Sony says high five

Can Sony repeat the success of its flagship noise-cancelling earphones for the fifth time in a row, especially at a price that is at par with the Airpods Pro?

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₹24,990/sony.co.in

Sony ’s song and dance continue, and this time they have shrunken their premium TWS earbuds and seems to have ironed out a few creases in the previous model.

The WF-1000XM5 TWS are significantly smaller than the XM4s, which were themselves a whole lot more compact than their predecessors. A sore point in the XM4 was the oddly protruding ring-shaped microphone and the top-heavy design, and Sony has found a way around both. The microphone now has a new metal grille that helps in wind noise reduction and the buds are now lighter by 20%. However, Sony has managed to squeeze even larger drivers inside each earbud, along with the firm’s best active noise-cancelling yet.

Each bud has been reshaped to better match the ear canals. The result is a seriously snug fit, helped by ear tips made from a bespoke rubber/foam material to create a better seal without pressing on the inner ears. Though a bit tricky to fit, once in place, they barely move even while walking around or working out, and an IPX4 rating means they’ll shrug off sweat. You can comfortably wear them all day without a hint of earache. The metal grilles add a design flourish.

But of course, what matters most of all is how they sound…

1 Sony the lonely