THE DEFINITIVE Sony WH-1000XM5 Review & Comparison by an AUDIO ENGINEER

[@ThisIsTechToday]

🙋‍♂GET MY CUSTOM EQ BY BECOMING A CHANNEL MEMBER: kzbin.infojoin 🌎Take control over how you search, avoid clickbait, and more with Seekr - www.seekr.com (ad) ▶Buy the Sony WH-1000XM5: shop-links.co/chd8pfIMILO ▶Buy the Apple AirPods Max: shop-links.co/chfZk7Ahj69 ▶Buy the Sony WH-1000XM4: shop-links.co/chfZlXf0ttu ▶Buy the Bose QC45: shop-links.co/cheAkovOl52 🎶Where I got all the music for this video: myte.ch/musicbed -- WATCH MORE -- ▶Sony Home Theater and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4bYe3h9jNeMbtU ▶Comparing every Samsung Galaxy Bud: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnLRqYymrsaEiqc ▶Google Nest Audio Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIu1dmuGl51kpK8 ▶My Favorite Home Theater Audio System that is Lossless and Wireless: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYm6fXyNe7GBnZI ▶Two Audio engineers Try AirPods Pro for the First time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6C2d6WLnbiaeas

[@LamZL1]

So happy to find your channel! Finally someone who goes into the audio experience after JimReviewsRoom left KZbin!!! :D

[@ThisIsTechToday]

So glad you found me! Crazy thing, I don't know much about Jim, but I've heard a lot about him. Pretty amazing to be compared to someone so prolific!

[@MF_OXF]

I would love to become a channel member, but sadly the link is not working for me :/

[@ThisIsTechToday]

@@MF_OXFdang! Do you see the Join button by the subscribe button?

[@roger_ramirez]

@@LamZL1 same for me, really happy to find this channel after JimReviewsRoom left KZbin. Love this review! and the music 💯 you used as samples!

[@shubhandusharma]

Man! You outdid every youtube reviewer. This is how headphone reviews should be done. And everyone should be taking notes. This is all one would want to be aware of before buying. Brilliant job!

[@illustrious420]

so you haven't seen crinacle (written) reviews, precogvision (written and video) reviews, andrew from the headphone show reviews and especially golden sound reviews(that hifiman he1000 v2 review is amazingly done)

[@DrLogic_]

@@illustrious420 hey, can send me a link of the crinacle review? I can't seem to find it and I love his stuff

[@hyper0505]

@@illustrious420 okay but you haven't seen oluv gadget He's been doing this stuff since 3 years ago (or longer)

[@ezeadnahc]

That is expected, he is an Audio engineer

[@art4anj]

This is EXACTLY the review I’m looking for in headphones!!! ❤😭

[@Bamwich]

I know I'll cop a lot of flack for saying it, but compare this to Marques Brownlee's "review". It's kind of ridiculous when you think about it. You got this guy actually putting in some serious work and providing some actionable results.. and then you got someone basically just reading the spec sheet off the box and providing their opinion on the features... We need more people like this guy.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you!

[@akutennisman]

It's obvious! This guy is a sound engineer, a professional. Unlike Marques who's still an amateur or a semi-pro. I'm not saying he's not good, but he's not a professional audio guy.

[@mjaukatt]

i 100% agree with you, but i wouldnt put MKBHD down on this, as he makes it clear in a lot of his videos on headphones that he isnt an audiophile

[@letsgoo4722]

The difference is that MB was one of the first in the game and has been making videos for over 13 years, which led to a loyal „fanbase“

[@JillPhillips-ys6zh]

Different target audience = different level of depth. MKBHD is great for the broader public and for those with casual interest in consumer tech, and he knows diving deeper technically than he does would reduce net viewers.

[@danieldarby9953]

Your sound tests were something I've never seen before from any other headphone review. You're setting a new standard!! Great job!!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you! I definitely wanted to go above and beyond 🔥

[@chase7531]

facts!!!

[@GyomeiHimejima89]

not wanting to burst any bubbles here but a channel i follow did this years ago however they have not uploaded in years so yeah nothing new but its rare

[@wolf7elite7]

Jimsreviewroom used to do this back before he stopped making videos... I truly miss his videos 😢

[@Twins2Wonder]

@@wolf7elite7 Dankpods better

[@PatrickMuller-h7r]

I am blown away with your review. Many reviewers base their reviews on just their 'opinions'. You show actual facts and data through these tests, so it makes it far less subjective. This makes it a lot easier for those watching your reviews. Amazing work!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

That’s always my aim! Glad you noticed and appreciate it!

[@chriskoch623]

As an engineer myself this is just the best review of this kind of technology that I have seen....Amazing work and thank you for making this incredible production the amount of work is REALLY helpful THANK YOU.

[@ssep327]

This was most biased review i ve ever watched in youtube! And its very clear why they had to put "include advertise .." at the starts. This guy as a supposed sound and studio expert said to me " xm5 has the best mid range among them!" Even a sound newbie would easily tell you from these recorded songs that in terms of midrange QC 45 was two times better in midrange! Its like day and night straight lie ...

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Lmao. The Bose doesn't even have much midrange. They scoop it out. You have zero clue what you're talking about. Ironic that two audio engineers agree and you're calling it biased.

