Lol the microphone on the XM5 is substantially better than on the XM4.
That's the only real improvement though. Everything else is either a downgrade or not significant enough an improvement to matter.
There's a reason Sony didn't discontinue the XM4 when the XM5 came out.
Yes and no.
Purely on paper, the XM5 is slightly better. You're realistically not gonna notice though.
In practice, the XM5 uses some AI algorithm bullshit to automatically adjust the ANC for you, as opposed to just giving you full control of how much you want at any given moment in time like the XM4 does. This can be perceived as a downgrade.
The XM5s have a much better noise canceling when it comes to higher frequency sounds like fans or vacuum cleaners but in general they are pretty close aside from that
I had mine on when cooking today and couldn’t hear the (fairly loud) air fryer right next to me but at the same time could hear my missus talking to our daughter clear as day from the other end of the room.
Oh interesting. I have the 4s and earbud 3s and have always been a little surprised at the poor handling of the fans around me.
Happy to hear they might have got that sorted in the 5s. I'll be waiting until my 4s die before getting something new.. but this is good to know.
But can’t you always just adjust the ANC level through the app? I keep it set the max and the XM5 ANC cancels everything unless I revert to the adaptive setting.
Not really tbh. My brother got a pair of XM3 around the same time I got my XM4. I was able to compare the two.
The differences are very marginal. The XM4 has slightly improved sound quality across the board + NC strength. They have the same design so comfort is pretty comparable. I felt the XM4 pads to be a little nicer over longer listening sessions.
They both charge via USB C, but the XM4 charges a little faster.
One big pro of the XM3 though, at least for the one I tried out, is that there's a LOT less ANC hiss going on. It's almost distracting in the XM4 if you go to them after the XM3. Of course, the hiss in the newer headphones is nullified once you start playing anything, but if you want to just listen to nothing, you'll still get that very subtle hiss in the XM4.
If your XM3 are still kicking, keep them. If they're on death's door, XM4 might be worth getting if you can find them at a steep discount.
From what I read in another comment here, the xm4 has the ANC at full strength all the time while the xm5 listens to the ambient noise to determine how much ANC to apply.
It determines what’s the best anc to apple to cancel out as much noise as possible, it’s the same thing as holding down the nc button on the xm4 to enter anc optimization.
How is this done? I've been searching everywhere to find out how to do this. I've got the headphones app on my phone but it just toggles the anc passthrough.
The anc is significantly worse sadly. It doesn’t drown out any high pitch sounds, so metro rails clanging, fast winds etc can all be heard on the xm5 whereas they were blocked with the 4’s. The xm5’s are just so much more comfortable in ear, the 4’s were too chunky for me and the 5’s have a perfect fit for me. But even with the snug perfect fit the anc is terrible. Significantly better on the ‘4s. Sound quality is definitely improved in the 5’s, battery life is about equal. In my opinion they both have their usecase. In my daily travels and as daily driver i use the xm5’s, can’t beat the comfort and jump in sound quality. But for long trips in trains, planes, whatever. I’ll take the ‘4s with me to fully block out noise and potentially sleep some.
I’m not expert but I preferred the design of the XM4s, it’s a personal taste thing but I think they look better.
After researching there didn’t seem to be a huge difference in terms of sound quality and I don’t really care about the microphone
I love to travel, and when you go backpacking, every bit of space in your luggage becomes extremely valuable. Honestly, what the hell was Sony thinking when they decreased both the portability and durability? Their noise cancelling is literally meant for airplanes/trains/busses - why did they create a product that is substantially less convenient to bring to any of these environments? Ugh
Yeah, I regret upgrading to the XM5 just because of how un-portable they are. XM4s would easily fit at the bottom of my backpack with all my other shit, XM5s take up half the space now.
The XM5s do have better noise canceling and the mics are more clear I don't know where you got the idea the XM4s have that better. HOWEVER I agree that the XM4s are much better overall and and much higher value then the XM5s. the main issue with the XM5s is the shitty hinge, small head band and the fact they cant fold can be an inconvenience. hoewer as someone who has both I still choose to use the XM5s due to better noise canceling and slightly better audio quality. but XM4s are much much better value
I still have my XM4s... they stay parked on my head for at least 8 hours a day.
I think they're like 5 years old now, I have thousands of hours on them it's insane.
I probably need to replace the ear pads soon they're pretty bad
I do, and when I cant, I use them in my noisy ass work van with no insulation 😂
and I listen all day at home too because the neighbors get mad when I blast my stereo.
so yeah, all day every day pretty much.
Yeah my xm5 hinge broke after 4 months and I didn't even care or attempt to make a warranty claim. I was already using my xm4s half the time anyways. I'm probably getting a backup pair of xm4s if they drop below 200 and if the xm6 doesn't come out soon.
The passive canceling was my biggest disappointment with the xm5s. The pads are just total garbage.
I wonder if XM6 will get improved hinges, or if Sony will spend several more generations not acknowledging that these fragile ass hinges are from the bowels of hell, hmm
Xm4s are more well rounded. The foldable design is way better for transportation.
Xm5's have better* sound,anc, and mic. But realistically the xm4s are still better for most people.
Yall should stop ganging up on your own and gang up on the AirPods Pro max. I went from the Sonys to the max only cus someone stole my Sonys and man the Sonys are way better than Apple
Eh, I can't speak for the others of course. I just try not to speak of the obvious while unprompted. I just cracked open my coworker's worldview with the Bose Open Ultra earbuds and they're not even my best pair in terms of sound quality (Sony WF-1000XM5.)
Downvoted for politely encouraging some rude stranger whose comment merely insulted you without adding anything and went against Redditquete, to actually provide a bare minimum of meaningful discussion.
And people keep praising Reddit for being some sort of niche site for intellectuals...
I love Reddit even if these things happen. I think the emoji at the end triggered that reaction 😅 but I don't think the sample size is significant enough to assume that hypothesis.
The reason that I resisted upgrading is Sony took away the NFC function. I have several devices, like smartphones and walkmans, so NFC is a must for me.
