This is bullsh*t (2) | SoundCore Space Q45 vs Sony WH 1000 XM5

Summary

In this video, the SoundCore Space Q45 is put head-to-head with Sony's WH-1000 XM5, and the results are surprising. Despite the SoundCore's significantly lower price, it competes impressively in key areas like noise cancellation and transparency. It offers excellent value with a feature-packed design, superior sound quality, and industry-leading battery life. While the Sony has the edge in comfort and call quality, the SoundCore's performance and price make it a strong contender, offering exceptional performance at a fraction of the cost. For value-driven users, the SoundCore is a must-consider alternative.

Takeaways

• 😀 The SoundCore Space Q45, priced at $150 (with an additional 20% discount), offers surprising value, considering the Sony WH-1000 XM5 costs over twice as much.
• 😀 SoundCore wins in the noise-canceling feature by offering adjustable ANC, which Sony lacks, despite Sony's advanced features like adaptive ANC and speak-to-chat.
• 😀 While Sony excels in ANC in terms of features and attenuation, SoundCore delivers excellent noise cancellation overall with some AI quirks in the Sony XM5.
• 😀 SoundCore performs better in transparency mode with louder voices and more clear communication, while Sony's transparency mode struggles with volume.
• 😀 SoundCore offers great value with a talk mode that reduces music volume to stay aware of surroundings, ideal for office environments.
• 😀 In phone calls, Sony wins with better mic quality, thanks to a four-mic system, while SoundCore’s two-mic system results in tinny voice quality.
• 😀 The SoundCore Q45's button controls are more intuitive and satisfying than the Sony's touch controls, making the experience better for users who prefer buttons.
• 😀 The Sony WH-1000 XM5 provides superior comfort with its lightweight design and low clamping force, ideal for extended use, while SoundCore feels slightly more pressured on the ears after long periods.
• 😀 SoundCore boasts impressive battery life, lasting up to 50 hours with ANC on, far exceeding the Sony XM5's 30 hours, and offers a quick 4-hour charge in just 4 minutes.
• 😀 Despite being cheaper, SoundCore offers features like multipoint connectivity, LDAC support, and app-based device switching, making it a strong competitor to Sony in terms of value and usability.

Q & A

What makes the SoundCore Space Q45 a surprising competitor to the Sony WH-1000 XM5?

Despite being priced at $150, the SoundCore Space Q45 offers excellent noise cancellation, impressive transparency, and strong sound quality, making it a surprisingly strong competitor to the much more expensive Sony WH-1000 XM5.

How does the noise cancellation feature of the SoundCore Space Q45 compare to the Sony WH-1000 XM5?

While the Sony WH-1000 XM5 has advanced noise cancellation features, including adaptive ANC, the SoundCore Space Q45 also offers adjustable ANC, which many users find useful. SoundCore’s noise cancellation is considered excellent, though the Sony offers more features and slightly better overall attenuation of sound.

What is the key difference in transparency modes between the SoundCore Space Q45 and the Sony WH-1000 XM5?

The SoundCore Space Q45 has a transparency mode that boosts the mids and highs, making voices louder and clearer compared to the Sony WH-1000 XM5. Sony’s transparency mode, while adjustable, has lower volume levels and focuses more on filtering out low-end sounds.

Which headphone has better performance for phone calls, the SoundCore Space Q45 or the Sony WH-1000 XM5?

The Sony WH-1000 XM5 is superior in phone call quality, due to its 4-mic system that offers clearer sound. The SoundCore Space Q45, with a 2-mic system, provides average call quality with a somewhat tinny sound.

How does the build quality of the SoundCore Space Q45 compare to the Sony WH-1000 XM5?

The Sony WH-1000 XM5 has a more premium build, with a lightweight design and a subtle, high-quality finish. The SoundCore Space Q45, while durable, feels bulkier and more plastic in comparison. However, the SoundCore is foldable and features resilient aluminium alloy hinges.

Which headphone offers better battery life, the SoundCore Space Q45 or the Sony WH-1000 XM5?

The SoundCore Space Q45 offers a remarkable 50 hours of battery life with ANC on, significantly surpassing the Sony WH-1000 XM5, which lasts up to 30 hours. Additionally, the SoundCore charges quickly, providing 4 hours of use with just 4 minutes of charging.

What is the comfort comparison between the SoundCore Space Q45 and the Sony WH-1000 XM5?

The Sony WH-1000 XM5 is considered more comfortable for long listening sessions, with lighter weight and less clamping force. The SoundCore Space Q45, although comfortable for shorter periods, can become uncomfortable after hours of use due to pressure on the ears.

Do the SoundCore Space Q45 and Sony WH-1000 XM5 support multipoint connectivity?

Yes, both headphones support multipoint connectivity. The SoundCore Space Q45 can connect to two devices simultaneously, and the Sony WH-1000 XM5 offers seamless switching between paired devices, though it lacks the automatic device connection feature that the Sony has.

How do the SoundCore Space Q45 and Sony WH-1000 XM5 perform in terms of sound quality?

The SoundCore Space Q45 offers cleaner, more pristine sound out of the box, especially in the high and mid frequencies. The Sony WH-1000 XM5, while offering a darker sound initially, can be improved with its 5-band EQ and Clear Bass slider, but the SoundCore delivers better sound quality overall, particularly in the treble.

What are some of the drawbacks of the SoundCore Space Q45 compared to the Sony WH-1000 XM5?

While the SoundCore Space Q45 offers impressive value at its price, it lacks some of the premium features of the Sony WH-1000 XM5, such as wear sensors, Android fast pairing, and more advanced voice assistant features. Additionally, the SoundCore lacks Sony's extensive post-sale support and sustainability efforts.