As someone that has done some sound engineering for a few years (no where near professional) i love your inclusion of the pink noise to show full spectrum reduction!
Best noise cancelling comparison. Clean and smooth presentation, no geeky nerdy stuff yet backed up with easy to understand figures, charts and audio samples. Subscribed
Damn, what an incredibly thorough ANC analysis and test mate, your. Truly merged easily digestible reviews and highly technical information together. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! The best headphone comparison on RUclips. As a pro woodworker I use ANC headphones every day, and I have actually used all the tested models in my shop, performing A-B (and C!) testing. Your measurements correspond with my experiences: the Airpods Max and the Bose QC Ultra are superior in the bass and mid area, but the Sony XM5’s filter out more highs, which is relevant in a woodshop. The Sony XM4 are in my opinion almost equal to the XM5, and for woodworking they actually perform better; the XM5 struggle with the sound from air blow guns and a few other high pitched woodshop noises. It sounds like the ANC glitches, and you get loud terrible crackling noises. In my opinion the Airpods Max rule on both sound and ANC, but I found the heavy and uncomfortable, so for daily use and travel I would go for the Bose QC Ultra. Thanks again!
An absolutely excellent video! The only remaining variable really can't be measured, that being the acoustic "seal" between the headphones and the individual user. Your inclusion of a "legacy" device for context was icing on the cake. Great job!
I agree with your note re "legacy" device. since most of us will have older headphones it's nice to see the progress made. This is one of the first videos that got me to upgrade my old Bose qc30s
Great job. Easily the best and most comprehensive ANC test there is. Graphs, sound samples, different cases. Other channels do not do even fraction of this. Please consider doing the same video but for ANC earbuds: e.g. Sony WF1000XM5, Apple Airpods pro 2, Bose Ultra earbuds, and some cheaper one to be a control/baseline earbud.
@@Johnmims65 between buds and headphones, the buds will offer better portability. You can use them at the gym, take them around easier, etc. The headphones will have longer battery life and be more robust. Both headphones support multi-point connect, whereas the earbuds won't. Between the two headphones, the Bose are newer and will cancel out more noise. They both sound great. Obviously the Bose will cost a lot more. If you don't care for the portability or convenience, and price is not a factor for you, then the Bose QC Ultra headphones probably win as the newer, more premium option. If you want to save some cash, the XM5's are great, but Sony may be coming out with XM6's soon. If you want a portable/premium option, then the earbuds are probably the way to go. Hope this helps!
One thing about noice is that even at the same db reduce, the combination of frequencies or pitches’ annoyances are different and should be taken into account. Like how most hair dryer measured equally as loud but one might sounds less loud and most importantly less annoying, like Dyson, it is also calculate-able. In level 3 higher frequencies test while Sony reduce the noice the most, the sound remaining is definitely more annoying.
Really, the best comparasion in terms of top tier ANC i've ever seen. Really good work. I would love to see other ANC performance comparasions between mid-tier to budget headphones and earbuds!
Great job on conducting the time consuming test! However, your results differ from the VERGEs test (conducted by HAI Labs). They also evaluated Airpods Max, XM5, Bose 700, Bose QC 45, and Bose QC 1 (20-year-old), and found that XM5 performed significantly better than Airpods Max. I'm not sure how two different test setups could yield such different results, but I didn't expect such a large difference. During the video (for example 2:55), I expected the sound to come directly from the center. However, the sound appeared to be coming from different directions on each headphone. This could suggest an unequal fit on both sides, which might skew the test results and make the ill-fitted headphones appear worse than the good-fitted.
Yes the sonys are quite a lot behind in this test which is find to be quite weird but on the test verge did the sonys did too well imo. In that video they did a field test as well in which the sonys didnt have the same results as their lab test at all. I found the airpods max to have better anc but the difference is small. The boses in the video from verge were also quite outdated and in a lower price category
Joshua doesn't miss! Loved this video. I've seen many reviews like this but this was the first one that was aesthetic, informative, and actually scientific.
Hi there! I recently got the famous Bose QC Ultra Headphones, and I can confirm that despite the drivers (speakers) being similar to the Bose NCH 700, this very recent model sounds even better than its predecessor. I also have the Sony WH-1000-XM4, and find that the QC Ultra's sound signature is much clearer than the Sony model. What's more, a little adjustment of the well-rounded bass, and the midrange drive the point home even further. *As a preventive measure, I'd advise you *not to exceed 65% volume, and to take a few listening breaks for the sake of your ears (e.g. 15 to 20 minutes for 1 hour's listening).* Indeed, these headphones have a lot in reserve, and I didn't notice any major sound distortion, which is very good quality. But be careful with your ears, because they're really powerful! And yes, the sound is very clear! Lightweight (257 grams), it folds neatly and has a wider, more comfortable headband. The depth of the speakers (especially for big ears - you don't sweat as much as with Sony headphones) and its active noise reduction are truly impressive! Somewhat superior to Apple's Air Pods Max, that is! For the moment (2023), in concrete terms, *it's the best noise-canceling headset!