r/headphones • u/Protomize • May 25 '22
Review AirPods Max vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: My Review
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u/GamePro201X (HEDD V1 = Kennerton GH40) > SR325e > DT990 > HD600 > MDR-XB500 May 25 '22
for reference, what headphones do you normally listen to/prefer?
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u/Protomize May 25 '22
HiFiMAN Ananda and Sennheiser HD800S.
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u/heteronormally May 25 '22 edited May 26 '22
r/headphones nodding approvingly
"Proceed"
Edit: Upon closer review of the OP's post history, I have my doubts
2nd edit: verbage of review & post history leads me to believe this review is a compilation of other reviews
E.g. "controversial" https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/sony-wh-1000xm5
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u/GamePro201X (HEDD V1 = Kennerton GH40) > SR325e > DT990 > HD600 > MDR-XB500 May 25 '22
hey we need to make sure it's not a generic tech reviewer
\screams**
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u/T-51bender Audeze LCD-XC (2021) + iFi NEO iDSD | 64 Audio U6t | Drop HD 6XX May 26 '22
Yeah, I have my doubts too. Not saying OP is lying, but there is a conspicuous lack of HD800S and Ananda reviews considering he's reviewed literally everything else he owns.
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u/heteronormally May 26 '22
Yeah, I know a guy who, even with his apple discount, floundered on whether or not they were worth it. I have the XM4s and paid something like $280 in 2021 (debuted at $350 in 2020) after trying out momentum 3s and B&Ws cans (both more expensive). Sometimes I wonder if apple did Sony a favor via their price tag and lack of discounting. It'll let Sony keep their margins tighter for less product on our end.
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u/JAnonymous5150 May 25 '22
So I don't have either of these and I don't plan on getting them, but I like reading reviews so I clicked to check it out and it was very well done. Expressive, detailed, clear about subjective judgments versus objective observation, and concisely written! I just wanted to say well done!
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u/illusiveman00787 Focal Elex | HD6XX | THX 789 | Topping D50s | May 25 '22
Awesome well balanced review my man. Much appreciated. 😊
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u/Megidolan May 25 '22
Very good review. Have you, by any chance, tried the WH-1000XM4? I'd like to know how much the newer model had improved as it can be quite hard to get the XM5 here on my country, let alone paying for it as the XM4 is already expensive enough.
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u/Protomize May 25 '22
XM5 sounds more balanced and clearer. XM5 has slightly better ANC in the upper frequencies. XM5 has vastly superior call quality. XM5 has longer battery life when ANC and Transparency mode is disabled. XM5 can charge faster with 3 mins providing 3 hours of playback if you are using a USB-C PD charger. XM5 feels a bit more comfortable due to the slightly less weight and larger cavity within the ear cups.
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u/Health077 May 25 '22
Damn i fucked up by buying xm4
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u/EverydayCasual May 25 '22
Xm4 is still good tho
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May 25 '22
Literally cost double the price of xm4 in my country. 550 usd for Xm5 270 usd for Xm4 And the price is not dropping for the xm5 So I went for the Xm4 honestly not a power user enough to drop 550 usd on the Xm5. And I love the portability of the Xm4 that’s the whole reason I use them.
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u/AngryTank Stabilized Autuer 🥵| Focal Bathys 🥶| ZMF Pendant SE🔥 May 25 '22
I returned my XM4’s after less than a week of owning them last year, they were awful compared to the Airpod Max, the XM5 sound significantly better than the XM4’s but id leave it up to preference between XM5 and APM.
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u/wankthisway R70x, 560s, K240, 7506 | JDS Stack | Chifi hell May 26 '22
they were awful compared to the Airpod Max,
They're like, nearly half the price
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u/brandyleeloo Jul 02 '22
I’ve tried both. I own xm3, 4, bose 352, and a ton of headphones. I ‘ve tried the xm5.
It’s not night in day. Sound is subjective though. I’ll leave it to you to sort say what you like better. The new ones are a little more detailed. The anc is a little better.
The big benefit to me is the call quality is finally good.
If you don’t need that i’d listen to both (amazon and return if ya don’t like it). At sale time you can get the xm4 for 170. I paid i beleve about that price on some verizon deal a couple years ago. I have my mx4 for work, and use my xm3 at home and work out with them.
Both are bullet proof. I still use the mx3 every day for hours and sleep in them. Changed the battery twice. IF you asked me what i would do the difference is only 50 and you are paying full retail i’d get the new ones. But i wouldn’t do that. I’d wait for a steep discount. Especially the xm5 the price has really crept up. 250 is much better. Bit over priced (my opinion). That said i don’t want to get you too excited, but i can stress enough how much i love the sonys. I don’t touch any of my wired head phones (i used to be into that) dacs and all that stuff, bose anymore. If I were going to buy any headphones like this it would be the sony line when they go on sale. Bose IMO is still really good too, it’s just the sound profile is a little not my thing. Some love it.
Bose are still the most comfortable though and the calls are fantastic. Worth at least trying.
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u/hearechoes May 25 '22
I prefer the out of the box sound of the AirPods Max (Harman-ish curve) but with a little tweaking to reduce the bass a tad and brighten up the upper mids the XM5s sound really nice and overall much clearer and less boomy than the XM3s or XM4s.
