When it get topremium headphones , one of the best brands to get your paraphernalia from is Sony . From its impressive designs to the company ’s commitment to top - ledge levelheaded quality and noise - canceling tech , if you ’re buy your tush from Sony , you know you ’re in good hands . In fact , two of our favorite pairs of headphones materialise to be theSony WH-1000XM5and their harbinger , theSony WH-1000XM4 . For a while , the latter was one of the best Set in town , but ever since Sony put out the XM5 simulation , the XM4 has had some decent rival .
What ’s interesting , though , is that Sony never meant to “ supplant ” the XM4 with the XM5 . That being said , if you ’re concerned in either pair , you ’re in all likelihood wondering what features specify them apart , if those differences are notable , and if it ’s worth pass the extra money on the late XM5s . That ’s why we ’ve put together this side - by - side comparison of both model to assist inform your buying decision .
Packaging, case, accessories
TheXM4come in premium promotion , open buyers the pride - in - possession vibe one look for when spending north of $ 300 on a piece of tech . While there ’s nothing that hollo out “ I ’m not earth - favorable ” about the XM4 promotional material , theXM5packaging was intelligibly designed with sustainability and recyclability front of judgement . There is n’t so much as a gram of plastic to be found here , and when you undress off the proscribed composition board wrap , what you ’re left with is a very plain Jane box that is understandably made of recycled material and is itself recyclable . In the close , when all of this is going to go in a bin anyway , it makes sentience to let the subroutine outweigh form .
As we analyse the headphones ’ case , the departure are pretty obvious . The XM5 case is great and U - shaped , while the XM4 come in a more compact pillowcase . The XM5 guinea pig is larger due to the fact that the XM5 do n’t collapse down like the XM4 do . This means the XM5 will take up more infinite in your pack , whether you practice the case or not . On the plus side , there are fewer move parts and the XM5 are easy to stow in their suit .
Looking inside the XM5 case , we detect something new and something drop . A new magnetic flap reveal a memory compartment for a USB - A to USB - ampere-second charging transmission line and a 3.5 millimetre headphone cable . What ’s lose is the airway adaptor that has traditionally shipped with the XM4 and anterior version . Will this relic of an transcriber really be “ drop ” though ? Most airplanes in service no longer apply the dual - style diddly-shit , if any jack is provided at all .
One last bank bill : The include USB charging cable remains inexplicably scant .
Winner : Tie
Design, fit, comfort
move on from past accessories , we take a look at the headphones themselves . The XM5 may not fold up like previous example , but they do offer sleeker lines and a freshman look . Too bad the model name did n’t get a like refresh .
The most detectable difference , however , is with the XM5 ’s lighter system of weights . you’re able to feel the difference by suspending each pair of headphone in your hands . It ’s a difference you feel as soon as you put them on your head , and continue to appreciate the longer they are worn . The new synthetic leather also meliorate comfort for extended wear . In fact , we think the XM5 are among the most comfortable headphone you may buy . For some folk music , this consolation upgrade may be enough of a reason to pay the premium for the XM5 .
success : WH-1oooXM5
Battery life and charging
The XM5 will still give you about 30 minute of medicine listening execution withactive interference set off ( ANC)engaged ( or 20 hours of lecture metre ) — the same as the XM4 . However , the XM5 ’s quick - charge capacity is improved . You ’ll get three hours of carrying into action from just three minute of charge , but there is a pinch : To get that sort of straightaway charge , you ’ll need a USB Power Delivery - capable charging occlusion . Otherwise , the quick bang is similar to the XM4 , which offer about 5 hours of music listening with ANC from 10 moment of charge .
Where battery life story and charging are concerned , the practical difference for most users is likely trifling .
ANC performance
The XM5 have noticeably superscript haphazardness - canceling execution compare with the XM4 . They cut out more of the high mids and treble frequencies than the XM4 . In fact , we think the XM5 offer the adept noise - canceling you’re able to get from any consumer headphone on the mart , period . The improvement in performance here is credit to the addition of a second audio processor and a doubling of the onboard microphones .
With that betterment notice , it is deserving point out that the XM4 offer stochasticity - canceling that is more than sufficient for most users . candidly , with both models , once you start play movies or music , that ’s basically all you ’re run to take heed . However , if you are just seeking the solace of silence , the XM5 will abridge out more of the noise around you , including the thinning treble in a person ’s vox or the gamy - destruction whish of wind rushing past . In fact , the XM5 are substantially dear at deal with current of air .
The XM5 also mechanically optimise noise - canceling based on environmental measurements using their onboard microphones , whereas optimization on the XM4 required repeated use of Sony ’s headphone app for standardization .
Call quality
No motion , the XM5 offer far good call tone . If you spend a lot of time on the phone or Zoom calls and you ca n’t always get to a quiet space , trust that the XM5 will basically efface any background haphazardness going on . Barking dogs , a jackhammer , the bustle of baristas in a coffee shop – no noise is a match for the XM5 , which will make you sound like you are alone in a room all by yourself , even if you are in the middle of a expression zone . Yes , they really are that good .
As for the voice quality itself ? Well , you are n’t going to record a podcast with these — they aren’tthatgood — but for phone calls and video meeting , they do the put-on nicely . Only the AirPods Max offer up well voice fidelity in this price scope .
Sound quality
contribute that sound quality is a very subjective subject , we palpate the XM5 speech sound a bit better than the XM4 , though the differences are nuanced . The most obvious difference in sound character is in the bass performance , where the XM5 sound a bit more “ refined . ” This is not to say the XM5 have importantly less bass , but they are a bit less bass - forward than the XM4 , with slightly less poke in the mid - bass .
If you are in the camp of the bigger the freshwater bass , the better , then we think you ’d prefer the XM4 . If you like a little more balance , but still plenty of basso , the XM5 may be more your bag . Otherwise , the soundstage , implemental separation , and overall timbre between the XM5 and XM4 are so confining that they are just worth name .
Winner : Tie , as it depends on your preference
Extra features
Both the XM5 and XM4 models declare oneself some unequalled add - ons that may not get as much care as some of the phone ’ calling posting features . For example , did you have a go at it that both the XM5 and XM4support Bluetooth Multipoint?By nonremittal , this feature article is actually disabled , but you could sour it on using the Sony Headphones Connect app ( foriOSandAndroiddevices ) . When you start the app , head to theSystemtab and change over on the toggle that saysConnect to two devices at the same time .
You ’ll also be able-bodied to apply the Headphones Connect app to automatically calibrate noise cancellation and ambient hearing based on your location . It ’s a feature call Adaptive Noise Cancellation , and it ’s usable on both the XM5 and XM4 . Oh , and we ca n’t forget the awesome Quick Attention Mode ( also available on both models ) . When you order your hand over either set of headphones ’ rightfulness ear loving cup , whatever music or podcast you ’re hear to will mechanically low and the onboard mics will allow environmental speech sound to filter in .
The takeaway
If you desire the skillful potential haphazardness canceling , the best call quality you’re able to get with a yoke of headphones , and the most comfortable full - sport cans available , then the XM5 are the tag . However , if your needs are less demanding or specific , the XM4 are the better time value overall and remain one of the in force sets of full - featured tooshie you could corrupt . It ’s just that … the XM5 are next - floor insanely good .
Overall Winner : WH-1oooXM5
