WH-1000XM5 power and charging status indicator lights guide

The Sony WH-1000XM5 features two status indicators with one located near the power button and the other being near the USB Type-C charging port. You can check out this guide at Seeking Tech to see what the different colors and blinking patterns indicate.

What does it mean when the WH-1000XM5 power indicator quickly flashes blue lights two times

If the power indicator quickly flashes blue lights two times at a regular interval when you press the power button, then it means that the wireless headphones is turning on. This also indicates that you have more than 10% battery life remaining.

What does it mean when the WH-1000XM5 power indicator slowly flashes an orange light

If the power indicator slowly flashes an orange light for around 15 seconds, then it indicates that the headphones have low battery life (10% or less).

If you are wearing the headphones while the battery life gets low, then you should hear a voice saying “low battery” or beeping noise that is accompanied by a voice saying “battery is empty.”

In this scenario, Sony recommends that you recharge the headset, which can take up to 3.5 hours, before using it.

What does it mean when the WH-1000XM5 power indicator shows a solid blue light?

When you press and hold the power button of the WH-1000XM5 while it is turned on, the power indicator next to the button should display a solid blue light for around 2 seconds. Afterwards, it should show no lights as the headphones have been turned off.

What does it mean when the power indicator quickly flashes blue lights two times repeatedly?

If you see that the power indicator is quickly flashing a blue light two times repeatedly, then it means that the Sony WH-1000XM5 is currently set to pairing mode. If you are trying to pair it to another device, then make sure you do so in the Bluetooth menu of the other device.

What does it mean when the WH-1000XM5 power indicator flashes blue lights at 1-second intervals?

If you see that the power indicator of the WH-1000XM5 is flashing a blue light at 1-second intervals, then it means that it is not connected to a device.

In this case, make sure that you have Bluetooth connection turned on for the other device. You should also make sure that your headphones were previously paired to the device.

What does it mean when the WH-1000XM5 power indicator quickly flashes blue lights for 5 seconds?

If the power indicator is quickly flashing a blue light for 5 seconds, then it means that the connection process has been completed. As a result, you should be able to start using the headphones with the connected devices.

What does it mean when the WH-1000XM5 power indicator flashes blue lights at 5-second intervals?

If the power indicator flashes blue lights at 5-second intervals, then it indicates that headphones are connected to the other device. It also means that the headphones cable is connected.

What does it mean when the WH-1000XM5 power indicator quickly flashes blue lights repeatedly?

If you see that power indicator is quickly flashing a blue light repeatedly, then it means that you will be hearing an incoming call. So, make sure you answer the call if it is important.

What does it mean when the WH-1000XM5 power indicator slowly flashes blue lights?

If the power indicator slowly flashes a blue light, then it means that the firmware for the WH-1000XM5 is being updated at the moment.

What does it mean when the WH-1000XM5 power indicator quickly flashes blue lights 4 times?

If you see the power indicator quickly flashing a blue light 4 times, then it indicates that the setup process has completed.

What does it mean when the WH-1000XM5 charging indicator is showing a solid orange light?

When it comes to the charging indicator, a solid orange light indicates that the WH-1000XM5 is currently recharging. If the solid orange light disappears when the headphones are plugged into a power source, then it means that the charging process has been completed.

What does it mean when the charging indicator quickly flashes orange lights two times repeatedly?

When the charging indicator quickly flashes orange lights two times repeatedly, then it means that the temperature is abnormal for charging.

In this case, we recommend that you stop charging the WH-1000XM5 and then try to recharge in the suggested temperature range, which is 59 °F to 95 °F (or 15 °C to 35 °C).

What does it mean when the charging indicator slowly flashes an orange light repeatedly?

If the charging indicator slowly flashes an orange light repeatedly, then there is an issue with the charging process.

What to do if the WH-1000XM5 can’t turn on

The WH-1000XM5 is a new latest wireless headphones model released by Sony in 2022. If you can’t turn this device on, then you can take a look at this troubleshooting article at Seeking Tech to see how you can potentially fix your issue.

How to turn on the WH-1000XM5

In order to power on the Sony WH-1000XM5, you need to press and hold the power button located on the left ear cup for around 2 seconds.