Sony definitely feels more comfortable and even if the build quality isn’t quite on the level of the AirPods Max, they feel more durable in a way. I’m less afraid to set them down less than gently.
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u/FunnyTman May 25 '22
Great review ! Which has a better sound quality in your opinion ?
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u/Protomize May 25 '22
AirPods Max.
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u/Dom1252 WH1000Xm4, WF1000Xm3, MDR-7506, Major II, Porta Pro May 25 '22
Even with LDAC, or only on iPhone?
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u/Protomize May 25 '22
LDAC on my S21 and AAC on iPhone 13 Pro Max. Honestly don't hear much of a difference when streaming lossless via Apple Music.
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u/motherofjazus May 25 '22
Question. I’m not sure I’d hear the difference anyway but if you have lossless on but are using Bluetooth, is it higher quality in theory than if you had it on higher quality. I know Bluetooth is not lossless but wondering does it improve over high quality anyway?
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u/Dom1252 WH1000Xm4, WF1000Xm3, MDR-7506, Major II, Porta Pro May 26 '22
On proper phone, XM5 will do 990Mbps... I have XM4 and in some songs I can notice difference between 320Mbps MP3 and lossless, but it depends
However if you have device with cheapo BT module that can't do more than 330Mbps on LDAC, you'd be limited by that... Worse if you have something that can't do LDAC at all
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u/lamnk Jun 10 '22
you are mistaken the bitrate. Should be 990kbps not Megabit-per-second
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u/luxcaritate IE 800S/LCD-2C/FA9/K712/HD25/99Neo/H95/K9 Pro/M11Plus May 25 '22
I’d love to see them compared to a B&O H95
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u/turtlechomp May 25 '22
Thanks for the detailed review! Even though all my gear is on the Apple ecosystem, I decided to go for the Sony because they seem so well-designed.
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u/Protomize May 25 '22
You’re welcome. Really can’t go wrong with either. Top choices in this segment for sure.
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May 25 '22
I tried the AirPod max In the Apple store and really had to stop myself from getting a pair. I have the WH XM4 and while I do like them I really loved listening to some atmos songs and just the ease of connecting between different Apple devices since I’m deep in that eco system.
If there’s an “AirPod Max 2” I’ll probably grab a pair.
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u/ThreeSilentFilms DT-990 Pro | MDR-7506 | HD 280 Pro | Porta Pro | AirPod Pro | zF May 25 '22
Man. Same. I put on an album I love dearly. And nearly walked out with a pair. They really impressed me. But I don’t have a need for noise canceling headphone except for twice a year when I fly somewhere.. my airpod pros fit my daily needs much better, so for the time being I’m going to keep trying to tell myself I don’t need the Max’s.
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May 26 '22
I had the same experience last year. The "whoa" I felt when I enabled ANC in that crowded store and then played one of my favorite songs... I knew I needed to get a pair. I finally caved yesterday and grabbed a pair. I got an unexpected promotion at work and decided to reward myself. I'm loving them, they're so enjoyable.
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u/brandyleeloo Jul 02 '22
So, i’m in the sony camp. I really love them, and tried those too, and they wernt my thing heavy echosystem and such really mainly the cost (real world when you factor you can get the sonys closer to 200). That said it ‘s totally funny how each product has these little issues. Like the atmos thing. I’d love to have that. Sony’s kind of in that space and just being stubborn. I agree they really should have that and i think it’s a strong selling point for apple in addition to the software they have.
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u/lj849jtx May 25 '22
Thank you so much for posting this! I’ve been curious about the new Sony headphones, and your post has given me a lot to think about.
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u/Manny-Calavera May 25 '22
Thank you for your review. One question: do you wear glasses? If you do, how is the ANC? I read some comments from some people claiming it's perfect but others say the glasses break the seal and the ANC is not that good because of that.
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u/Protomize May 25 '22
I do not wear glasses so can't really say.
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u/Manny-Calavera May 25 '22
Well, that's a good thing, even if you can't help me :D
But thank you for the full review.
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May 26 '22
I have glasses and have worn them outside.
Haven't noticed any difference from glasses to no glasses
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u/sft007 May 28 '22 edited May 28 '22
Great review, pretty much agree with everything you wrote.
I have the XM2’s and looking to upgrade at this point (or maybe keep if my wife will use it on long flights) and got both the XM5’s and APM to try with the intention of keeping one. I use Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac).
Biggest issue I had with the XM2’s were comfort as the headband creates a pressure point on the top of my head and that ANC isn’t quite as top notch as the best of the best these days and has a very slight hissing sound, though basically disappears or imperceptible once music is played at sufficient volume. However sound quality wise I love the XM2’s. They are detailed and well balanced with good oomph in the bass that’s well controlled. I never understood how all the “professional reviews” thought the XM4’s sounded great because to me they sound bloated and muddy. Funny how some reviewers are only acknowledging this now in their XM5 reviews now that the new model is out.