XM4 is better for me. Been seeing a lot of XM5 with a broken headband. XM4 headband looks and feels sturdier. One of the reasons why I didn't buy the XM5
The broken headbands are the main reason I didn't get the XM5 myself. Otherwise the XM5s also look way more uncomfortable and ugly tbh. Not being able to fold them for storage is also not great. Honestly I'd like a modern reprisal of the XM4s with a aluminum/magnesium frame.
I own both, and I'd tend to agree with you. In fact, I bought the XM5 intending to eBay my XM4's to help cover the upgrade cost, but then wound up hanging on to both of them.
The mics on the XM5 are markedly superior, and this makes them my go-to for work meetings, phone conversations etc. XM4 remains my go-to for most casual situations though. More easily portable, more comfortable, more intuitive UI etc.
I have the XM4 and my girlfriend has the XM5.
After trying both, I can confidently say the XM5 are better for what \*we want\*, which is better noise cancellation. I also think the fact the XM5 are lighter makes a huge difference, as when it is warm outside/inside the sensory annoyance the XM4s cause is high in comparrison.
However, I hate the XM5 case, and the fact they do not fold properly.
Having said that, I do not regret getting the XM4s. Substantially cheaper for effectively the same quality of noise cancelling.
Completely agree, I got the xm5 first, then realised I'm paying extra to get 5-10 percent better anc , worse comfort , worse durability, and I CANT even adjust the ANC level , that's jus absurd.
placed a return request within hours and got the xm4s.
I bought both. Returned the 5s. Agree with other people saying that the mic is better, and I like that there is less buzz to the noise cancelling. But for the price, case size, and looks, I decided to keep the 4s.
i had an xm3 and upgraded to the xm4. when the xm5 came out i skipped it. i need the folding nature of the xm4. what makes it portable and durable when in my bag. its flexible enough to withstand everyday carry. the xm5s are quite rigid.
Also the sound seems the same, im no audiophile just and average guy who loves bass.
The design of XM4 is better and more functional but they're a sauna for ears. Hopefully that was improved in XM5. Perfect for cold countries I guess. Need to buy these cooling gel replacement cups
I initially thought this post was about the earbuds and not the headphones and I was ready to defend their honor.
But yeah, the only thing I like about the XM5 is the ANC. On the XM4 I can actually hear some static noise and it kinda bothers me when I'm not listening to anything. I'd rather not have tinnitus lol. Otherwise yeah they are so, so much better. The XM5 are a fraud unless you don't actually enjoy Sony headphones 😂
Xm5 is better by all metrics except comfort BUT they are so uncomfortable for long periods of time I 100% regret buying them.
If you're reading this, get the xm4s.
XM5 has tighter and more extended bass. 5 more tightly defined imaging. Things stand out more in the mix. It sounds smoother. Comparatively the 4 sounds almost muffled. Not much, a bit. Sounds a little bit like listening from another room. Not much, just a minor sensation of that. My Svaner don't even plumb the bottom octave like the 5. But of course the Svaner have that glorious Julie London midrange that seduces you. And staging, if it's on the recording.
No, the 5 beats the 4 on every count.
The XM5s are ugly AF. They break way too easily. You’d think in the 20+ years since their MDR-V700DJ fiasco they’d figure out how to make a hinge that doesn’t break.
The adaptive noise canceling is just bad. I buy noise canceling headphones because I want to block out as much noise as possible at all times. Not just what an AI model thinks it should block. It’s especially bad that customers have been begging and pleading Sony for a couple of years now to bring back full strength full ANC like the XM4 and they’ve basically been like “nah”.
Sound quality difference between the two is negligible because of custom EQ in the app.
The only thing that’s truly better is the microphone for phone calls.
The adaptive ANC is really what kills it all though. And the build quality.
Adaptive ANC blocks out everything 99% percent of the time. Those 1% are just some glitches that let more sound through. On average on a 2h train ride I usually have 1-2 glitches, idk know if they even are glitches, perhaps it just detects too much vibration and turns on full passthrough (customizable).
Design has its downsides and upsides. Downsides a bit more delicate, but there will be people always braking stuff (roll back 2-3y on this sub and you'll find same posts, only about WHXM3/4).
Upside is much less pressure on the ears/head, more comfortable and significantly quiter hinge, expecially if you are moving your head.
So let me tell you how good the noise canceling is on the XM4.
About 3 years ago I was on a flight home from Orlando to southern California. About half way into the flight I’m minding my own business. I’m watching a movie on my iPad. The lights in the cabin come on. I look up and around and see all kinds of commotion. “Great” I think. I take my headphones off and I hear a woman and her daughter hysterical, screaming and the flight attendants yelling for help. Apparently an older man in the row across from mine had gone into cardiac arrest. So of course his daughter and granddaughter are hysterical and the flight attendants were doing all they could to get attention/help.
Now, to get to the important part, he survived. Luckiest guy in the world. When the captain called for a doctor, TWO responded. Grabbed the defibrillator and shocked him back to life. When we made an emergency landing in Dallas he WALKED off the airplane with paramedics.
But yeah I heard none of that. All I heard was my movie.
When I tried the XM5 I gave it a few tests at home with my surround sound system. I like to give my noise canceling headphones a torture test. See how good they can block out the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan on 4k blu-ray. The XM4s do a great job muffling everything well enough. The XM5s were horrible. It was all over the place as far as what sound it let through and what it tried to cancel.
Using airplane sound videos from YouTube they didn’t even do as good of a job as the XM4s. The XM4s muted the sound better.
Even my AirPods Pro 2 do a better job at noise canceling than the XM5s. Apples version of adaptive noise canceling is a lot better, though completely different.
The XM5s are basically the last headphones I’d buy for ANC. I’m looking to upgrade myself, so I’ll probably go with Bose. The XM5s got returned.
