A Complete Idiot's Comparo: AirPods vs Sony WF-1000X

[AustinIllini]

• WF-1000X (or "the Sonys") shipped dead out of the box. Not a particularly good way to start (AirPods/Charging Case shipped with 75% battery in each to start - Disappointing as I wanted to do a comparo right away.
• Sony packaging is somewhere between the great Apple experience and the action figure packaging typical of Sennheiser. The good news is, it leans toward Apple quality instead of Sennheiser.
• Case is super finicky. The AirPods just fall into place. Sonys need to snap in, which is annoying because I waited an hour to try these things only to find out they were dead.
• The USB cable that connects the case to power is comically small. I don’t have a good place to really plug them in. My rMBP has no USB-A ports.
• There are so many earpieces, it’s a bit difficult to keep straight, but I figure once I find one I like, that will be it.
• Small earpiece for me, which, once in my ear, wouldn’t come out until after I was dizzy.
• Walk test. Time to get the dogs to exercise: It’s currently in the mid 40s in Austin and I tend to have the most trouble with earbuds in this weather. AirPods felt like they would fall out of my ears immediately and they did in my house once. Sonys are much tighter and much less of a concern once they're in my ears.
• The controls on AirPods aren’t great, but the WF-1000X controls are such small buttons that they’re not that much more useful.

Test Songs list

1. Kendrick Lamar - ELEMENT.: Bass in AirPods don’t hold up here. It’s not a bad sound by any means, but Sony’s offering has a very strong bass sound.
2. Lorde - Homemade Dynamite: Significantly more mids with Lorde. Here, the AirPods hold up nicely. Still lacks some of the fullness.
3. Perfume Genius - Slip Away: This is the first time I might actually like the AirPods better. The noise cancelling is a little noticeable on the Sonys but if the AirPods volume are right, there’s really nothing wrong with them and not a ton lost.
4. LCD Soundsystem - How do you Sleep?: The soundscape section to open the song heavily favors the Sonys. On the low end, there is just so much more texture.
5. The War on Drugs - Pain: Less emphasis on the bass is making me prefer the AirPods almost 100% of the time now. That being said, the ANC in Sony shines in these situations
6. Run the Jewels - Don’t Get Captured: Sonys. Hands down. AirPods sound pretty good, but straight hip-hop favors the more isolated, bass-centric sound of the Sonys.
7. Queens of the Stone Age - The Way You Used to Do: Sonys again. QOTSA is closest to my favorite kind of music, and this heavily favored the Sony sound quality.

So far, I'm not sure which way to go. It feels like the Sonys might be my preferred choice, but the AirPods still hold up pretty well. Verdict: unclear

 

[Vermifuge]

One quirk with the AirPods is the fit is perfect for like 80% of the people. unfortunately its a nightmare for the other 20%. I happen to be in the 80% and get a perfect fit. So good in fact I often use them on long haul flights and have no problem with engine noise. Noise canceling not required.

One thing people miss is that though the AirPods have limited controls, the integration with the Apple Watch makes them so far superior to anything else theres just no competition... but this is only an advantage to those who already own an apple watch... Theres no point in buying an Apple Watch just to control your AirPods.

 

[Ralfi]

Appreciate the comparison. Interested to see how the 1y old Airpods stack up against newer products.

Almost a tease to what may come next in Airpods v2.0.

 

[44267547]

One quirk with the AirPods is the fit is perfect for like 80% of the people. unfortunately its a nightmare for the other 20%.

That was likely the case when they first launched, but since then, other third-party companies have remedied that with tips, such as Spigen for example. There are some tips that even work with the Airpods closed in the case from my understanding.
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Almost a tease to what may come next in Airpods v2.0.

I'm wondering if late fall we might see a possible rumor for abversion two of the AirPods. That would put it almost at the two-year mark on the time when they launched in December 2016, however were actually slated to release in October 2016, but were delayed due to an unknown issue.

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

Use them both for at least a week of good use. When I first started with the AirPods, the soundstage seemed narrow. After a week or so, it opened up beautifully. There is such a thing as speaker break-in and I was surprised it applied to these small earphones.

 

[Significant1]

How is the stability of the Sony's?

I had planned to buy them, due to anc, but ended up buying B&8 E8 when black friday arrived, because reviews highlighted connection stability issues when on the move and favored the B&O in direct comparison even though they are more expensive and only have noise isolation.

