Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max Review: Which one is best in 2024?

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Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max, Which one is best in 2023? well, that two of the most popular headphone options on the market. Both headphones offer excellent sound quality and advanced noise-cancellation technology, but wait, they have differences in their design, features, and price.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is over-ear headphone, which means that the ear cups completely cover the ears. The ear cups are also well-padded, providing a comfortable fit even its light able and for that it feel great during long listening sessions. The headphones are equipped with Sony’s industry leading noise-cancellation technology, which uses advanced algorithms to block out noise, making them ideal for use in noisy place. Additionally, the headphones have a touchpad on the right ear cup, which allows easy control of playback and volume.

Sony added a dope feature on Sony WH-1000XM5, If the headphones are held by hand then the outside sound can be heard. Which is called Ambient Mode. There is also a big update to the battery. The previous model could play up to 3 hours of music on a five-minute charge, while the new model can play up to 3 hours of music on a three-minute charge. The Sony app was also good, it works totally well on Android also the iOS.

Apple Air Pods Max

Apple Air Pods Max

On the other hand, the Apple Air Pods Max are also over ear headphones that feature unique design, with a stainless steel and aluminum construction and a breathable knit mesh canopy, and for that its feel little heavy during long listening sessions. They also have an advanced noise-cancellation feature that adapts to the user’s ears and head movements, which is great. They also have the transparency mode feature which lets you hear the outside world when you need to. The headphones also have Adaptive EQ that automatically tunes the music to the shape of your ear for a customized listening experience.

Both headphones are also compatible with their respective brand’s voice assistants, Sony’s headphones with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri and But AirPods Max comes with only Siri.

Now comes to price, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is more affordable, with a retail price of around $399.99, while the Apple AirPods Max retails for $499.

In conclusion, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Apple AirPods Max are both excellent noise-cancelling headphones that offer advanced features and best sound quality. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a more affordable option with a more traditional over-ear design and a touchpad control, while the Apple AirPods Max offers a unique design and advanced noise-cancellation technology. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and budget. For me Sony WH-1000XM5 is value for money

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max : Specifications & Features

Does the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a better design than the AirPods Max?

The design of the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the AirPods Max is a matter of personal preference, but there are some objective differences that might influence your decision. Here are some of the main points to consider:

  • Weight and comfort: The Sony WH-1000XM5 are lighter (250g) than the AirPods Max (386g), which might make them more comfortable for long listening sessions. The mesh headband and ear cushions of the AirPods Max, on the other hand, improve breathability and lessen heat accumulation.
  • Materials and durability: The AirPods Max have a metal build with a stainless steel headband and aluminum ear cups, which give them a premium and sturdy feel. The Sony WH-1000XM5 have a plastic build, which makes them lighter but also less durable. You should keep your ears dry since none of these headphones has a water resistant rating.
  • Portability and storage:
  • Because of their foldable shape, the Sony WH-1000XM5 may be easily stowed away or transported in a small case. The case for the AirPods Max simply goes over the ear cups; the headband is exposed, and the headphones cannot be folded. Additionally, the case’s design is contentious and unattractive to some.
  • Controls and features:
  • Listen to music, skip tracks, adjust the volume, and access voice assistants with the touch controls located on the right ear cup of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Additionally, a dedicated button is available for use with either Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa, or to toggle between ANC modes. Volume, play/pause, track skipping, and Siri activation are all accessible through tactile buttons on the right ear cup of the AirPods Max. You may also change the ANC or transparency mode with the digital crown.

In summary, the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a more practical and comfortable design, while the AirPods Max have a more luxurious and stylish design. The choice depends on your personal taste and priorities. I hope this helps you make an informed decision.

Which has better noise canceling, the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Apple AirPods Max?

Noise canceling is a feature that reduces unwanted ambient sounds by generating an opposite sound wave that cancels them out. Different headphones have different levels of noise canceling performance, depending on their design, technology, and algorithms. The noise canceling performance of the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the AirPods Max depends on the type and frequency of the noises you want to block out. The AirPods Max might be a better choice if you want to reduce mid-range noises, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 might be a better choice if you want to reduce high-frequency noises. Both headphones are effective at reducing low-frequency noises, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a slight advantage.

Alternatives to the Airpods Max and Sony XM5

If you are looking for alternatives to the AirPods Max and the Sony XM5, there are many other headphones that offer wireless connectivity and active noise canceling (ANC). Here are some of the best options according to the web search results:

  • Bowers & Wilkins PX8: These headphones have a sleek design, a long battery life, and a balanced sound quality. They also have adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment and a transparency mode that lets you hear your surroundings.
  • Focal Bathys: These headphones are a premium choice for audiophiles who want a rich and detailed sound. They have a leather and metal build, a touch-sensitive control panel, and a hybrid ANC that combines feedforward and feedback microphones.
  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: These headphones are the best AirPods Max alternative for ANC, as they have 11 levels of noise canceling that you can customize. They also have a comfortable fit, a clear microphone, and a voice assistant button.
  • Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless: These headphones have a stylish design, a long battery life, and a great sound quality. They also have a smart pause feature that automatically stops the music when you take them off, and a transparent hearing mode that lets you adjust the amount of ambient noise you want to hear.
  • Microsoft Surface Headphones 2: These headphones are a wonderful alternative for working from home, as they offer a strong microphone, a multipoint connection, and a dial that lets you regulate the volume and ANC. They also boast a comfortable fit, a decent battery life, and a Cortana integration.

I hope this helps you find the best headphones for your needs.

Bluetooth Latency test AIRPODS MAX vs SONY XM5

Bluetooth latency is the delay between the audio signal being sent from a source device and the headphones playing that audio. High latency can cause audio and video to be out of sync, which can be annoying when watching videos or playing games.

 Here are some of the main points to consider:

  • The AirPods Max only support the SBC and AAC codecs, while the Sony XM5 support the SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. LDAC is a high-quality codec that can transmit more data than SBC or AAC, but it also has higher latency.
  • The AirPods Max have lower latency than the Sony XM5 when paired with an iOS device, as they use the AAC codec, which is optimized for Apple products. The Sony XM5 have higher latency when paired with an iOS device, as they use the SBC codec, which is the default and lowest quality codec.
  • The Sony XM5 have lower latency than the AirPods Max when paired with an Android device, as they use the LDAC codec, which is supported by most Android devices. The AirPods Max have higher latency when paired with an Android device, as they use the AAC codec, which is not well supported by Android devices.
  • The Sony XM5 have lower latency than the AirPods Max when paired with a Windows PC, as they use the LDAC codec, which is supported by some Windows PCs. The AirPods Max have higher latency when paired with a Windows PC, as they use the SBC codec, which is the only codec supported by Windows PCs.

In summary, the Bluetooth latency of the AirPods Max and the Sony XM5 varies depending on the device and the codec they use. The AirPods Max have lower latency with iOS devices, while the Sony XM5 have lower latency with Android and Windows devices. I hope this helps you compare the Bluetooth latency of these two headphones.

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