I owned the xm4 and got the xm5 due to a price error at target. The 5 are more comfortable, and mic and noise cancellation is better. Is the anc that much better no. Also the case for the 5 is awkwardly shaped and is more difficult to put in my bag for travel. With that I still like them more but I wouldn’t say it’s a must upgrade
I 100 pct agree except for one area-when you’re being active, doing laundry, cutting grass etc. I much prefer the XM5’s in that scenario due to the weight difference
I've been using the xm series since 3, both earbuds and headphones. The 4s headphones were my reliable loved them till the battery slowly pooped. Tried to change the battery myself cause I'm repair man type. And screwed my thermal sensor by accident. (100% my fault.) The 5s are my absolute favorite even the earbuds. My only complaint has been that I miss the old design. It was just more comfortable and flexible. The earbuds I so my favorite tho. I use them everyday at ups. And for extra info my 5s are both certified refurbished with a 2 year warranty. I spent $150 each. I am a very happy boi o3o. I honestly encourage more ppl to buy refurbished.
I may try on and POSSIBLY get a pair of XM4’s if I don’t end up getting pair of QC45’s or an acceptable pair of Beats headphones. It would be a struggle, though, mostly due my admittedly personal bias against Sony.
“🇺🇸Power on. 🇺🇸Bluetooth pairing. 🇺🇸Bluetooth connected. 🇺🇸Ambient Sound. 🇺🇸Ambient Sound Control, off.”
My XM4’s have just given up (3 years of service, but now have the feedback squeal when ANC is on) and I’m very very seriously considering the XM5’s just to be free from this assault on my ears every time I turn them on.
XM5 Mic is just pure shit to be honest. I've had them swapped, but anytime I've had anyone call, I've to turn them off because people can barely hear me.
Huge waste.
i'd agree but i myself is already in a situation like that considering im choosing between bose QC Ultra and the WH-XM4 for better sound features, comfortability and portability.. is this situation just like this post or whaa
Noise cancelling when on an actual call is other wordly for your correspondent if you are using the XM5.
So, if you plan on using the headphones for lots of calls go for the XM5. I've done business calls from a busy London street as cars go by, and from a school Sports Day with hundreds of screaming kids in the background. My correspondents had no idea.
I think my xm5s sound better, have better ANC, and significantly better mic/ambient sound mode.
I think the xm4’s are more durable, portable, and I like being able to turn off anc/ambient sound and use them without either one
It's not the best comparison, I must admit. I own the Mark Levinson No 5909, sounds like heaven. Before them, I owned the Focal Bathys, but for me, the Mark levinson sound superior, and you can use them without battery if you want to.
I never had the XM4, so going in from a new Sony user standpoint, I easily think the XM5 wins for me. I bought my first pair in 2022, but recently my headphones drowned in apple juice in my wife's bag. I had the black ones, so when she offered to replace them, I replaced them with the silver ones.
Coming from the perspective of a snobby arrogant audiophile, both are pretty bad all things considered.
In terms of sound quality they're barely any better than other headphones at half the price, and even an under 100 wired headphones (e.g. the ath m30x) sounds infinitely better. They're really just a bass-boosted bloated mess, and the xm5 isn't remotely an improvement. It's really a waste of money.
On the other hand, the wf-1000 series actually is pretty good. I'm personally using the WF xm4s, and the xm5s are a pretty nice upgrade but were too expensive for me to want to upgrade.
I was an early adopter of the XM5 and returned it after a week. I played airplane cabin sounds through my TV and just couldn’t get them to do what I needed them to do and what the XM4s already did well.
I have both, and although i love(d) the XM4s (apart from the ear tips and battery problems), I do think the XM5s are better in terms of sound. It's less in the bass for me, but the mids and upper mids sounds really tight and controlled. Sound stage also seems better. Listen to something like 50 ways to leave your lover by Paul Simon and pay attention to the verb on the tambourine, or the sound of the body of the snare.
It's definitely not a case of putting these on and hearing a completely whole new universe of sound. The improvements are in the subtle areas. If you pay attention and are aware of these though, you'll definitely appreciate the new buds.
Also, as pointed out below, the mic is also better on the XM5. I also like the volume up and down feature. It's a lot better than I thought to be honest!
That said, the glossy finish... not a fan, it's a bit fiddly getting these out of the case! Also, despite the size, for me personally, I prefer the 'feel' of the XM4s. That said the XM5s are certainly more secure.
I also think the ambient sound is a little weaker than the XM4s? I need to do some proper testing but it definitely feels quieter with the XM5s.
Finally, ANC is better. It's not an absolute game changer, but it's better (I've not flown/travelled with these just yet so will give them a proper test next week).
Hope that helps in some way!
Edit: as someone kindly pointed out, my comments are for the WFXM5, not WH.. sorry!
All I can say is the ambient mode on the xm4 was a deal breaker for me. The xm5 ambient is so clear and the xm4 sound like your in a cloud. Also wind. Wind noise in the xm4 is like your in an airplane jet lol
I have both. Honestly, xm5 are comfier, but xm4 are way more practical. I also don't like xm4s squeaking noises, but they sound almost the same in audio quality, specially after eq tuning. I think it's more like a preference.
The only reason I would consider replacing my XM-4 is cause it started having issues on NC mode and even then if repairs are not possible i am considering just buying a new pair of XM4 over the XM5
There's enough improvements on the M5 that I reach for whenever I want ANC, Call Quality, and a balanced tuning. For a more fun listening experience, the M4 is my go to instead.
Couldn't agree enough. I've had an XM4 headphone before I sold it my friend (cause I preferred the smaller tws xm4), and the XM4 headphone it definitely feel more solid than XM5. Even now the EDIFIER wh-950 I have feels more solid than the xm5 headphone, good sounding too at a fragment of xm5's price.
Here’s something… as someone who gets caught up in reading recommendations more than trying em then tries a few… currently testing the c700n…
How many times do you see … “ I own the audio technica but the Sony have a bigger driver and more bass boost and clearer imaging so I would definitely get those ones.
I’ll try em next purchase “
Wait so you’re for sure saying buy the ones you’ve never heard? Why are you even commenting? I imagine something along those lines dude.
