Sony's New WH-1000XM5 Headphones vs. Apple's AirPods Max

[Ace008]

Correct. That’s your preference and you are not bashing it. You are stating your opinion about its weight and your preference in weight. If you look up a lot of full size headphones they weight just about the same weight and been around forever. No one really mention about the weight. I’m sure you are correct in saying other feels the same way as you as I’m sure many don’t feel that way also. They’re are people who say they feel pressure on the head from the Xm5.
If my post is too much to read move to the next easy.
My coke and Pepsi comment is about some people love the xm5 and some love the APM. You fall in the XM5 side. Again nothing wrong with it, but people go extreme and crazy about not liking something as far as saying the name is weird or apple messed up because they don’t like it or same with Sony.

Are you a very young person or is English not your primary language?

Coke vs Pepsi is an intangible personal preference. There is literally only one element to consider in Coke vs Pepsi, which of course is taste. The same is not true for consumer electronics products such as high-end headphones. There are many elements to consider.

Again, the reason I returned my APM is that they physically created pain after wearing them for long periods of time. The reason this happens for some people is because of the shape and size of our ears, head, and sensitivity within the area the headphones come in contact with and the combined weight and design of the headphones.

If I were allergic to Coke and it caused some form of pain in my body, I would choose Pepsi but that doesn't mean I like Pepsi more than Coke. There is a tangible reason I do not choose Coke and it has nothing to do with liking the taste of Pepsi more. I like the features of the APM and they work very well with all of my Apple devices. My personal taste is the APM but again, they are too heavy and not very comfortable on my ears for extended periods of time.

Once again I don't think you're understanding what you're reading and replying to. I pointed out the length of your post with regards to you basically saying the same things over and over.

There are different segments to high-end headphones. The APM sits in the high-end Bluetooth ANC segment as do the Bose 700, Sony XM4 and XM5. I have owned all of them and currently use the XM5 and Bose 700. There is a noticeable weight difference between the Bose/Sony vs APM. As we all know that has a lot to do with the materials used in the housing. You had mentioned longevity and I guess that's an issue for you but it has never been an issue for me. I gave away my XM4 after 2 years of almost daily usage. The friend I gave them to thought they were brand new (I only changed the ear cups before I gave them to him). The plastic used in the Bose or Sony are not going to break unless you have an accident. The APM are metal, sure but I would hate to drop them just as much as I would hate to drop the others. Plastic cracks, metal dents. Both are things to avoid.

Lastly, in my long post, the reason I still have the Bose 700 is that they just look so good, are so sleek, and feel very good for any amount of time. To me, the Bose 700 are like the Porsche 911. They just look good and I can imagine the design would still look good in another 10 years.

 

[Malcy16]

I'm thinking about picking up some headphones in the next few months or so. Between APM, XM5 & XM4.

I want them for when I work from home and want to block out other noises in the house but also I plan to use them with my Xbox Series X and Playstation 5. I'll pair them to the console/controller using a cable and I don't play online so don't require the microphone side - just purely for immersive audio.

Unsure which at the moment so I think I'll end up trying all 3 and keeping one.

 

[Ace008]

I'm thinking about picking up some headphones in the next few months or so. Between APM, XM5 & XM4.

I want them for when I work from home and want to block out other noises in the house but also I plan to use them with my Xbox Series X and Playstation 5. I'll pair them to the console/controller using a cable and I don't play online so don't require the microphone side - just purely for immersive audio.

Unsure which at the moment so I think I'll end up trying all 3 and keeping one.

Skip the XM4. The XM5 are much better and if you're going to be making calls, the XM4 can't compete with the XM5 and APM. I used the XM4 for about a year before giving them to a friend after I bought the XM5. Most of the little issues I had with the XM4 have been resolved with the XM5. I tried and returned the APM because just as I suspected, they are too heavy and after an hour or more of use, that weight bothers me enough to want to take the headphones off. Aside from the weight and funky (ugly) headband design, the APM are nearly perfect, most of all for Apple device users. The way APM (and APP) can just switch from one Apple device to another on their own is really nice in use. Not having a power button also turned out to be really nice. Just put the APM on and start using your Apple device of choice and they start playing. The XM5 (and XM4) can connect to 2 devices and if one is your phone and you're using them on say a laptop or other device, they will ring in your ear offering you the option to switch to the call. If you are trying to save money, and don't actually need the absolute best ANC or call quality, there are other much cheaper options that are very good. Just take a look on Amazon and you'll see lots of cheaper options with thousands of 5-star reviews.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Are there any "audiophile" or professional EQ settings for the XM5's? Anyone know of any?

 

[Ace008]

Yes, absolutely in the Sony app that you can download for iOS or Android. Lots of EQ customization and you can create and save your custom profiles. And also lots of functionality features you can change from within the app. For example there’s a feature that can pause your music when the headphones detect someone talking, presumably so you can talk to someone without having to take off the headphones. The problem is if you like to sing along with your music, then this feature should be turned off which you can do in the app.