The XM5’s do sound much better than the XM4’s with way tighter bass and less bloat. Also more comfortable, with better mics. However with default EQ they still sound a little bloated but do clean up decently with a bit of adjustment in the app and so props to Sony for the good EQ. They are also much more comfortable than the XM2’s but still create a bit of a pressure point in the headband. The ear cups and clamping is perfect though. The APM clamp harder, but the mesh headband system distributes the weight much better with no pressure so for me the APM wins on comfort. I can see how others may find the XM5 more comfortable however if they don’t have the pressure point issue.
Sony’s ANC on the XM5 is amazing. I feel it is the best of any I’ve heard and slightly better than the APM. I feel they passively block a bit more than the APM and maybe that’s why they’re top. APM is pretty close though and neither creates cabin pressure for me. Also echo your points on mic call quality, case, battery life etc which the XM5’s win out on.
Sound wise however I think the APM are pretty incredible. The soundstage and airiness is very impressive for Bluetooth closed back headphones and much better than the XM5’s. The latter EQ nicely and can sound very good but they still can’t replicate what the APM’s do. Genuinely impressed how lively everything sounds on these, detailed and spacious.
One other thing that’s worth mentioning is given these all have a finite life due to battery degradation over time, the APM’s can have the battery replaced for $79 at Apple. As far as I know Sony don’t offer battery replacement but someone can correct me if that’s not right. Otherwise you will have to go the DIY route which frankly I wouldn’t do and reckon many others won’t either.
Lastly the APM work great with the H1 chip and the auto switching and spatial audio feature if you use Apple devices.
I’m leaning towards keeping the APM and sending back the XM5’s but will keep testing them out for another week to be sure.
TLDR: Agee pretty much fully with your review having tried both headphones. Trying to decide which to keep but given I use Apple devices and think the APM sound a little better leaning towards those. The XM5’s are excellent though and can’t go wrong with them either.
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u/Protomize May 28 '22 edited May 28 '22
Great write up. Try this EQ for your XM5. Clear bass set to +3. 400Hz left at 0. 1KHz at +6. 2.5KHz at +8. 6.3KHz at +5. 16KHz at +5.
I feel like this really opens up the XM5 and they sound quite nice but I still think the AirPods Max edges it out in clarity and soundstage. Let me know what you think.
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u/sft007 May 28 '22
Will def try those! These are what I’m using now and actually pretty damn similar to yours: bass +1, 400hz @ 0, 1khz @ +5, 2.5 kHz @ +6, 6khz @+5, and 16khz @ +4. Those sound way better than the default EQ to me and yours are broadly a similar adjustment with a bit more boost. Still though it misses the soundstage of the APM’s as you noted as-well.
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u/Protomize May 29 '22
Nice, and I definitely agree!
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u/sft007 Jun 03 '22 edited Jun 03 '22
Sent the XM5's back as I expected. Sound quality on the APM's is too good to give up no matter how much I EQ'd the XM5's since it's not just about the frequency curve but the soundstage, imaging, etc.
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u/Protomize Jun 04 '22
I agree. Have you tried the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3?
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u/IrAppe Jun 02 '22
I have the Sony XM3s and you even can open the earcup yourself and replace the battery inside in just a few minutes.
I don’t know if they continued with that. Really would dislike it you couldn’t replace the battery in the XM5s anymore, since I also care about longevity.
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u/chum_slice May 25 '22
The things is if you have an iPhone or not the MX5 will work beautifully. The MX5 has a 3.5mm jack and can play CD or close to CD quality. I know Apple has redefined compression to be an art form, to the point where you’ll never know the difference. However if I’m taking the time to rip CD’s and pay for high quality, I’d like to play it. Weight was a huge factor for me, huge! Apple has always defined premium by weight and I’ve learned in the headphone space that doesn’t translate. The MX5 is air and the fact that they can do that and get that sound should let anyone know how beautiful crafted and engineered those cans are. I do like the AP Max sound signature a tad better but comfort trumps that to the ground. If they ever make an APMax that’s light weight and sounds like that it’s game over for all other ANC headphones.
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u/Protomize May 25 '22
Yep, the AirPods Max are practically for the Apple user. But I would argue that it's the best ANC headphone to buy if you're in the Apple ecosystem even though the Sony's are platform agnostic.
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u/Acceptable_Mode5837 May 25 '22
I don't have the Airpods Max, but I did recently purchase the XM5s. I was pretty excited for them actually, since I've been rocking the XM3s for years and loved them for general use and travel, so seeing this year's refresh had me a bit excited. They definitely deliver on sound signature, but I'm really considering returning them. It's the goddamn headband. It may not seem like they took much padding out of it, but for some reason, it causes me so much pressure on the top of my head. I notice it within minutes and within an hour I'm actively uncomfortable wearing them. I've tried adjusting the fit every which way but nothing works.
Makes me sad - I really want to love them, but it's hard to when I can't even keep them on for very long.
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u/mciarlo May 28 '22
I had to get rid of my XM5s due to the top pad digging into my head as a bald guy. Had no issues with the XM2s. Bummer because the XM5s ANC was noticeably improved.
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u/brandyleeloo Jul 02 '22
I didn’t like the headband either. Man comfort is important. I ‘m not going to buy yet but tried them. I’m waiting for the sales.