[@ssep327]

I dont know how midrange is scooped out in cq45 when i hear vocals with more clarity compared to muddier vocals on xm5 in ur own recordings , maybe it s my ears!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

@@ssep327 you're falling for the trick that Bose has had for years to trick untrained ears. You're getting all the air of the voice without the body. That also means instruments get buried into the mix a lot more because instruments consist of a lot of midrange. Don't mistake all warmth and presence for mud. The XM5s can be a bit dark and muddy by default, which is why my EQ adjusts the balance of the mids and highs to get a more clear and balanced sound that's even better than the Bose. That's because there's actually a midrange to work with. On the Bose, any adjustment to the midrange, even maxed out to the top will show that they've removed so much midrange that certain frequencies and corrections to bring back instrument presence is impossible with their app and +10 mids, lol. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about and it's far more nuanced than what you're even aware of.

[@ssep327]

Thanks , i ll try to figure out what u explained by searching on the web. And sorry for the misjudgement

[@aghileslounis]

As a software engineer, I'm overwhelmed by your work! I mean, it's a perfect video. You are not only an EXPERT Audio Engineer, but also an expert in communication, writing, filming… Basically, in everything that has to do with signal processing 😂

[@AuthenTech]

Great review and comparison man! Huge respect for the time invested on this one ;)

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thanks, dude! Definitely went overboard on this one 😅 looks like it's paying off extremely well though!

[@lynkos420]

Thanks for making (what I consider to be) the best review on KZbin that I've ever seen; I really appreciate the thought and effort you put into your videos, and I'm sure many others feel similarly. Your content and channel are out of this world!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Wow, thanks!

[@gt3grievous]

@@ThisIsTechToday Hi Tech, hey I got a question that would really help me a lot in a future decision. I really like Hip hop where the bass is everything, and I like to feel that bass like anything more, but Im also interested on the ANC. Is there a big difference on the bass between the XM4 and XM5? or its just a really minor difference? tysm

[@TheChazas]

Now that is what real "Review & Comparison" actually is. It is insane how other Big channels just read out spec, share opinion real or fake and call it a review. Besides, would have been nice to see SoundCore Life Q35 comparison in the mix, specially knowing it is three times cheaper, yet kind of keeps up. PS. can not wait for the Pixel 7 Pro related leaks.

[@lakshaythakur4980]

i actually bought sondcore Q35 after seeing my friends WH-1000XM4 and it did not disappoint,

[@ThisIsTechToday]

That is what motivated me to make this video. I wanted to make the kind of review video I wanted to see and thought was worthy of an actual review. I didn't include the soundcore because of the price tier difference, so it didn't make sense.

[@PSYCHOV3N0M]

Would've or would have. NOT would of.

[@TheChazas]

@@PSYCHOV3N0M My bad. English is my only third language.

[@nnnnnn3647]

apple is most similar to the original. SONY tries to cheat the "good sound" by boosting the bass.

[@DeVoryDarkins]

Thank you for investing your time into breaking this review down in a very simple way. You delivered a lot of information without leaving me confused or overwhelm. Please keep doing what you're doing!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

One of the greatest things to hear. Thank you!

[@saurabhpola865]

Give this man a round of applause for selecting the right songs to judge the quality of headphones. Appreciate the effort that he has put into it 💯. And thanks for making this video that has cleared my confusion in buying a perfect headphones

[@syanhc]

Agreed.

[@aeioubaikal1540]

You use headphones and iems to listen to music. I use music to listen to my iems and headphones. We are not the same.

[@dunstalker]

I would appreaciate some classical music or metal, his picks were totally out of my spectrum of listening. Great review though.

[@khadijabenismail3481]

Does anyone know where it would be possible to find his tweeks that he did on the headphobes to make em better ?

[@RobinsMusic]

@@aeioubaikal1540 lmao

[@Radu93Z]

This video is not only exactly what I was looking for but it is also far beyond the quality I was expecting. Thank you for your work, you are doing a huge favor to consumers all over the world.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thanks!

[@nolanporras3798]

This is EXACTLY the review I have been waiting for. Incredible job. The thoroughness and different perspectives are all well articulated. Absolutely amazing and a new standard for audio product reviews

[@TravelWBrennanMegan]

Just got the XM4s during prime day for $220. Im seriously blown away with them. The last premium “headphones” I’ve had were on ear beats in like 2010 😂 These really impress me!!

[@imtiyazazhar5878]

I also did purchased XM4s at the same price but sometimes the XM4s skips sound while listening on PC and it's really annoying

[@xxjojoxx-35]

No points for guessing why he found them impressive after using Beats ☠️

[@xxjojoxx-35]

@@imtiyazazhar5878don't worry, it's not the headphone, Windows 10 has absolutely awful bluetooth support, kind of ironic coming from Microsoft who invented the high quality WAV file format.

[@imtiyazazhar5878]

@@xxjojoxx-35 Is the issue is with the bluetooth dongle? Cuz I upgraded to Win 11 and still the same problem of sound stuttering.

[@xxjojoxx-35]

@@imtiyazazhar5878 Nope, still windows having terrible bluetooth support if you really think upgrading your wifi card to a bluetooth 5.2 one will solve your problem, go ahead, it'll also give you faster internet which is a big plus

[@DracosThorne]

This is legitimately the most well done review on KZbin. No one holds a candle to this. Well done sir.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you so much!

[@rugbyfan0025]

I went to try a bunch of headphones at a local Best Buy and have to say the XM5's were the finest quality headphones I've ever tried on. My girlfriend and I were stunned at the clarity, depth, and comfort overall. They blew most of the other competition out of the water, although I didn't get to try any of the Bose headphones.

[@jessicacollins8049]

Imo Bose QC-45 are not worth the money. I hoyght a pair in February from Best Buy. The sound started cutting in and out 2 months ago. My brother in law works for Bose. He disagrees with my opinion but im telling him MY experience. The noise cancelling isnt that great either. The only thing they had going for them is they were comfortable. Thats it.

