
Sennheiser CX SPORT vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Sennheiser CX SPORT | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $130 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2018 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 10 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 17Hz-21kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 28 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.x | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | aptX, aptX Low Latency, AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 8.5 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | - | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 90 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 15.07 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | - | 39 g |
| Water resistance | null | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 6 |
What reviewers said
Sennheiser CX SPORT
The Sennheiser CX Sport true wireless earbuds are built for active use, offering a lightweight, secure fit that stays put during workouts. They deliver a lively, bass-forward sound with support for aptX and AAC codecs, plus Bluetooth multipoint for convenience. While their performance is solid for exercise, the price is on the higher side, and real-world battery life may fall short of the advertised six hours.
- Pro:Secure, stable fit during intense movement
- Pro:Energetic, bass-heavy sound signature
- Pro:IPX5 sweat and splash resistance
- Con:Battery life often below the rated 6 hours
- Con:Pricier than comparable sports earbuds
- Con:No active noise cancellation
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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