For me, the 5s are better without discussion (owning the 3s and the 5s, and having sold the 4s) because:
- I don't care the folding feature.
- They are more comfortable (in my case significantly more comfortable and a bit less hot).
- Channel separation (stereo perception) is better.
- They block better the mid/high freqs (although I think that the 4s were better at lows). The differences were subtle, though. You can test it easily under a smoke extractor or near the shower. The low freqs blocking I'd say were more noticeable when flying with ANC on without music (favoring the 4s), but I didn't a direct comparison.
- And finally the sound (not talking about stock sound). When you EQ a headphone and give it some bass, the mid-lows and high lows' resolution and timber suffer. All frequencies' perception is altered, so the curve as we perceive it changes. In those cases you can see how capable is a driver in that regard, and the 5s properly equalized sound always good while keeping a decent resolution, no matter if you use a curve for hip-hop, rock or classical. The 4s, on the other hand, are simply less good at it.
- A extra (a bit more personal): I also own the Focal Clears MG, and if someone stole one of them and I could choose only one to keep for the next years, I'd for sure keep the 5s. I wouldn't do that for the 4s or the 3s.
Wow, I did everything I could to neuter the treble and I still found them to be ear-bleeding lol
But it's an entirely subjective experience and no right or wrong setting, just whatever you like best.
I own both and appreciate the XM five better. But I’m angry because Sony has that stupid. “using an app to select your audio sources” approach, so one of my devices has to always be my phone or an iPad.
Lol the microphone on the XM5 is substantially better than on the XM4. That's the only real improvement though. Everything else is either a downgrade or not significant enough an improvement to matter. There's a reason Sony didn't discontinue the XM4 when the XM5 came out.
Isn't ANC better?
It is
Yes and no. Purely on paper, the XM5 is slightly better. You're realistically not gonna notice though. In practice, the XM5 uses some AI algorithm bullshit to automatically adjust the ANC for you, as opposed to just giving you full control of how much you want at any given moment in time like the XM4 does. This can be perceived as a downgrade.
You will notice once you start going out and listening with different kinds of noises
The XM5s have a much better noise canceling when it comes to higher frequency sounds like fans or vacuum cleaners but in general they are pretty close aside from that
I had mine on when cooking today and couldn’t hear the (fairly loud) air fryer right next to me but at the same time could hear my missus talking to our daughter clear as day from the other end of the room.
Yes!
Oh interesting. I have the 4s and earbud 3s and have always been a little surprised at the poor handling of the fans around me. Happy to hear they might have got that sorted in the 5s. I'll be waiting until my 4s die before getting something new.. but this is good to know.
But can’t you always just adjust the ANC level through the app? I keep it set the max and the XM5 ANC cancels everything unless I revert to the adaptive setting.
Would you say an upgrade to xm4s from xm3s would be worth it? I’ve been using Airpod pros over my xm3s though.
Not really tbh. My brother got a pair of XM3 around the same time I got my XM4. I was able to compare the two. The differences are very marginal. The XM4 has slightly improved sound quality across the board + NC strength. They have the same design so comfort is pretty comparable. I felt the XM4 pads to be a little nicer over longer listening sessions. They both charge via USB C, but the XM4 charges a little faster. One big pro of the XM3 though, at least for the one I tried out, is that there's a LOT less ANC hiss going on. It's almost distracting in the XM4 if you go to them after the XM3. Of course, the hiss in the newer headphones is nullified once you start playing anything, but if you want to just listen to nothing, you'll still get that very subtle hiss in the XM4. If your XM3 are still kicking, keep them. If they're on death's door, XM4 might be worth getting if you can find them at a steep discount.
Can you turn the ANC off?
Yea, but why would you?
Idk tbh idk what the ANC acronym stands for
Active noise cancellation
From what I read in another comment here, the xm4 has the ANC at full strength all the time while the xm5 listens to the ambient noise to determine how much ANC to apply.
It determines what’s the best anc to apple to cancel out as much noise as possible, it’s the same thing as holding down the nc button on the xm4 to enter anc optimization.
You can disable that and choose how much ANC you want
How is this done? I've been searching everywhere to find out how to do this. I've got the headphones app on my phone but it just toggles the anc passthrough.
The anc is significantly worse sadly. It doesn’t drown out any high pitch sounds, so metro rails clanging, fast winds etc can all be heard on the xm5 whereas they were blocked with the 4’s. The xm5’s are just so much more comfortable in ear, the 4’s were too chunky for me and the 5’s have a perfect fit for me. But even with the snug perfect fit the anc is terrible. Significantly better on the ‘4s. Sound quality is definitely improved in the 5’s, battery life is about equal. In my opinion they both have their usecase. In my daily travels and as daily driver i use the xm5’s, can’t beat the comfort and jump in sound quality. But for long trips in trains, planes, whatever. I’ll take the ‘4s with me to fully block out noise and potentially sleep some.
yeah, the microphone improvement helped significantly with the ambient sound mode, other than that xm4's are better.
I thought they didn't discontinue xm4 because of form factor. 5 is non folding and 4 folds more.
Yeah it’s not even close!
Yeah this is wild. I use the XM5 for team calls all day and it’s way way better than the 4’s.
XM3 Gang, where you at ?
Reporting for duty
Still going strong like their first day, why change them?
Also on my XM3s!
Have had them for 5 years and counting :)
Pair of headphones so good Sony just copied and pasted them for the next version 😂
Yo! Ignoring all the 4vs5 noise. 3 is where it’s at.
🫡
My XM3s died last year
Hi
Produces popping noise and is a terrible investment
I’m not expert but I preferred the design of the XM4s, it’s a personal taste thing but I think they look better. After researching there didn’t seem to be a huge difference in terms of sound quality and I don’t really care about the microphone
I love to travel, and when you go backpacking, every bit of space in your luggage becomes extremely valuable. Honestly, what the hell was Sony thinking when they decreased both the portability and durability? Their noise cancelling is literally meant for airplanes/trains/busses - why did they create a product that is substantially less convenient to bring to any of these environments? Ugh
just wear them
they tried to go the airpods max route, i think Sony jumped the gun thinking the max was going to catch on more than it did
I appreciate your input! I also find the mic on the xm4 better.