[@whitebwoi]

wait til you mess with the equalizer to your liking and turn on LDAC, makes airmax's look like shi

[@christiansargent6053]

Sennheiser momentum 4s blast them off the planet when it comes to audio

[@melone8833]

The thing I like about the XM5's sound is that it's consistent, with the airpods max it seemed like it sounded completely differently for every song, not in a good way tho, for some songs it sounded way better with more full sounds but in other songs it felt kind of tinny compared to the XM5's.

[@areeb.06]

That's because of this 'adaptive EQ' feature the airpods max have. Maybe you can turn that off.

[@daniel_s]

@@areeb.06 no you cant turn it off

[@andrialmsfj5965]

@@daniel_s it’s the same as AirPods Pro, when you turn on nc or transparency mode it turns on and when you turn nc on off it shut off the adaptive eq

[@xxjojoxx-35]

It's consistent because the bass muds every other frequency up ☠️, which is hilarious considering it's the same company that made the IER-Z1R, aka the undisputed king of bass in terms of quality Airpods max just sounds skewed and wonky, which for 600$, is an epic fail, you're much better off buying the Edifier Stax Spirit S3, it has no ANC but the sound quality is mind blowing, and it's -300$ cheaper too. Otherwise, if you want ANC, get the Sennheiser Momentum 4 instead, it's got all the V-shape goodness you ever wanted.

[@Joe-cy5hm]

​@@xxjojoxx-35 Airpods max are the only headphones out of those in the video that sound decent with the default eq out of the box. I haven't heard the edifiers but anker soundcore life q30 is the best option if you use oluv's gadgets eq and it costs 80 dollars. Those will outperfrom any headphone from this video

[@dmark32]

I just bought the Sony XM5s and I watched a couple of other reviews that had me second guessing my choice. However, the thoroughness of your review lets me know I made the right choice. Thank you for taking the time to put this well-done review together. New sub and joined for the EQ tweaks!

[@anupamkumar7083]

I had the same doubts, i was just thinking of returning my xm5 in favour of xm4s as many reviews have pointed that out, but now I'm happy with my purchase.

[@JoseHernandez-zz6iv]

​@anupamkumar7083 are they really loud? I listen to a lot of rock

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you!

[@drewskii3289]

So I should just get the xm5 instead of xm4 right lol?

[@dhldt1021]

Looks like an awesome review, I will have to sit down and watch. I just took my first flight with the XM5 yesterday and am super happy with the purchase. Outstanding NC, build quality and sound quality. Can't believe how much I can dial into the EQ mix to suit my preference

[@jeneaadams1734]

Thanks! This was probably the best audio review I have ever watched. I appreciate your transparency, knowledgeability, and thoroughness. Definitely helped me make my next headphone purchase decision.

[@mogroot5790]

What's your purchase decision?

[@ThisIsTechToday]

So glad I could help you find the best fit for YOU!

[@FrancisChong84]

@@mogroot5790 After all the speech he made, I am afraid he would say I am buying Bose QC45. lol

[@giray2529]

@@FrancisChong84 bro i was about to get bose after the video what is wrong with it ?? 😄

[@FrancisChong84]

@@giray2529 Nothing Wrong with BOSE, just SONY seem better from the overall review. Because of this review, I bought myself a pair of WH-1000XM5 and I like it so much.

[@Tei_022]

I absolutely love the XM5 Sound quality. I feel like it allows me to hear the instruments in the background really well (I’m a musician myself so I pay attention to that a lot 😂). However, I was extremely impressed with the AirPods Max, it easily has the best transparent mode.

[@trxshgxng8249]

If so, itsprice is over the moon to be honest...

[@TheExtreme553]

Not water resistant

[@Jsnevpspup]

I rarely comment but I wanted to say thanks for taking the time to make such in depth reviews and making it as easy as possible for viewers to get a feel for sound and mic quality. It takes real talent to put all of this together. Keep it up, you're great.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you so much!

[@vitoiacopelli]

wow what a video i can tell is super well made and for sure outstanding editing job wow

[@praveenabeysinghe6038]

Huge respect for the massive work done to give the best experience. The only thing you missed in my opinion is using the Xm5 with an android device to experience the LDAC and DSEE Extreme...But even through an iphone, Xm5 is the best... Ambient mode in max is superior..

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Sadly, Sony has not given reviewers access to the Android app yet 😭

[@vson]

I don't think so. If you are an iPhone user, XM5 sucks for the mids.

[@iitzToddTzy]

@@ThisIsTechToday reviewers access?

[@iitzToddTzy]

@@ThisIsTechToday what is it?

[@praveenabeysinghe6038]

@@vson how did you listen to the test...

[@amgadhussein8575]

Coming in after ONE year of Uploading this video, I appreciate the meticulous attention to detail showcased in this video, particularly the use of professional equipment, the emphasis on minor aspects, and the precise measurement of audio quality differences. Thank you for creating such an outstanding video.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thanks for the kind words!!

[@mihai_chindris]

such a phenomenal review! have never seen any other audio comparison like this before. you're raising the bar, man. I think I'll go and buy the XM5s and apply custom EQs to them too

[@ThisIsTechToday]

So sorry I missed this earlier. Thank you so much!!

[@mihai_chindris]

@@ThisIsTechToday no problem 🙂

[@Thomagedu]

@mihai_chindris, would you share the settings with me in a message? I didnt fint them in the channel member part anymore, seems they were deleted.