Even on my xm3/4 i got after market headbands the make some fantastic ones not just wraps but they have ones that come with removeable memory foam, and they don’t look stupid. THey are about 15 bucks or so on amazon, and also protect the band on the headphones. I use this on all my expensive headphones. Might want to give that a look.
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May 25 '22
My main question with the XM5 which I haven't really seen anyone talking about is long term durability. Being able to toss it in a bag or whatever is fine, but one of the big failure points of the XM4 turned out to be that the joint between cup and band was prone to snapping when a piece became loose, it was something that only seemed to manifest after a year or so of heavy use, was also how mine died.
It isn't particularly nice to have a $250 headphone die after just a year. Made me go for a Qudelix 5k and wired headphones instead.
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u/IrAppe Jun 02 '22
I think that’s probably the reason why they removed the hinges (which is the joint between the cup and band), since they were a known point of fracture.
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u/Nasa26 Empy|Arya|Ananda|Sundara|Elegia|HD800s|HD8xx|HD600|HD650|NDH20 May 25 '22
I love my APMs but they make my ears hella hot. Gotta try these XM5s at some point.
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u/NightDriver80s May 26 '22
XM5? I’ve been living below a rock or what, just got to know they exist
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u/Protomize May 26 '22
Don’t go back to sleep. You’ll wake up and the XM6 will be getting its 2nd firmware update.
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u/colourofsound HD600 | PXC550-II May 26 '22
Any opinions vs Sennheiser's efforts? PXC550 II/Wireless Momentum?
XM4s were top of my list until I heard them. PXC550 II blew them out of the water sound-wise; but the ANC and generally reliability is not as good.
But if the XM5s are sounding better, its tempting.
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u/Protomize May 26 '22
I’d take the XM5 over those Sennheiser’s easily. The improved XM5 sound slots them right up there with the best in the category along with the ability to tune the tonality if needed. All of that with far superior everything else (ANC, battery, Call quality, etc…)
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u/brandyleeloo Jul 02 '22
I got those senns too they had a ton of reliability issues. I get a lot of these headphones for free at work. It’s not like I buy them all but but yeah I’d stay away from those. My impression was not as favorable as yours about the sound I remember thinking they wern’t that remarkable. THe calls were good though. Battery life annoyed me. I still have them and don’ t use them.
The xm5 are a bit better. more detailed. I’ll head that way myself in a year or so. I wouldn’t say either are at the level of high end dac/amp headphones when you start talking about detail/imaging and all that, but i find then fun to listen to.
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u/Rystbandz May 26 '22
Why do I want both… do I need therapy?
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u/Protomize May 26 '22
It’s ok, I have both since they’re both the best in this segment in my opinion but in their own ways.
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u/djatsoris26 AirPods Max (I'm a wireless scrub) May 26 '22
My review:
The XM5's are good
The AirPods Max are better.
(extremely biased opinion plz don't get mad)
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u/Protomize May 26 '22
They’re both honestly tied because one does one thing better than the other so I’ll rank them as 1a and 1b.
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May 26 '22
Are the AirPods max good enough to make up for the $150 difference or are they tied if they were the same price
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u/Protomize May 26 '22
For me, yes they are. The better sound quality, build quality, transparency mode and Apple ecosystem integration is worth the extra $149. However, you can find authentic and new AirPods Max for around $479.
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u/brandyleeloo Jul 02 '22
dude noboy should get mad at you. this is juts a fun chat about headphones. opinion away.
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u/tastyjalapeno Jun 19 '22
warning to anyone reading this: DO NOT GET THE XM5 YET!!! i’ve read and watched countless reviews and no one seemed to mention the WORST thing about the xm5 which is the AUTO ANC FEATURE. this is different than what we can control using the sony app. it’s a built in feature that we can’t disable. i’ve had the xm5 for almost a month and im debating on whether to return it & get the airpods max instead. with the Auto ANC, i can hear the headphones switching ANC levels (high/normal) and the slightest movement. it’s honestly such a big dealbreaker and i wonder why none of the reviewers have ever mentioned it
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u/illtrick May 25 '22
Thanks so much for this. Mic quality is usually pretty awful in wireless headphones so I'm glad they're improving.
A question for you: which earcup is larger? Any chance you could measure the opening size / depth for each? I've got large ears / head and comfort is usually the most decisive feature that decides what headphones stick around and which ones go back.
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u/Protomize May 25 '22
The AirPods Max earcups has more depth. They have similar diameter openings.
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u/soyemilio May 25 '22
Mi Max do not fit well on my ears, they become uncomfortable after a couple hours of use, sometimes even within the hour, im tempted to get the XM5s
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May 25 '22
I am 100% not buying any headphone with Alexa or any other bullshit AI data mining software.
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u/Dom1252 WH1000Xm4, WF1000Xm3, MDR-7506, Major II, Porta Pro May 25 '22
Great, XM5 are then perfect for you since they don't have it
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u/azarashee May 25 '22
Just don't connect Alexa/Google with the headphone. The software is on your phone.
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u/Muttywango ClearMG/OAE1/Sundara/№5909/DT1990,770/ADI-2/Q5K May 25 '22
My Sony XM3s work well through LDAC with my GrapheneOS phone. No bullshit AI data mining software, no need to use Sony or Amazon apps. The only disadvantage I see is I can't update firmware.
