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

[anthogag]

I remember trying the AirPods max and thinking they sounded bad. I don’t mean they sounded bad for the price, I mean they sounded bad.

I hope they do a lot better on the second attempt.

For the record I have AirPods Pro and think those sound great by comparison.

I would guess you "tried" the non-working AirPods Max store display unit. I have both. The AirPods Pro do not sound better.

 

[Marshall73]

Owned the Xm4 then going to the Max, I’ll stick with the max

 

[ANDJOE]

FYI used Sony WH-1000XM4 can be had on eBay for like $170!

 

[Random_Matt]

Sony could be a billion times better in sound, your die-hard Apple fans would still pay more for less.

 

[johngordon]

I’m kinda possibly interested in upgrading my X3s after watching this, and seeing the comments about muddy sounding music.

Until recently I really loved my X3s, but since I invested in a new hifi set up with decent turntable, amp and speakers, I’ve noticed a real difference in the X3s in comparison. And ‘muddy’ is a pretty bang on description.

So if the X5s and APM are both significantly better in that regard, I may need to check them both out.

 

[travisjunky]

How is the relative comfort between the two?

I really like the way apple did the cloth on the ear pads but theirs something to be said for the weight. I don’t mind them so much but after wearing them daily for several months the Sony XM5s are a nice break from the weight of the APM.

 

[erikkfi]

No mention of the headphone jack that the Sonys have and that the Apples courageously refuse to include?

Say you want to listen to your PS4, PS5, or Xbox with your headphones. Can you do that with both of these?

 

[femike]

For me:
Apple AirPos Max pros: no touch controls, no built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Sony XM5 pros: everything else.

The biggest cons for the AirPods Max for me: no on/off switch without using the bra case, price, no 3.5mm input.
If you have loads of Apple gear and price doesn't matter then AirPods Max is for you.

 

[travisjunky]

Sony could be a billion times better in sound, your die-hard Apple fans would still pay more for less.

Big apple fan here. Having an EQ you can tweak on the Sonys gives it a one up on sound. The preset “Energetic” has a tad too much bass for me so I copied it in the Sony app under custom and toned down the bass. But they are very close, Sony edges them out though.

 

[Rocko99991]

Sony messed up what was a good folding design with these. The case very bulky now and it's needless.

 

[DeepIn2U]

The only negative with Sony is naming of the product. Yuck.

I’d like to see Apple’s earphone/headphone naming when they reach over 70 different models!

 

[AlexESP]

I’d say they’re still two very different products, even if Sony has gone in the APM direction. Basically sound vs comfort. APM still leads in physical comfort (materials, cushions, band), transparency mode, UX (not having a manual power button), controls… it depends on the user. I still prefer APM.

 

[M5RahuL]

To each their own. $400+ for headphones is too bananas for me!

I paid much ..much..more than that for a set of wired Sennheiser HD cans... but, I freaking LOVE them!!

 

[EdT]

To each their own. $400+ for headphones is too bananas for me!

I have a set of XM3's. Tried Apple's version of AirPods Max's first and kept having a dead battery because I only use them once or twice a week, and you can't turn them off. My Sony's are at least 4 years old and the damn things stay on my ears, unlike anyone's earbuds. With AirPods, Jabre and various other in the ear speakers they all fall out of my ears. Yes I have tried all the different earpieces you can use with the various bands, and they don't survive normal walking let alone any type of running or other exercises, no matter whose brand I've tried, so I just use the over the ear headphone models.

 

[JCCL]

I’d say they’re still two very different products, even if Sony has gone in the APM direction. Basically sound vs comfort.

What? There are as direct competitors as anything can be

 

[jcshas]

FYI used Sony WH-1000XM4 can be had on eBay for like $170!

I got mine on Amazon (used) in perfect condition for $168 USD about 2 months ago. They are in perfect condition and I couldn’t be happier to get them at that price.

 

[winexprt]

Being headsets i am missing the comparison of microphone quality. Many people now care more about this as remote working has become very common.

Digital Trends did a good demo of the mic quality:

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Interesting how many people in this thread haven’t even used the new Sony’s yet because of their look and accessories think it’s better than another product they likely haven’t experienced either ( APM). You realize headphones are based on sound first then everything else? Sounds like you all are walking around with some Raycons if you’re basing decisions off everything else but sound.

Let’s be real, if you are on this forum and balked at the APM price then you’re not buying these Sony’s either.

 

[aarond12]

My XM5s arrived today. I went from the Sony WH-H900N to the WH-1000XM5 and WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Lighter, MUCH better build quality, much clearer high-end, excellent bass... Just amazing. The ear cups are the perfect strength and are buttery soft. There should be no issues wearing these for a long flight.

The only thing that isn't as good as my ol' 900s is the touchpad on the right ear cup. I had difficulty triggering it, but it may be resolved in a firmware upgrade. Overall, worth the price of admission.

 

[xxray]

The ANC is not as good in the Max, it has less hardware for it. This is the first ANC that even tries to address the higher frequencies such as talk and high pitched sounds. Mic quality seems slightly better than max, vastly better than xm4 & 3. Sound is slightly better, much better than xm4. More natural sounding, less matted sound. The fit around the ears are better. They weigh less. They look cooler. They are a generation ahead of apple

They are maybe a generation ahead in those things you listed. However, they’re behind in sound quality (most important to me), convenience, transparency mode, and build quality.

 

[jrlcopy]

"but the ‌AirPods Max‌ still have the classier, higher-end look"

The materials are more high end, but I think I prefer the look of the Sony. There's something about the AirPods max that looks odd to me.

Came here to say that. Sony's look way more high end IMO.

 

[Abazigal]

I’d like to see Apple’s earphone/headphone naming when they reach over 70 different models!

Why would they need 70 different models? Sounds like a problem of Sony’s own making.

 

[Blackstick]

If you've got a slew of Apple products, the Max will give you an experience the Sonys can't.

 

[SAIRUS]

So got these, and still deciding to keep them. Compared to the AirPod Max, they might be too light? Also that ability to switch between devices is sorta an amazing feature.

That said, whomever designed the AirPod Max to weigh this much should be punished to wear them for a day.

 

[easterncanuck]

Does anyone actually pay that price for the Apple headphones? Why buy from the Apple store when you can get them for $450 from places like Amazon? Pricing with the Sony is on par.