Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are $152 off for Black Friday

3 hours ago7 min read6 comments

In the grand symphony of Black Friday deals, Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are hitting a perfect chord, dropping to a resonant $250—a $152 discount that matches their Prime Day cadence and presents a compelling movement for any audiophile's collection. While they've been technically succeeded by the WH-1000XM6, these former Engadget favorites, which scored a virtuoso 95 in their 2022 review, are far from a forgotten B-side.Their redesign was a masterstroke in ergonomics, creating a supremely comfortable listening experience that feels like a custom fit for those long, immersive sessions, whether you're lost in a complex jazz arrangement or the layered soundscape of a film score. The sonic profile is where they truly shine; we noted a punchier, more defined bass that doesn't overwhelm the mids and highs, an improvement over the M4 that creates a deeper, richer, and more enveloping audio experience, as if the musicians are right there in the room with you.The active noise cancellation, powered by a doubled array of microphones and processors, acts as a master conductor, expertly silencing the cacophony of the world. It particularly excels at muting the higher-frequency intrusions—the chatter of a coffee shop, the hum of an office—though, like any performance, it has its limits, struggling to completely nullify the unpredictable crescendo of a baby's cry, a challenge few headphones can truly meet.With a battery life that plays on for a respectable 30 hours, they're built for marathon listening, not just a quick single. The newer M6 model, priced at a steep $450, certainly offers refinements in clarity and noise-canceling precision, but for the deal-seeking music lover this season, the WH-1000XM5 represents a rare harmony of premium quality and accessible price, a timeless track in the ever-evolving playlist of audio technology that deserves a prime spot in your rotation.

#Sony WH-1000XM5

#Black Friday deal

#noise-canceling headphones

#Engadget review

#featured

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