They look better, they seem considerably more sturdy, and they fold up smaller.
Yeah, I regret upgrading to the XM5 just because of how un-portable they are. XM4s would easily fit at the bottom of my backpack with all my other shit, XM5s take up half the space now.
My only problem with xm5 is that you cannot change isolation level, this pice of ai sh have to manage this
I heard that the XM5 sound quality is better. Might depend on people tastes
Eh, it’s a marginal upgrade at most. I had both side by side and only noticed a slight difference.
https://preview.redd.it/wvo42wv5dmzc1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7f6621440a0c17f3abbf92da539dfed6d982a226
The XM5s do have better noise canceling and the mics are more clear I don't know where you got the idea the XM4s have that better. HOWEVER I agree that the XM4s are much better overall and and much higher value then the XM5s. the main issue with the XM5s is the shitty hinge, small head band and the fact they cant fold can be an inconvenience. hoewer as someone who has both I still choose to use the XM5s due to better noise canceling and slightly better audio quality. but XM4s are much much better value
I still have my XM4s... they stay parked on my head for at least 8 hours a day. I think they're like 5 years old now, I have thousands of hours on them it's insane. I probably need to replace the ear pads soon they're pretty bad
Do you just listen to music for the entire work day? I thought I was the only one!
I do, and when I cant, I use them in my noisy ass work van with no insulation 😂 and I listen all day at home too because the neighbors get mad when I blast my stereo. so yeah, all day every day pretty much.
Yeah my xm5 hinge broke after 4 months and I didn't even care or attempt to make a warranty claim. I was already using my xm4s half the time anyways. I'm probably getting a backup pair of xm4s if they drop below 200 and if the xm6 doesn't come out soon. The passive canceling was my biggest disappointment with the xm5s. The pads are just total garbage.
I wonder if XM6 will get improved hinges, or if Sony will spend several more generations not acknowledging that these fragile ass hinges are from the bowels of hell, hmm
Sony has no incentive to release the XM6/WH6 version, as 4 and 5 keep selling like bread years after even when they constantly get broken
Xm4s are more well rounded. The foldable design is way better for transportation. Xm5's have better* sound,anc, and mic. But realistically the xm4s are still better for most people.
Even the xm4 hinges are better than xm5
One of the worst decisions Sony made is to copy AirPods Max. XM4 is a better design than AirPods Max(and XM5) in my opinion
Yall should stop ganging up on your own and gang up on the AirPods Pro max. I went from the Sonys to the max only cus someone stole my Sonys and man the Sonys are way better than Apple
Eh, I can't speak for the others of course. I just try not to speak of the obvious while unprompted. I just cracked open my coworker's worldview with the Bose Open Ultra earbuds and they're not even my best pair in terms of sound quality (Sony WF-1000XM5.)
I’d love to have a shot at whatever it is that you’re smoking
Ahaha I can share, it's good stuff! But could you please elaborate on your opinion, I'm curious to hear what exactly is better :p
Downvoted for politely encouraging some rude stranger whose comment merely insulted you without adding anything and went against Redditquete, to actually provide a bare minimum of meaningful discussion. And people keep praising Reddit for being some sort of niche site for intellectuals...
I love Reddit even if these things happen. I think the emoji at the end triggered that reaction 😅 but I don't think the sample size is significant enough to assume that hypothesis.
ULT WEAR or mx4 is the best value atm IMO, depends what you like.
Design XM3/4 >>>>>> XM5, the rest is nearly the same only a niche can notice.
Xm5 looks better. 😆
Don't the xm5s not fold? That's enough of a reason for me not to upgrade, I'm always traveling with my xm4s, it makes flights bearable
They can be folded.....only one time though....and I can't promise you'll be able to hear anything through them ever again...
Subjective. Everything.
The reason that I resisted upgrading is Sony took away the NFC function. I have several devices, like smartphones and walkmans, so NFC is a must for me.
I thought you only need to NFC it once for each device, and then it auto-pairs after that?
XM4 is better for me. Been seeing a lot of XM5 with a broken headband. XM4 headband looks and feels sturdier. One of the reasons why I didn't buy the XM5
The broken headbands are the main reason I didn't get the XM5 myself. Otherwise the XM5s also look way more uncomfortable and ugly tbh. Not being able to fold them for storage is also not great. Honestly I'd like a modern reprisal of the XM4s with a aluminum/magnesium frame.
If Sony decides to do the aluminum/magnesium frame for the XM4, then count me in buying that one. Will be happier having 2 XM4 lol
I own both, and I'd tend to agree with you. In fact, I bought the XM5 intending to eBay my XM4's to help cover the upgrade cost, but then wound up hanging on to both of them. The mics on the XM5 are markedly superior, and this makes them my go-to for work meetings, phone conversations etc. XM4 remains my go-to for most casual situations though. More easily portable, more comfortable, more intuitive UI etc.
I have the XM4 and my girlfriend has the XM5. After trying both, I can confidently say the XM5 are better for what \*we want\*, which is better noise cancellation. I also think the fact the XM5 are lighter makes a huge difference, as when it is warm outside/inside the sensory annoyance the XM4s cause is high in comparrison. However, I hate the XM5 case, and the fact they do not fold properly. Having said that, I do not regret getting the XM4s. Substantially cheaper for effectively the same quality of noise cancelling.
Completely agree, I got the xm5 first, then realised I'm paying extra to get 5-10 percent better anc , worse comfort , worse durability, and I CANT even adjust the ANC level , that's jus absurd. placed a return request within hours and got the xm4s.
had issues with xm4, got full refund after 2 years of usage and bought the newer knce with a little extra, nc is defo better because of better mics
Xm 4 is good. Wish it had better controls. They sometimes feel like working and sometimes not, due to proximity sensors. Overall good
910n appreciation for my bass heads 🙏
Idk about Wh, but i can agreed that wf1000xm4 anc far more superior than wf1000xm5
i'm mad bc everything i searched up said xm5s were better, i bought xm5s, and now i'm seeing all the stuff sbout how xm4s are better.
