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Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Sony WH-1000XM5

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SonyWH-1000XM3SonyWH-1000XM5
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2018May 2022
Sound
TypeOver-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Driver size40 mm30 mm
BackClosed–
Bluetooth codecsSBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD and LDACSBC, AAC and LDAC
Lossless over USB-C–No
ChipHD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1QN1
Drivers40 mm dome drivers with aluminium-coated liquid crystal polymer diaphragms, CCAW voice coils and neodymium magnets; wired frequency response 4 Hz–40 kHz. Impedance is 47 ohms powered on and 16 ohms off; sensitivity 104.5 dB/mW on and 101 dB/mW off.30 mm driver unit with a carbon fibre composite dome, soft edge and neodymium magnet; 4 Hz to 40,000 Hz (JEITA, wired, switched on); sensitivity 102 dB/mW switched on, 100 dB/mW switched off; impedance 48 Ω switched on, 16 Ω switched off (1 kHz)
Chip–HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1 and Integrated Processor V1
Noise cancelling detailQN1 processor and dual noise sensors; Personal NC Optimizer and Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing; Ambient Sound Mode, Quick Attention and Adaptive Sound ControlEight microphones for noise cancelling (four on each ear cup); Auto NC Optimizer adjusts noise cancelling to the fit and surroundings, including air pressure; Ambient Sound Mode; Quick Attention Mode; Speak-to-Chat
Audio featuresDSEE HX upscaling; Bluetooth frequency response 20 Hz–20 kHz at 44.1 kHz sampling, or 20 Hz–40 kHz with LDAC at 96 kHz and 990 kbps; QN1 includes a DAC and amplifierLDAC up to 990 kbps (Hi-Res Audio Wireless); Hi-Res Audio over the headphone cable; DSEE Extreme upscaling; 360 Reality Audio
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 30 hoursUp to 30 hours
Battery life detailMaximum 30 hours with noise cancelling or 38 hours off uses AAC with DSEE HX off. The manual lists 24 hours with noise cancelling for aptX, aptX HD and LDAC; SBC is 28 hours with noise cancelling and DSEE HX off.Up to 40 hours with noise cancelling off (AAC); with LDAC, 26 hours with noise cancelling on or 36 hours off; with SBC, 28 hours on or 38 hours off; talk time up to 24 hours (32 hours with noise cancelling off); up to 28 hours on the headphone cable with noise cancelling on (38 hours off); can't be used while charging
Charging caseUSB-C charging; about 3 hours for a full charge; USB does not carry audio–
Fast charging10 minutes gives up to 5 hours with a USB adapter rated at least 1.5 A3 minutes gives about 3 hours of playback with a USB PD adaptor (9 V/2.3 A or more), or about 1 hour with a standard 1.5 A adaptor; 10 minutes gives about 5 hours; full charge in about 3.5 hours
Design
Weight255 g250 g
Bluetooth4.25.2
Two devices at onceYesYes
Headphone cableYesYes
ControlsRight earcup touch panel for playback, volume and calls; holding a palm over it activates Quick Attention; separate power and NC/AMBIENT buttonsTouch sensor control panel on the right ear cup (double-tap to play, pause or answer calls; swipe forwards or backwards to skip; swipe up or down for volume; cover with your hand for Quick Attention Mode); power and NC/AMB buttons on the left ear cup; a proximity sensor in the left unit pauses music when the headphones are taken off and switches them off after 15 minutes
MicrophonesInternal and external microphones for noise cancelling; built-in microphones for Bluetooth callsEight microphones for noise cancelling; four beamforming microphones with AI-based noise reduction for calls; MEMS, omnidirectional
Fit and ear tipsCircumaural ear cushions; adjustable headband and folding earcups; carrying case suppliedClosed, over-ear; Soft fit leather headband and earpads; stepless slider; ear cups swivel flat for the carrying case
Water resistance detail–No water resistance rating; Sony says the headphones are not waterproof
Works withBluetooth A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP; NFC pairing. Multipoint connects one music source using A2DP and another device for calls using HFP/HSP, without two music sources; unavailable with Google Assistant or Alexa assigned. The supplied cable allows passive listening, but disables Bluetooth and does not carry the headphone microphone.Sony | Headphones Connect app (now Sony | Sound Connect) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; the headphone cable also works with the headphones switched off, without noise cancelling
ColoursBlack, Platinum SilverBlack, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue, Smoky Pink (Sony Australia; colours vary by region)
In the boxHeadphones, carrying case, 1.2 m headphone cable, approximately 20 cm USB-A to USB-C cable, in-flight plug adapterHeadphones, USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C, about 20 cm), headphone cable (about 1.2 m, gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug), carrying case, documents

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