If done correctly, you should see status indicator next to the power button flash a blue light twice. Your headphones should now be turned on and operable.

What to do if the WH-1000XM5 can’t turn on

If you can’t see the flashing blue lights to turn on your headphones, then you can try doing the following:

1. First off, we recommend that you try charging the battery of the WH-1000XM5. To recharge the headphones, make sure you are using the USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable that came included with the packaging box.

Plug the USB Type-C end of the cable to the USB Type-C port of the headphones and then the USB Type-A end on the USB Type-A end of the USB port of the charging device.

The status indicator next to the power button should be showing an orange light when the WH-1000XM5 is recharging. It can take around 3.5 hours to recharge the headphones battery to full.

If you are having issues trying to recharge this device, then we recommend that you check out this article to find some potential fixes.

2. It should be noted that the wireless headphones can’t be powered on while it is recharging.

Therefore, we recommend waiting until the charging process to complete first. Afterwards, unplug the headphones from the USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable and then try to turn it on by taking the aforementioned steps we laid out earlier in this article.

3. Keep in mind that the Sony WH-1000XM5 has a recommended operating temperature range of 0 °C to 40 °C (or 32 °F to 104 °F). If the headphones get too cold or too hot, then the device may not be able to turn on unless you move it to a more appropriate temperature.

4. If your headphones still won’t turn on, then you can try resetting it to see if doing so fixes the problem.

5. If a normal reset didn’t work, then you can do a full factory reset, which will return the headphones to its original factory settings.

To find out how you can reset and factory reset the Sony WH-1000XM5, we recommend that you take a look at this tutorial.

6. If the headphones still can’t power up after trying all of the aforementioned steps, then we recommend that you contact Sony for additional help.

There is a possibility that your WH-1000XM5 is damaged whether if its due to liquid damage, overheating, a dead internal battery as well as other problems.

If the product is still under warranty, then you might be able to get it repaired or replaced.

How to prevent WH-1000XM5 battery drain issues

The WH-1000XM5 has a battery life of around 30 hours assuming that the internal battery is fully charged.

If you find that the battery life for the wireless headphones is shorter than expected, then you can take a look at this troubleshooting article at Seeking Tech to see how you can fix the battery drain issues.

1. The first step we recommend taking is to disable some features that you aren’t using.

In order to do so, you first need to download and install the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app on your smartphone or mobile device if you haven’t done so already.

Next, you need to connect the Sony WH-1000XM5 to the phone or mobile device.

Afterwards, open the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app and then disable any of the following:

  • DSEE Extreme
  • Speak-to-Chat
  • Equalizer
  • Voice Assistance
  • Service Link
  • Noise Cancellation
  • Ambient Sound Mode

For best results, we recommend disabling all of the aforementioned features. Of course, you can also leave functions like Noise Cancellation enabled if you want to keep using it at the expense of a shorter battery life.

2. While you are using the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app, you may also want to make sure that the sound quality mode during Bluetooth playback isn’t set to prioritize sound quality.

3. In the same application, make sure that you have automatic power off setting enabled.

With this feature turned on, the headphones will automatically power off after 15 minutes of inactivity. As a result, you will save the battery from depleting.

4. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a recommended operating temperature range of 0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F). If you use the headphones outside of that range, then the battery may end up holding less charge.

5. Furthermore, the product has a recommended charging temperature range of 5 °C to 35 °C (41 °F to 95 °F). If you try to recharge its battery outside of that range, then it may result in a lower-than-expected battery life.

6. If you haven’t used the WH-1000XM5 for more than 6 months, then its maximum battery capacity may have been temporary reduced due to over-discharge.

To fix this particular problem, we simply recommend that you use the headphones normally and then recharge it once the battery life gets low. After a few cycles of charging and discharging the internal battery, you should start seeing improvements when it comes to the battery life.

To prevent over-discharge, make sure you recharge the Sony WH-1000XM5 at least once every 6 months.

7. You should also make sure you have the latest firmware installed for your WH-1000XM5 as a new update may improve the battery usage efficiency. If you are running into issues trying to update your headphones, then we recommend that you take a look at this troubleshooting guide to see how you can fix your problem.

8. It is also very important to note that the internal battery of the WH-1000XM5 will wear out over time and lose its ability to hold a charge. As a result, the battery life will become worse.

In order to slow down the wear-and-tear of the battery, you can try taking the following precautionary steps:

  • Try not to let the battery life of the WH-1000XM5 fall below 20%.
  • You may also want to avoid recharging the headphones to more than 80%.
  • Avoid using the device if the ambient temperature is outside the recommend range of 0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F).
  • Avoid charging the WH-1000XM5 outside the recommended ambient temperature range of 5 °C to 35 °C (41 °F to 95 °F).
  • As we stated above, recharge the battery at least once every 6 months.

If the battery capacity has been significantly reduced, then you will need to replace battery with a new on.

How to fix WH-1000XM5 firmware update issues

You can update the firmware of the WH-1000XM5 in order to fix bugs, improve performance and get new features.

If you are having trouble trying to download and install a new software version of the wireless headphones, then you can take a look at this troubleshooting guide at Seeking Tech to see what steps you can take in order to fix your issue.

How to update the firmware for Sony WH-1000XM5

In order to update the firmware for the WH-1000XM5, you need to take the following steps:

1. If you haven’t done so already, download the Sony | Headphones Connect app and then connect your headphones to a compatible smartphone or mobile device.

2. With the headphones connected and the application opened, the firmware should start to download automatically if there is a new update available.

What to do if the Sony WH-1000XM5 firmware update keeps failing

If the firmware update for the WH-1000XM5 keeps failing, then you can try doing the following:

1. If your smartphone or mobile device is connected to another Bluetooth product, then we recommend that you disconnect the other product.

This is because the WH-1000XM5 may not update if there are other products connected using Bluetooth Low Energy. Therefore, you should make sure that the headphones are the only Bluetooth device connected.

2. You should also make sure that you get a strong Bluetooth connection between the headphones and the phone/mobile device.

For the best results, try to move the WH-1000XM5 and the phone/mobile device as close as possible. You should avoid placing any solid objects in between the line of sight. Other wireless devices, such as a Wi-Fi router and other Bluetooth products, may also interfere with the communication.

3. Make sure that both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and phone/mobile device have enough battery life to go through the firmware update process.

4. If your smartphone or mobile device have multiple apps opened, then it may be causing the WH-1000XM5 firmware update to fail due to potential conflicts and/or a lack of free hardware resources.

In this case, we recommend that you close all the apps you have opened with the exception of Sony | Headphones Connect app before starting the update.

5. Furthermore, you may want to consider restarting the phone or mobile devices before attempting to update again.

6. You may want to consider disabling the automatic power off feature of the Sony WH-1000XM5. With this function enabled, the headphones will shut down after 15 minutes of inactivity. Therefore, you risk the wireless headphones turning off during the middle of the firmware update.

You should be able to disable the automatic power off feature in the Sony | Headphones Connect app.

7. Your smartphone or mobile device may also have an automatic power saving mode that may interfere with the firmware update of your WH-1000XM5. So, make sure you disable it.

The power saving mode may also be referred to as rest mode, sleep mode and other names.

If you still can’t update your Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones after trying all of the aforementioned steps, then we recommend contacting Sony for additional support for your problem.

How to reset and factory reset the WH-1000XM5

If your WH-1000XM5 doesn’t seem to be working as intended, or simply not working at all, then you might want to reset the wireless headphones. A factory reset may also be helpful when it comes to potentially fixing your problem.

About resetting the WH-1000XM5

By resetting the Sony WH-1000XM5, you will restart the headphones, which may help resolve the issue you are experiencing. By performing this action, the device will still remember your pairing information and customized settings.

How to reset the WH-1000XM5

In order to reset the Sony WH-1000XM5, we recommend that you take the following steps:

1. Before you start, make sure you have the USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable that came with your WH-1000XM5. While you can use a similar cable, it is not guaranteed to work when it comes to resetting the headphones.

2. Plug the USB Type-C end of the cable to the USB Type-C port of the WH-1000XM5.

3. Next, you need to plug the other USB Type-A end of the cable to a power source, which could be an USB AC adaptor or a device that supports USB charging.

4. Press the power button and NC/AMB button at the same time in order to reset the headphones. Both of these buttons are located on the left ear cup.

About factory resetting the WH-1000XM5

If a normal reset didn’t resolve your specific problem with the Sony the WH-1000XM5, then you might want to perform a factory reset. By doing so, you will delete the pairing information and customized settings you have on the headphones.

So, if you would like to use the product again, you will need to pair it to the device and then use the Sony | Headphones Connect app in order to change to the settings you want.

How to factory reset the WH-1000XM5

In order to factory reset the Sony WH-1000XM5, you need to do the following:

1. Before doing anything else, you should make sure that the headphones can be turned on as it needs to have enough battery life to complete the process.

To turn on the WH-1000XM5, press and hold the power button for 2 seconds.

2. After making sure that the device can be powered on, press and hold the power button for 2 seconds in order to turn it off.

3. With the headphones turned off, remove the USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable if you have it connected.

4. Next, you need to press and hold both the power button and NC/AMB button for 7 seconds.

5. If done correctly, you should see the status indicator in between the power button and NC/AMB button blink blue 4 times. This indicates that the factory resetting process has been completed.

If you want to use the Sony WH-1000XM5 again after the factory reset to the same device as before, you will first need to delete the pairing information for the headphones on the other device. Afterwards, you should be able to pair the WH-1000XM5 to the device and then use the Sony | Headphones Connect app to customize the various settings for the product.

What to do if the WH-1000XM5 can’t be recharged

The WH-1000XM5 features an internal battery that can be recharged. If you are having a hard time trying to charge the wireless headphones, then you can take a look at this troubleshooting tutorial at Seeking Tech.

1. If your WH-1000XM5 is not recharging at all, then the first step you can take is to make sure that you are using the USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable that came with the headphones. This is because other cables may not be compatible when it comes to charging the internal battery.

2. You should also make sure that you try to charge the device within a range of 59 °F to 95 °F (or 15 °C to 35 °C).

If the temperature gets too cold or too hot, then the battery may end up not being able to be charged.

3. Make sure that the USB Type-C end of the cable is connected securely to the USB Type-C port of the Sony WH-1000XM5.

4. If you are connecting the other end of the USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable to a USB AC adaptor, then you need to make sure that is securely USB Type-A end is connected to the adaptor.

5. Furthermore, the USB AC adaptor must have an output current that is at least 1.5 A.

6. If you haven’t done so already, you should also make sure that the USB AC adaptor is securely plugged into the power outlet.

7. Moreover, you can try using a different power outlet to see if you can get the headphones to charge.

8. If you are connecting the other end of the USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable to a USB Type-A port of another device, then you need to make sure that the other device is actually capable of acting as a power source.

9. You should make sure that the cable is securely connected to the USB Type-A port of the other device.

10. You need to make sure that the other device is completely turned on. The Sony WH-1000XM5 may not charge if the other device is put in rest mode, sleep mode, hibernation mode or any other similar low power state modes.

11. Moreover, make sure you connect the headphones to the other device directly. If you are using a USB hub or similar USB pass-through products, then it may cause charging issues.

12. If possible, you can try plugging the cable into a different USB Type-A port.

13. You can also try updating the firmware of the other device.

14. You may want to try a completely different device as well.

15. If your Sony WH-1000XM5 is still not recharging, then you can try resetting the headphones.

16. If resetting the WH-1000XM5 does not work, then you may want to perform a factory reset.

To see how you can reset and factory reset this product, we recommend that you take a look at this article.

17. If your headphones still can’t charge, then we suggest contacting Sony for additional support.

There is a possibility that the WH-1000XM5 may be defective to the point where it needs to be repaired or replaced.

How to fix Switch, Switch Lite and Switch OLED Bluetooth audio delay/lag

Support for Bluetooth earphones, headsets, headphones and speakers were recently added to the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED systems.

When using the Bluetooth connection for audio, you may notice that there is a delay or lag in relations to what is happening on the screen.

You can check out this troubleshooting guide at Seeking Tech to see how you can fix these wireless audio latency issues.

1. The first step we recommend taking is to turn off your console and then turn it back on again.

In order to do so, you need to do the following:

  • Press and hold the power button on your Switch, Switch Lite or Switch OLED until the Power menu shows up on screen.
  • In the Power menu, select Power Options.
  • Select Turn Off.
  • Press the power button again on your system to turn it back on.

2. You can also try turning off the connected Bluetooth audio device, turn it back on again and then reconnect it you’re your Switch system.

To do so, you need to take the following steps:

  • Follow the instructions from the manufacture of the Bluetooth audio device to turn it off.
  • Follow the instructions from the manufacture of the Bluetooth audio device to turn it back on again.
  • On your Switch system, go to System Settings.
  • On the left column of the System Settings menu, scroll down and then select Bluetooth Audio.
  • On the right side of the same screen, select your Bluetooth audio device.
  • In the next screen, select Connect Device.

3. If possible, you may want to factory reset your Bluetooth audio device and then pair it to your Switch system again.

You can do so by doing the following:

  • Follow the instructions from the manufacture of the Bluetooth audio device to factory reset it.
  • Go to System Settings on your Switch system.
  • Scroll down and then select Bluetooth Audio on the left side of the System Settings menu.
  • Next, select your Bluetooth audio device on the right side of the same screen.
  • In the next screen, select Remove Device.
  • In the pop-up notification, select Remove Device again.
  • Follow the instructions from the manufacture’s Bluetooth audio device to set the device to pairing mode.
  • On the Nintendo Switch system, you should be back in the Bluetooth Audio menu. Here, you need to select Pair Device.
  • In the Pair Bluetooth Audio Device menu, select your device.
  • In the pop-up notification, select OK.

4. You can also try updating the firmware of your Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite or Nintendo Switch OLED.

You can do so by taking the following steps:

  • From the Home menu, select System Settings.
  • Inside the System Settings menu, scroll down on the left column and then select System.
  • On the right side in the same screen, select System Update.

5. If the Bluetooth audio latency issue is only happening when you play one specific game, then you can try closing the game and then opening it again.

You can also try updating the game by taking the following steps:

  • From the Home menu, navigate to the problematic game.
  • With the game highlighted, press either the + button or – button.
  • Select Software Update from the left column in the next screen.
  • On the right side of the same screen, select Via the Internet.

6. Furthermore, you can try repositioning the Bluetooth audio device to your Switch, Switch Lite or Switch OLED system.

You should try to move connected Bluetooth audio device as close as possible to the game system.

You should also make sure that there are no solid objects that may block the direct line of sight in between the audio device and your Switch.

Other wireless devices may also interrupt Bluetooth connection between the audio device and the system. Therefore, you should make sure you aren’t near any Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and any other wireless devices.

7. If none of the aforementioned potential solutions help resolve the Bluetooth audio delay and lag issues, then we recommend using a wired connection.

A wired connection will generally have less latency when compared to a Bluetooth connection.

So, if you have earphones, headsets, headphones or speakers with an audio cable, you can try connecting it to the audio jack of your Switch system. You should experience less delay and lag by doing so.

How to fix unresponsive microphone input in Astro’s Playroom

Astro’s Playroom is a videogame that is pre-installed with every PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. When playing, you may eventually come up to a section where the game will tell you to blow into the microphone input of your DualSense controller.

If you are having issues in this section, you can follow this guide at Seeking Tech for some potential fixes.

Why the DualSense mic is unresponsive in Astro’s Playroom

Based on our tests, this issue mainly occurs when you are using a headphone or headset with your PlayStation 5. Once the system detects your headphone or headset, it will automatically switch the microphone input device from the microphone on the DualSense controller to the microphone on your headphone or headset. Keep in mind that not all headphones will have this issue.

You can check the microphone input device in the Settings section of the system menu. From there, select “Sound” and then “Microphone.”

Solution for Headphone

If you running into issues with unresponsive microphone input when using a headphone (which don’t have a microphone), then an easy way to get past these sections that require you to blow on a mic is by pressing the mic mute button. The button is located below the “PS” button on your DualSense controller. You can tell the microphone Is muted when it displays an orange light.