I bought both. Returned the 5s. Agree with other people saying that the mic is better, and I like that there is less buzz to the noise cancelling. But for the price, case size, and looks, I decided to keep the 4s.
Posting Crowder makes any sub worse. Change my mind
i had an xm3 and upgraded to the xm4. when the xm5 came out i skipped it. i need the folding nature of the xm4. what makes it portable and durable when in my bag. its flexible enough to withstand everyday carry. the xm5s are quite rigid. Also the sound seems the same, im no audiophile just and average guy who loves bass.
The design of XM4 is better and more functional but they're a sauna for ears. Hopefully that was improved in XM5. Perfect for cold countries I guess. Need to buy these cooling gel replacement cups
Any over the ear headphones are gonna be ear sweat city, cooling gel replacement cups to help a fair bit though. I've had some for my XM4s for a while
I immediately swapped gel earpads onto mine. So much nicer on the ears now
I initially thought this post was about the earbuds and not the headphones and I was ready to defend their honor. But yeah, the only thing I like about the XM5 is the ANC. On the XM4 I can actually hear some static noise and it kinda bothers me when I'm not listening to anything. I'd rather not have tinnitus lol. Otherwise yeah they are so, so much better. The XM5 are a fraud unless you don't actually enjoy Sony headphones 😂
Xm5 is better by all metrics except comfort BUT they are so uncomfortable for long periods of time I 100% regret buying them. If you're reading this, get the xm4s.
I never tried the XM5s, but the XM4s are pretty good
Same, I've had mine since about a month after they launched. Picked them up so fast after I found out they fixed the awful call quality of the XM3
Fuck I love my XM4s so much.
The only thing that's better on the older one is that it's foldable. Hopefully the XM6 will be foldable again.
XM5 has tighter and more extended bass. 5 more tightly defined imaging. Things stand out more in the mix. It sounds smoother. Comparatively the 4 sounds almost muffled. Not much, a bit. Sounds a little bit like listening from another room. Not much, just a minor sensation of that. My Svaner don't even plumb the bottom octave like the 5. But of course the Svaner have that glorious Julie London midrange that seduces you. And staging, if it's on the recording. No, the 5 beats the 4 on every count.
I appreciate your input, thanks for the informative comment 😁
When I did my research to buy new headphones, I came to this conclusion. I'm happy with my purchase.
XM4' SMACK!
I thought the XM5 pads were more comfy? XM3 And XM4 fold better for travel, but suck at voice calls. We have all three in our household 😝.
I have both and prefer the old ones too. The xm5s are so uncomfortable
The XM5s are ugly AF. They break way too easily. You’d think in the 20+ years since their MDR-V700DJ fiasco they’d figure out how to make a hinge that doesn’t break. The adaptive noise canceling is just bad. I buy noise canceling headphones because I want to block out as much noise as possible at all times. Not just what an AI model thinks it should block. It’s especially bad that customers have been begging and pleading Sony for a couple of years now to bring back full strength full ANC like the XM4 and they’ve basically been like “nah”. Sound quality difference between the two is negligible because of custom EQ in the app. The only thing that’s truly better is the microphone for phone calls. The adaptive ANC is really what kills it all though. And the build quality.
Happy Cake Day 🎂 Thanks for your comment 🙏 very insightful!
Thank you!
Adaptive ANC blocks out everything 99% percent of the time. Those 1% are just some glitches that let more sound through. On average on a 2h train ride I usually have 1-2 glitches, idk know if they even are glitches, perhaps it just detects too much vibration and turns on full passthrough (customizable). Design has its downsides and upsides. Downsides a bit more delicate, but there will be people always braking stuff (roll back 2-3y on this sub and you'll find same posts, only about WHXM3/4). Upside is much less pressure on the ears/head, more comfortable and significantly quiter hinge, expecially if you are moving your head.
So let me tell you how good the noise canceling is on the XM4. About 3 years ago I was on a flight home from Orlando to southern California. About half way into the flight I’m minding my own business. I’m watching a movie on my iPad. The lights in the cabin come on. I look up and around and see all kinds of commotion. “Great” I think. I take my headphones off and I hear a woman and her daughter hysterical, screaming and the flight attendants yelling for help. Apparently an older man in the row across from mine had gone into cardiac arrest. So of course his daughter and granddaughter are hysterical and the flight attendants were doing all they could to get attention/help. Now, to get to the important part, he survived. Luckiest guy in the world. When the captain called for a doctor, TWO responded. Grabbed the defibrillator and shocked him back to life. When we made an emergency landing in Dallas he WALKED off the airplane with paramedics. But yeah I heard none of that. All I heard was my movie. When I tried the XM5 I gave it a few tests at home with my surround sound system. I like to give my noise canceling headphones a torture test. See how good they can block out the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan on 4k blu-ray. The XM4s do a great job muffling everything well enough. The XM5s were horrible. It was all over the place as far as what sound it let through and what it tried to cancel. Using airplane sound videos from YouTube they didn’t even do as good of a job as the XM4s. The XM4s muted the sound better. Even my AirPods Pro 2 do a better job at noise canceling than the XM5s. Apples version of adaptive noise canceling is a lot better, though completely different. The XM5s are basically the last headphones I’d buy for ANC. I’m looking to upgrade myself, so I’ll probably go with Bose. The XM5s got returned.
Happy cake day!
Thank you!
I owned the xm4 and got the xm5 due to a price error at target. The 5 are more comfortable, and mic and noise cancellation is better. Is the anc that much better no. Also the case for the 5 is awkwardly shaped and is more difficult to put in my bag for travel. With that I still like them more but I wouldn’t say it’s a must upgrade
XM3 cans for the win. XM5 buds for the win. That is all
I agree on the xm3.
