equalizer that permits you to alter the sound extra intuitively than enjoying round with bands and frequencies.
Controlling each Sony earbuds is completed by way of the Sound Join smartphone app, and permits you to customise contact controls, noise-cancellation modes and the Bluetooth connection too. Whereas we want the app was a bit extra streamlined, total it’s a strong companion piece to the buds.
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Sony Sound Join app. Picture Credit score (Trusted Critiques)
One particularly fascinating characteristic on the app is the Uncover part that has options like your listening historical past throughout all music companies, plus logs how lengthy you employ the headphones and contains badges to assist game-mify the expertise too. How helpful that is will rely actually in your private desire, however it reveals simply how feature-packed the buds are.
Winner: Tie
Sound High quality
- WF-1000XM6 has a bigger 8.4mm driver
- Each provide a transparent, balanced strategy throughout the frequency vary, nevertheless the XM6 have improved highs
- Total, the XM6 is extra vibrant and energetic in comparison with the XM5
Though there are variations between the 2, it’s value noting that each the XM6 and XM5 are sensible sounding earbuds. Nonetheless, due to the bigger 8.4mm driver at play right here, the XM6 affords a wider soundstage in comparison with the XM5. Actually, we discovered that not solely had been highs improved, with extra readability and element, however bass felt weightier too. That is particularly noteworthy, as we concluded that bass lovers could be a bit upset by the XM5’s extra balanced strategy.
As well as, we famous that at its default quantity, the XM6 picks up extra vibrancy, dynamism and vitality than the XM5.
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Sony WF-1000XM6. Picture Credit score (Trusted Critiques)
All of this, nevertheless, is to not say the XM5s don’t sound good – fairly the other – however it’s simply the XM6 has tweaked the general high quality.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6
Noise Cancellation
- WF-1000XM6 has one further microphone for noise cancelling
- Though the XM5s are simpler to put on, the XM6s provide total stronger noise-cancellation
- Name high quality can be stronger with the XM6s
Sony claims the WF-1000XM6 affords the “greatest true wi-fi for noise-cancellation” and we’re assured to say that they’re, the truth is, among the many quietest pair of earbuds we’ve reviewed. Whereas getting the precise match might be fiddly, which we’ve talked about earlier, over the weeks we’ve discovered the earbuds handle to curb exterior noises like site visitors, voices and even planes brilliantly.
Total, though the XM6 is a strong enchancment over the XM5 pair, we should always observe that the XM5s are simpler to put on than the XM6.
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Sony WF-1000XM5. Picture Credit score (Trusted Critiques)
Name high quality additionally sees an enchancment, as we discovered the XM5 had an inclination to let in noise after we spoke. Fortuitously, the XM6 sounds utterly silent throughout telephone calls.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6
Battery Life
- No enhancements with the XM6
- Each provide eight hours per cost with an extra 16 hours within the case
Sony hasn’t made any enhancements with the battery lifetime of the XM6 buds, and guarantees the identical 24 hours complete (eight plus sixteen within the case) because the XM5. Having mentioned that, we really discovered the XM6 appeared more likely to provide much more hours than Sony claims, with an hour of listening nonetheless leading to 100% cost.
The XM5 really advantages from a barely quicker charging velocity, with a 3 minute cost leading to an additional hour of playback, whereas the XM6 wants 5 minutes. The distinction is negligible, but when you end up in a pinch then you definitely’ll undoubtedly be grateful.
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Winner: Tie
Verdict
Though they’re barely chunkier and might be fairly fiddly to put on initially, the Sony WF-1000XM6 buds are a superb improve from the WF-1000XM5 pair. Not solely is the ANC among the many greatest we’ve ever examined, however the sound is extra vibrant and dynamic than its predecessor.
Having mentioned that, the XM6 buds do include a hefty price ticket. So, when you’re on a tighter finances, the XM5 is a superb compromise.