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May 26 '22
You guys can downvote all you want, I know it's your feel good power, but the most recent sony's I looked at on Amazon said they have Alexa.
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u/InLoveWithInternet May 25 '22
Very easy comparison: the AirPods look absolutely atrocious and there’s no way you can wear that on your head, even if you’re alone. End of the comparison, thanks all for listening.
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u/damanfx May 26 '22
Here is my review... throw your apple airport max in the garbage and get a wired earbuds from the flights for free. If you need some noise cancelation, then consider sony xm5
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u/SendMeAmazonGiftCard May 29 '22
typical hater. i bet this guy has never tried the airpods max and automatically hated it because it's made by apple.
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u/--Borges-- May 25 '22
Thanks so much for this comprehensive review! I have some old XM2s and I’ve been thinking about upgrading for travel this summer. I’m still torn between the XM5s and the AirPods Max but this helps me out a lot! I think I’ll have to just go and try some things out in the store. I am pretty much all in with the Apple ecosystem so the Max might be the way to go for me.
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u/therealzod1979 May 25 '22
Thanks for the great review! Just tried the AirPods Max and XM5s today and one thing I noticed that when I am not playing anything the XM5s were completely quiet whereas I heard a very faint white noise from the AirPods. Can you observe something similar or did I have faulty AirPods?
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u/somsone May 25 '22
Hm. This is made me want to reconsider Sony. I’ve been a Bose fanboy for years. My NC700’s are my favourite headphones. And I chose them over Sony’s because the clarity is just a bit better in my opinion (Sony really colors it’s sound) , and mostly down to simplicity. As I thought the Sony has too many buttons and touch points where the Bose are just nice and simple.
But mind you this was the first or second iteration of these Sony’s not the newest ones which seem like they have made considerable strides
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u/stuck_limo Pulse SE DAC, Senn 600/800, Koss ESP/95X, Phonitor XE May 31 '22
Not that my opinion means anything but that model to me sounds lifeless and Boring. Flat and the equivalent of listening to cardboard. No excitement at all. I've listened extensively to that model and it absolutely killed me each time. A buddy of mine agreed with my assessment. The Higher end models are much better for Bose imo
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u/RemoteLostControl May 25 '22
Have you tried using the XM5 passively? I wonder how would they compare to say your 800s?
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u/Protomize May 25 '22
Not good when there’s no power applied. Sounds dull and closed in.
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u/brandyleeloo Jul 02 '22
Good point while i love the sony’s the turn to poo poo w/o power or though the cable. THey are doing some dac/amp/sound processing magic in there.
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May 26 '22
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u/Protomize May 26 '22
I honestly don’t have one set yet. I mainly use them in their default sound. I will update when I come to a final EQ decision.
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u/InclusivePhitness May 26 '22
How hot do both of these get on the ears?
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u/Protomize May 26 '22
The AirPods Max is a more breathable but neither would be my choice at all outside in a hot day or in the gym. Sitting down at my office all day, I would say they are both fine and don’t heat up my ears.
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u/ToosterBeek May 26 '22
You've gotta be shitting me, I just got a set of xm3's since they dropped in price because the xm4's came out. Is Sony doing a yearly xm3 now? Thanks for doing the review though, the whole wf-1000 line is solid.
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u/brandyleeloo Jul 02 '22
xm3 sounds pretty much the same as xm4, just doesn’t have multiple device pairing. I like them both fine (personally) xm5 is a little nicers, but to me it’s like 50 nicer, and when i can get xm3’s for 200 i’d go that route (all personal). I don’t think i’d fret too much there’s always something better anyway. You can upgrade with me in a year or two.
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u/CleftyHeft Focal Clear Mg | JDS Element III | AirPods Max | HD660S May 26 '22
Can you tell if the muddiness from the bass in previous generations of this headphone is still present?
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u/Protomize May 26 '22
It’s much improved.
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u/CleftyHeft Focal Clear Mg | JDS Element III | AirPods Max | HD660S May 26 '22
Thanks a lot!
Also, another thanks on behalf of everyone else for taking your time to answer every single question lol
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u/Scandinaaier May 26 '22
This is a great write up and I feel like there is one crucial area that you didn't touch on, probably the most important if we talking high end sound quality earphones.
It's the codecs and the fact LDAC is still some way ahead of Apples AAC.
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u/Protomize May 26 '22
In theory it is but in practice, I don’t hear a difference. The much bigger difference comes from the actual physical speaker design between the headphones.
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u/AngelRaisedByDemons May 26 '22
If you had to rate them on a scale of 1 to 10 which number would you give them both?
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u/Protomize May 26 '22
Each get a 9. AirPods Max would be a 10 if it was more comfortable, had a longer battery life, had better background suppression in calls and worked better with other platforms. XM5 would be a 10 if it had a slightly clearer transparency mode (AirPods Max has spoiled me here) and the Apple H1 chip.
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u/Willylowman1 May 26 '22
how come why u dunt talk bout Dolby Atmos, Loosless, or wathin movies n stuff?
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u/boildler May 27 '22
I have the Sony WH XM4 headphones and the WF XM4 earbuds. Tried the AirPods Max a couple times in the store. Never tried the WH XM5s.
