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

[pcd213]

How easy it is to connect to the Sony XM5’s? Is it automatic much like Airpods are (or at least how they promise to be automatic)?

 

[r98266]

How easy it is to connect to the Sony XM5’s? Is it automatic much like Airpods are (or at least how they promise to be automatic)?

Very easy if you just use one device (should auto-reconnect), a little more manual but still easy to switch to another device (go to Bluetooth settings and select them).

First time pairing for each device requires pressing and holding the power button when starting to get into Pairing mode

 

[saber32au]

'champagne taste on a beer budget'?

You're using the phrase in the wrong context. The phrase basically means you want something expensive (champagne) but are on a budget (ie beer is much cheaper than champagne).

A better phrase would be "different strokes for different folks"...

Now back on topic: I too tested both APM and XM5. The XM5's won for me for several reasons:
* Customisable EQ
* Better battery life, and the ability to turn on and off the headphones.
* Better cross comparability with my devices. Whilst both the APM and XM5's can connect to multiple devices simultaneously, the XM5's ability to connect to both Apple and non-Apple devices (ie my own iphone, work iphone, windows personal laptop, windows work laptop, Andriod tablet) is fantastic. APM was good for Apple only products...but poor when you introduced non-Apple products into the mix.
* Better mic for calls. I use the XM5's for teams/zoom/skype/whatsapp calls...The XM5's have allowed me to ditch my plantronics headset. APM aren't bad by any stretch...I just found the XM5's to be better (ie better voice clarity, and better background noise rejection).
* USB C charging...for me, it's more convenient than charging via the lightning cable. Most of the devices I use charge via USB C...

To be honest, comfort was fairly close between the two (not enough to be a determining factor). Yes, APM are heavier, but I adapted quickly enough to extra weight. I found both very comfortable to wear for several hours at a time.

 

[hieromonk]

Naming does not matter too much. I am disappointed Sony continues to cheap out in materials - my Mark 2s are so solid compared to my Mark 4s. All else being equal, the power button is actually a fairly big deal and if I were looking for a new pair right now, the Mark 5s would edge out the APMs just on that alone.

ETA: was not a fan of the digital crown control on the APMs for the short time I tried them, either. YMMV.

Would you consider Dyson zone ?
I am receiving it tomorrow cant wait !

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I am getting very impatient waiting for version 2

 

[salutcemoi]

I have the XM4's and they are great.

I initially paited them to both my iPhone and iPad but I started to have connection issue; I would lose connection while listening to or watching something on one of my devices

I tired every trouble shooting possible, then one day I unpaired them from one of my devices and that has fixed the issue.
I think the automatic switching feature is what caused the issue but I'm not sure.

Kinda sucks because I wanted that feature

 

[Cole Slaw]

I have the XM4's and they are great.

I initially paited them to both my iPhone and iPad but I started to have connection issue; I would lose connection while listening to or watching something on one of my devices

I tired every trouble shooting possible, then one day I unpaired them from one of my devices and that has fixed the issue.
I think the automatic switching feature is what caused the issue but I'm not sure.

Kinda sucks because I wanted that feature

I had the exact same issue with my XM4s. For the longest time I used them with multiple devices (iPhone, iMac, MacBook Pro and a Pixel 7), and they worked fine.
Then in the last several months or so (maybe a bit longer) I would be using the XM4s with my iMac and would notice the sound and video would go out of sync.
Eventually removed all paired devices except the iMac, which is what I use the headphones with the most, and the problem went away. This issue still happened, though less, when I had the XM4s paired only with the iMac and iPhone.
Wonder if the last firmware update screwed something up or what?

 

[ignatius345]

Just take a look on Amazon and you'll see lots of cheaper options with thousands of 5-star reviews.

Seems like every product on Amazon somehow has thousands of 5-star reviews. I'd look elsewhere for more trustworthy reviews or recommendations. Headphone forums can be a good place to start. Wirecutter is also very thorough.

 

[salutcemoi]

I had the exact same issue with my XM4s. For the longest time I used them with multiple devices (iPhone, iMac, MacBook Pro and a Pixel 7), and they worked fine.
Then in the last several months or so (maybe a bit longer) I would be using the XM4s with my iMac and would notice the sound and video would go out of sync.
Eventually removed all paired devices except the iMac, which is what I use the headphones with the most, and the problem went away. This issue still happened, though less, when I had the XM4s paired only with the iMac and iPhone.
Wonder if the last firmware update screwed something up or what?

Yep I'm thinking it's probably because of a firmware update


I haven't repaired with the other device since, it has been 3 months I think
Maybe another update fixed it