Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max

Sony this week came out with an updated version of its popular over-ear noise-canceling headphones, so we picked up a pair to compare them to the AirPods Max to see which headphones are better and whether it's worth buying the $400 WH-1000XM5 from Sony over Apple's $549 ‌AirPods Max‌.

[MrWinger]

Synopsis: if the listenerr prefers Apple products (with their overall system synergy) then buy the AirPod Max. Everybody else buy the Sony.

[SoulReaperxx]

As of March 2024, XM5s are $329 and apple airpods are still around $479. its a no brainer for me, even though i use other apple products

[JeanPierreBro]

I got the XM4's and traded them for the AirPods Max, because it was easier to use with my Apple ecosystem. I did prefer the heavier bass and EQ customisation of the XM4's. However, my AirPods Max broke twice in a year and I was tired of getting them replaced. The AirPods Max have a huge problem with condensation building up, since the cups are made of aluminium, which will kill them quickly over time. Once you're out of warranty, it's gonna be a costly replacement. So I'm sending mine back to get a pair of XM5's.

[terrencebenjamin]

Was going back and forth between the Sony xm5 and the AirPods max. I chose the Sony XM5 after this review. AirPods max look beautiful and I like that the ear cushions can be replaced easily and the sound quality blew me away but the ergonomics and similar sound quality and longer battery life made more sense.

[fiddlix]

I have owned APM, XM4s and now the XM5s. XM5s from a build. comfort and sound profile.

[TheWutangclan]

I own a pair of the sonys but the 3rd generation. I’ve tried the AirPod max in store and just wasn’t convinced. What I do like about the Sonys is that they put in a lot of effort and research in making an incredible pair of headphones in terms of ergonomics and sound for listening to music. The Max makes me think Apple just thought, “hey let’s make a shinier over the ear size version of the airpods.”

[G-Mulaa]

I'm already in the apple eco system but when it comes to headphones I like the way the Sonys look compared to the air max pros plus the comfort level is much nicer. Sony just needs to find a way to partner with apple so it's part of the eco system & update the transparency mode. I honestly would pay a premium for this. For now I enjoy Apples Air Pods Pros & Sonys XM5 Headphones

[PurushNahiMahaPurush]

One of my biggest complaints with AirPods Pro is that multipoint doesn’t work with Windows so I tend not to use them during meetings. If you are like me and are not totally invested in the Apple ecosystem, then get the Sony headphones. Because I feel that multipoint is a very crucial feature for high quality headphones and I don’t ever see myself buying a MacBook (software that I use doesn’t exist there). I have an iPhone, AirPods Pro and Apple Watch 7. And among themselves, they all work phenomenally. Windows is the only gap in the ecosystem which I don’t see myself plugging for sometime. I wish I could as I think MacBooks are one of the best laptops out there.

[S.L.]

To me the Sony’s in that cream white looks way more premium, sleek and minimalist than the apple. Much prefer the aesthetic

[tetzet]

For most average users xm4 or xm5 is the best pick. Price, comfort and of course audio. But if you ask me personally. I'd pick xm5 if I don't have xm4. My only con with xm5 is the new design.

[kerklanhd]

I truly don’t get why people say “it’s a bummer for the battery life”… who listens to music/uses that for 20hours non stop???
You gotta sleep and also, there are things like power banks if you are travelling and such..
other then that I loved this video bro 💪👌

[djinnwheeler]

Ecosystem should never be a reason to recommend badly designed products that cost more. Good products should be recommended because they’re good. Not because they have a better ecosystem.

[avoney]

Regarding the sound quality: An audio engineer did go over this and picked the XM5's sound quality over the airpod max and preferred the noise cancelling as well.

Still feels like a biased opinion, especially seeing your website

[MainMan]

The comment @ 9:17 about not being able to adjust sound features for Airpods Max isn't true. Go to Settings> Accessibility> Airpods> Audio Accessibility Settings> Headphone Accommodations> Toggle On> Custom Audio Setup. Balanced Tone and a Moderate boost to soft sounds is how I listen with my Air Maxes. Great vid!

[TheValiantZero]

You can't compare two noise-cancelling headphones and only spend one sentence giving your thoughts on it. This video feels like it could have been more relevant to the product's intended usages.

[jimmysmack]

Over the past couple weeks I was trying to decide between Airpod Max or the Sony XM5s.. or even the XM4s since they can be had for so much less now.

I was leaning really hard towards the XM5s.. they checked all the boxes for me and are $100 less than the Max.

But the thing that stopped me from deciding on them was the fact that the earpads are not replaceable. Every single pair of overear headphones I've owned in the past have gotten absolutely shredded by the stubble on my head and face. Let alone the fact that the humidity where I live tends to rapidly degrade pleathers.

The last thing I wanted to do was drop $400+ on some headphones and have the earpads turn into a flakey disaster after a year or so and have no option to replace them.

With that, I purchased the Max and I'm honestly loving them. I'm sure I'd be just as happy with the XM5' or 4 as well.. but no regratz.

[danielcooke]

The build quality and design of the apple ones is ridiculously good and I'm very anti apple

[palmgrove]

Having tried them, as well as others, i went for the new Technics. In terms of comfort they equal the sony, in terms of battery life they are better, they have a better bass response (well controlled and set up - no ‘booms’) so gives better overall frequency for classical music warmth. Agree with the adverse comments on the airpods max.

[saldefranco]

I owned the AirPod maxes for approximately one week on a trip to Florida. The noise canceling was fantastic until you started moving at which time the maxes were trying so hard to compensate for the direction the noise was coming from that it actually let a lot more noise in. Sound quality was meh.

XM4 headphones are superior, and cannot wait for my XM5 pair on Tuesday!

[Brandon-ezej]

I have APM biggest downside is moisture build up… I know some people have warmer ears/heads but man I’m like on my third pair. I wished they were more breathable or something to fix that moisture build up.