Once the Astro’s Playroom game detects that your microphone has been muted, it will move you through the problematic section without any inputs.

Solution for Headset

If you have a headset, you need to blow directly into the mic on your headset.

If you are still having issues, you can try going to “Settings” from the main system menu and then select “Sound.” From there, select “Microphone” and then “Adjust Microphone Level.” In this section, you can test out the sensitivity of your headset microphone and adjust the microphone level. If your input level is too low, try increasing the microphone level.

If blowing into your headset microphone still does not work, you can try muting your microphone on your headset during the mic-blowing sections in Astro’s Playroom and see if the game will move you through without any inputs.

If none of the above works, simply disconnect your headset from the PlayStation 5. The system will automatically revert the microphone input to your DualSense controller. So, you should now be able to blow on it. Once again, you can check your mic status from the main system menu by going to “Settings,” then “Sound” and then “Microphone.”

Bose Frames Alto vs. Rondo vs. Soprano vs. Tempo vs. Tenor

Bose recently added three new electronic sunglasses to its Frames series with the Soprano, Tempo and Tenor. So, how do these compare against each other in addition to the older Alto and Rondo versions?

You can find out in this comparison guide between the five hybrid headphones/sunglasses devices.

Quick Summary

The Bose Frames Soprano, Tempo and Tenor come with better sound output thanks to a wafer-thin acoustic package and volume-optimized equalizer.

You will also get better voice clarity with the three new models due to the dual-beam-forming array and new digital signal processing.

Last but not least, the battery life has been increased for the newer hybrid headphones/sunglasses devices.

The older Bose Frames Alto and Rondo does have an advantage in that both include Bose AR, which are sensors that detect head and body movements to control audio playback.

Overall, we definitely recommend getting the Soprano, Tempo and Tenor over the Alto and Rondo.

The Tempo is made for those who are planning to use the sunglasses for exercising as it offers the longest battery life in addition to having the best water protection.

The Soprano and Tenor are more suitable for causal listening.

Alto vs. Rondo vs. Soprano vs. Tempo vs. Tenor Comparison Chart

You can check out Seeking Tech’s comparison table between all five Bose products below.

Bose Frames AltoBose Frames RondoBose Frames SopranoBose Frames TempoBose Frames Tenor
What’s in the BoxBose Frames Alto

Carry case

Charging cable

Cloth bag
Bose Frames Rondo

Carry case

Charging cable

Cloth bag
Bose Frames Soprano

Polarized lenses

Carry case

Charging cable

Cleaning cloth
Bose Frames Tempo

Polarized lenses

Ballistic-nylon case

USB-C charging cable

3 nose pad options

Cleaning cloth
Bose Frames Tenor

Polarized lenses

Carry case

Charging cable

Cleaning cloth
Weight45 g45 g50 g50 g50 g
DimensionsAlto S/M:

Lens Width: 53 mm

Distance Between Lenses: 20 mm

Temple Length: 135 mm

Alto M/L:

Lens Width: 54 mm

Distance Between Lenses: 21 mm

Temple Length: 136 mm
Lens Width: 51 mm

Distance Between Lenses: 22 mm

Temple Length: 135 mm
Lens Width: 55 mm

Distance Between Lenses: 17 mm

Temple Length: 136 mm
Lens Width: 65 mm

Distance Between Lenses: 17 mm

Temple Length: 136 mm
Lens Width: 55 mm

Distance Between Lenses: 18 mm

Temple Length: 136 mm
Bose Open Ear Audio?YesYesImprovedImprovedImproved
SpeakersUnknownUnknown16 mm22 mm16 mm
Bluetooth Range30 feet (or 9 m)30 feet (or 9 m)30 feet (or 9 m)30 feet (or 9 m)30 feet (or 9 m)
Bluetooth PairingConnect one device at the time

Try to connect to most recent connected device first

Keep track of the last 8 devices that were connected
Connect one device at the time

Try to connect to most recent connected device first

Keep track of the last 8 devices that were connected
Connect one device at the time