* At the same time, it's the most recent. We'll see how it fares next year (2024), with the future Sony WH-1000-XM6 and Apple Air Pods Max 2. The "attentive" (transparent) mode is a real success! A notch below the Air Pods Max, and a good notch above the WH-1000-XM4/5. You can clearly hear everything around you. The immersive mode is a bit of a gimmick, as it gives the impression that the soundstage is getting bigger, but I still find it well worthwhile, especially for films and video games! That's another world! I also note that this mode is a little more energy-hungry in terms of this product's autonomy (around 19h35 for me, as opposed to the 18 hours announced by Bose). In fact, as far as battery life is concerned, I think that Bose has underestimated its headphones, because without the immersive mode, and staying at 60~65% maximum volume, I've actually gone up to around 30 hours. The official press release claims 24 hours' autonomy. . What's more, a mode (even two) designed to cleverly save battery power has been integrated: _ Like Apple and Sony, the sound stops when the QC Ultra is removed... And restarts once the device is placed back on the head. _ Automatic sleep mode, when the headset is removed for a long time. It restarts automatically when put back on. Automatic pairing, no headaches, it works like a charm. Multipoint is amply correct, and the solid Bluetooth is certified in 5.3 (the latest available), which is much better in terms of wireless connection stability. A very good point in itself. The WH-1000-XM4 (which is in bleuetooth 4.2) that I've owned since 2021 can cut out from time to time for no reason at the moment... I don't know why. Maybe it's due to my smartphone being almost full of internal memory? I don't know. In any case, I no longer have this little inconvenience with the Bose QC Ultra. The application is nice and quite rich! It's straight to the point, and somewhat less sophisticated than Sony's, whose geekiness is its specialty. As for the buttons, they're all located on the right speaker, behind the ear. A touch-sensitive surface for volume, and incidentally a personalized touch-sensitive button (press for 2 seconds in the middle of the touch-sensitive surface and that's it), either to obtain a voice assistant, or to indicate battery level or something else, for example... Personally, I opted for the battery level. How convenient! And in terms of physical buttons, there are only 2. . The first, at the bottom of the right-hand speaker, is reserved for switching on the headset. . The second button is located a little higher up, towards the rear of the speaker. . The second button is located a little higher up, towards the back of the speaker. This button allows: _ 1 short click: play / pause; 1 long click: change mode (immersive, attentive, silent - additional modes can be added and/or removed, such as the outdoor mode with its more or less successful optional "windbreaker" function, for example); _ 2 quick clicks: next track; _ 3 quick clicks: previous track. Personally, I find these two physical buttons rather instinctive and less headache-inducing (100% subjective, of course). As for the tactile part, I find it better thought-out than the NCH 700 and the Sony WH-1000-XM4/5, in the sense that there's no tactile conflict when unwanted rubbing occurs, such as fabric rubbing when you're in bed, or when you're putting on a hood. The left speaker features a USB-C input for headphone charging only, and an input for... A 2.5 mm jack!... The 2.5 mm jack... I'll never understand why that is... Especially as the headphones must be switched on to be effective(!)... I really don't understand this choice... As far as phone calls are concerned, the people I'm talking to can hear me clearly, even when there's a lot of noise around me! It's not as sophisticated as the Air Pods Max, but it's still one of the most effective. My voice is clearly audible, and it's possible to adjust the volume of the voice when telephoning via the headset. I write this because none of the testers mentioned this detail generally. Unfortunately, it's impossible to obtain lossless sound via a wired USB-C cable (which is quite incomprehensible to me, especially given its high price at the moment). The French Batys headphones, for example (albeit more expensive than the QC Ultra), make this possible. Finally, the price is high (499€) for the moment, but will inevitably drop in the coming months (logically). And then the bargains will start rolling in over the coming year. It has to be! So, I've tried to be as complete as possible about my pleasant experience with these Bose Quiet Confort Ultra Headphones. Expensive, yes, it's undeniable, but very pleasant to hold, not at all uncomfortable on the head, light and very comfortable, this top-of-the-range headset (2023) does quite well, if not very well. A special mention for the active noise reduction, which so far puts it ahead of Apple and Sony. All in all, this headset is a success, far from flawless, let's be honest, but what it does, it does really well. Very satisfied overall. Oh yes, I almost forgot: *the ear pads are detachable and therefore replaceable, in case of any long-term wear and tear.* Hoping for interesting updates (USB-C wired sound, I dream of it! x) ) to come! Thanks for your remarquable work sir! Looking forward to hearing from you!
Bose is clearly the king of ANC. It's really disgusting how many RUclips reviewers claim the Sony XM5s are better, like paid parrots. Both the Air Pods and the Bose QC Ultra just stomp Sony in these tests. Sony did win one category, but it is the category that has sounds that no one ever encounters in real life. When it comes to the real world, Bose is simply the best. I was quite surprised how well the Apple Air Pods did. Most reviewers don't praise their ANC performance.
This is super informative! As someone using the 700, it's looking like if i ever upgrade to a new flagship it'll be worlds better. Also, would love to see a similar roundup for the top end earbuds (AirPods pro 2, bose ultra, Sony xm5, Samsung buds 2 pro etc.)
Thanks man. I am shopping for ANC Headphones to block out bass noise from car exhausts and my upstairs neighbors stomping around. Definitely getting the Airpods Max for Black Friday.
From what I can tell the the "Noise Canceling" only applies to the microphone. What about people with sensory overload to sounds. And want to drown out that same noise while wearing the headphones. "Sound sensitivity refers to a phenomenon where individuals have a heightened, often uncomfortable, response to sounds that most people can tolerate or ignore. A specific form of sound sensitivity is misophonia, where sounds-like the clanging of dishes or the constant clicking of a pen-cause distress, regardless of their volume. This discomfort can persist even when these sounds are not particularly loud or harsh. On the other hand, some individuals experience discomfort from any sound at or above a certain volume threshold, sometimes as low as that of a typical conversation. These reactions to sound can vary greatly, from mild annoyance or discomfort to feelings of disgust, and in severe cases, can even manifest as physical pain. Understanding the intricacies of sound sensitivity is crucial as its impact extends beyond the auditory realm, influencing individuals’ emotional well-being and daily functioning." Make a pair of headphones that aid those who have sound sensitivity. Essentially an earpad that blocks out distractions and noises for a full and richer immersion.
It's just called 'noise blockers'/'safety ear muffs' and is completely standard equipment in industrial setting But they have very strong pressure on the head for proper seal
Thank you so much for testing the ANC on high frequencies!!!! This is actually the main thing I need them for, because I live in a weird ghetto city where for some reason it's very popular to just blast audio from your phone without using headphones at all. I'm extremely sensitive to these sharp electronic noises that come from other people's phones... so i always bring ANC headphones whenever i have to go outside 😔 my top priority is high frequency but no one seems to talk about it...
Thank you for the video :) Only test which is missing is a normal conversation (for example, you sit in the train and people next to you are chatting).
I own a pair of QC-15 with new ear pads plus Air Pod Pros. In an airplane, I find the Air Pods are not good enough to prevent fatigue but give me great mobility. The QC-15 are effective but bulky and have no Bluetooth. Wearing both at the same time gives me excellent noise reduction and Bluetooth. I’m not recommending a person run out and buy both as a solution, but if you have both, give it a try.
Nice setup for the test! That helps a lot for me to choose my next purchase. I’ve been Bose customer for the past 25yrs. Although some disappointment happened with the quality of their earbuds. But I’m still trying to convince myself to get the QC Ultra. Thanks Josh!
This video approaches "Torque Test Channel" but for headphones. The data driven comparison is great, but maybe in a summary part of the video you could compare against historical benchmarks in a similar way.
Hi, I loved this review, the most thorough and straightforward anc review I’ve come across. I was wondering which of these three would be your own personal choice as everyday headphones?
Interesting test. I bet though once music is playing whilst ANC is on you wouldn’t hear much if any outside noise. The clincher only comes when you start using them with ANC and no music.
That is a great test and information. Which frequency range would a computer server/data center room with lots of computer fans and ac running will fall into?
Realistically?? From these tests you'd want the AirPods Max. Would I recommend that?? Maybe. I don't know how safe of a driver you normally are, so in the mean time I'd get some cheaper ANC earbuds to test. If you feel you are a worse driver with ANC, it's probably best to not get ANC headphones. ANC probably won't affect you too much while driving though; cars are starting to get it built in, so you should be fine. Just do a couple of test runs, and see if you like it. Test wise, from what he's done the AirPods clear the board for bass heavy noises (driving, flying, trains) and the Bose Quiet Comforts are next in line. I haven't heard good things about Bose connectivity, so I'd just go apple on this. If you have an android phone your other options are Beats, Sony, Bose, JBL, etc.
Thanks for the response. I would be able to use the Airpods Max without connecting it to a phone, correct? I have an android phone, and only need the headphones for noise cancelling. Currently using the Bose quiet comforts while driving, but if the Airpods are better, it may be time to switch.
Theoretically, you could, but honestly if you just need noise cancelling, getting earbuds is a lot cheaper and will probably be better overall. I'd stick with whatever brand works with Android for you. Since you don't use an iPhone, I would steer clear of AirPods. All the good features on AirPods are limited to iPhone. Consider using the set you use for work now at home if you do upgrade, otherwise you should be fine. You still probably wanna pair the Headphones at minimum, to get rid of the pairing chime at least.
Excellent video, thanks for all the analysis. I have both Bose QC Ultra & Airpods Max, I can confirm that in every day life, both perform extremely well regarding ANC, thus in terms of sound quality there's practically no match, Airpods Max sounds way better, and compared them in both (Spatial / immersive) and without this modes, the sound is more engaging, more detailed, I hear details and layers especially in mids, voices & high end that I never experiend before on Airpods Max. And in this regard, that matters to me. I guess when the Max gets the H2 chip, they'll blow all the competition out of water.
@@junioralvarado629 I don't agree, the Bose QC Ultra sound better especially when it comes to the soundstage. The Airpods can't match them especially with Aptx adaptive on. The Bose QC Ultra sound very similar to the new Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2e
I like my AirPods Max but I still have no idea why the AirPods Max are being compared. The Sonys and Bose are each like 150$ less, that’s like a huge price delta to the point where they should be in different classes. The fact the Bose have better anc in a lot of ways when they are way less is amazing. The AirPods don’t really actually have a comparison except for really high end wired headphones and if you’re comparing the AirPods against those sound wise they get dogged.
@@just_a_random_guy_7104 well if your so rich why are you buying these? why not buy headphones triple the price? this is one of if not the dun best comments ive ever replied to
Месяц назад
Awesome video, awesome work. Thank you so much for this!
Hard to see that QC ultra are better than the XM5 in the low range. I bought a pair of QC ultra, went for my daily walk and i could hear the cars passing me very easily. I had a pair of XM4s before which cut out more of the passing car noise by far. I returned the QC ultra because of this about bought the XM5, Which in turn cut out far more noise than the QC ultras.
How long were the Sony Xm5s tested for each test? Or were they one after the other? They are sometimes quirky with their adaptive ANC and can take a few seconds or more to adjust its ANC to work correctly which I'm not sure was taken into account like the first test with the bass.
Hey thanks for the great video! I was wondering if you can do a test on the same set of headphones against intermitten low frequencies range, like, stomping/thumping sound, snoring, etc.
Hey you guys! I recently got the Bose Quietconfort Ultra and their volume is ok but it doesn't give me that punch that i could picture in my mind before i got them even at high volume. This is my first headphones, i have experience with true wireless with bose quietconfort earbuds first generation and the volume, the bass and the punch Is soooo cool. So that's why i picked the Bose headphones. The Momentum 4 was my boy for a long time but finally i decided for the Bose because i have the QC Earbuds 1st generation and they are my sunshine haha. But as i said, the volume in the Bose headphones ones is not as loud as the earbuds and that makes me wonder sennheiser Momentum 4 sounds louder? I just want to know if i decided correctly 🥺 My priority is the volume anyways. PS: I know the sound quality in the M4's are better than Bose. I don't considerate myself as an audiophile, i just enjoy to listen music with these features: Volume, Bass, Punch and a good sound quality.
Now that you have this apparatus, can you do a similar thing for mid range headphones. Like for soundcore headphones or wyze headphones maybe. Throw the bose in there for a good benchmark point
I really only care about blocking voices out. Between the office and my house with the kids and other people around the house that’s my most significant distraction, listening to your recordings. The AirPods perform way better than the Bose in my opinion.
Very in depth, the best ANC review I have seen. It was decisive that you mentioned what range my keyboard and mouse clicking was. It made me decide not to buy the bose and keep my sonys.
The XM5 has an auto ANC adjustement feature. By default ANC and not set at max ANC, and it will automatically go at max ANC if you are in a noisy place. Seems like it was buggy here. I have both XM5 and Ultra and clearly, XM5 is better. I also saw an other video with ANC measurement where XM5 did better than Ultra
Yes ANC is god tier in Sony .I was at the railway crossing the other day. I was about 100metres far so As soon as the train approached, I turn on ANC and I kid you not I didn't hear the engine rumbling and whistling, even the carriage noise were cancelled.
The QC Ultra is better. Check RTINGs measurements as well which show the QC Ultra as better as well. I have both headphones and I can hear the Bose easily blocks out more noise in the bass region over the XM5.
I bought both with the plan to just keep one. Tested both side by side for a few days and the ultras are definitely better. XM5 specialise in cencelling certain sounds but the ultra cover a much wider spectrum. Sent the Sony back.
I think the price vs performance needs to be taken more into consideration. Considering how much cheaper the Sonys are they are definitely a better purchase than the airpods at least
@Joshua Chang: At Level 4 you say: "the Bose QuietComfort Ultras are the clear winners followed by the Airpods, then the Sonys" There two mistakes in this statement: The Bose NC 700 are not QC Ultras, and the Sonys are outperforming the Airpods...
hey, thanks for this video. Can you do the same test for earbuds of 2024 ( Sony , Bose qc ultra earbuds, air pods pro 2 et and AirPods 4) , I think it will be interesting, please.
The other popular scientific test video by The Verge actually came to the opposite conclusion, recommending the Sony xm5 as the best and the bose the worst. This video however concludes Sony xm5 is the worst and Bose is the best. And both are scientifically done. I'm so confused... Also, I wish this video would have included real life noise in the test, like passing of cars, doors slamming, etc.
![Best Premium Headphones 2024 [Tested & Compared!] - AirPods Max vs Bose vs Sony vs Sennheiser..](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/l5qootmFQx0/mqdefault.jpg)
As someone that has done some sound engineering for a few years (no where near professional) i love your inclusion of the pink noise to show full spectrum reduction!
Best noise cancelling comparison. Clean and smooth presentation, no geeky nerdy stuff yet backed up with easy to understand figures, charts and audio samples. Subscribed
Damn, what an incredibly thorough ANC analysis and test mate, your. Truly merged easily digestible reviews and highly technical information together. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! The best headphone comparison on RUclips.
As a pro woodworker I use ANC headphones every day, and I have actually used all the tested models in my shop, performing A-B (and C!) testing.
Your measurements correspond with my experiences: the Airpods Max and the Bose QC Ultra are superior in the bass and mid area, but the Sony XM5’s filter out more highs, which is relevant in a woodshop.
The Sony XM4 are in my opinion almost equal to the XM5, and for woodworking they actually perform better; the XM5 struggle with the sound from air blow guns and a few other high pitched woodshop noises. It sounds like the ANC glitches, and you get loud terrible crackling noises.
In my opinion the Airpods Max rule on both sound and ANC, but I found the heavy and uncomfortable, so for daily use and travel I would go for the Bose QC Ultra.
Thanks again!
You just took ANC testing to the next level. I've never seen a review like this. Huge thanks
Man there is one on RUclips right now. Lookup The Verge - Noise Cancelling
come on, rtings have been there for several years and they do better tests
@@CuriousPassenger Not really for ANC testing. Especially now adaptive ANC exists on XM5, they didn't test it properly
An absolutely excellent video! The only remaining variable really can't be measured, that being the acoustic "seal" between the headphones and the individual user. Your inclusion of a "legacy" device for context was icing on the cake. Great job!
I agree with your note re "legacy" device. since most of us will have older headphones it's nice to see the progress made. This is one of the first videos that got me to upgrade my old Bose qc30s
Great job. Easily the best and most comprehensive ANC test there is. Graphs, sound samples, different cases. Other channels do not do even fraction of this.
Please consider doing the same video but for ANC earbuds: e.g. Sony WF1000XM5, Apple Airpods pro 2, Bose Ultra earbuds, and some cheaper one to be a control/baseline earbud.
Unfortunately the 3dio FS XLR does not support earbuds 😔 However, I'm on the lookout for one that would support it.
@@JoshuaChang if I could only get one should I get the Bose qc ultra earbuds, Sony wh-1000xm5 or the Bose QuietComfort ultra headphones?
@@Johnmims65 between buds and headphones, the buds will offer better portability. You can use them at the gym, take them around easier, etc. The headphones will have longer battery life and be more robust. Both headphones support multi-point connect, whereas the earbuds won't.
Between the two headphones, the Bose are newer and will cancel out more noise. They both sound great. Obviously the Bose will cost a lot more.
If you don't care for the portability or convenience, and price is not a factor for you, then the Bose QC Ultra headphones probably win as the newer, more premium option. If you want to save some cash, the XM5's are great, but Sony may be coming out with XM6's soon. If you want a portable/premium option, then the earbuds are probably the way to go.
Hope this helps!
@@JoshuaChang I just want the one that is the best in anc transparency comfort and sound
Bro this is exactly the kinda testing NC should get, you earned my sub man
One thing about noice is that even at the same db reduce, the combination of frequencies or pitches’ annoyances are different and should be taken into account. Like how most hair dryer measured equally as loud but one might sounds less loud and most importantly less annoying, like Dyson, it is also calculate-able. In level 3 higher frequencies test while Sony reduce the noice the most, the sound remaining is definitely more annoying.
true, its been stated before that my case/setups should just be considered as highend equivalents than real devices/combinations
tldr, read reviews and specs
Really, the best comparasion in terms of top tier ANC i've ever seen. Really good work.
I would love to see other ANC performance comparasions between mid-tier to budget headphones and earbuds!
This is such an excellent comparison, exactly what I was looking for . A proper objective ANC test
Great job on conducting the time consuming test! However, your results differ from the VERGEs test (conducted by HAI Labs). They also evaluated Airpods Max, XM5, Bose 700, Bose QC 45, and Bose QC 1 (20-year-old), and found that XM5 performed significantly better than Airpods Max. I'm not sure how two different test setups could yield such different results, but I didn't expect such a large difference. During the video (for example 2:55), I expected the sound to come directly from the center.
However, the sound appeared to be coming from different directions on each headphone. This could suggest an unequal fit on both sides, which might skew the test results and make the ill-fitted headphones appear worse than the good-fitted.
Yes the sonys are quite a lot behind in this test which is find to be quite weird but on the test verge did the sonys did too well imo. In that video they did a field test as well in which the sonys didnt have the same results as their lab test at all. I found the airpods max to have better anc but the difference is small. The boses in the video from verge were also quite outdated and in a lower price category
Joshua doesn't miss! Loved this video. I've seen many reviews like this but this was the first one that was aesthetic, informative, and actually scientific.
Hi there!
I recently got the famous Bose QC Ultra Headphones, and I can confirm that despite the drivers (speakers) being similar to the Bose NCH 700, this very recent model sounds even better than its predecessor. I also have the Sony WH-1000-XM4, and find that the QC Ultra's sound signature is much clearer than the Sony model.
What's more, a little adjustment of the well-rounded bass, and the midrange drive the point home even further.
*As a preventive measure, I'd advise you *not to exceed 65% volume, and to take a few listening breaks for the sake of your ears (e.g. 15 to 20 minutes for 1 hour's listening).* Indeed, these headphones have a lot in reserve,
and I didn't notice any major sound distortion, which is very good quality. But be careful with your ears, because they're really powerful!
And yes, the sound is very clear!
Lightweight (257 grams), it folds neatly and has a wider, more comfortable headband.
The depth of the speakers (especially for big ears - you don't sweat as much as with Sony headphones) and its active noise reduction are truly impressive! Somewhat superior to Apple's Air Pods Max, that is!
For the moment (2023), in concrete terms, *it's the best noise-canceling headset!* At the same time, it's the most recent. We'll see how it fares next year (2024), with the future Sony WH-1000-XM6 and Apple Air Pods Max 2.
The "attentive" (transparent) mode is a real success! A notch below the Air Pods Max, and a good notch above the WH-1000-XM4/5. You can clearly hear everything around you.
The immersive mode is a bit of a gimmick, as it gives the impression that the soundstage is getting bigger, but I still find it well worthwhile, especially for films and video games! That's another world!
I also note that this mode is a little more energy-hungry in terms of this product's autonomy (around 19h35 for me, as opposed to the 18 hours announced by Bose).
In fact, as far as battery life is concerned, I think that Bose has underestimated its headphones, because without the immersive mode, and staying at 60~65% maximum volume, I've actually gone up to around 30 hours. The official press release claims 24 hours' autonomy.
. What's more, a mode (even two) designed to cleverly save battery power has been integrated:
_ Like Apple and Sony, the sound stops when the QC Ultra is removed... And restarts once the device is placed back on the head.
_ Automatic sleep mode, when the headset is removed for a long time. It restarts automatically when put back on.
Automatic pairing, no headaches, it works like a charm.
Multipoint is amply correct, and the solid Bluetooth is certified in 5.3 (the latest available), which is much better in terms of wireless connection stability. A very good point in itself.
The WH-1000-XM4 (which is in bleuetooth 4.2) that I've owned since 2021 can cut out from time to time for no reason at the moment...
I don't know why.
Maybe it's due to my smartphone being almost full of internal memory?
I don't know.
In any case, I no longer have this little inconvenience with the Bose QC Ultra.
The application is nice and quite rich! It's straight to the point, and somewhat less sophisticated than Sony's, whose geekiness is its specialty.
As for the buttons, they're all located on the right speaker, behind the ear.
A touch-sensitive surface for volume, and incidentally a personalized touch-sensitive button (press for 2 seconds in the middle of the touch-sensitive surface and that's it), either to obtain a voice assistant, or to indicate battery level or something else, for example...
Personally, I opted for the battery level. How convenient!
And in terms of physical buttons, there are only 2.
. The first, at the bottom of the right-hand speaker, is reserved for switching on the headset.
. The second button is located a little higher up, towards the rear of the speaker.
. The second button is located a little higher up, towards the back of the speaker.
This button allows:
_ 1 short click: play / pause;
1 long click: change mode (immersive, attentive, silent - additional modes can be added and/or removed, such as the outdoor mode with its more or less successful optional "windbreaker" function, for example);
_ 2 quick clicks: next track;
_ 3 quick clicks: previous track.
Personally, I find these two physical buttons rather instinctive and less headache-inducing (100% subjective, of course).
As for the tactile part, I find it better thought-out than the NCH 700 and the Sony WH-1000-XM4/5, in the sense that there's no tactile conflict when unwanted rubbing occurs, such as fabric rubbing when you're in bed, or when you're putting on a hood.
The left speaker features a USB-C input for headphone charging only, and an input for...
A 2.5 mm jack!...
The 2.5 mm jack...
I'll never understand why that is... Especially as the headphones must be switched on to be effective(!)...
I really don't understand this choice...
As far as phone calls are concerned, the people I'm talking to can hear me clearly, even when there's a lot of noise around me! It's not as sophisticated as the Air Pods Max, but it's still one of the most effective.
My voice is clearly audible, and it's possible to adjust the volume of the voice when telephoning via the headset.
I write this because none of the testers mentioned this detail generally.
Unfortunately, it's impossible to obtain lossless sound via a wired USB-C cable (which is quite incomprehensible to me, especially given its high price at the moment).
The French Batys headphones, for example (albeit more expensive than the QC Ultra), make this possible.
Finally, the price is high (499€) for the moment, but will inevitably drop in the coming months (logically). And then the bargains will start rolling in over the coming year. It has to be!
So, I've tried to be as complete as possible about my pleasant experience with these Bose Quiet Confort Ultra Headphones.
Expensive, yes, it's undeniable, but very pleasant to hold, not at all uncomfortable on the head, light and very comfortable, this top-of-the-range headset (2023) does quite well, if not very well.
A special mention for the active noise reduction, which so far puts it ahead of Apple and Sony.
All in all, this headset is a success, far from flawless, let's be honest, but what it does, it does really well.
Very satisfied overall.
Oh yes, I almost forgot: *the ear pads are detachable and therefore replaceable, in case of any long-term wear and tear.*
Hoping for interesting updates (USB-C wired sound, I dream of it! x) ) to come!
Thanks for your remarquable work sir!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Bose is clearly the king of ANC. It's really disgusting how many RUclips reviewers claim the Sony XM5s are better, like paid parrots. Both the Air Pods and the Bose QC Ultra just stomp Sony in these tests. Sony did win one category, but it is the category that has sounds that no one ever encounters in real life. When it comes to the real world, Bose is simply the best. I was quite surprised how well the Apple Air Pods did. Most reviewers don't praise their ANC performance.
Totally. Also xm4 is better than newer
Yeah taking in consideration that they are 3 years old
They are 2 y/o tho & is still keeping up
I haven't seen a single review saying the XM5s have better ANC than the Bose Ultra. So don't know what you talking about
Bose had worse noise canceling when XM5 released. It wasn't until the new QC Ultra released that they pulled ahead
This is super informative! As someone using the 700, it's looking like if i ever upgrade to a new flagship it'll be worlds better.
Also, would love to see a similar roundup for the top end earbuds (AirPods pro 2, bose ultra, Sony xm5, Samsung buds 2 pro etc.)
This is exactly what I was searching when looking for a benchmark of ANC performance, thank you for this very qualitative content !
Thanks man. I am shopping for ANC Headphones to block out bass noise from car exhausts and my upstairs neighbors stomping around. Definitely getting the Airpods Max for Black Friday.
Best overview! I hate when the reviews are subjective. This informs the potential buyer way better. Thanks for the work.
From what I can tell the the "Noise Canceling" only applies to the microphone.
What about people with sensory overload to sounds. And want to drown out that same noise while wearing the headphones.
"Sound sensitivity refers to a phenomenon where individuals have a heightened, often uncomfortable, response to sounds that most people can tolerate or ignore. A specific form of sound sensitivity is misophonia, where sounds-like the clanging of dishes or the constant clicking of a pen-cause distress, regardless of their volume. This discomfort can persist even when these sounds are not particularly loud or harsh.
On the other hand, some individuals experience discomfort from any sound at or above a certain volume threshold, sometimes as low as that of a typical conversation. These reactions to sound can vary greatly, from mild annoyance or discomfort to feelings of disgust, and in severe cases, can even manifest as physical pain. Understanding the intricacies of sound sensitivity is crucial as its impact extends beyond the auditory realm, influencing individuals’ emotional well-being and daily functioning."
Make a pair of headphones that aid those who have sound sensitivity. Essentially an earpad that blocks out distractions and noises for a full and richer immersion.
Yeah its called mesophonia. Im pretty sure I actually have it. Keyboard clicking can drive me crazy even if its very quiet.
It's just called 'noise blockers'/'safety ear muffs' and is completely standard equipment in industrial setting
But they have very strong pressure on the head for proper seal
Thank you so much for testing the ANC on high frequencies!!!! This is actually the main thing I need them for, because I live in a weird ghetto city where for some reason it's very popular to just blast audio from your phone without using headphones at all. I'm extremely sensitive to these sharp electronic noises that come from other people's phones... so i always bring ANC headphones whenever i have to go outside 😔 my top priority is high frequency but no one seems to talk about it...
Thank you for the video :) Only test which is missing is a normal conversation (for example, you sit in the train and people next to you are chatting).
Best ANC review i've ever see! Great!
I own a pair of QC-15 with new ear pads plus Air Pod Pros. In an airplane, I find the Air Pods are not good enough to prevent fatigue but give me great mobility. The QC-15 are effective but bulky and have no Bluetooth. Wearing both at the same time gives me excellent noise reduction and Bluetooth. I’m not recommending a person run out and buy both as a solution, but if you have both, give it a try.
Awesome video man. I knew you were legit the moment you mentioned the XM5 being better for laptop keyboard sounds. Keep up the good work.
Practical real-world testing. Well demonstrated, well illustated. Thank you.
Nice setup for the test! That helps a lot for me to choose my next purchase. I’ve been Bose customer for the past 25yrs. Although some disappointment happened with the quality of their earbuds. But I’m still trying to convince myself to get the QC Ultra. Thanks Josh!
This was awesome! Thank you for including the 700s.
Thank you so much for this video!! Bose is the current ANC king so far, but they are also the most recent headphone.
Listening to this video with my Xm5 and totally didn’t disappoint.
did you ever test the xm4? just wondering how the noise of those compare to the competition but good video. as now i wont be looking at the xm5.
this is FIRE bro really well done
love these straight forward comparisons
(watching videos of things I cannot buy is fun)
Best ANC review I’ve seen. Thanks mate.
Great analysis!! I appreciate your testing approach and attention to detail
Wow, this was the best ANC test that I have watched, thanks for making this video.
Thanks for including the 700!
the best comparison video ive seen i really needed this
This video approaches "Torque Test Channel" but for headphones. The data driven comparison is great, but maybe in a summary part of the video you could compare against historical benchmarks in a similar way.
Nice video. Does the Bose support Apple Lossless Music?
Hi, I loved this review, the most thorough and straightforward anc review I’ve come across.
I was wondering which of these three would be your own personal choice as everyday headphones?
Wow- thats next level testing 💪
Such a fantastic test. Thanks!
I enjoyed this a lot. Thanks a lot. I wonder if there is something similar for voice calls.
Anyway, great stuff
This is an extremely well made video
The Best test i have seen for ANC
I hope we can see the same test for the top earbuds as well
Much love man
You should also rank the issue of the cabin pressure by using NC. At the Airpods Max its terrible.
One of the best videos i have seen about the subject, thanks
Wish the test sounds included things like delivery van backup alarms, dogs barking, leaf blowers etc.
Interesting test. I bet though once music is playing whilst ANC is on you wouldn’t hear much if any outside noise. The clincher only comes when you start using them with ANC and no music.
This review was so interesting and comprehensive!
That is a great test and information. Which frequency range would a computer server/data center room with lots of computer fans and ac running will fall into?
Uppers mids and trebles. I used older Quiet Comforts with great success in server rooms. But the convenience of AirPods Pro can’t be beat for work.
Thanks for the video. Question: which noise cancelling headphones would be best for cancelling road noise while driving an eighteen wheeler?
Realistically?? From these tests you'd want the AirPods Max. Would I recommend that?? Maybe. I don't know how safe of a driver you normally are, so in the mean time I'd get some cheaper ANC earbuds to test.
If you feel you are a worse driver with ANC, it's probably best to not get ANC headphones.
ANC probably won't affect you too much while driving though; cars are starting to get it built in, so you should be fine. Just do a couple of test runs, and see if you like it.
Test wise, from what he's done the AirPods clear the board for bass heavy noises (driving, flying, trains) and the Bose Quiet Comforts are next in line. I haven't heard good things about Bose connectivity, so I'd just go apple on this. If you have an android phone your other options are Beats, Sony, Bose, JBL, etc.
Thanks for the response. I would be able to use the Airpods Max without connecting it to a phone, correct? I have an android phone, and only need the headphones for noise cancelling. Currently using the Bose quiet comforts while driving, but if the Airpods are better, it may be time to switch.
Theoretically, you could, but honestly if you just need noise cancelling, getting earbuds is a lot cheaper and will probably be better overall.
I'd stick with whatever brand works with Android for you. Since you don't use an iPhone, I would steer clear of AirPods. All the good features on AirPods are limited to iPhone.
Consider using the set you use for work now at home if you do upgrade, otherwise you should be fine.
You still probably wanna pair the Headphones at minimum, to get rid of the pairing chime at least.
Nice comparison. Looking forward for more reviews
would love to know how the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds compare... good video
One point you didn’t mention: a decrease of 10 dB is about a 50% reduction from the starting point in perceived sound.
Excellent video, thanks for all the analysis. I have both Bose QC Ultra & Airpods Max, I can confirm that in every day life, both perform extremely well regarding ANC, thus in terms of sound quality there's practically no match, Airpods Max sounds way better, and compared them in both (Spatial / immersive) and without this modes, the sound is more engaging, more detailed, I hear details and layers especially in mids, voices & high end that I never experiend before on Airpods Max. And in this regard, that matters to me. I guess when the Max gets the H2 chip, they'll blow all the competition out of water.
I was gonna say in most test I prefer how the max sound, nothing grating just smooth texture
@@junioralvarado629 I don't agree, the Bose QC Ultra sound better especially when it comes to the soundstage. The Airpods can't match them especially with Aptx adaptive on. The Bose QC Ultra sound very similar to the new Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2e
I like my AirPods Max but I still have no idea why the AirPods Max are being compared. The Sonys and Bose are each like 150$ less, that’s like a huge price delta to the point where they should be in different classes. The fact the Bose have better anc in a lot of ways when they are way less is amazing. The AirPods don’t really actually have a comparison except for really high end wired headphones and if you’re comparing the AirPods against those sound wise they get dogged.
@@johnpoe3012When you are rich such minuscule amount of difference in prices doesn’t matter at all. So don’t bring prices into this.
@@just_a_random_guy_7104 well if your so rich why are you buying these? why not buy headphones triple the price? this is one of if not the dun best comments ive ever replied to
Awesome video, awesome work. Thank you so much for this!
Hard to see that QC ultra are better than the XM5 in the low range. I bought a pair of QC ultra, went for my daily walk and i could hear the cars passing me very easily. I had a pair of XM4s before which cut out more of the passing car noise by far. I returned the QC ultra because of this about bought the XM5, Which in turn cut out far more noise than the QC ultras.
How long were the Sony Xm5s tested for each test? Or were they one after the other? They are sometimes quirky with their adaptive ANC and can take a few seconds or more to adjust its ANC to work correctly which I'm not sure was taken into account like the first test with the bass.
Exactly
At 8:14 (full spectrum, pink noise) your verbal ranking of the headphones contradicts the numbers displayed. There is a mistake here.
Yeah, I noticed the same. Probably a mistake he didn't notice.
Is over the ear better for ANC?
Hey thanks for the great video! I was wondering if you can do a test on the same set of headphones against intermitten low frequencies range, like, stomping/thumping sound, snoring, etc.
Hey you guys!
I recently got the Bose Quietconfort Ultra and their volume is ok but it doesn't give me that punch that i could picture in my mind before i got them even at high volume.
This is my first headphones, i have experience with true wireless with bose quietconfort earbuds first generation and the volume, the bass and the punch Is soooo cool. So that's why i picked the Bose headphones.
The Momentum 4 was my boy for a long time but finally i decided for the Bose because i have the QC Earbuds 1st generation and they are my sunshine haha.
But as i said, the volume in the Bose headphones ones is not as loud as the earbuds and that makes me wonder sennheiser Momentum 4 sounds louder? I just want to know if i decided correctly 🥺 My priority is the volume anyways.
PS: I know the sound quality in the M4's are better than Bose. I don't considerate myself as an audiophile, i just enjoy to listen music with these features: Volume, Bass, Punch and a good sound quality.
it's amazing ANC... am in love
Now that you have this apparatus, can you do a similar thing for mid range headphones. Like for soundcore headphones or wyze headphones maybe. Throw the bose in there for a good benchmark point
Amazing video ! Subscribed !
im loving the content of this channel
Great video. You earned a new subscriber.
Thanks Joshua
i kinda think the apple airpods max r really good at canceling noise but i got to say the bose qc did amazing and definitley deserved the win
Off topic. You have a beautiful voice 😍
i was considering take the airpod max.. but his design is totally fuck up, lets go for new bose
Excellent video! Have you considered making a video on Eight Sleep?
Well done and nice and simple
I really only care about blocking voices out. Between the office and my house with the kids and other people around the house that’s my most significant distraction, listening to your recordings. The AirPods perform way better than the Bose in my opinion.
Very in depth, the best ANC review I have seen. It was decisive that you mentioned what range my keyboard and mouse clicking was. It made me decide not to buy the bose and keep my sonys.
Most accurate anc test ever
The XM5 has an auto ANC adjustement feature. By default ANC and not set at max ANC, and it will automatically go at max ANC if you are in a noisy place. Seems like it was buggy here.
I have both XM5 and Ultra and clearly, XM5 is better.
I also saw an other video with ANC measurement where XM5 did better than Ultra
Yes ANC is god tier in Sony .I was at the railway crossing the other day. I was about 100metres far so As soon as the train approached, I turn on ANC and I kid you not I didn't hear the engine rumbling and whistling, even the carriage noise were cancelled.
The QC Ultra is better. Check RTINGs measurements as well which show the QC Ultra as better as well. I have both headphones and I can hear the Bose easily blocks out more noise in the bass region over the XM5.
I bought both with the plan to just keep one. Tested both side by side for a few days and the ultras are definitely better. XM5 specialise in cencelling certain sounds but the ultra cover a much wider spectrum. Sent the Sony back.
damn you really moved an engineer's mind
I think the price vs performance needs to be taken more into consideration. Considering how much cheaper the Sonys are they are definitely a better purchase than the airpods at least
Quality video! (This is my first comment in youtube in probably 5 years)
Wish you'd compare the headphone vs iem ultra's.
Nicely done!!
@Joshua Chang: At Level 4 you say: "the Bose QuietComfort Ultras are the clear winners followed by the Airpods, then the Sonys" There two mistakes in this statement: The Bose NC 700 are not QC Ultras, and the Sonys are outperforming the Airpods...
Bro you did a great job , 😢 i hope i watched this video before buying wxm5
try it with screaming kids
Right! forget the airplane and traffic.
@@MiguelExhale wdym, all of them are important
@@Z3r0XoL true. Just reviewers never mention the extremes, like really loud home environments.
Great vid! I wanted to pick up the XM5s but I might look into Bose 😅.
It makes sense as the Bose is the latest release.
this video is so helpful thank you!!!
hey, thanks for this video. Can you do the same test for earbuds of 2024 ( Sony , Bose qc ultra earbuds, air pods pro 2 et and AirPods 4) , I think it will be interesting, please.
How's the Bose app?
I had a very bad experience with the Bose app on my qc earbuds II
would've been interesting to see the sennheiser Momentum 4 too
The other popular scientific test video by The Verge actually came to the opposite conclusion, recommending the Sony xm5 as the best and the bose the worst. This video however concludes Sony xm5 is the worst and Bose is the best. And both are scientifically done. I'm so confused...
Also, I wish this video would have included real life noise in the test, like passing of cars, doors slamming, etc.
amazing video thank you so much!!
At the same price, let’s say 200 euros, which one would u choose between AirPods Max and Sony xm5? Thanks ✌🏼🇮🇹
I wonder when the next airpods come out if we’ll see significant differences
thanks for testing
My favorite is still the Bose QC45 and currently at $199
I see absolutely no reason to upgrade
I'm curious about the xm4. Xm3 also performed better than xm4, but they are quite old
Can you please please test for drilling sounds too 😢