The Sony WH-1000XM5 features an Ambient Sound Mode that you can use to hear external noises along with being able to simultaneously listen to the audio output from the wireless headphones. This is helpful if you want to pay attention to the surrounding environment while also listening to music or other types of audio at the same time.
If you are having problems getting this mode to work properly, then you can take a look at this troubleshooting article at Seeking Tech.
1. The first step you should take is to press the NC/AMB button. By default, the WH-1000XM5 will have the Noise Cancellation mode enabled right out of the box.
Therefore, you need to press the NC/AMB button in order to switch over to Ambient Sound Mode.
- 2. You should also make sure that you have the NC/AMB button configured based on your preferences. In order to do so, you need to take the following steps:
- Download, install and open the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app on a compatible smartphone or mobile device if you haven’t done so already.
- With the app opened, you then need to connect your Sony WH-1000XM5 to the phone or mobile device.
- From the dashboard of the app, select the “Change function of [NC/AMB] button” option.
- Make sure you change this function to your preference.
3. If you are using the WH-1000XM5 as a wired headset via the headphone cable, then you need to make sure that it is turned on.
Although you can still use the headphones to listen to music and other audio types while it is turned off, the Ambient Sound Mode will be disabled.
4. You should also avoid covering the left and right ear cushions of the WH-1000XM5. Otherwise, you will be blocking the microphones, which will result in the lack of effectiveness when it comes to detecting ambient noise.
Therefore, you should not have any clothing, accessories, stickers or other adhesive types covering the ear cushions of the headphones.
5. If you still can’t the Ambient Sound Mode to work efficiently, or at all, then you can try turning on the Quick Attention Mode. This function will lower the volume level of your WH-1000XM5, which should make it easier to hear the ambient noises from your surround environment.
In order to enable Quick Attention Mode, you need to take the following steps:
- Use your hand to touch the touch sensor panel located on the right ear cushion. Make sure that your hand is making contact with the entire panel or the Quick Attention Mode won’t activate.
- Keep your hand in contact with touch sensor panel in order to keep Quick Attention Mode activated.
- Once you want to return to normal listening, you can let go of the touch sensor panel.
You can watch a video demonstration on how to use Quick Attention Mode below:
6. The Ambient Sound Mode and Quick Attention Mode may not be fully effective when it comes to ambient noises, especially if the noise from the surround environment is quiet.
If you want to pay full attention to your surround environment, we recommend that you turn off your WH-1000XM5 or remove the wireless headphones from your ears.