Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony
95 Overall Score
vs
Poly EncorePro 530
Poly
44 Overall Score
What Buyers Say
Sony WH-1000XM5
48 out of 100 high confidence 176 reviews
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones receive praise for their excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and comfort, but a significant number of users report a critical design flaw: the hinge breaks easily during normal use, often outside warranty, leading to frustration with Sony's customer support. While many enjoy the long battery life and premium feel, the durability issues and costly repairs overshadow the positives for many, resulting in a mixed overall sentiment.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable for long wear
- Long battery life
- Premium feel and design
Cons
- Hinge breaks easily
- Poor build quality
- Warranty issues
- Expensive repairs
- Uncomfortable for small heads
Hinge durability 15
Sound quality 20
Noise cancellation 18
Comfort 10
Battery life 8
Customer support 7
Poly EncorePro 530
No customer feedback yet
Scores
Work
Calls
Commute
Gaming
Music
Studio
Budget
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Poly EncorePro 530 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | on-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.25 kg | 0.17 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | soft fit leather | Foam |
| Headband | metal | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | — |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 30 mm |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | 20 Hz |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz★ | 16 kHz |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | — |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB★ | — |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | LDAC | Poly EncorePro HW530 Quick Disconnect Headset - Mono - Mini-phone (3.5mm) - Wired - 20 Hz - 16 kHz - On-ear - Monaural - Ear-cup - 2.92 ft Cable - Omni-directional, Noise Cancelling Microphone - Black |
| Surround | Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones - 30hr Battery Life - Over-Ear Style - Optimized for Alexa and Google Assistant - Built-in mic for Calls - Silver International Version | Sony WH-10 | — |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Bluetooth | 5.2★ | — |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP | — |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | — |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | 0.8899999856948853 m |
| Range | 10 m★ | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 30 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 3 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 3 min charge for 3 hours of playback | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 8★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | — |
| Mic Pattern | — | Omnidirectional |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | — |
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | — |
| App | Sony Headphones Connect | — |
| Volume Limiting | ✗ | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | — |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | — |
Pros & Cons
Sony WH-1000XM5
- Strong connectivity (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong anc (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong build (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (3rd percentile)3rd %ile
- Below average affordability (9th percentile)9th %ile
Poly EncorePro 530
- Strong mic (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (75th percentile)
- Strong anc (74th percentile)
- Strong comfort (66th percentile)
- Below average social proof (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Sony WH-1000XM50.020score per dollar
vs
Poly EncorePro 5300.016score per dollar
Sony WH-1000XM5 offers 1.3x better value for money
Verdict
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5
Scores 95 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 16 of 43 specs.