[@SeungNam]

I'm stunned. The quality, thoroughness, and detail of this review just absolutely blows any other review I've ever seen out of the water. I own way too many headphones but I feel like if I had seen this video, I'd have made much wiser purchasing decisions, and you somehow explained everything that bothered me about some of them. Again, I'm just stunned, this is so good.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you! I’m so glad I was able to do a good job!

[@iceberg1115]

This is by far the most in-depth, complete, transparent, technical, and no bs review I have seen. If only I could leave a million likes! You surely have created a high standard for authentic reviews with all the equipment you have. Thank you for the tons of effort in making this video. Keep it coming! As for me, I'm choosing the xm5.

[@selenamendoza183]

I just purchased my XM5s and didn't do a thorough comparison. I simply liked the minimalistic appearance of the XM5s and the price was fair (under $300). I'm now so excited for my new headphones to come in. Based on this review I loved the sound quality in the XM5s. Thank you for such a great review.❤

[@TheWolod]

This has to be the best overall headphone comparison on KZbin. The level of detail that you provide is incredible. And I would like to have a playlist from you somewhere on streaming platform. You have great taste in music! I looked up majority of the songs presented here and put them into my playlist. Hey Marejerine just stole them all for me.

[@eyeamdejesus]

This has got to be the greatest put together review for headphones I've ever seen. Killer job. Thank you.

[@tristanpaulnguyen]

Dude the amount of effort you put into this review is insane, this is the first time i've ever thought "damn this guy definitely has earned a tip". You've also gained a subscriber! Keep this up man!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Haha, it was A LOT. Thank you so much for the kind words and the super thanks!

[@certifiedfinest5065]

What happened to your IG?

[@MarS-dc2qx]

Right so Amazon wow he’s just a god wow old so good he is a god wow wow

[@169494]

Wow, your audio review is super awesome! Very professionally done. I had the XM3 for few yrs now. Your review convinced to me to upgrade to XM5 now. I appreciate you have reviewed the ANC, and the voice echo, plus the ear pressure.

[@darkpixelstudios]

I'm about to make the same choice, did you really feel a significant improvement over the xm3? Or is it just so slightly that you reeeeally have to pay atención 😅

[@UshasRides]

The Airpods and Bose seem consistently bright - too bright for my ears. The XM5 to me sounded more controlled in delivery but still refined. I’ve been looking for wireless over-ears that would handle noise cancelling on flights - and I’m seriously considering that the XM5 is the one for me. Thanks for this - really needed this video. Xxx

[@xxjojoxx-35]

Nah you just like a warm sound signature Which I totally get because a clean sounding headphone can sound " boring "

[@nextlevelflight5939]

Took it on two noisy flights so far and they are perfect for it. Enjoy them if you get them

[@ani3020]

I’ve used my Bose QC 45 on flights and they handle really well!

[@rocklover3300]

When you remember Apple's are 2x the price of the Sony's you can't believe how bad they are. The sound is brighter than snow on a sunny day, like it was poorly equalized. I can't think of a single reason why anyone shoukd buy these

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Disagree

[@Gucciathlet]

was looking for comparisons for the xm5 and that review was INSANE. I got every info i needed out of it and even more. Keep it up

[@bevarsii]

If it turns out that this video *accurately* reproduced the listening experiences of these different headphones, this will be a game changer! Basically got to try on these headphones from the comfort of my house. Amazing video. Also really impressed by the XM5! So much better than all the other ones

[@MrValdemar4ik]

unfortunately, the experience is not accurate. With this review, you can tell, that some headphones output more bass mids or trebles than others, but you are still listening to the sound with your own device, which might not be able to even output certain frequencies that those headphones under review do.

[@5015-t4w]

@@MrValdemar4ik Still very helpful

[@magnus9316]

@@5015-t4wNot really. His equipment would be perfect to measure data and show us the graphs next to eachother but when the sound is compressed for this video and we hear it from another device with its own strengths and weaknesses in sound quality things arent that objective anymore. Hence why there is always such a big difference in audio samples in reviews where some headphones just sound awful. His comments however and his personal experience since he heared it directly is then actually more valuable. Especially because this guy is probably more experienced than other reviewers.

[@heltunikt]

Thank you! This is by far the most helpful and enlightening side by side comparison of the XM5 vs its competitors - especially for those of us who genuinely care about the sound aspect. Great video!

[@cg9250]

IMO the XM5 is the one for me. I like the deeper tones of music. XM5 still retains sum of the crispiness of the highs but not too much which I prefer.

[@GuitarAlex]

You hit the nail on the head for the custom EQ on the xm5s! I'm listening in my music studio through adam a5xs with the sub 8, and a fully treated room, and I felt that the stock eq had good bass, but it sounded dark, and was missing a lot of the mid range! The strings were a good example of just not giving the mid to upper range enough volume stock! I've had the Bose QC35s and the Sony xm4s, but never tried the rest, and I'm actually surprised at the airpods max's. I've heard great things about them, but they are supper tinny!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Yeah!! You get it, and yes, the Airpods Max are a bit shrill and thin. I'm not a fan of scooped sounds.

[@HELLSGUARDIAN]

@@ThisIsTechToday can i have that custom eq please 😅 and a playlist of all the songs you used thanks 😛

[@zugo-tg7125]

@@HELLSGUARDIAN Members only, apparently.

[@anynamez7048]

Hey i have qc35s right now and want to upgrade to XM4s, hows the comfort and is there a big sound quality difference?