Try to connect to most recent connected device first

Keep track of the last 8 devices that were connected
Connect one device at the time

Try to connect to most recent connected device first

Keep track of the last 8 devices that were connected
Connect one device at the time

Try to connect to most recent connected device first

Keep track of the last 8 devices that were connected
Wi-Fi/WiDi Support?NoNoNoNoNo
Microphone11Dual-beam-forming arrayDual-beam-forming arrayDual-beam-forming array
Phone Calls Support?YesYesYesYesYes
Audio Connection OptionsBluetooth A2DP

Bluetooth HFP
Bluetooth A2DP

Bluetooth HFP
Bluetooth A2DP

Bluetooth HFP
Bluetooth A2DP

Bluetooth HFP
Bluetooth A2DP

Bluetooth HFP
Volume-Optimized EQ?NoNoYesYesYes
Main AppBose ConnectBose ConnectBose MusicBose MusicBose Music
Other AppsApple Music

Google Maps

Spotify

Skype

WhatsApp

Waze

And More
Apple Music

Google Maps

Spotify

Skype

WhatsApp

Waze

And More
Apple Music

Google Maps

Spotify

Skype

WhatsApp

Waze

And More
Apple Music

Google Maps

Spotify

Skype

WhatsApp

Waze

And More
Apple Music

Google Maps

Spotify

Skype

WhatsApp

Waze

And More
Voice AssistanceNoneNoneSiri (for iOS)

Google Assistant (for Android)
Siri (for iOS)

Google Assistant (for Android)
Siri (for iOS)

Google Assistant (for Android)
Polarized Lens?NoNoYesYesYes
Prescription Lens Replacement?YesNoYesYesYes
UVA/ UVB Protection99%99%99%99%99%
Bose AR Support?YesYesNoNoNo
Water ResistanceIPX2IPX2IPX2IPX4IPX2
Music Playback Battery LifeUp to 3.5 hoursUp to 3.5 hoursUp to 5.5 hoursUp to 8 hoursUp to 5.5 hours
Battery Charging TimeUp to 2 hoursUp to 2 hoursUp to 1 hourUp to 1 hourUp to 1 hour
PricingCheck price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)

What’s in the Box

In addition to the sunglasses, each product comes with a carrying case and charging cable (the Tempo uses a USB-C cable).

The Alto and Rond comes with a cloth bag.

The newer Soprano, Tempo and Tenor models come with polarized lenses and a cleaning cloth.

The Tempo also includes three nose pad options.

You can find the full breakdown of what’s included in each box below:

Alto:

  • Bose Frames Alto
  • Carry case
  • Charging cable
  • Cloth bag

Rondo:

  • Bose Frames Rondo
  • Carry case
  • Charging cable
  • Cloth bag

Soprano:

  • Bose Frames Soprano
  • Polarized lenses
  • Carry case
  • Charging cable
  • Cleaning cloth

Tempo:

  • Bose Frames Tempo
  • Polarized lenses
  • Ballistic-nylon case
  • USB-C charging cable
  • 3 nose pad options
  • Cleaning cloth

Tenor:

  • Bose Frames Tenor
  • Polarized lenses
  • Carry case
  • Charging cable
  • Cleaning cloth

Weight

The Bose Frames Alto and Bose Frames Rondo weigh approximately 45 g each.

The new Bose Frames Soprano, Bose Frames Tempo and Bose Frames Tenor weigh a little bit more at around 50 g each.

Dimensions

The Alto is available in S/M or M/L sizes.

You can find the lens width, distance between lenses and temple length for all five Bose Frames in this versus guide below:

Alto S/M:

  • Lens Width: 53 mm
  • Distance Between Lenses: 20 mm
  • Temple Length: 135 mm

Alto M/L:

  • Lens Width: 54 mm
  • Distance Between Lenses: 21 mm
  • Temple Length: 136 mm

Rondo:

  • Lens Width: 51 mm
  • Distance Between Lenses: 22 mm
  • Temple Length: 135 mm

Soprano:

  • Lens Width: 55 mm
  • Distance Between Lenses: 17 mm
  • Temple Length: 136 mm

Tempo:

  • Lens Width: 65 mm
  • Distance Between Lenses: 17 mm
  • Temple Length: 136 mm

Tenor:

  • Lens Width: 55 mm
  • Distance Between Lenses: 18 mm
  • Temple Length: 136 mm

Bose Open Ear Audio

All five headphones/sunglasses pairs feature Bose Open Ear Audio, a feature that lets you listen to music while being able to hear external noises.

