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Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sony WH-CH520

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyWH-1000XM5SonyWH-CH520
Overview
ReleasedMay 2022March 2023
Sound
TypeOver-earOn-ear
Noise cancellingYesNo
Transparency modeYesNo
Driver size30 mm30 mm
Back–Closed
Bluetooth codecsSBC, AAC and LDACSBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-CNoNo
ChipQN1–
Drivers30 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)Bluetooth response 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz at 44.1 kHz sampling
ChipHD Noise Canceling Processor QN1 and Integrated Processor V1–
Noise cancelling detailEight 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 featuresLDAC up to 990 kbps (Hi-Res Audio Wireless); Hi-Res Audio over the headphone cable; DSEE Extreme upscaling; 360 Reality AudioDSEE upscaling and customisable equaliser in Sony | Sound Connect (formerly Headphones Connect)
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 30 hoursUp to 50 hours
Battery life detailUp 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 chargingUp to 40 hours of calls and 200 hours on standby; no passive operation or wired playback
Fast charging3 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 hours3 minutes gives up to 1.5 hours; full charge approximately 3 hours
Design
Weight250 g147 g
Bluetooth5.25.2
Two devices at onceYesYes
Headphone cableYesNo
ControlsTouch 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 minutesPhysical buttons for playback, calls, volume and track selection; press the play/call button to use the connected phone's Siri or Google voice assistant
MicrophonesEight microphones for noise cancelling; four beamforming microphones with AI-based noise reduction for calls; MEMS, omnidirectionalBuilt-in call microphone with noise suppression processing
Fit and ear tipsClosed, over-ear; Soft fit leather headband and earpads; stepless slider; ear cups swivel flat for the carrying caseAdjustable padded headband, soft earpads and swivelling earcups
Water resistance detailNo water resistance rating; Sony says the headphones are not waterproofNo water resistance rating published
Works withSony | 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 cancellingTwo-device multipoint, Fast Pair and Swift Pair; approximately 10 m range, profiles A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP; USB-C is charging-only (SoundGuys)
ColoursBlack, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue, Smoky Pink (Sony Australia; colours vary by region)Black, Blue, White, Beige; Pink and Yellow added in March 2025; One Piece Black and One Piece White limited editions on the current UK page
In the boxHeadphones, 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, documentsHeadphones and USB charging cable; no carrying case listed

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