[@GuitarAlex]

@@anynamez7048 for me, it's important to mention I had the qc35 mark 1s, but the sound quality on the xm4s definitely blew it away, especially once I tweaked the eq. Comfort wise, I felt like the Bose were better. My only issue with the xm4s was that they broke after a year and a half (of heavy use, over 10 hours/day), the one hinge broke, it was out of warranty, but people who had it break while in warranty were claiming Sony said it was "cosmetic" so it didn't fall under warranty. I can tell you it isn't cosmetic cause they don't clamp or anything anymore, they're effectively useless.

[@mrkewlgai1]

Bro, This is by far, the greatest headphone review and comparison video on youtube. This is how every comparison for headphones is supposed to be done and you my friend, absolutely NAILED IT!! Keep up the great work. I'm going to be subbing and following your channel for more high quality reviews and comparisons. Cheers mate!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Haha, thank you. Please share it with others!!

[@Stasia.Chronos-stasis]

To me with Default EQ…Bose sounds overall balanced..Apple sounded more clear n crisp..and XM5 sounded better than XM4 …Went for Bose…Thanks for the great review!! But then again..I found my JBL 460 ANC which I’m currently using to listen to your review does sound pretty awesome for its price n has a great base.

[@severtone263]

This is a masterclass of a review! Amazing work! The review was so good that this is my first time doing a "super thanks" on any video. So I was leaning toward the QC45 before watching this but after your review, I am sold on the XM5. Sub earned! THANK YOU

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you so much for the kind words AND the super thanks, Evertone!! I appreciate it so much.

[@jeroen7944]

This is the first video of you channel I stumble across. I loved the review, especially the immersive part of it. Easiest subscription of my life!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Wow! Thank you.

[@pxlvx]

THIS is the way headphones should be reviewed AND compared, well done as always!

[@stacksmasher]

Are you silly? They all sounds like whatever the end sound source is! For example I listened via my Sennheiser 600's so guess what?

[@stafa5568]

I can't believe I am saying this for a 2 years old video. I have never seen such a review before. I just subscribed. This is a well though out and unbiased review.

[@gorillapancake]

Sony have killed it with the mic quality on the XM5. The way it isolates the voice in a noisy environment is stunning. One question: I notice with my XM4s a drop in sound quality when I switch to the equaliser (all set to zero). This makes the equaliser redundant IMO. Did you you test that on the XM5?

[@andressantos6114]

When you use the equalizer of the app in the XM3s and XM4s, it goes from LDAC to AAC, that's why the downgrade in quality. It does not happen in the XM5s

[@gorillapancake]

@@andressantos6114 On Android, it stays on LDAC. The equaliser reduces the audio quality, making it useless IMO.

[@gorillapancake]

Agreed. It noticeably sounds worse when the equaliser is switched on.

[@waltervaquez306]

@@gorillapancake you cant equalise with LDAC.

[@yash3758]

100% agree.. the EQ on the XM4 just makes it like any other headphone in a gas station(a bit harsh but it is what it is), but when the EQ is turned off it’s crazy how their sound is pretty damn amazing

[@bernardosuss]

The quality of this video is seriously unreal. I'm choosing a headphone and this helped me so much. Thank you for this hard work.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Oh, wow. Thank you so much for the super thanks. I so appreciate it!

[@davidholland4499]

Ummm.. WOW. Absolutely incredible review. I had the XM4's and sold them when I saw that the XM5's were out. I get them tomorrow, and your review made me completely sure that I made the right choice. I joined the channel for your customer EQ. Keep up the fantastic work. Your review makes every other review out there completely unneccesary.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Oh wow! Thank you so much for the kind words and for becoming a member! Please share the video with others. It helps so much!

[@parthsingh560]

I'm getting my XM5's in a day or 2 so can you please give a real life review for the XM5's after 3 weeks usage?

[@Derpaherp9000]

@@parthsingh560 how were they?

[@geefim2144]

@@Derpaherp9000 he didn’t buy them . Cap

[@skfjhsdjklfhsdjlfhsd]

What I loved most: the microphone and audio tests , and the cabine pressure tests. Thank you for treating these two areas seriously, they are very often skipped in reviews and those are often the areas that make a long-term experience awful with these highly priced headphones.

[@SolaceTrance02]

Technically one of the best reviews for headphones. Testing setup and modes are brilliant and close to user experience. On a suggestion, for audio comparison, taking sample of a song/sound (8 secs duration) and loop that only on different headphones help in better understanding of results. On a playing song otherwise the samples, instruments, frequencies may vary while headphones are switched. On this video and similar efforts, great job.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Hey! Thanks so much for the kind words. I put in a ton of work into these so I appreciate it! As for your feedback, I hear you. I totally understand where you're coming from and why you'd prefer that. For context, it is an intentional decision to not do it that way. I'm consciously trying to package something that could easily, and would typically feel and become extremely technical and clinical into something that is broadly appealing and accessible to most people. Essentially, I'm targeting this video to have the widest net possible for who would want to watch it. While it's not exactly what more technical types may specifically desire, I hope that I'm able to still provide an overwhelming amount of information so that it is still valuable and insightful even amongst the song samples. Hope that makes sense! Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@teb76]

I never seen such professional, objective and detailed review/comparison. Excellent job! Thank you so much.

[@dimmski]

Brilliant review, by far one of the best I've seen to date. The only thing missing to me is the comparison with Bose 700

[@alee7275]

The Bose 700NC was my first introductory NC headphones and I was very happy with them.

[@batteryman136]

Well, i have been considering XM5 for a while now, just ordered a pair. Thank you sir!

