Sony WF-1000XM5 Firmware Update, version 4.0.2
Just like the WH-1000XM5, the WF-1000XM5 has also received a firmware update. The update brings similar benefits, but lacks the security features of the system software. So I guess that was not related to Google's Find My Device.
- Adds support for the following features:
- Auto Switch
- Google Fast Pair through LE Audio priority connection
- The new Google's Find My Device (only during dedicated Classic Audio connection)
The fast pair seems to be absent from the WH-1000XM5 update, so not sure if that is already part of the WH-1000XM5 firmware or only specific to the WF-1000XM5.
Before updating the firmware, make sure both the updating device and the earbuds are fully charged. One might need to update the Sony headphone app to the new Sound Connect app to have the update show up.
Some users are reporting improved ANC function on the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5. Anyone else able to confirm?
For both the buds and the headphones, it seems that they tweaked the sound profile. There seems to be less of a bloaty bass, and more of a precise one, the sub-bass being more proeminent now. The soundstage / sense of spaciousness also seems to be improved - could be a byproduct of the less bloaty bass, or could be an actual tweaking of this aspect as well.
ReplyDeleteI didn't specifically tried to see if there is a difference in ANC. There is a guy on Youtube (Aaron something) that does tests regarding ANC and the sound, I'm curious about his future measurements/tests.
This tweaked sound profile is definitely an improvement in my book, but I could see some people, maybe bassheads, complain about it. Myself I like a more qualitative bass.
ANC performs about the same to me
ReplyDeleteUpdated Sound Connect app that works with MDR Proxy is available at https://www.mrwalkman.com/p/mdrproxyfwsidegradetool.html for anyone that would like to downgrade the firmware.
ReplyDeleteMyself I went through the previous versions, and they all have that bump in the upper bass.
The sound, it overall seems more congested, and it definitely doesn't sound as clear as the latest update.
High frequencies can easily become hot, shouty, depending on the song I'm listening to, and I feel the need to turn the volume down a bit.
By not having the upper bass emphasis, I guess that the texture of the lower frequencies is heard better, it's cleaner, hence why it seems like it rumbles more, to me.
In conclusion, my experience is that with this firmware it's indeed a more balanced sound, and it's easier on the ears.
I am using the stock tips (the biggest ones).
My feelings on the new sound signature are mixed.
ReplyDeleteWith foam eartips like the stock ones or Comply ones, the new sound might be better because foam tends to seal better and thus the bass appears stronger. The foam also absorbs some of the higher frequencies, so the sound might seem muddy and the bass "bloated".
However, for me who uses silicone tips for hygenic, comfort, cost and durability reasons, the new sound appears too bright. Prior to 4.0.2, my earbuds EQ settings were completely flat (+0) except for Extra Bass, which I set to the max (+10). This provided the perfect sound for me and was a decent improvement over my previous WF-1000XM3s. However after the newest firmware, the stock sound is now too sibilant and I had to turn the 6.3k and 16k sliders down a notch (might have to turn them down even more later).
Songs with cymbals and other high frequency elements are too sharp and I get listener fatigue above 30% volume while the bass is significantly weakened.
I feel that what they should have done is make this change but also expand the EQ settings so that people who like the old sound can just tune it back to how it used to be. The EQ settings overall have not changed for a long time across their earbuds and headphones. To this day, across many generations of devices, it's still just a basic 6-band EQ. Some other devices (for example Nothing Ear, IIRC) have more advanced EQ and better touch controls while Sony is just focused on adding more niche "features" like Auto Play, Auto Switch, 360 Reality Audio, etc.
Doing the EQ on the phone is far less convenient as it requires a constantly running extra app on many phones with no built-in system-wide EQ like Google Pixel and does not transfer over to other devices you might connect to.
+1 for potentially clearer sound with wider soundstage for many.
-1 for worse bass at same settings with no way to change it back to how it used to be.
I'm not at all sure if this was added with 4.0.2 or if it was present in prior versions (at least I don't remember ever seeing it before in 3.3.1 logs), but there now seems to be Bluetooth LE hardware address randomization happening from the optional Bluetooth LE Privacy Extensions that both devices have to support to work.
ReplyDeletebluetooth: packages/modules/Bluetooth/system/gd/hci/le_address_manager.cc:633 - OnCommandComplete: update random address : xx:xx:xx:xx:0c:60
Not sure if it provides any significant benefit in Classic Audio only mode which is the default right now in the app, because Bluetooth Classic is then still used for transmitting audio with the SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs (LE Audio does not use these codecs) and LE very likely only for transmitting battery levels, settings you change in the app, etc.
I'm not sure how it works with LE Audio Priority mode because my phone does not support LE Audio (LC3 codec) but potential privacy improvements could be seen when using LE Audio Priority mode on supported devices since the address would be frequently changed unlike the Bluetooth Classic address which remains static.
Someone more knowledgeable could chime in here.