WH-1000XM5 vs WH-1000XM4: Sony premium Bluetooth headphones competition.
There are no perfect headphones, this comparison will present you with the best option between the XM5 and the XM4, helping you pick which one best suits your wireless headphone needs.
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Getting a good headphone goes beyond sound quality alone. You have to consider comfort over long periods and the quality of material used. One of the few companies taking these areas seriously is Sony.
Sony is a major driving force in the premium headset/headphones department. Sony is so good, we decided to pitch two of their very best headphones against each other, The WH-1000XM5 vs The WH-1000XM4.
The XM5 is somewhat an upgrade over the XM4, bringing improvements in call quality, fast charge, better and lighter build when compared to the older XM4. But are these upgrades mentioned above enough to convince a potential buyer to get the newer XM5 over the older XM4?
There are no perfect headphones, this comparison will present you with the best option between the XM5 and the XM4, helping you pick which one best suits your wireless headphone needs.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony XM5 comes with 8 microphones, 4 mics on each headphone cup. These mics are controlled by two processors, making it a good noise cancelling headphones to use in a crowded environment, and also great for receiving calls too.
Positives
- Good audio distribution between highs and lows.
- Good audio quality during calls.
- Long playing time, 30hours of play time for a full charge at normal volume.
- Comfortable to wear for a long period of time.
Negatives
- The transparency mode is still below standard, when compared to other headphones like the Airpod Max.
- The material used attracts fingerprint way more than the XM4
- Does not fold as well as the XM4
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is the older generation of the XM4, it has a great carriage design, good sound quality. It comes with 4 mics, 2 on each cup. It is also -$50 cheaper than the XM5.
Positives
- Good audio quality
- Good foldable design
- Long lasting battery, 30hours of play time at normal volume.
- Less expensive when compared to XM5
Negatives
- Poor for voice call
- Average transparency mode
- Average at noise cancelling.
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs WH-1000XM4 tabular comparison.
| XM5 | XM4 | |
|---|---|---|
Audio | XM5 DSEE – Extreme and Hi-Res audio | XM4 QN1 |
Mics | XM5 8 | XM4 4 |
Call quality | XM5 Good | XM4 Average |
Flexibility | XM5 Good | XM4 Great |
Comfort | XM5 Great | XM4 Good |
Battery life | XM5 Great | XM4 Great |
Wear detection | XM5 Yes | XM4 Yes |
Charge speed | XM5 Great | XM4 Good |
App support | XM5 Yes | XM4 Yes |
Noise cancelling | XM5 Good | XM4 Average |
Price | XM5 $400 | XM4 $350 |
Conclusion
If you enjoy wearing your Bluetooth headset for a long period, taking calls with it and enjoying that extra audio quality balance, then the Sony WH-1000XM5 is your best bet retailing at $400.
But if you don't mind an average call quality, great flexibility for easy carriage and good sound quality. Then the Sony WH-1000XM4 at a less expensive pricing of $350 is a good fit for you.
Sources: Kelvin The Tech Ninja, MKBHD, Sony, Sony.