[@corrmon]

This is the best review/comparison I have watched! I have the XM4 and to me, the sound is great. even though the sound of the XM5 is clearer in some ranges, I don't find them enough of an upgrade to change models. Like you said all reviews and opinions are subjective so I am keeping my XM4 until a better upgrade model comes out.

[@Kebari2]

I conquer. I'm keeping my XM4s

[@FallenGamerNica]

the xm5 would be a good upgrado from the beat´s studio 3?

[@vipergianmy6642]

@@FallenGamerNica absolutely

[@xxjojoxx-35]

@@FallenGamerNica anything is an upgrade from Beats ☠️

[@kingsly1031]

@@xxjojoxx-35 are they that bad?😅

[@JFlint.02]

This was a blast to watch through with my XM4's, which I've EQ'd the snot out of and couldn't be happier with! You guys have nailed the format and production of these comparisons, excellent job!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@justlegitness57]

what's your EQ like!?

[@JFlint.02]

@@justlegitness57 mainly a generous mids increase since they seem so recessed by default

[@JFlint.02]

@@CheezeLuis the ANC is still top notch! 3 years in and it still excites me how good it is and how much it adds to the listening experience

[@kalprisum]

I’m stuck between the xm4’s and the xm5’s, which do you think I should buy?

[@rayleigh2515]

This is literally the only comment i have ever written on youtube and will stay the only the only but this has to be said. You have done a remarkable job with this review. Never have i seen such a high quality, transparent, feature rich, immersing, unbiased and detailed review of anything on any platform. You are taking the game to a new level. Mad respect 👍👑

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Wow, that’s some insanely high praise! Thank you! It’s always encouraging when you put in some insanely hard work and it gets appreciation. Thank you.

[@craigj.651]

There needs to be a psychological study on people who don't want to share their opinions an take pride in not doing so it's out of the ordinary.

[@user-zo8us6ym7l]

i've been researching for hours and yours was literally a godsend !!! keep it up please

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you!

[@kr_rahul_95]

This video DESERVES to be on the trending page. The effort is mind blowing. Thanks a lot to you!

[@randomuser7375]

Now this is the real review and comparison video! huge respect for all of the work you and your team has poured on this video! truly worth my subscription.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Just me and someone to help with some extra filming for a few shots. Lol. Thank you!

[@nnnnnn3647]

no real. you still hear it on random equipment.

[@jok6399]

the most interesting part about this video was that if I closed my eyes while the music was being played it was much much easier to hear the strengths and weaknesses of each headphone. SO GLAD for this man and his setup! Fantastic stuff. And I did t even want to wear headphones at first lol

[@sezendmrbs]

best headphone comparison ever done! finally somebody is considering trying out different music genres together and EVEN give us the headphones experiences.. thanks for the help!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thanks for the kind words! I’m glad you appreciate the hard work.

[@tidalkingv]

Great review. If just talking about perception: both BOSE and XM5 sound fuller or richer, but clear; AirPods could be a bit "spaced" or thin with some tracks; XM4 is slightly more muffed. The mic on XM5 is quite amazing.

[@Mogley03]

this is how review videos should be . extremely impressed, blown away for sure. I watch a ton of review videos, from big name youtube channels to the small. thanks for your time and effort

[@Interstate_78]

your videos are second to none man. you`re really going places. well done

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you so much, Ben!

[@MoftahDalla-j1m]

This is literally the best video and review I've ever seen on KZbin.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Whoa. That’s insanely high praise. Thank you!

[@fwfeo]

One of the best reviews of any product I've seen on KZbin! I love that you recorded audio for us to judge for ourselves! So much better than just taking someone's word for it! Of course your word is worth more than an average reviewer since you're a pro Audio guy, but the inclusion of audio for the audience was a great touch! ❤

[@ChubbyAthletics]

Amazing review - super in depth and objective. I love how you presented all the headphones' strengths and weaknesses and then left it to the viewer to make his/her own choice. Keep up the good work! Subbed.

[@marilinpuig8562]

Fantastic review! The XM5s are really amazing and have a great sound. I have the XM4s adjusted to my preferences and have been happy with them so far. This review makes me want the new ones!

[@erice160]

This is one of the best comparisons video I have ever seen! Such a good job 👍

[@mariacruz07]

Amazing review! XM5 is the best because it is obvious that how it sounds was made to prevent ear-fatigue long-term. Full and clear sound but with sensible high+low freq shelves. Also, the sound isolation was unbelievably amazing.

[@Apipoulai]

Fantastic review: I got my XM4s half-off during Black Friday and they were very much worth what i paid for. But wow this video really shows why the XM5s are the new kings of the space.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you so much for your support! yes, they're quite awesome!

[@CharicaRoche]

Your comparison review is the most in-depth I've ever watched and listened to. Your expertise shows all the way through. Thank you so much 🙏. Made me wanna get the XM5. I do hope to see an in-depth review of Cleer Enduro, Cleer Alpha, and Technics A800 headphones.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you so much! Definitely a lot of heart went into this one 😊 If I ever get my hands on those, I'd love to check them out!

[@traylor_swiregui]

i would trust an audio engineers opinion wayyyyyy more than any random tech channel. great job dude.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you!

[@odyn2869]

Best headphone review I will ever see. I really love this video, appreciate the time and effort you put into the indepth analysis of these headphones.

[@brandonl9286]

This is the most in depth review I have seen on these headphones. It was refreshing to have a review that gives me the best possible idea of what the headphones actually sound like vs someone telling me their opinion. It is also nice to see a review from the perspective of a studio engineer who really knows sound, instead of just someone telling me that they sound "good." What sounds good to them may not sound good to me, however this presents the headphones as they are and lets me decide. Keep up the excellent reviews.