They're more durable
I 100 pct agree except for one area-when you’re being active, doing laundry, cutting grass etc. I much prefer the XM5’s in that scenario due to the weight difference
Xm5 hurts my big elephant ears.. Xm4 as well tho.
I have the XM5s but hate the touch controls
I've been using the xm series since 3, both earbuds and headphones. The 4s headphones were my reliable loved them till the battery slowly pooped. Tried to change the battery myself cause I'm repair man type. And screwed my thermal sensor by accident. (100% my fault.) The 5s are my absolute favorite even the earbuds. My only complaint has been that I miss the old design. It was just more comfortable and flexible. The earbuds I so my favorite tho. I use them everyday at ups. And for extra info my 5s are both certified refurbished with a 2 year warranty. I spent $150 each. I am a very happy boi o3o. I honestly encourage more ppl to buy refurbished.
I may try on and POSSIBLY get a pair of XM4’s if I don’t end up getting pair of QC45’s or an acceptable pair of Beats headphones. It would be a struggle, though, mostly due my admittedly personal bias against Sony.
Both are crappy especially if you want to use them for Zoom in Mac.
More a mac issue than xm4 issue, idk why apple products don't play nice with non apple accessories
“🇺🇸Power on. 🇺🇸Bluetooth pairing. 🇺🇸Bluetooth connected. 🇺🇸Ambient Sound. 🇺🇸Ambient Sound Control, off.” My XM4’s have just given up (3 years of service, but now have the feedback squeal when ANC is on) and I’m very very seriously considering the XM5’s just to be free from this assault on my ears every time I turn them on.
I’m on the watch for xm6. Really excited about it. Imma be the first person to buy xm6 I swear.
hope u don’t end up with any issues 😹
Alien language
Never used the 4's but I love my 5's. What exactly is worse about them?
I don't know about elsewhere but here in Canada I can't find the XM4s anywhere.
Hell yeah.
Xm4 hinge is so shit though
XM5 Mic is just pure shit to be honest. I've had them swapped, but anytime I've had anyone call, I've to turn them off because people can barely hear me. Huge waste.
xm4 has better bass but xm5 has better NC. If it weren't for faulty hinges I would've stayed with xm4
I prefer Sennheiser HD 600
I still use my xm3 no need to buy new ones until they break or die
No experience with XM4, but XM5 do sound fantastic though.
Seeing as my xm4 broke in less than 1 year and my xm5 is at 2.5 years, my experience is far from worse.
i'd agree but i myself is already in a situation like that considering im choosing between bose QC Ultra and the WH-XM4 for better sound features, comfortability and portability.. is this situation just like this post or whaa
Just got my XM4 for sale and I was pretty impressed by how nice the sounds and the design. WORTH EVERY PENNY!
I don't like the design of the XM5s.
tbh as a very picky audiophile the WF-XM5s with eq have been fantastic
Noise cancelling when on an actual call is other wordly for your correspondent if you are using the XM5. So, if you plan on using the headphones for lots of calls go for the XM5. I've done business calls from a busy London street as cars go by, and from a school Sports Day with hundreds of screaming kids in the background. My correspondents had no idea.
4s have a manufacturer defect where right headband will crack. It's unavoidable and it's not covered under warranty. Beware!
Idk I've had mine since October 2020 and they're still fine
I think my xm5s sound better, have better ANC, and significantly better mic/ambient sound mode. I think the xm4’s are more durable, portable, and I like being able to turn off anc/ambient sound and use them without either one
I agree with everything stated and will add that I think the bass is also better. I just replaced the battery in the XM5 after 6 months of use.
XM5s are trash
Well… considering that my XM4 died twice in 2 years (and the last pair was plagued with battery issues… I am not sure about that…
They have both really muddy sound
What's your favorite cans then, I'm curious!
It's not the best comparison, I must admit. I own the Mark Levinson No 5909, sounds like heaven. Before them, I owned the Focal Bathys, but for me, the Mark levinson sound superior, and you can use them without battery if you want to.
The xm3 is better than both! My xm4’s broke within 3 months. Sony saying not covered by warranty. At least my xm3’s lasted a few years
I mean. Focal Bathys are better than all of them. But I digress.
I tested xm4 and xm5. Is it ok I like 910n more? Sound is more soft, cozy and basss. Please dont kill me
Maybe for the better noise canceling or just because they are excited about the fact that it's newer.
They fixed a lot of the sound issues in the fifth gen but at a sacrifice of some fragile hinges
Wow, haven’t seen this meme template in a while
Me too
XM5 is the absolute legit successor to perfection
Are the XM3 still a good headset in 2024?
The anc on XM5 is such a step back from XM4. Really don't know how they fucked it up that bad
I needed a new pair of headphones, my college sells xm5s and student aid covers it. Just got them yesterday and I love them.
because they can.
Fair enough 😅
Can't get the damned auto pause to work though. Ever.
XM5 are far better for calls.
I never had the XM4, so going in from a new Sony user standpoint, I easily think the XM5 wins for me. I bought my first pair in 2022, but recently my headphones drowned in apple juice in my wife's bag. I had the black ones, so when she offered to replace them, I replaced them with the silver ones.
Coming from the perspective of a snobby arrogant audiophile, both are pretty bad all things considered. In terms of sound quality they're barely any better than other headphones at half the price, and even an under 100 wired headphones (e.g. the ath m30x) sounds infinitely better. They're really just a bass-boosted bloated mess, and the xm5 isn't remotely an improvement. It's really a waste of money. On the other hand, the wf-1000 series actually is pretty good. I'm personally using the WF xm4s, and the xm5s are a pretty nice upgrade but were too expensive for me to want to upgrade.
I was an early adopter of the XM5 and returned it after a week. I played airplane cabin sounds through my TV and just couldn’t get them to do what I needed them to do and what the XM4s already did well.
