Final Improvements? 🤔 Sony WF-1000XM5 Firmware 6.1.0
Firmware 6.1.0 could be one of the last updates for the WF-1000XM5 because the WF-1000XM6 earbuds might be coming soon. And based on my testing, there could have been some improvements to WF-1000XM5’s performance aside from the stated fixing of connection issues with the Sound Connect app, which recently saw this revamp that simplified things.
Before, it was basically a settings overview plastered over the old app version. Now everything’s been unified properly which is so much neater, and less intimidating for new users.
Anyway, are there any changes to the XM5’s performance such as its mic pickup, noise canceling, transparency and sound? Let’s find out.
Microphone Quality
In terms of mic pickup, there are no differences here that I can tell from the recordings. It’s the same as before the update, no improvements to voice filtering or clarity.
👉 Have a listen to the mic sound quality
Active Noise Cancelling
For active noise canceling, going by these measurements before and after the update, it seems that there’s a slight change. A bit of improvement in the lower frequencies, not so much in the upper mids, so there’s a slight change which I perceive to be an overall improvement
👉 Have a listen to the ANC quality samples
Transparency Mode
For transparency, there seems to be a change also. Transparency seems to be a bit brighter, a bit more amplified compared to how it was on the previous firmware. You can see that it measures closer to the base noise level represented by the white line, and there’s more amplification in the upper mids which should enhance voice pickup levels on the default transparency mode.
Sound Quality
In terms of sound quality, frequency sweeps show absolutely no difference, unlike the possible changes we have seen with noise canceling and transparency.
In short, this appears to be a good update, and maybe one of the last updates of the Sony WF-1000XM5, just before the WF-1000XM6 comes out, most likely in early 2026.
