This must be user subjective.
There’s literally no difference between the bass acoustics, especially with the different nuances of music genres.
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Review: Sony's WH-1000XM5 Headphones Don't Fold, But Do Sound Better Than Ever
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There’s literally no difference between the bass acoustics, especially with the different nuances of music genres.
I have the APM as well. I've gotten used to the weight at this point but it really did throw me for a while when I first got them. The Sonys look really nice, and the lighter weight would be welcome. But at this point I'd be hard pressed to part with Spatial Audio and the way they switch between my Mac, iPhone and Apple TV.
As far as portability, I'm one of maybe five people on earth who actually kind of likes the corny case the AirPods Max ship with. It fits a lot more compactly into my bag, where the headphones generally don't have to be protected from anything more destructive than a paperback or an extra sweater. I used a full-sized case with my old Bose and it always ate up half my bag. That said, I do feel like Apple could've done a much better job on the weird unfinished looking "origami" aesthetic.
Spatial Audio uses Dolby Atmos data, just like the XMs do. As Sony supports Atmos, the tracks sound the same as with my APMs. I have not yet tried them watching Atmos movies on Apple TV. The Sonys do have their own "360 audio". I've listened to a few tracks on Tidal's master stream. Like Atmos music, some sound real interesting, but others are obvious "shovel ware".
Switching is easier in the Apple ecosphere. With non-Apple, not so much. The Sonys can connect to two sources via BT, but after that you have to manually connect.
It's definitely a mixed bag. Not sure if Sony does this, but AirPods also have a feature called "Spatialize Audio" which I'm beginning to realize grafts that effect onto existing sources whether it was intended or not. It sounds bloody awful with podcasts, but works surprisingly well with much (but not all) music.
A user subjective that seems to be shared with just about every review, professional or personal. Sony changed the size, number and array of the drivers. How does that "literally" not change acoustics?
A ‘user subjective’. You mean….. subjective user. Not trying to nitpick, but that doesn’t make any sense.
Also, that’s a pretty broad stroked statement. Feel free to link ‘just about every review’ that shows the disparities between the bass acoustics.
I have APMs as well. AFAIK, Spatial Audio is just Apple's way of saying the headphones support Dolby Atmos.
In order for both SA and 360 audio to work, care must be given at every part of the recording process. Since most recorded music predates Atmos, the very best recordings are newer ones. For legacy recordings, a good deal of remixing and remastering is required. The bad recordings are when the record company or producers arbitrarily "shove" in the Atmos data, with the result often being un-listenable.
It's very similar to the early days of CDs and DVDs. Analogue recordings were quickly and cheaply digitized with predictable results.
I was copying your term, verbatim, to make the point. I wasn't trying to grammatically correct, but given your second paragraph, apparently it did make sense.
How about we start with this review. Did you read it? If you want more, a simple Google search will show you.
Same reason why PlayStation does not play music CDs: "f*k you, pay me".
On topic: these plastic headphones look bad, and I definitely prefer APMs.
I did.
Ok, so no linked/provided reviews from Dan, except for diversion, got it.
To the point, I was more or less, indicating that since you said ‘just about every review’, you should take the courtesy to be constructive and provide links to support your statement. I mean, I know it’s easy to try to divert somebody to Google, but it’s also in poor form in terms of a discussion, especially since you were the one that that made the argument otherwise.
I mean, it should only take you a minute to provide links ‘to just about every review’ that backs your statement from Google, right? So Show me that ‘just about every review’ proves that the bass acoustics show the disparity from the XM4’s to the XM5’s.
Thanks Dan.
Yes, Rele, I did provide the link. Even though you claimed you read the review, you still asked the question. Maybe a re-read?
I am NOT going to do your research for you. But let me offer some friendly help to get you started:
Sony xm5 review
As we are initiating a Q/A, I have one for you: Do you own an XM5? Have you done a direct comparison between it and older XMs? How much time have you spent doing it? Since you have already determined that the headphones have zero difference in bass acoustics, I assume you've actually listened to them.
Thanks Rele.
(BTW, my name's no Dan. Just being courteous, as you've decided we are a first name basis).
Spatial Audio is their term for how they play with Atmos, yes.
But they can also apply a version of that to ANY track you play, Atmos or not.
Sound is the raison d’être of a set of headphones. So, if the sonys sound worse than the APM, then they are not objectively better than the APM.
Sony really needs to set a low-pass filter of 60Hz on the Bass Boost slider, and add more equalizer sliders.
The best sound in the world is worth nothing if the headphones hurt your ears. Got them at launch day, returned them today. They are super light, but they insist in making the ear pads too shallow, so your ears are constantly being bent by the internal surface. Well, I guess we wait for the XM6.
Looks like they are very good headphones and significantly cheaper than AirPods Max
Yeah, but if they also have to go on your head. So comfort is really essential. Because if you get a sore head or neck due to the weight, then it’s a deal breaker. Could be best sound in the world, but if you can’t physically stand having them on your head then they aren’t good headphones.
Here are my personal observations on the XM5s after owning them and traveling with them for the past several days:
- For as light as they are, I don't think the band on top is very comfortable and the XM4s have a much better feel to them. I actually find the APM more comfortable. I also find the XM4s more comfortable than the XM5s.
- I think the noise cancellation is very good but its not any better than the AirPods Max (APM) and honestly I'd give a slight edge to the APM.
- Transparency isn't even close. Its better than the XM4s, but the APM are in a different league. Phone calls on the APM are unlike any other over the ear headphones and the XM5s cannot compete here.
- Music sounds pretty similar and I can't give a nod to either one. I think the bass is better on the XM5s but overall sound quality is fantastic on both (at least to my ears).
- Battery life is absolutely stellar on the XM5s. It crushes the APM pretty handily.
- Bluetooth switching on the APM is excellent, but when I'm traveling I only need really two devices to switch back and forth between and the XM5s did that just as well as the APM do.
- Taking the headphones off pauses music perfectly on the XM5s, just as it does on the APM.
- The XM5s have a power button. Apple please give us a freaking power button.
Also true. APM do distribute that weight very comfortably for me, but I’m sure there are people for whom it’s not comfortable, who might be better off with the Sonys.
There really isn’t an objective better or worse here as an overall thing - rather, the strengths and weaknesses of each headphones will make them more suited to different people.
You forgot that you can use XM5s without battery, analog, unlike APMs. Biiiiiiiiiiiiiig difference.
I do own APMs and Beoplay H7, I can switch battery on H7 and I can use them analog as long as I want/need. Not having power button on APMs is just plain ridiculous.