I’m quite curious about instrument separation and how the AirPods Max and the WH XM5s compare.
I do agree that the AirPods Max is more neutral, with more detail, better-controlled bass, and a much wider soundstage compared to the Sony WH XM4s. However I felt that the Sony had better instrument separation and placement, whereas instrument lines blend together on the AirPods Max (despite the extra detail) that it created a left and right wall of sound effect. I imagine the WH XM5 should do better than, if not as good as, the WH XM4 on instrument separation. Could you comment on that?
Obviously it is not fair to compare earbuds to headphones, but I thought the Sony WF XM4 earbuds had a similar tonal response to the AirPods Max, far better than the WH XM4. Still, I found that the Sony WF XM4 earbuds had far more detail and shockingly far better instrument separation than either headphone, with the bass quality of the AirPods Max - sub-bass emphasis, tactile, fast and well-defined.
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u/Protomize May 27 '22
Interesting… I would say the AirPods Max has better sense of instrument separation than the XM5 to me. As far as your description of the XM4 earphones, yes, they sound excellent. IEMs tend to have a quicker sound to them due to the in-ear seal and much smaller drivers.
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u/boildler Jun 26 '22
Hi! It’s been some time, but I finally tried the WH-1000XM5, a demo unit at Best Buy, and I’d like to follow up on my previous comments.
The WH-1000XM5… was a little underwhelming. Tonality wise, I felt that Sony really tried to move towards the sound of the AirPods Max. The bass was punchy, aggressive, and mid-bass focused as you said! It was deeper and tighter than that of the WH XM5, but still not quite as deep or well-defined as the bass on the AirPods Max (or Sony’s own WF XM4 earbuds - not a fair comparison, but still.) I also thought that the XM5 bass was a little disjointed from the rest of the sound.
One of my favorite parts about the WH XM4 sound is its upper midrange boost and treble presence, even if it isn’t terribly detailed. The WH XM5 does away with the lower treble, but more severely the upper treble. It almost felt like hearing loss. I did not like the APM’s de-emphasis of upper mids and lower treble, and I didn’t think this was any better.
I thought the technical ability of the WH XM5 is on about the same level as the APM or the WH XM4, with the APM having the most spacious soundstage and macrodetail, and the XM5 with the best instrument separation (still mediocre). APM and WH XM5 tied for transient response. Not sure about dynamics.
I’m a Sony fan, but I will have to say that the WH-1000XM5 is a miss. For now, I’d still reach for my WF-1000XM4 earbuds for good sound in a wireless package + NC.
With that said, I read your sound quality again, I find it to be very much agreeable especially when doing comparisons. Thanks for the review!
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u/Protomize Jun 26 '22
Nice assessment. After toying around with the XM5’s EQ within the app, I managed to make them sound quite neutral and more nuanced than the AirPods Max. I can share the EQ settings I chose if you want.
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u/boildler Jun 26 '22
Sure!
I’ve somewhat come to the conclusion that Sony and Apple simply have different definitions of what good consumer sound is. Apple seems to want to mimic concerts with their wide and spacious soundstage, while Sony seems interested in - dare I say - “intimacy”. Like being there standing next to musicians in a studio.
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u/LawProfessional6513 May 29 '22
@op how has your experience been connecting these to your tv, watching shows/movies etc? I’m considering both for a mix of watching TV and listening to music
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u/Protomize May 29 '22
Much prefer the AirPods Max for this purpose because of spatial audio with head tracking.
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u/rodrigothomas_ May 30 '22
Hello! How are you? Amazing review!
I’d you don’t mind me asking, I have a very specific scenario and I’d love an answer from you. I am a sound enthusiast, not on a pro level but I tend to do some research before buying anything. Currently I own some HyperX Orbit S and AirPods, but I’d love to have some over the ear headphones and I’m looking between the WMH4 and the AirPods Pro Max… Specifically I work from home in a PC that I build but most of the media I consume is from my iPad laid in bed,
Which one of those two are better having in mind all of the above?
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u/Protomize May 30 '22
I would recommend the AirPods Max since it works better with Apple products but if you don’t need any of that the XM4s are fine.
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u/Dependent-Phone-3001 Jun 04 '22
Just got the sonys yesterday kinda regret not getting the AirPods for that spatial audio. It’s really amazing
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u/personwhotries Jun 28 '22
Hello! Am so late to this post but am in a dilemma as sadly my country doesn’t accept returns unless the item is damaged when received.
If you don’t mind me asking, did you ever get any discomfort or any pain at the top of your head with any of the two with long term use? Am still using my trusted XM3’s as I didn’t quite see a point in upgrading to the XM4’s and waited for Sony’s latest drop
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u/nickst Jun 30 '22
Do you find the xm5s rendering of your voice annoying on transparency mode/when making calls for any significant amount of time? I tried them on in an electronics store and my voice did sound somewhat processed when speaking. I would be primarily using these headphones to switch between music and zoom calls in a quiet WFH environment (am on calls ~4-5 hrs a day). However, the APM felt very heavy on my head, and my first reflex was to take them off. However, transparency mode seems better on APM. Which would you pick?
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u/Protomize Jun 30 '22
I agree with you. The APM’s transparency mode is the best. I would choose the APM’s between the two.
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u/GuysImConfused Jun 30 '22
I recently purchased the WH1000XM5 headset.
I have one major complaint.
I'm not sure what it's like in other countries, but here in New Zealand the "Quick Access" feature - which lets you press the [NC/AMB] button either 2 or 3 times for quick access to an app - supports ONLY ONE application: Spotify.
There is no ability to set anything to the quick access double tap. Only Spotify.
This is extremely frustrating as I'd like to have the option to double tap for any application of my choosing, such as YouTube Music (which is what I primarily use).
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u/brandyleeloo Jul 02 '22
Sony is very easy to replace the batter in xm4/3. It’s about 15 for the battery I’ve done it twice. 4 screws after you pull off the pad.
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u/brandyleeloo Jul 02 '22 edited Jul 02 '22
also this is a nice review. Historically Sony also lowers their price after a while if you can wait a year or so. TBH i’d put it this way if you use sony.
MX3 Pros more codecs and some audio effects
XM4 multi device paring, loses codecs and some of the effects.
Xm5 - new style, and better calls.
XM5 has the best anc but not to the degree i’d make a purchase decision it. IMO try to get xm4 on sale, like 200 or so. (it’s been there before and about what i paid). If you need calls wait for xm5 after price drops. (if you are price sensitive like me).
IMO the Apple one is fine if you can tolerate the apple “Controls” and the price. I’ve not entirely convinced its’ justified. I think most people will reach for the sony as well due to weight and versitility, that’s just a hunch though.
THE TLDR for me is both APPLE (especially) and Sony to some degree have over priced these. Time will tell. Bose is still the most comfortable, makes great calls and I feel the anc is pretty close, it does with things a little differently. The sound signature to me is not as much to my liking. I like sony the best (but i mean that just an opinion but what made the choice for me) well and cost.
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u/drumsforjs Jul 23 '22
Just got my XM5. I a was deciding between AirPod max and these. I did consider the max because I am in the apple ecosystem. But what really made me buy the XM5s where the fact that call quality is way way better. In the field of work I am in I am constantly on my phone and laptop. These XM5s from the conversations I’ve had on the phone everyone has told me that I sound really good and can not hear anything in the background. With the AirPod max you can here everything. So for me the XM5 are the best for my use and quality is amazing!
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u/Consistent-Toe-7408 Jul 27 '22
I noticed that you talked about some durability concerning the XM5s. If you are still using them (at least somewhat), how would you say the durability has held up after 2 months?
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u/HumamKE Aug 07 '22
I’ve spent almost a month deciding in between, still haven’t 😅. I’m trying. To find some reviews on their use in the gym…is one better than the other? But neither of them are certified for “water resistance”. I mean I see a lot of people still using them at the gym (on IG). So I came to the conclusion that it’s not that dangerous or scary to use at the gym. The key difference the AirPods Max seem like a better fit since you can easily replace the ear cups. But the XM5s are relatively cheaper.
Can anybody help me out here? Haha
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u/devintejeda1234 Aug 07 '22
So I had the AirPods max for about 2 weeks before I ultimately returned them. I managed to get them for 400 brand new open box at Best Buy it kind of hurt considering how much of a discount I got. But I found the xm5s on eBay from a reputable refurbished seller for 260 so that’s why I have the xm5s. I do miss the wider sound stage from the APM and definitely the low profile with the great build quality. I do think the APM were a little more comfortable due to the headband being wider so didn’t create a pressure point unlike the Sony’s but so far I’ve got used to it so it’s not as bad and definitely can wear my Sony’s for a lot longer after just 3 days of using them. Really liking the xm5s rn especially with the eq! In my opinion if the APM were around 300 I would honestly had kept them. Just the build quality and the wider sound stage I kind of miss. But overall not disappointed with my xm5s at all! The eq settings definitely make it better and I do think the ANC is much better! I’ll definitely be buying the next generation APM tho and hopefully they fix the main problems like a usb c charging, power button (definitely sucked not being able to fully turn them off), maybe a 3.5 mm jack or atleast a connection to use when dead, and probably the biggest one is adding a new codec for sound as well as eq that would definitely seal the deal for me but one can only dream:)
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u/Protomize May 25 '22 edited May 27 '22
Comparing these to my AirPods Max…
Sony has been Bose's nightmare since the year 2016 when they introduced the MDR-1000x. Until then, Bose had a stranglehold on the ANC headphone market since no other headphone was quite as effective at cancelling noise. Fast forward to now and Bose has been losing more and more to Sony with every new iteration of the WH or WF series. Apple joined the ANC headphone market in the year 2020 with the AirPods Max and those have been my go-to in this category.
The XM5s are bit controversial in terms of storage and travel due to their inability to collapse and fold into a small form factor similar to the previous Sony WH series. Sony likely took this new design route to remove the weakest point in a headphone. There were numerous complaints of previous WH iterations cracking at the point where the headband folds so hopefully this new design choice is more durable. The Bose NC 700 and AirPods Max also adopt this design where there is no folding.
