As the headphones can no longer fold in on themselves, they’re not quite as portable as they once were. Frustratingly, there’s still no water resistance of any kind featured here. (Image credit: Future)īut there are some changes that may not be so welcome. The XM5 headphones on the left, and the older XM3 headphones (which have a near-identical design to the XM4 headphones) on the right. Though we’ve not stress tested them to their absolute limits, the slide-out extension points feel sturdier than earlier designs too, with fewer pressure points that could snap away – a complaint of well-used previous models. The cavity for your ears to sit in is a slightly different shape too – a more squat ovoid than the oval of the WH-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM4. It’s all a bit tidier, a bit sleeker – there are fewer visible points of articulation, more discreet noise-cancelling mic ports, and a slimmer headband with additional leather-look covering to hide away its joins and extension points. The best way to quickly describe the WH-1000XM5 headphones is that they’re a bit curvier than their predecessors. Design prevents wind distortion – but no longer folds into a compact shapeĪfter two generations of largely-identical over-ear headphone designs, the WH-1000XM5 headphones are a significant departure from their predecessors.Comfortable for long listening sessions.

(Image credit: Future) Sony WH-1000XM5: Design

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