WF-1000XM4 vs. WF-1000XM5: Sony’s top headphones in advance comparison

With the WF-1000XM5, Sony has finally introduced a successor to our long-standing number one in-ear headphones. The WF-1000XM4 convinced us in the test with excellent sound and ANC. Of course you want to go one better with the successors. does it work? We take a preview of the two models.

The most important differences and similarities at a glance

• The Sony WF-1000XM5 have new, larger drivers.
• The Sony WF-1000XM5 have an additional chip and microphone to improve noise canceling and voice quality during calls.
• Both headphones play Sony’s solution for 3D audio, called 360 Reality Audio…
• … but only the WF-1000XM5 also have dynamic head tracking.
• Battery life is unchanged at eight hours of music playback on one charge.
• Both headphones are IPX4 protected against splashing water from all directions.
• The Sony WF-1000XM5 are smaller and lighter.

Sony WF-1000XM4 vs. Sony WF-1000XM5: Everything better with the successor?

So much for the first overview. Now we will introduce you to the models in detail. With the WF-1000XM4, that means we present our test results to you. For the WF-1000XM5, which we haven’t tested yet, we use the data sheet as a guide.

Our longtime number one

Price (RRP / Street Price): 279 euros / approx. 200 euros | Bluetooth codecs: LDAC, DSEE Xtreme, SBC, AAC | battery life: 8 h (with ANC) / 16 h (with case) | Water and dust protection: IPX4 | connections: USB-C, wireless via Qi | Weight: handset 7 g / charging case: 41 g | Dimensions: 67 x 40 x 29mm

• Very good noise canceling
• Numerous setting options
• Very good, balanced sound
• High-quality processing, attractive design

• Bluetooth multipoint not available at launch (submitted via update)

The Sony WF-1000XM4 are at the top of all in-ear headphones with Bluetooth that we have tested – and have been since 2021. They owe their position mainly to their outstanding noise canceling and the dynamic, balanced and very finely tuned sound. The in-ears also have numerous setting options in the app and good performance thanks to the microphones in terms of telephony.

Current offers for the Sony WF-1000XM4

Find out more in our in-depth review of the Sony WF-1000XM4.

Sony WF-1000XM5

Better ANC, better sound, better call quality?

Price (RRP / Street Price): 320 euros | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, LC3, AAC, LDAC | battery life: 8 h (with ANC) / 16 h (with case) | Water and dust protection: IPX4 | connections: USB-C, wireless via Qi

With the Sony WF-1000XM5, many features of the predecessor return: the long battery life, the water protection class, the charging connections – Sony hasn’t changed anything here. The shape is also strongly reminiscent of its predecessors. The earbuds are just a little more inconspicuous in the ear because they are smaller. The internal changes, on the other hand, are very promising: two completely new processors and a new driver should not only improve the sound, but also the noise canceling and voice quality for calls. We will soon try to find out for you in the test whether Sony is actually fulfilling these promises. In the meantime, however, it is worth taking a look at another difference: the Sony WF-1000XM5 are more expensive than the WF-1000XM4 with an RRP of 320 euros.

The WH-1000XM5 will be launched in August 2023.

Until then, you can read our detailed report on the launch of the Sony headphones here.

Sony WF-1000XM4 vs. WF-1000XM5: Sound, ANC and more in advance comparison

You want to know exactly? Then we now go into the differences in each category by which we rate in-ear headphones: sound, practicality, operation and design.

If you want to get an overview of how the competition fared in our tests beforehand, you can find all the headphones that we tested here:

Sony headphones sound check: WF-1000XM4 vs. WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM4 scored a really good sound score of 9.0 in our test. Dynamic, balanced and finely tuned: That’s how we described the sound. It may be unlikely that a successor model will take a step backwards in terms of sound – but it’s not impossible either, as our test of the Sony over-ear flagship WH-1000XM5 proves.

With the WF-1000XM5, however, there is a good chance that the sound will be further improved. This is supported by the new driver, which now measures 8.4 millimeters (instead of six millimeters in the predecessors) and should perform better both in the highs and in the lows. Of course, you can also expect the Bluetooth codec LDAC and DSEE Extreme technology from these Sony headphones. The latter is intended to raise specially compressed audio signals to a higher sound level. Those who like 3D sound will find this in both Bluetooth headphones. The latest generation adds dynamic headtracking to Sony 360 Reality Audio playback.

Practice: battery and noise canceling

Sony has also often been praised by us for its noise canceling. The WF-1000XM4 received a grade of 9.4 in the test. Of course, in-ear headphones cannot shield as well as over-ears simply because of their construction, but the WF-1000XM4 can still extinguish even heavy traffic well. Only at very high frequencies, such as the chirping of birds, do they start to sweat. Since the WF-1000XM5 will get a new chipset that is said to improve noise canceling and also have an additional feed-forward microphone.

Sony hasn’t changed anything when it comes to the battery. You can listen for eight hours with the noise canceling activated with the XM4 and the XM5. With the charges in the case, the total running time of both models is given as 24 hours. You can charge both models via USB-C or wirelessly according to the Qi standard.

What also remains the same is the water protection. Both models are protected against splash water from all sides according to IPX4. They can withstand sweat and rain, but they shouldn’t get really wet.

Operation: WF 1000XM4 with a large hook

In fact, we can’t really make a comparison in terms of operation. For that, we need to try the WF-1000XM5 for ourselves first. But what we can say is that the operation of the WF-1000XM4 works without any problems, but has one big catch: There is no volume control on the earbuds by default. If you change that in the app, you’ll lose control of either music playback or noise canceling. There is a real need for improvement here.

Sony WF-1000XM4 vs WF-1000XM5: Who looks better?

Visually, a lot has happened in the details, but the shape of the WF-1000XM5 follows the line of the WF-1000XM4. Only the weight and dimensions could be slightly reduced, the earbuds now sit more inconspicuously in the ear. Part of the housing of the new earbuds also shines. The WF-1000XM4 were still completely matt.

A nice extra: Eartips in an extra small size are now included in the scope of delivery. For the best possible passive noise canceling, it is important to use the right silicone tips. So all readers with small ears can rejoice.

Conclusion: Sony WF-1000XM4 vs. WF-1000XM5

The WF-1000XM4 are an absolute top model among in-ears – and in our opinion they will remain so for quite a while, because their price-performance ratio has become unbeatable over time. We are all the more pleased that Sony is not satisfied with the smallest changes, but has changed a lot, especially on the inside. Before the official launch, we want to examine whether this works and ultimately results in an even better test result in the test laboratory. The Sony WF-1000XM5 will be launched in August 2023 and will cost 320 euros.

In the meantime, you can still find the WF-1000XM4 on sale at MediaMarkt:

Would you rather have over-ear headphones? We have already tested many of these models, including those from Sony: