Sony WH-1000XM5 vs AirPods Max | Ultimate headphone battle! | Mark Ellis Reviews
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- Опубликовано: 9 июн 2024
- It’s the big one today, folks. With the price of the AirPods Max tumbling, fast, how do they compare against Sony’s latest over-ear noise cancelling headphones? Welcome to my full comparison between the Sony XM5s vs the AirPods Max!
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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
01:04 - Pricing
01:44 - Comfort and design
03:18 - Battery life and controls
05:04 - The case
05:37 - Noise cancelling
06:31 - Sound
09:12 - Calling quality
09:39 - Extra features
10:46 - Conclusion
Did the result of this battle surprise you?
I trust sony though hahaha
I can't take the touch controls. I have the xm4s and the Airpods max. I think they're basically equal other than that. Although the Airpods max disconnect and do way more weird and annoying things than my Sony's ever did. If Sony did a physical volume button, and made the ambient mode akin to the iPodmax, I would go back to Sony.
No Apple's inattention to detail (like installing an off switch) is breathtakingly stupid. Premium headphones are SUPPOSED to pay attention to details like this. It's almost as if Apple puts out a great product with some glaring defects and then later gradually corrects those defects piecemeal so that you end up buying several iterations of the product. Classic Apple, supply a headphone case that doesn't protect the headphones. I mean really, how stupid is that on a pair of $450.00 headphones?
I'm going American! No question!
no, mx5 is much better at callings, their micro/source is superior to airpods
Just sold my AirPods Max’s and got the XM5s. Love these things however I miss a couple things - the spatial audio and the instant connect to any apple device. However, the sound , and the insane noise cancellation on the Sonys is amazing.
Spatial Audio isn’t all that great. It’s good, but feature we don’t need. I love the AirPods Pro. The Maxs are 😆
Just to be clear, which among the two has a deeper bass
@@ikegwuonuchisom3208 Sony XM5’s for sure.
@@Mr102185do u use a certain equaliser setting as I want these headphones but I’m not good to mess around with equalisers myself and sliding up and down bass treble etc
What do u use? Are there preset eqs? Also wish these folded like the previous model the case is huge ffs and ugly for the price. Also wish they had instant connect hmmmmmm
@@Ohkeh640 Just seen your comment brother. I just leave the sound signature the way Sony intended. They sound really nice out of the box. You will be happy with these.
Great video and comparison! I have both and when I'm travelling I always reach for the XM5. It's a lighter pair of headphones to carry and the battery life is reliable. Like you, I find the Airpod Max very needy in the charging department, and because you can't turn them off, they are a bit iffy when you go to use them in regards to how much charge is left in them.
Great video Mark - I've used the Max's for over a year now, and I have the same take on the sound. I chose the Max's against the competition at the time because of the complete package for a bluetooth NC headphone - for me, as a Apple user.
I was bouncing between these two for months, and ended up with the AirPods Max. Spatial audio really has to be experienced to be believed. When I watch movies and television on my Apple TV with these headphones, I forget that they are actually headphones as the audio does such a superb job of dropping me right into the room on the screen. It’s actually so real it’s almost disconcerting the first time-even though it was entirely implausible, I had to take the headphones off to make sure that a serial killer wasn’t actually twitching in the room beside me. Is it worth the premium over the XM5s? Your mileage may vary, of course, but it sold me. Obviously, the XM5s are spectacular in their own right and I don’t hate them, either!
You might have sold me on this because I have the apple tv
@@kevinj8190 while obviously I’m just a stranger on the internet, I will say that the Air Pods Max are still my preferred cans for everything from music to movies to talking to people on phone calls. Great stuff, especially if you set up the personalized Spatial Audio with an iPhone. Let me know how it turns out for you!
Hi, does Spatial Audio works on the Apple TV platform but without the Apple TV box ?
@@jyexe525 I would imagine so-I presume you’re on an Apple device of one sort or other, correct? Like a MacBook, iPhone, or iPad? I have been able to get Spatial Audio across all of my Apple devices. Haven’t tried pairing the headphones with anything else, though, all of my media consumption flows through Apple devices while my gaming is on PC, which I have a set of wired cans for.
@@BrianJones-wk8cx thanks
Good comparison thanks! Though there are so many good headphones coming out this summer. Would love to see the comparison among XM5, the new Master and Dynamics, B&W Px7 S2.
Agreed! And I have my eyes on them 😉
The differences of sound were to great! I wanted to love XM5 given how light weight but I ran back to the store to buy max’s
Currently using the Silver XM5's, and not going to lie, I am really loving them. Never owned the APM so I can't say too much. But for me, as a in-studio only headphones...they're great!
Great review, have you tried Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2?
Excellent review, thank you! Subscribed.
Welcome onboard!
Two questions:
1. How is the noise cancelling for high tones? I live right above a train yard(? Is that the word) and so I hear a lot of shrill shrieky, squeaky noises that I want to shut out.
2. Do the Aipods Max have a cable to connect them directly? I know the Sonys do. I play a lot of rhythm games on my phone and that doesnt go well with the delay that comes with a Bluetooth connection.
Loved this video!!! Really loved the comparison
Thank you!
Big fan of you throwing once again the Apple case :D Good detailed review.
I'm still using big wired headphones - and small AirPods wireless- . Is there any sonic advantage with wired headphones?
Great comparison, thanks for sharing.
Hello, I have Sony 1000xm5, can you recommend me which phone gives the best sound for this headphone?
Hi,currently im choosing between two of these and I know that if you tap on sony1000xm5 they will turn off noise cancelation or put it back but does apple max has that?
Any thoughts on how these two compare now that Apple has nerfed the ANC with the firmware update a few months ago?
I've been on the fence between these 2 headsets. The ever on mode, weight and cost are the deciding factors for me.. Sony XM5 it is for xmas this year : ). Thank you for a great detailed video.
Personnaly, first I wanted to buy the Max, but the prixe difference was so high… 450$ vs 958$ including the Protection plans… Sorry apple but 958$? I just bought a Macbook M3 Pro at 3400… I don’t have 958$ for a headset!
Excellent video. Plenty to take in as I was able to watch the link to the XM4 & 5 comparison. Given your comments, and although I am quite deep into Apple, I think that Sony will be the favourite for my replacement. Additionally, as far as the Sony are concerned, the XM4 are in the running against the XM5's!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Interesting that you don't like the touch controls. When you jump over to the earbuds realm you can't even find an apple product (any Airpods, beats) with volume control. I tried all of the popular ones and settled on the Bose Quietcomfort and one of the main reasons was because it has the swipe touch input for volume control. They also have great ANC, which is nice, but the touch control seemed nice. It is annoying if I take them out and it thinks I'm trying to do a long touch though, so I understand the accidental touches issue.
Great video Mark. Is discounting for the Air Pods Max mean v2 on the horizon? Though firmly in the Apple Eco System I will consider the MX5’s for my music listening. My air pods pro for calls and you tube. If Apple do address the cons in the Max’s then things will get a lot more interesting I think.
I think we might see them next year - not convinced they're a 2022 product.
Hi Mark do the Sonys work well with the iPhone. Or are they more Android oriented. Thanks.
My hunch about the never-off Air Pod Max is that it's because they're on the Find my Phone connection and need to send a constant signal. It is frustrating, and I'd like to be able to disable it to get battery life up near the Sonys.
I suspect you’re 100% right about this, however actual usage hrs vs XM5 is almost the same. It’s just a pain in the ass you have to be mindful to charge these once a wk regardless if you used them or not.
Here in NZ, the AirPods Max only seem to be available at full retail of almost $1000 - about twice the XM 5!
Same thing in China!
1000 dollars!!!! At this value, I buy a mobile phone, but you buy a headset worth a thousand dollars. This, quite frankly, is a waste of your money
The touch controls on Sony's are pretty good. It's better than just having simple buttons. You can do more with the touch functions
Love them too! Instead of looking for button!
Only this ancient reviewer hates touch controls
I totally agree!! Touch controls 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 don't get reviewer slamming that. Sony please don't change that!!!
it's only this boomer that hates the haptics, they're amazing
Totally agree! Touch controls are highly intuitive and offer a lot of extra functionality. Definitely a great design idea.
Hi Man I have question I will appreciate to guidance me, I look for wire Headphone (best sound quality) so what is your recommendation for me ?
Thanks
Which one is better for working out?
Anyone have a long term opinion on the XM5s after a few months? I want to avoid one of those "I wish I'd known before buying" pet peeves
Can you suggest some good headphones at this time i am looking to buy one but i have no clue as of now i am using airpods pro 1st gen and wired earphones looking to shift to headphones
Can someone tell me which of the two makes ur ears get warm faster ? For some reason my ears are quite easily getting hot when covered
I have the XM5's and I actually love the swiping on the headphones rather than buttons to change songs, pause, etc! It makes it so simple
Great video!
I bought the xm5s 3 days ago and i can hear everything with the anc on any advice with that? Anything to make it more quiet?
I e tried the last three Sony XM models and none of them sounded good to me to the point I always went back to Bose Quiet Comforts. Until I bought the Max. It is a preferred sound signature thing but they have been my favorite headphones for well over a year. The other features are icing.
Great Vid! I agree on some points but there are things i like about the headphone that you dont :)
I own a Xm5, to me it is one of the most uncomfortable headphones i had, because of my small head... The pads rest on the top of my ears, this results in bad sealing, if i push the pads on my head the noise cancelling is many times better, if i release the pressure it starts to feel like noise is comming in, even though noise cancelling is on.
There where a few points i have a different opinion, first is the call, I only heard the APM on other vids, but in traffic the XM5 was noticable better, and maybe the transperancy mode is better than ambient, but cancelling out the noise that the person on the other side hears is also important. As a homeoffice worker i think it is good to know, that whatever happens around me, dog bark etc. It wont bother the meeting.
The other thing is the touch controls, on the XM3 it was unrealiable, but on the XM5 it works well, and if i work or work out, a swiping motion is faster and easier than a button press. I need to find the button, while on the touch control i dont have to be that accurate.
Great review Mark Apple!
I own both but love my AirPods max better don’t need to adjust and equalisers or anything on the AirPods max they just work.also like the control on the maxs better too just so simple.
I use the XM4 on the go because they are light, fold and are cheaper plasticy so I do throw them in a bag without a case. On Android LDAC helps them sound more dynamic using Apple Music. I use the Airpod Max at home where they look nicer, are more comfortable to wear for extended periods and sound better overall. There is more than one way to optimize the soundstage for the Max. Using accessability settings for sound you can change it and even customize it in detail. This even won over some audiophile reviewers stating one of the standard options was enough. Check it out!
What kind of watch are you wearing ?
I was curious about the XM5s. However I have had bad luck with their gaming headsets the PlayStation platinum and the Pulse 3d. I found them to be uncomfortable. I have a steel series Arctic’s 7 and the most comfortable head set I have worn. I am interested in an updated version of Air Pods.
I've finally got my XM5 (for 359.99 euros), and i'm loving it, so light, so comfortable, I'm using LDAC so I can get the best sound quality, and very important I can use the equalizer to my preference. I do have a pair of AirPods Max, but the trouble is that I live in Portugal, and here the temperatures can reach 109º Fahrenheit in the summer, I started to have a condensation problem on my AirPods Max, and with just a few minutes on my ears, finally after 2 months the condensation build on the drivers made it fail on the right cup, so I returned the AirPods Max, waiting for them to arrive from Apple repair service and as soon as they arrive I will sell them online. Apple please learn with other brands, going for stainless steel and aluminium is a wrong move, and that's why most of the brands go for plastic or composite materials. The Apple ones are very heavy and bulky, and like me, many people complaining about Apple AirMax, having condensation build up inside the cups and on the drivers too, making them fail over time, and thats because aluminium dissipates heat better, the difference in temperature creates condensation, and they are not water proof.
Awesome comparison!
If you're an Apple Ecosystem person then the Airpods Max is a perfect choice. However, the unavailability of turning it off serves as an inconvenience in my opinion. I hope Apple works on it with the Airpods Max 2.
Hi, do you know if Spatial Audio works with a movie on Apple TV platform if I don’t have the Apple TV box ?
My airpod max stopped working after a year despite one repair already so instead of spending the money to fix it, I bought the XM5 and it's been holding up well with little issues thus far after a few months
I think you are confusing Ambient Mode with Call Quality at the end. Whilst the APM certainly have a superior Ambient Mode, easily the best on the market, then XM5s have a much better call quality with your voice sounding a lot more natural whilst the APM have a slightly tinny sound to them.
Can ear pads on the Sony be replaced?
Hello you are doing really great.
Just had one question-
Is sony wh1000-xm5 comfortable with spectacles/eye-glasses??
Does it hurt our ears ??
Thank you
Very well said.
can u do a review of the Sennheiser Momentum 4?? I would really love to hear your opinion about it
It’s on the way 😉
@@MarkEllisReviews really??!!! I'm excited!!
Airpodmax with orchestral music especially audiophile recordings is unbeatable. Anc is amazing and spatial audio from apple tv is like seating in a theater. I love the case it fits on my purse.
Can you do a comparison with the technics a800?
Apple headphones just make anyone look like a cyberman , cool in dr who, ridiculous in tescos.
Yes, I realise it's a subjective thing, but I can't agree with people who say the Max's look good. I think they look ridiculous.
@@The_Calm_Chaos same that’s why i got the xm5 and i’m soooo happy omfg
I truly appreciate your videos! And I also find Sony’s sounds more enjoyable than AirPods. Why not eq the Sony’s when comparing them with AirPods, if the AirPods eqs itself automatically?
It can only eq to what Apple want you to have! Usually a scooped out middle and woods bass as the uninitiated seem to like this!
Phenomenal production quality as always with your videos!! 👏
I've never owned a pair of AirPods Max, but I would love to experience the ANC on them one day. I currently have the XM5s and I can say that the ANC is a hit or miss mostly due to the automatic optimising feature on this pair of cans.
Thank you!
@@MarkEllisReviews I really can't decide between XM4, XM5, and Airpods Max...........
@@imtiyazazhar5878 What’s your main requirement?
@@MarkEllisReviews ANC and Sound Quality (Note: I'm using an Android)
@@imtiyazazhar5878 save yourself some money and get the XM4s 👍
Tempted by the Sonys, but think I will wait for the AirPod Max 2's... Proper case, an on/off switch, an IP rating and lighter weight would be good please Apple, that would be lovely. Great review as always thanks Mark!
Thanks, Robsa! And I totally agree on all those wishlist items.
These future not going to get 🤣🤣
Also would love for them to have usb c.
😂Imagine having expectations like this
Keep wishing do you think apple cares?
if price wasnt in the picture which one is the better choice?
The buttons and touch controls on my XM5 work flawlessly and fast!
Total apple fan boy (and avid follower of your channel). Have had the AirPods max for a year but also recently bought the Sony xm5 (first Sony product). Both are great. Sony is my travel headset mainly because of the lightness and the real case. AirPods max are for home use. My two cents….
Why have more than one? And having forked out for Apple overpriced kit why buy a Sony, unless you are missing something in the Apples!
@@grahamlake9728 it’s really weird that you question a person on why they spend their hard earned money on what pleases them. Mind your business and count your own pockets.
hey, know its been a while but u got a clear winner yet?
I still use both for different reasons. If Apple just made them a but more convenient to travel i would probably use them all the time
The sony xm5’s are still great
Ok cool! Thanks@@allanrscott1130
I'm not an apple user so I went with the XM5 and wow... They are amazing and very comfortable
Just got the xm4 for 250€ (210€ with detaxe!). Thank you for all your videos, they helped a lot with the choice
Great comparison! I own both and have a hard time deciding which one I should keep. Just like you said it boils down to your personal use-cases (which also makes me switch between them a lot, haha). They are both really good and one can't really go wrong with either of them.
Does owning an iPhone make one choice better than the other? Which would you consider sound better?
@@joseleal4876 I’d say the AirPods Max both work and sound better on the iPhone. On Android the XM5 sounds better with LDAC codec and some EQ (they are very bass heavy out of the box). If noise cancelling and phone calls are important, the XM5 performs better regardless device (especially calls).
@ thanks a lot for the info, I appreciate it.
The APM is twice the price of any of the competitors!
Do you have an info about the market share of those among All headphones bought across all categories?
Not sure I’m with you? Although I’m not a market analyst, so the answer will almost definitely be “no” 😉
When complaining about the "always on" feature I think it may be helpful to say that it enables "find my" for the headphones which could be useful if you happen to misplace them or leave them behind somewhere.
Doesn’t excuse it at all I’m afraid, mate.
Airpods max Vs nuraphones? Thoughts?
Thanks Mark. Excellent review. Today was my first day on the road with my iPhone 13 Mini 128 GB Starlight. Brilliant. I still use EarPods and AirPods, mostly because I find them less fatiguing than over ears. Then for call I use a few Logitech products. Can’t beat their mics. There might be many that are also waiting for AirPods Max “2”, without the bra case.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Apple, limited to aac!
I just picked up some XM5s over the weekend and after a few days use I started getting headaches from the Noise Cancelling 🙃 so looks like I'm returning them.
You get use to it and the headaches go away I had it with my AirPod pros but just turn the noise canceling off
I think the always-on feature on the airpods is actually amazing. I really love that they are on and connected as soon as I put them on my head. On my old Sony XM3s there was always a noticeable delay when taking them out of the case, and then finding the right button to turn them on. Personally, I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of battery life for this convenience!
Fair enough! Glad it works for you.
Other benefit is if you ever lose them or if anyone ever steals them, you can track it at any point without them having any way to turn them or the AirPods tracking off. It’s actually a pretty decent benefit I don’t think enough people mention. There’s no way to turn them off unless they’re 100% dead, so no matter where they are or who has them, you can track them
that’s an argument but it still wouldn’t hurt they could be powered off. like i almost always have my ipad on standby but still it’s good it can be turned of if i really need to safe some battery
I still can't believe there are people defending the fact that you can't turn these off hahhhah
@@Mardoxx7 I just don't see why it matters. They go into such a low power state, who cares? It's a nonsense complaint.
Same battery life? Ipod max 20h vs Sony 30hr...
I initially bought the Sonys, the case broke straight away and they felt way to flimsy. I swapped for AirPod max and for me they are so much better however I would have liked a bit moss bass.
ive got both and i keep coming back to the xm5
At a certain price point sound is expected to be good but to me comfort is not negotiable.
AirPods Max sound phenomenal but the clamping force makes reach for a painkiller before the end of the first song you listen to on them.
XM4 on the other hand are lighter with no big clamping force. but your ear sits on the padding and the mesh of the ear cups, which turned my ears into a volcano.
Bose qc series are my pick forever and ever as they sound good enough I can wear them for hours and completely forget they're there
If you take an audiogramm from your acoustician and enter the result into the health app, you will have the absolute correction, not to be beaten by any EQ setting
I have the APMs and I know comfort depends on each person. But for me I wish there was a noise cancelling headphone that has big ear cups with also deep depths. None on the market offers this.. I just hate how earcups are only just big enough to fit your ears in.. why can't they make it big with extra space around your ears?
Why no one is talking about skull candy
Another stellar review, Mark! I recently purchased a pair of Air Pods Max's thanks to the price drop and so far I'm really enjoying them. APM has more bass than I was expecting which was a pleasant surprise. I also enjoy just how clear the sound is. I will say I'm not a fan of the always on feature and HATE the 'case'. However having done so much research on the APM, I purchased a 'smart charging' hard shell case in preparation of the purchase. I always figured I'd buy the XM5 due to my love for the much older XM2's which I own. But being so deep into the Apple ecosystem, the Air Pods Max was just the logical choice for me, one I'm happy to say, seem to have been the right one.
Thanks for sharing. This helped me make my decision. If you don't mind, what case did you purchase? Would you still suggest it?
As an Apple user the auto pairing and connect feature of the max is too good to pass. So I am waiting for the Max2s. Also the fact that you dont have to turn them off or on is also a nice feature. Makes it so much convinient to pick up and use
I don't understand, when i turn on my xm4s they automatically connect to my device that is playing music, is that not auto pairing? Also I don't have to turn off the headphones, just no point in having it on when not in use
@@RagavJanardhan no. That is regular pairing. Auto pairing connects automatically to a device which you use. You can have like 10 devices and it connects automatically to the device you use.
@@vilpertzon Ah, the xm4s will do that for the first device but the second device it connects to is random I think
@@RagavJanardhan yeah it will do it with 2 devices. Its not enough nowdays.
So pressing a button to connect with the xm5 is too much effort for you Apple people?
Do you hate the touch control? I really love it 😆 it feels premium for me. Like B&O, the brand is luxury, and they mostly use touch control for headphones.
Great video, Mark. I have to say I am sold on the airpods max. I tried the XM5s but to me, they didn’t sound as good, they were not as comfy and the ambient sound mode is just pitiful compared to the maxes.
Just bought the xm5 today and there are everything u say there are but better. Thank u help me with my purchase.
Glad I could help!
I have no experience with Apple AirPods Max however I got my XM5stheree days ago. The longest listening session I've had is 2 hours and I experienced no discomfort wearing them. At this point I am a happy camper with my XM5s.
I mean why would someone test noise cancellation in a quiet space...
I’m not sure. Is this a trick question?
I purchased both and returned the APM for the following reasons.
Weight of APM made a difference after a couple of hours of work.
Noise canceling better on Sony M5 specially on a plane.
APM ear pressure during noise canceling reminded me of my Bose days.
Not shutting off became a problem if I just left APM out. Phone would ring and try to connect. Or if on a call, and my son used iPad to watch a video it would connect to iPad. It was a problematic at times.
Amazing unbiased review, I own APM and sometimes I want to change them, basically because they never turn off and also because they have to be on to use with a cable, this is ridiculous!!! I have "audiophile" headphones and my main use of the APM is more general, I also have Sony XM3 that I use for playstation but I used them for everything before and they are amazing. Based on that I'm thinking about selling APM to buy XM5 because its pointless to have 2 or 3 headphones because one can't make it all, as I said my purpose of this is not audiophile because that's a different story but here's something interesting: I also awn AirPods Pro and honestly they are amazing, APM are just a bit ahead in sound and cancelling to a degree that owning both makes no sense for the price and practicality.
Thanks for comparing these. This is a terrific review. And the B-roll seems to have taken a noticeable leap in interesting aesthetics.
Ah, thanks, Mike! Nice to see it’s not going unnoticed 😉
I ordered both at the same time and I’ve sent back the Airpods Max because it had a far worse call quality than the Sony XM5. When I made calls sitting on a train, people could not understand what I was saying when I used the Airpods Max and they heard people around me much better then me. With the Sony they heads me perfectly. So I can’t understand how you can say that the Airpods Max have a better call quality…
Because we both have different opinions on this, Norbert, which is fine (I respect yours).
The Airpods Max are faulty. When the ANC is on, there's random popping and crackling noises on bass heavy songs. When the ANC is off, theres no issues. Because of that I have to return them and will try the Sony's XM5's.
We get ripped off by Apple big time in Australia. They charge around AUD899 (although you can get them for around $850) whereas the Sony is around $495 (AUD).
Yeah facts I’m in aus too and that’s such a rip off!! I want the Sony as a bday gift but i hate how wide they are on the ears and the fingerprints etc I read in reviews. Also Im not the best at eq so I dno if I’ll get the best sound… but tbh I need these to wake me tf up in the morning lmao and for music of course.
Do you have these?
I tried xm4/5 and max in Best Buy demos, the AirPod Max won by far to my ears.
I have the APM and the XM5s. I use the APM for my home use. Mainly connected to my Apple TV so I can watch tv without disturbing anyone. I use my XM5s for the gym and have and everywhere else in between. I honestly prefer the XM5s for the weight.
Here in Finland both of these sell right now for 499€. So, to me, XM5s sound way too expensive and Apple only little bit on the expensive side. I have auditioned some much much more costly cans (Meze Liric at 2000€ was one of them) but never have I’ve done any A-B comparisons between Sony and Apple, so my mind isn’t made up yet. So thanks, now I have something to compare my findings when I get a chance to do a proper comparison myself. 👍
No problem!
Thanks Mark. Well done. Just wat I needed but.. I'm still undecided. Halifax, Nova Scotia says hello.
I waited until The Max was a lot cheaper simply the eco system benefits and the fact Sonys are too similar from 3 4 and 5 generations ( fit is everything). How about fitting headphones like shoes the option for different size pads
in some coutries such as vietnam they’re at the same price, I personally purchased an airpods max.
I would argue for the touch controls.
While sometimes the volume can be a little finicky, nothing feels cooler than tapping your headphones to pause, or to steal the Bluetooth away from the car. There’s a certain satisfaction in that
I hate how the Sony cups don’t swivel like the AirPods Max and the case has to be the size of a small backpack. The fact that the APM are easier to travel with and get louder make me prefer the Apple headphones.
You really need to EQ the Sony's to get the best sound quality. The AIrpods Max don't offer a true EQ, but you can really shape the sound on the Sony's.
I suck at eq lol wish they just made some good options for us to choose from
airpod max way better. tried both on in store. Sonys were great but felt much cheaper and flimsy compared to airpods. Also air pods were more comfortable.
I have the AirPods Max and the Sony XM4s. Personally, I like the fact that the XM4s fold down into a nice case, so those will be my travel headphones. I use the Apple unit mainly for listening to audiobooks in bed at night. Why those? Because they do not have touch sensitive controls. I can't tell you how many times I accidentally paused playback on the XM4s, or switched off noise cancelling, or caused the playback to jump forwards or backwards, just by moving around. I find the Apple more comfortable, in that I can keep them on my head for longer without overheating or having them become otherwise uncomfortable. Sound quality? I have no complaints either way.
Agree! I do the same!
you can turn touch controls off in their app
i have sony 1000 xm5s and i have tried airpod max too. I feel xm5 are more comfortable to wear and
the sound quality and noise cancelling is really phenomenal. I really feel these were my best 500 dollar investment ever.
for noise cancellation, I bet it's becoz of the shape of ur head. I tried the airpods max at store myself... it's not even closed to airpods pro with foam earpuds.....
I have both and prefer the AirPods Max simply because the ear cups are larger. With the Sony’s I can feel my ears touch the back of the cups. Also, the AirPods Max sound as good if not better and if you’re in the Apple ecosystem as I am it’s a no brainier. I also like to be aware as I work. I work from home and want to hear if someone knocks at the door etc. The AirPods transparency mode is superb. And like you say Mark, Spacial Audio is something you need to experience. It’s on another level. I’m not even going to mention “the case”….🤔
But the AirPods Max can’t play Lossless Audio. That’s a major deal breaker.
@@Mr10218597% of people wouldn’t tell the difference in lossless audio
I like my Xm5 but it’s not loud enough for me