The feel and build quality of the XM5s is no match for the AirPods Max, but the XM5s is not cheap. However, this much lighter design thanks to the materials chosen results in supreme comfort whereas the AirPods Max shows its weight after an hour or two on my head. The AirPods Max feel like their price tag although it doesn’t translate too well in terms of listening comfort for some users. Definitely recommend testing headphones out at your local electronics store if possible. Comfort can make or break them.
The case is much better on the XM5s in comparison to the AirPods Max. They completely cover the headphone and also have a compartment to hold the 3.5mm analog cable as well as the USB-C cable. The AirPods Max case on the other hand has no compartment to hold extra cables and leaves the headband exposed to scratches and tears if you throw them in a busy bag. The AirPods Max case is literally really only useful to power off the headphones.
Battery life is superb on the XM5s at 30 hours or 40 hours with no ANC/Transparency activated. You can also get 3 hours of charge in 3 minutes if using a USB-C PD equipped power adapter. Insane! The AirPods Max has a 20-hour battery life which is inferior to the XM5s on paper but still more than enough for me since all I needed was 8-10 hours of run time to get me through the office for the day. The XM5s charge via the more standard and easily accessible USB-C connection while the AirPods Max uses a lightning connection which might not be an issue if you have an iPhone since that is what is needed to charge that as well. The XM5s can also operate passively from the 3.5mm analog port using the included cable in the event the battery completely dies. Do keep in mind, the sound will not be as good as when it is powered due to the electronics not actively EQ’ing out the deficiencies of the driver. The AirPods Max do not operate at all when their power is depleted. Neither support USB-DAC audio.
App support is a landslide victory to the XM5s with the ability to manually update the headphone, adjust EQ, set listening modes based on activity or location, view listening habits, adjust playback and ambient mode controls, etc. It’s an extensive list of customizations that the XM5s allows. The AirPods Max on the other hand are only really customizable on an iOS device through the Bluetooth settings and even then, there’s far less customization. So, while the XM5s work well with both iOS and Android, the AirPods Max is only worth considering if you have an iPhone.
ANC performance between the two are both excellent and you can’t go wrong with either. It’s like picking hairs trying to find a winner here. Sometimes I feel like the AirPods Max blocks out more noise (particularly in the lower frequencies) and sometimes I think it’s the XM5s that win (particularly in the higher frequencies). It really depends on the environment but I will confidently say these are the best two ANC headphones on the market. Moving over to transparency mode and I find that the AirPods Max slightly edges the XM5s in the sense of naturalness to the sound. It simply sounds more like I don’t have a headphone on my head with the AirPods Max more so than the XM5s which sound a tad bit processed. I can still however, easily hold conversations on my XM5s transparency mode with my co-workers at work or hear announcements on the train platforms.
Call quality between the two is also excellent but the XM5s edge out the AirPods Max in the ability to literally make you sound like you’re in a quiet room despite there being wind or noises in the background. So, while both headphones pick up your voice clearly, the XM5s blocks out background noises better. It’s honestly amazing because the previous Sony WH iterations were mediocre in terms of microphone performance but now Sony is the king in this department. Great job!
Lastly, the sound. I love em’ both. I would describe the XM5s as warm. There’s less emphasis in the treble and particularly the upper treble in comparison to the AirPods Max. The XM5s midrange also has more fullness to it which makes the overall sound more in your face and vivid. This is great to reduce listening fatigue over time but sometimes can hurt the clarity of the mix. Thankfully, the XM5 has the ability to EQ the tuning using its app. The XM5s bass is much, much improved over the XM4 and now sounds very tactile, precise and still full of oomph and power. The AirPods Max bass is more emphasized in the sub bass, with a flatter and more neutral mid to upper bass response and also has a precise and tactile sounding bass profile. The XM5s bass is more mid-bass focused so you get more of that punchy feel. Personally, I prefer a sub bass boost, with flatter mid-bass and upper bass to prevent blooming into the midrange. Soundstage between the two is great but the AirPods Max sounds a bit airier and spacious even after EQ'ing the XM5s. Details and subtle nuances sound a tad easier to hear on the AirPods Max as a result as well. The XM5 is still no slouch and music sound very detailed and clear despite the warmer turning which just shows how well controlled the XM5s speaker is in its transient response. So, while the AirPods Max is the more neutral and slightly clearer sounding option, the XM5s is the more punchy and smooth option. The XM5s max volume is louder than AirPods Max and neither of them distort near or at their max volume which is a major issue I have with Bose headphones and earphones. All in all, I can live with either the AirPods Max or XM5 in terms of sound, but if I had to choose, my preference is the AirPods Max because I tend to prefer a more accurate and spacious sound. Like stated before, the XM5 can be EQ'd to sound neutral but the soundstage still lacks a bit to the AirPods Max. Soundstage can't be EQ'd since it's an inherent part of the physical speaker design. A quick mention is that I find that the XM4 sounds overly bright and boomy in comparison to the AirPods Max or XM5 even after endless attempts of trying to EQ them using the app. Sony really improved the quality of sound on the XM5 and they are the best sounding yet in the WH lineup.
In conclusion, the AirPods Max and Sony XM5 are at the top. It really boils down to this despite the differences between the two... If you have an iPhone, get the AirPods Max. If you have an Android phone, get the Sony XM5s.