Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. WH-1000XM4 | Time to upgrade?

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs XM4: Which One Should You Buy?

In this video, Caleb Dennison compares the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones to the XM4 and helps viewers decide which one to buy.

Unboxing Experience

• The XM4 comes in premium packaging that gives a sense of pride of ownership.

• The XM5 comes in a plain box made of recycled material that is itself recyclable.

• The XM5 case is bigger and U-shaped, while the XM4 is more compact.

• The magnetic flap and compartment for cables in the XM5 case are new and better than the slot available in the XM4 case.

• The airline adapter is missing from the XM5 case, but it's not likely to be missed by most people.

• The charging cable for both models is too short.

Design and Comfort

• The XM5 has a sleeker design with more modern lines than previous models.

• The weight difference between the two models is noticeable, with the XM5 being lighter and more comfortable to wear for long periods.

• The faux leather material on the ear cups of the XM5 is softer and more breathable than that of the XM4.

Sound Quality

• Both headphones have excellent sound quality, but there are some differences in how they handle certain frequencies.

• The bass on the XM5 is slightly stronger than on the XM4, while midrange frequencies are clearer on the latter.

• Both models have good noise cancellation, but the XM5 has a slight edge in this area.

Battery Life and Connectivity

• Both models have excellent battery life, with the XM5 having a slightly longer runtime.

• The XM5 has improved Bluetooth connectivity compared to the XM4, with better range and stability.

Price

• The XM5 is more expensive than the XM4, reflecting its status as an upgrade rather than a replacement.

• Whether the added cost of the XM5 is worth it depends on individual preferences and needs.

Conclusion

• Both headphones are excellent choices, but which one to buy depends on personal preferences and priorities.

• If compactness and collapsibility are important factors, then the XM4 may be a better choice.

• If modern design, comfort, and slightly better sound quality are more important, then the XM5 is worth considering despite its higher price point.

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs XM4: Which is the Better Buy?

This video compares the Sony WH-1000XM5 and XM4 headphones in terms of battery life, noise cancelling, call quality, and audio performance.

Battery Life

• The XM5 and XM4 have similar battery life.

• The XM5 has a more useful quick charge capability.

• 3 hours of performance from just 3 minutes of charging.

• Requires a USB PD or USB Power Delivery capable charging block.

• The XM4 can do about 5 hours of performance off 10 minutes of charging.

Noise Cancelling

• The XM5 has superior noise cancelling compared to the XM4.

• Cuts out more high mids and treble frequencies than the XM4.

• Best noise cancelling on any headphone on the market period.

• Addition of a second audio processor and more microphones (double the onboard mics as the xm4).

• Both headphones are sufficient for most people when playing music or movies but if you're looking for quiet, go with the XM5.

Call Quality

• The XM5 is better than the XM4 in terms of call quality.

• Erases background noise such as barking dogs or jackhammers effectively.

• Makes you sound like you're alone in a room even if you're in a noisy environment.

• Only AirPods Max have better voice quality.

Audio Performance

• The difference between audio performance is nuanced but noticeable.

• The most obvious difference is in low end refinement.

• The bass on the xm5 is more refined but not significantly less than that on xm4.

• Xm4 has bigger bass while Xm5 has balance with plenty of bass.

• Sound stage instrumental separation overall timbre are so close that they are not a reason to switch or upgrade.

• Sony's headphone app and its EQ with built-in presets can be used to get more bass out of the XM5.

Conclusion

• The XM5 is the better buy if you want the best possible noise cancelling, call quality, and most comfortable fully featured headphones on the market.

• The comfort alone makes them worth the extra few bucks for most folks.

• If your needs are not that specific or demanding, even if you just want the more compact form factor or better rotation on ear cups, then go with the XM4.