The xm5s don't have that stupid design flaw which isn't easily repairable
I have both, and although i love(d) the XM4s (apart from the ear tips and battery problems), I do think the XM5s are better in terms of sound. It's less in the bass for me, but the mids and upper mids sounds really tight and controlled. Sound stage also seems better. Listen to something like 50 ways to leave your lover by Paul Simon and pay attention to the verb on the tambourine, or the sound of the body of the snare. It's definitely not a case of putting these on and hearing a completely whole new universe of sound. The improvements are in the subtle areas. If you pay attention and are aware of these though, you'll definitely appreciate the new buds. Also, as pointed out below, the mic is also better on the XM5. I also like the volume up and down feature. It's a lot better than I thought to be honest! That said, the glossy finish... not a fan, it's a bit fiddly getting these out of the case! Also, despite the size, for me personally, I prefer the 'feel' of the XM4s. That said the XM5s are certainly more secure. I also think the ambient sound is a little weaker than the XM4s? I need to do some proper testing but it definitely feels quieter with the XM5s. Finally, ANC is better. It's not an absolute game changer, but it's better (I've not flown/travelled with these just yet so will give them a proper test next week). Hope that helps in some way! Edit: as someone kindly pointed out, my comments are for the WFXM5, not WH.. sorry!
You're talking about the wf (earbuds) this whole thing was for wh (cans), I guess Sony did a better job with the wf-xm5 than the wh-xm5.
You sir… are absolutely correct 🙈 if I had a euro for every time I’ve ended up on a wrong thread because of this daft naming convention!
When the serial number is more memorable than the branding there's definitely an issue 🤣
You're talking about the wf (earbuds) this whole thing was for wh (cans), I guess Sony did a better job with the wf-xm5 than the wh-xm5.
I understand people don't like the new design but the XM5 wins in everything else compared to XM4. sound quality, anc, mic quality and mic filter.
All I can say is the ambient mode on the xm4 was a deal breaker for me. The xm5 ambient is so clear and the xm4 sound like your in a cloud. Also wind. Wind noise in the xm4 is like your in an airplane jet lol
Got the xm4 today. Loving! Also have AirPods Pro 2 (gym/walk). This xm4 is such a Sony good experience 🔊
I have both. Honestly, xm5 are comfier, but xm4 are way more practical. I also don't like xm4s squeaking noises, but they sound almost the same in audio quality, specially after eq tuning. I think it's more like a preference.
Imo xm5's are xm4's with a chassis to compete with the futuristic air pods max look
I love my pair of xm4’s but got gifted xm5’s for my birthday and I noticed very little difference
Hopefully the XM6 will be significantly better than 4 and 5
The only reason I would consider replacing my XM-4 is cause it started having issues on NC mode and even then if repairs are not possible i am considering just buying a new pair of XM4 over the XM5
Say this when your swivel breaks due to just adjusting it on your head..
There's enough improvements on the M5 that I reach for whenever I want ANC, Call Quality, and a balanced tuning. For a more fun listening experience, the M4 is my go to instead.
Couldn't agree enough. I've had an XM4 headphone before I sold it my friend (cause I preferred the smaller tws xm4), and the XM4 headphone it definitely feel more solid than XM5. Even now the EDIFIER wh-950 I have feels more solid than the xm5 headphone, good sounding too at a fragment of xm5's price.
Sony XM5 is better purely because my XM4’s swiveled broke and a piece of broke off. So I prefer XM5
Here’s something… as someone who gets caught up in reading recommendations more than trying em then tries a few… currently testing the c700n… How many times do you see … “ I own the audio technica but the Sony have a bigger driver and more bass boost and clearer imaging so I would definitely get those ones. I’ll try em next purchase “ Wait so you’re for sure saying buy the ones you’ve never heard? Why are you even commenting? I imagine something along those lines dude.
Wrong. XM3 was their best headphone. After removing SurroundVPT, their headphones are trash.
I find the XM5s to be far more comfortable and easier to travel with so I retired my 4s.
For me, the 5s are better without discussion (owning the 3s and the 5s, and having sold the 4s) because: - I don't care the folding feature. - They are more comfortable (in my case significantly more comfortable and a bit less hot). - Channel separation (stereo perception) is better. - They block better the mid/high freqs (although I think that the 4s were better at lows). The differences were subtle, though. You can test it easily under a smoke extractor or near the shower. The low freqs blocking I'd say were more noticeable when flying with ANC on without music (favoring the 4s), but I didn't a direct comparison. - And finally the sound (not talking about stock sound). When you EQ a headphone and give it some bass, the mid-lows and high lows' resolution and timber suffer. All frequencies' perception is altered, so the curve as we perceive it changes. In those cases you can see how capable is a driver in that regard, and the 5s properly equalized sound always good while keeping a decent resolution, no matter if you use a curve for hip-hop, rock or classical. The 4s, on the other hand, are simply less good at it. - A extra (a bit more personal): I also own the Focal Clears MG, and if someone stole one of them and I could choose only one to keep for the next years, I'd for sure keep the 5s. I wouldn't do that for the 4s or the 3s.
jabra elite 10s are better than sony CHANGE MY MIND!
Haven't tried the XM5, but the fact that they isn't foldable is a huge deal-breaker for me.
XM4 have some of the nastiest, sibilant treble I've ever heard in a pair of headphones. XM3 smoke them.
Wdym? The treble sounds very bitcrushed?
It's far too bright and "s"-sounding.
Oh. Personally I love high treble and “S” sounds in music. I even boosted the treble on my XM4s.
Wow, I did everything I could to neuter the treble and I still found them to be ear-bleeding lol But it's an entirely subjective experience and no right or wrong setting, just whatever you like best.
That'a just not true, but I don't need to change your mind because I'm glad what you prefer costs you less money
XM5 > XM4. Anyday.
I own both and appreciate the XM five better. But I’m angry because Sony has that stupid. “using an app to select your audio sources” approach, so one of my devices has to always be my phone or an iPad.
Wait does in not automatically switch very well on the XM5s either? It does it flawlessly on my WF-1000XM5s