Stil not sure it wad the right choice. Well the E8 are very very good, with a useable microphone and no movie sync issues, but Noise isolation/cancelation is what matters most for me.

 

[AustinIllini]

How is the stability of the Sony's?

I had planned to buy them, due to anc, but ended up buying B&8 E8 when black friday arrived, because reviews highlighted connection stability issues when on the move and favored the B&O in direct comparison even though they are more expensive and only have noise isolation.

Stil not sure it wad the right choice. Well the E8 are very very good, with a useable microphone and no movie sync issues, but Noise isolation/cancelation is what matters most for me.

I'm going to take previous advice and run them for a week. So far, there may have been one hiccup in about 2 hours of listening.

While I think I generally prefer the Sonys, they're a bit disappointing. The 1000XM2 over the ear bluetooth noise cancellers are really special, but neither the WF-1000X just aren't.

 

[Significant1]

While I think I generally prefer the Sonys, they're a bit disappointing. The 1000XM2 over the ear bluetooth noise cancellers are really special, but neither the WF-1000X just aren't.

Ok. Testers say it is fine, at home. But they start to struggle, when you are commuting.

There are some mixed signals about the ANC. Some reviewers says it is very good, while other are more like you. Some even prefer noise isolation, but I have the MDR-1000X (Sadly just weeks before the M2 was released) and know Sony can do noise cancellation quit well actually very well (I have the whole Bose's Quietcomfort line for comparison, Except Quitcontrol 30).

I Guess I will settle for now and see what the next generation bring.

 

[Shinigami301]

I’ve been using the WF1000X since late September and find them indispensable for active situations. I have the WH1000M2 for situations such as flights. The WF1000 battery is good for 3 hours on average, and I get three full charges from the case.

Recently Sony issued a firmware update that solves any lag or right side signal stability that some users reported. Personally have never had a problem using these with my iPhones, and they have been completely reliable even in extremely high RF environments. I’m one of those that Apple phones simply don’t fit, but I also can’t stand their sound signature. The Sony units are great.

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

...The 1000XM2 over the ear bluetooth noise cancellers are really special.....

I agree with that 100%! Wanted some ANC headphones for a long trip and they worked fantastically. Nice sound and great noise cancelling. Thank you, Sony, I didn't have to buy Bose for great ANC!

 

[dojoman]

I also had Sony buds briefly but returned it the next day. Not sure if I got a defective unit but I found almost no difference in Active noise cancellation when toggling on/off. It was a joke if that’s how much the noise was supposed to cancel. I also hated the case, it was way too bulky and you feel like the lid might break anytime. I do agree that bass is much better than AirPods but usability it’s no comparison. AirPods was very convenient to take out and put them on ears, because of clicking mechanics of WF buds they weren’t as convenient.

 

[michial]

I also had Sony buds briefly but returned it the next day. Not sure if I got a defective unit but I found almost no difference in Active noise cancellation when toggling on/off. It was a joke if that’s how much the noise was supposed to cancel. I also hated the case, it was way too bulky and you feel like the lid might break anytime. I do agree that bass is much better than AirPods but usability it’s no comparison. AirPods was very convenient to take out and put them on ears, because of clicking mechanics of WF buds they weren’t as convenient.

Agree. The usability and convenience factor outweigh the hassles of lack of portability on the Sony or Bose over ears, as well as the better better sound quality of the big headphones. I mean, I put the AirPods in my pocket and voila, when I need them, there they are. Not so with the headphones.

 

[Shinigami301]

I don’t agree. The Sony WF1000X is easy to recharge, easy to carry, and does a decent isolation and NR job, as opposed to the zero NR or isolation of the AirPods. This allows better sound at a much lower volume level, which in turn is safer for your ears. Only real downside is the cost difference and an hour less runtime per charge.

but hey, choices are good, and as they say, “I’ve got mine”. I won’t make fun of AirPods wearers, just feel a little sorry for the missed possibilities, Apple could easily have made them seal properly and sound much better.

 

[Significant1]

as opposed to the zero NR or isolation of the AirPods. This allows better sound at a much lower volume level, which in turn is safer for your ears.

I agree. Airpods are no go for me because of that (and the design). Both Sony WF-1000x and B&O E8 has interchangeable tips and supports comply foam tips for maximum comfort and isolation.