 

[Malcy16]

Skip the XM4. The XM5 are much better and if you're going to be making calls, the XM4 can't compete with the XM5 and APM. I used the XM4 for about a year before giving them to a friend after I bought the XM5. Most of the little issues I had with the XM4 have been resolved with the XM5. I tried and returned the APM because just as I suspected, they are too heavy and after an hour or more of use, that weight bothers me enough to want to take the headphones off. Aside from the weight and funky (ugly) headband design, the APM are nearly perfect, most of all for Apple device users. The way APM (and APP) can just switch from one Apple device to another on their own is really nice in use. Not having a power button also turned out to be really nice. Just put the APM on and start using your Apple device of choice and they start playing. The XM5 (and XM4) can connect to 2 devices and if one is your phone and you're using them on say a laptop or other device, they will ring in your ear offering you the option to switch to the call. If you are trying to save money, and don't actually need the absolute best ANC or call quality, there are other much cheaper options that are very good. Just take a look on Amazon and you'll see lots of cheaper options with thousands of 5-star reviews.

Thanks for taking the time to post this.
XM5s are the favourites right now.

 

[Pmperry]

That was a lot of typing that you could have written in a single paragraph as you seemed to be repeating yourself. Pepsi vs Coke? Nope! It's not a matter of taste. Some of us wanted to love the APM but found them to be too heavy in use for long periods of time. That isn't a matter of personal taste. It's a matter of them being too heavy for some users thus causing a build-up of pain. As you should know, human heads and ears come in different shapes and sizes. I'm 6'1" with an average size head and ears for my height. The APM didn't work for me. I know several other people who had the same experience and have read about many others in reviews across the web.

How is saying they’re too heavy not a personal opinion? I have had them since launch, I have a bulging disc in my neck and upper back… These aren’t too heavy for my head or neck.

Of course my issue with them has been the heat they trap in and make your head sweat.

 

[Ace008]

How is saying they’re too heavy not a personal opinion? I have had them since launch, I have a bulging disc in my neck and upper back… These aren’t too heavy for my head or neck.

Of course my issue with them has been the heat they trap in and make your head sweat.

Did you not read all the related comments in this thread?

Again, personal taste is not the same as personal issue. Again, I personally like the APM most of all but physically they are not suitable for me. Have you ever heard the phrase 'champagne taste on a beer budget'?

There are lots of products and things in life that people like more but for reasons out of their control, they can not have said product or thing.

 

[Marshall73]

I especially LOVE canopy spanning the headband is made from a breathable knit mesh, distributing weight to reduce on‑head pressure.

this

i love how they are the only set that I don’t get a sweaty head with because the band is breathable (I shave my head)

 

[86Hawkeye]

The AirPods Max are my favorite pair of headphones I've owned. ANC is good, sound is great, and it really shines when you pair it to your TV and can still get all the good sounds without disturbing other folks around you. I've recommended them to friends, but if you want something else, that's cool too! For someone so intertwined into  products, they just make the most sense. They're 1000x better than the in ear models, in my opinion.

I understand the Apple ecosystem angle, but I think Apple makes it into more than it needs to be and definitely up-charges its products significantly as a result. To me, an ecosystem should provide some cost synergies, not try to lock you into higher priced products.

Add to this the weight of the APM, as well as the ridiculous bra case and no audio cable, and the value just isn’t there for me. I bought a pair and took them back after a week.

I love Apple stuff and own a lot of it, but the APM is just a bridge too far for me due to the reasons noted above.

 

[oldtime]

Thanks for taking the time to post this.
XM5s are the favourites right now.

Make sure you give the xm5 a good listen first. They are the most unnatural sounding headphone I've ever heard. More so than cheap early Beats, even. I suppose if you don't listen to music with them it doesn't matter too much, but for me it was a dealbreaker. QC 35 is still the tallest midget among ANC headphones in this price space, though I do believe the next generation of APM, whenever it comes, will really be a knockout.

 

[86Hawkeye]

I currently have APMs, XM5 (coming from XM3) and Focal Elegia. Comparing sound, the Focals are by far the best, true audiophile quality when paired with Dragonfly Cobalt headphone app and listening to Tidal's Master tracks. I use them for critical listening.

But they are not for normal usage - way too uncomfortable and cumbersome to walk around, and no ANC. So, comparing the AQ of APM vs. XM5 - both quite good, but in very different ways. They both sport good sound staging and deliver highs/lows, but sound different. I will probably use the XMs for music, and APM for video to take advantage of Dolby Atmos.

XM3 vs XM5 - big leap in AQ here. The XM3s sound a lot smaller and have that muddy bass issue. I am very pleased with the XM5s.

You can play Dolby Atmos on the XM5's too. Even Apple Music can be set to play Atmos on the XM5's.

In your iPhone go into Settings and scroll down to the Music app. Tap Music and under Audio you will see Dolby Atmos. Set it to Always On.

 

[r98266]

I picked these up today so I now have both the XM5’s and the APM. Excellent sound quality in both and hard to pick a winner. The APM are better at transparency mode though. I also find them a bit more comfy to wear although I’ve only had the Sony’s for 9 hours or so.

I do like playing around with the Sony EQ settings. Any good recommendations out there?

 

[r98266]

Also like this

 

[jcshas]

Also like this

I found this YouTube video to be really helpful in setting the EQ on my XM5's -->

I went with his recommended settings, but tweaked the sound to be a little bit brighter, and I've been really happy with it.

 

[r98266]

I found this YouTube video to be really helpful in setting the EQ on my XM5's -->

I went with his recommended settings, but tweaked the sound to be a little bit brighter, and I've been really happy with it.

Yeah, out-of-the-box settings were horrible, but the equalizer made all the difference. Love these headphones now.

 

[salutcemoi]

I was considering the Airpods Max but after watching tons of comparison videos and reading comments on different forums I've decided to go with the XM4's

The Airpods Max have to many cons for that price tag (especially where I live, thanks to our wonderful Canadian dollar).

Yeah it's plastic but I'm sure it's more solid that my Beats Studio 3, the right side eventually broke even though I was super careful

 

[incoherent_1]

I was considering the Airpods Max but after watching tons of comparison videos and reading comments on different forums I've decided to go with the XM4's

The Airpods Max have to many cons for that price tag (especially where I live, thanks to our wonderful Canadian dollar).

Yeah it's plastic but I'm sure it's more solid that my Beats Studio 3, the right side eventually broke even though I was super careful

I've needed a new pair of NC cans for ages so I went into the shop with the full intention of buying the XM4s (I watched a ton of videos and was convinced that was the correct buy -- the AirPods have too many downsides and the XM5s were getting rated unfavorably compared to the XM4s).

I tried the XM5s on a whim and after the comparison, I walked away with with the XM5s. Haven't regretted it. They're more comfortable (both form and fit), and I find the notification sounds to be much more pleasing (the XM4s and most Bose have a lot of abrupt and harsh notification noises to my ear, which drives me bonkers). Not to say there's a right or wrong choice, but just wanted to share a personal perspective.

TDLR: Try the XM5s before you rule them out. I almost skipped them but am glad I didn't.

 

[dazz87]

Love my XM5

 

[Travons]

The XM5 is lit.
Been rocking it hard since I got it.

 

[salutcemoi]

I've needed a new pair of NC cans for ages so I went into the shop with the full intention of buying the XM4s (I watched a ton of videos and was convinced that was the correct buy -- the AirPods have too many downsides and the XM5s were getting rated unfavorably compared to the XM4s).

I tried the XM5s on a whim and after the comparison, I walked away with with the XM5s. Haven't regretted it. They're more comfortable (both form and fit), and I find the notification sounds to be much more pleasing (the XM4s and most Bose have a lot of abrupt and harsh notification noises to my ear, which drives me bonkers). Not to say there's a right or wrong choice, but just wanted to share a personal perspective.

TDLR: Try the XM5s before you rule them out. I almost skipped them but am glad I didn't.

Thanks

I considered the XM5 but they are not foldable
I prefer folding headphones for traveling etc

 

[Malcy16]

I picked up the XM5s in the Prime Day sales.
It was between them and the AirPods Max but for the amount of times I use headphones I couldn't justify the price tag plus the weird case put me off. Really pleased with them so far.

 

[Travons]

I picked up the XM5s in the Prime Day sales.
It was between them and the AirPods Max but for the amount of times I use headphones I couldn't justify the price tag plus the weird case put me off. Really pleased with them so far.

They've proved to be good so far.
Its either AirPods or XM5s.

 

[salutcemoi]

Recently got the XM4s
Tried the XM5's , but preferred the sound of the XM4's

Foldability was also a deciding factor, more than the price difference

Sound amazing and I don't use them to make calls

 

[bigdog5142]

I just picked up the XM5’s for $330 at Best Buy on sale. I may do Amazon open box for $270, but we’ll see. I have a warranty at BB. I have owned the APM’s too, and these Sony’s are AWESOME. Some of the “nice” features blow my mind, but the sound quality is simply amazing. The ability to set the EQ to your liking makes the possibility of better sound for each individual taste rather than just taking what Apple gives you. Yes, the APM’s are great that they will work on any device by switching easy, but I just switched between my iPad & iPhone at the touch of a button.

I mean…pausing the music and turning on transparency when I start talking? Genius!

I have my AirPods Pro 2 for everything Apple as well as spacial audio and ease of use, but these XM5’s are a step above the APM, IMO...for much less cost.