The newer Soprano, Tempo and Tenor models use a wafer-thin acoustic package to fuller and deeper sounds when compared to the original Alto and Rondo models.

Speakers

The new sports-based Tempo uses 22 mm full-range drivers while the more causal Soprano and Tenor sunglasses are equipped with 16 mm drivers.

It is unknown what drivers the Alto and Rondo versions are using.

Bluetooth Range

The products have the same Bluetooth range of 30 feet (or 9 m).

Bluetooth Pairing

All of the sunglasses will connect to one device at the time.

When multiple options are available, they will pair with the most recent connected device first.

All of the Bose products will keep track of the last 8 devices that were connected.

Wi-Fi/WiDi Support

None of the devices in this comparison guide support Wi-Fi or WiDi.

Microphone

The older Alto and Rondo sunglasses are equipped with one microphone.

The Soprano, Tempo and Tenor are equipped with dual-beam-forming array, which provides much better voice clarity when paired with the new digital signal processing.

Phone Calls Support

The hybrid headphones/sunglasses wearable devices are capable of receiving phone calls.

You press the same multi-function button to answer and hang up.

Audio Connection Options

The Bose products support both Bluetooth A2DP and Bluetooth HFP.

Volume-Optimized EQ

The Soprano, Tempo and Tenor uses volume-optimized equalizer, a feature that make sure that your song won’t disappear in low volumes and won’t distort in high volumes.

Main App

The Bose Frames Alto and Bose Frames Rondo use Bose Connect while the Bose Frames Soprano, Bose Frames Tempo and Bose Frames Tenor use Bose Music.

Both applications are basically the same as you can personalize your settings, get new features and more.

Other Apps

The sunglasses/headphones wearables are also compatible with other apps on your smartphones, which include the following:

  • Apple Music
  • Google Maps
  • Spotify
  • Skype
  • WhatsApp
  • Waze
  • Voice Assistance

The new Soprano, Tempo and Tenor features voice assistance as you can activate Siri (for iOS) or Google Assistant (for Android) by double tapping the right temple.

Polarized Lens

Bose also added polarized lenses to the Soprano, Tempo and Tenor. These will provide a darker but also sharper looking vision when compared to the standard sunglasses.

Prescription Lens Replacement

The lens of the sunglasses, except the Rondo model, can be replaced with prescription lens.

UVA/ UVB Protection

The Bose Frames provide 99% UVA/UVB protection.

Bose AR

The older Bose Frames Alto and Bose Frames Rondo features AR, which are motion sensors that detect and track your head orientation and body movements to control the audio playback.

Water Resistance

The Alto, Rondo, Soprano and Tenor have a water resistance of IPX2, which means the sunglasses can protect against water splashes at a 15-degree angle or less.

The Tempo has a rating of IPX4, which means that it is resistant to water splashes from all angles.

Music Playback Battery Life

When it comes to streaming music playback, the Tempo has the longest battery life out of this group, followed by the Soprano and Tenor.

The Alto and Rondo have the shortest battery life.

You can check out the battery specifications below:

  • Bose Frames Alto: Up to 3.5 hours
  • Bose Frames Rondo: Up to 3.5 hours
  • Bose Frames Soprano: Up to 5.5 hours
  • Bose Frames Tempo: Up to 8 hours
  • Bose Frames Tenor: Up to 5.5 hours

Battery Charging Time

It should take around half as long for the Soprano, Temp and Tenor to recharge their batteries when compared to the Alto and Rondo.

You can take a look at the battery charging times below:

  • Alto: Up to 2 hours
  • Rondo: Up to 2 hours
  • Soprano: Up to 1 hour
  • Tempo: Up to 1 hour
  • Tenor: Up to 1 hour

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