[@angelvazquez3323]

which one you end up buying man?

[@brandonl9286]

@@angelvazquez3323 I haven’t bought a set yet. I really want to hear the XM5s in person.

[@flourishforever]

I just got my new XM5. As it happens, the inside mic allows for real-time fine-tuning of any outside noise leaking into the phones. When I put on glasses, I can hear outside noise slipping in as the stems of my glasses slide over my ears and the padding gives way. However, in a few seconds, the inside mic catches the intruding noise and the ANC ends up cancelling it. It does quite a good job. I wonder if you could run a test to show this remarkable effect. If there's anyone in KZbin who could do this, it's you!

[@MariahRezende]

this was definitely THE BEST REVIEW I've watched about those headphones. THANK YOU!!

[@DarkFalconTBA06]

I'm surprised by how much I dislike the sound of the AirPods Max. That could just be my audio preference or my EQ settings on my computer. Really enjoyed how the Bose and XM5 sounded. This video was a really cool experience, I've never watched a video like this. Really awesome video!

[@Shiftyeyes50]

Same. I was shocked by the difference between the AirPods Maxes and the XM5s. I was going to buy the Airpods, but this has made me think twice.

[@tor2919]

I thought the same first, but then I listened to the test on my pro Beyerdynamic headphones and the AirPods Max crushed the others then. Both the Bose and Sony sounded like cheesy car audio with loudness boost engaged. The Max was much richer, more open with glittery airy highs

[@SuchFinessse]

I thought the AirPods sounded the best overall

[@Elricsedric]

Xm5 or xm4

[@2ndtonone1000]

​@@tor2919Exactly what I said, when I changed out my XM4 head phones to my Senheisers Momentum 3s and the Air Pod Max sounded way better.

[@MrVisde]

Best in-depth review I’ve ever seen. Well done! And thank you. I purchased the XM5s a week ago and have been very happy with them. Surprisingly, I really like the default EQ of the Bose headphones: punchy bass and crystal clear midrange. The noise canceling of the Bose had a weird vacuum effect when I tried them on though. Will try adjusting the EQ of the XM5s.

[@geniumme2502]

With jims review room gone this seems to have become the go to channel for headphones and ANC :D i would love to get some "in the wild" ANC recordings! Thanks for the review!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

I review far more than just earbuds and headphones, but will surely have more of them regularly!

[@geniumme2502]

@@ThisIsTechToday I know :D i subscribed during your pixel 2 coverage years ago! Keep up the great work.

[@Sath975]

Thanks so much for the review, this is amazing and really helpful. I was torn between the AirPods Max and xm5. The AirPods Max look really cool but sound wise it was so flat. Went Xm5 and the sound is so bloody awesome ❤

[@DianeLampkins]

Awesome, this is by far the best comparison I've ever watched. I have the AirPods Max, but if I ever need another pair I will definitely try out the new Sony WH-100XM5.

[@CharlPantaleon]

Love how you do your reviews! Very thorough and clean. It's as close you can get to actually holding the different headphones in person. Sound comparison is really good for getting an idea of the base characteristics of the headphone (but for anyone seriously comparing, you should still listen to them in person). Thank you for putting so many different genres - not just typical bassy R&B stuff that most other ANC headphone reviewer only plays! Some audiophiles actually want / need wireless ANC headphones and having these detailed points of references are great. Oh and most people listen to a variety of genres - take note, reviewers. The XM5 sounds good if you want to feel like you're in a club. Definitely a LOT more neutral than the XM4 but still has that "Sony club" sound. QC45 sounds like a warmer AirPods Max. I still very much prefer the sound of the APM though, but any of these three I wouldn't complain really. Though I'd pick the Sennheiser Momentum 4 or the B&W PX7 S2 over any of them.

[@mikefer14]

Top tier quality video! This was absolutely insightful. Thanks a lot! I have only one question left, would XM5 work for reducing noise from upstairs neighbors walking and moving furniture? If not, which one would you recommend? I need help to get my good nights rests back 😢

[@majortom6177]

Thank you for the time and effort put into this video. It's given me a lot to think about, as I'm considering upgrading from the XM4s to the XM5s. Would it be possible to get your custom EQ listed in a comment? I'm having a hard time making it out on the screen.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thank you so much! It was a looooot of work. At the moment, the custom EQ is for members only. Sorry!

[@Kebari2]

Save your money. It's not a considerable difference. Not enough to switch in my honest opinion

[@ThisIsTechToday]

It's a massive difference for the mic and a nice bump in quality for ANC, sound, and comfort depends on what you value.

[@yash3758]

If you attend a lot of calls and really value ANC and comfort (subjective) and like to fiddle around with EQ setting a lot then go for the XM5, or else the XM4 will last you a good while longer until maybe another headphone comes out which can knock the XM4/5 out of the park

[@shermie0316]

This is really the best review I've ever watched. I am too lazy to walk to every store to listen to the headphones one by one, and even if I really did, I would forget their sound quality and couldn't decide. By watching your test and analysis, I could compare them immediately with your sound test. What you did was the really thing I wanted to know about! I can see you put a lot of effort into this video, it's brilliant. The Bluetooth test was also a very good part, I love it. Your professional attitude is really a thing. I really appreciate I found your video (though that was after I bought the Sony 1000mx4..I wish I found your video earlier! ) This video is awesome enough that I would share it with all my friends who want to buy headphones. Well done.

[@taniabn]

I have the XM4s and I absolutely love the ANC (it is the main reason why I chose them, since I have noise related anxiety, specially when I travel, and I needed something that would transport me to another dimension, soundwise, whenever needed 😅). I chose them over the XM5s because of the price, in my country the XM5s were almost double the price of the XM4s, don't ask me why. I'm pretty happy with my choice 😁

[@hank2948]

Heya! Wondering if you still dont regret your decision? My zone has recently had a surge in airplanes passing every 2 mins like taxi cabs... im really losing my mind, wondering about the noise cancelling on xm4s

[@sephjy1370]

@@hank2948 If you are concerned about the budget, get the XM4s! XM5 offers the best ANC on board, but XM4 comes very close as second.

[@dracotrapstar]

@@sephjy1370 what would you guys rate the quality for music on either 4 or 5? 0-10? I also haven’t had actually good headphones since beats first came out. I’m very conflicted rn on either getting the xm5’s or the AirPods Max since I’m an iPhone user and I feel the experience would be smoother using AirPods Max but also saving money doesn’t hurt and both xm headphones are at amazing deals rn.

[@sephjy1370]

@@dracotrapstar You're better off with Airpods Max obviously just because of its integration with iOS and it also sounds good. XM4 sounds muddy and too bassy out of the box, so I had to do EQ to fix my XM4's sound. If you're on a budget, you might also consider Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless or Bose 700 just purely because of sound. Though most of the headphones sound can be fixed through EQ.

[@wlt3585]

@@dracotrapstar If you travel or plan to travel alot with the headphones get the XM4s or the XM5s, I'd personally say the XM4s because when you are talking top of the line noise canceling, being slightly below the pinnacle isn't that huge of a downer when you're saving money. If you don't plan to travel much with them, hands down the Airpod Max as they benefit from the Apple Ecosystem amazingly well, though Sonys aren't much of a hassle either. Sound wise all of these are at 9-10/10s in terms of wireless headphones, so you'll be good regardless

[@EddyWriter_]

This is such an incredibly detailed and creative video beyond anything I've seen when it comes to headphone audio and immersive listening comparisons! How has no one thought of using a 3Dio ASMR mic for a more immersive sound comparison with headphones like this? No-brainer subscription from me 🙏🏽

[@FinnReinhardt]

Insane effort. Finally an unbiased review, that provides great context and testing. You definitely deserved my sub!

[@GodHatesXbox]

Unbiased ?😂

[@FinnReinhardt]

Just got the XM5 and they are amazing! It's a joy to use them.

[@CentaXBerlin2]

Thank you very much for this review, it helped me make my decision - against the Sony XM4 or XM5. For my personal taste those sound really dull and narrow, completely contrary to what's stated in the video I preferred the QC45 for - in my taste - most accurate sound representation, specifically without overempathizing the lower end just for the bass, but rather giving each frequency range more space to unfold and sounding quite wide in my opinion. For me, this would go without any need for EQ. The Airpods Max sounded a bit to hollow for my taste.

[@ELJefeReviews]

I was waiting for this review to drop!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Thanks for stopping by. It means so much coming from you!

[@markgrosvenor15]

Great review thanks, love that you set the sound comparison up to it flicked directly between the XM5 to XM4. I think that alone has made my mind up in what I'll be purchasing.

[@lace6344]

This was sick, by far the best review I’ve ever watched! So glad I stumbled on this channel. Understanding all the specs makes this super informative but listening to the song samples were the best. Personally I really liked the sound of the Bose for one half and then the x5 for the other half lol I thought the base was a bit too strong in the x5’s at times, and would drown out some of the other instruments / melody. Surprisingly my least favourite sound wise were the apple headphones. I wasn’t going to shop around and was going to just buy the apple headphones so I’m very glad I watched this review. It’s a thumbs up from me 😊

[@mxrider8393]

An excellent review! You covered everything regarding the xm5s while comparing it to the xm4s and the AirPod pros. I really like the binaural mic to give the best possible experience without actually owning each headset. Lastly and I really like that you gave your professional opinion to what headphone is your favorite and why. I feel like some reviewers give reasons why each one is the best without really saying their opinion. From what I could hear with the binaural mic, the airpod maxs might have the best high frequency but the xm5 covered the mids and lows really well. And overall in regards to sound quality you think the xm5s beat the airpod maxs with the correct EQ which is nice to hear. I have the xm4s but it seems tempting to get the xm5s

[@AdamLinscott]

Is it just me or does it sound like the Airpods are doing some weird stuff boosting the high ends? I've seen some people saying this is "clarity" but it doesn't sound true to the original tracks to me, maybe it's personal preference though? XM5s sound the most balanced to me but stand out feature has to be that mic in noisy environments!

[@hilmandanial1930]

I am listening using my earbuds WF-1000XM3 and I can say that the Bose and XM5 are quite similar with both have their respective strength and disadvantages

[@fatalradius]

Wow, excellent testing! As someone who has no clue about audio tech, I found this very helpful!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

Perfect! I was so hoping that I could present things in a way that was able to touch on some technical things without talking over people's head. I hope I did that well!

[@fatalradius]

@@ThisIsTechToday Phenomenal Brandon! Thanks again dude

[@alex_this_is_me]

Just leaving a comment so that this video will be pushed and boosted more

[@geoff9480]

Im actually very surprised no one is talking about the Bose. In my ears they sound the best and personally I like to keep the mids down😆 Great review i would love to see more.

[@shahidkamal8318]

bro. its the best headphone review i have ever seen on youtube .. u had everything covered in it… it’s like the bible of headphone review… i liked all parts of it but playing different kind of songs to check headphone’s sound response was something amazing..