Bose QC Ultra Vs Sony 1000XM5 & Sony 1000XM4 - Is Bose Back On Top?

Summary

The video compares the Bose QC Ultra headphones with Sony's 1000xm4 and 1000xm5 models. It highlights the Bose's superior noise cancellation and immersive audio feature but notes issues like higher price, cabin pressure, and subpar battery life. Sony's 1000xm4 is praised for comfort and travel-friendliness, while the 1000xm5 boasts the best microphone performance. The script also covers fit, controls, and additional features like quick attention and ambient modes, ultimately suggesting the Sony 1000xm4 as the best travel option.

Takeaways

• 🎧 The Bose QC Ultra headphones are praised for their impressive noise-cancellation capabilities and comfort for extended wear.
• 💰 The Bose QC Ultra is priced at $430, which is higher compared to the Sony 1000xm5 at $400 and the Sony 1000xm4 at $350, reflecting a premium cost.
• 🔋 The Bose QC Ultra offers 24 hours of battery life with ANC on and drops to 18 hours with immersive audio, whereas Sony's headphones provide longer battery life and better fast-charging capabilities.
• 📍 The Bose QC Ultra has a smaller, more travel-friendly case compared to the Sony 1000xm5, which has a larger case due to its lay-flat design.
• 👂 The Bose QC Ultra features more spacious earpads and a comfortable headband, making them suitable for a wider range of ear sizes and shapes.
• 🎵 The immersive audio feature on the Bose QC Ultra enhances the listening experience by bringing vocals forward and improving instrument separation.
• 🔊 The Sony 1000xm5 has a superior microphone that excels in noise reduction, providing clearer voice pickup in various environments.
• 🔄 The Sony 1000xm4 offers a more adjustable ambient mode and a quick attention feature, enhancing the user's ability to interact with their surroundings while wearing the headphones.
• 🔌 All headphones support dual Bluetooth connections and have a 3.5mm audio jack for wired use, but the Sony headphones also support the LDAC codec for high-resolution audio on Android devices.
• 🌐 The Sony 1000xm4 is recommended for travel due to its balance of comfort, noise-cancellation, and feature set, despite its microphone performance being slightly inferior to the 1000xm5.

Q & A

What are the retail prices for the Bose QC Ultra, Sony 1000xm5, and Sony 1000xm4 headphones?

The retail price for the Bose QC Ultra is $430, for the Sony 1000xm5 it's $400, and for the Sony 1000xm4, it's $350.

How do the carrying cases for these headphones compare in terms of size and portability?

All three headphones come with hard shell cases for protection. The Bose QC Ultra and Sony 1000xm4 have smaller cases that are easier for traveling, while the Sony 1000xm5 has a significantly larger case due to its lay-flat design, making it less convenient for travel.

What are the weight differences among the Sony 1000xm4, Bose QC Ultra, and Sony 1000xm5 headphones?

The Sony 1000xm4 weighs 255g, the Bose QC Ultra weighs 205g, and the Sony 1000xm5 weighs 250g, making them all relatively lightweight and comfortable for extended wear.

How do the earpads and headbands of these headphones affect comfort, especially for different ear sizes?

The Sony 1000xm5 has the shallowest earpads, which can press down on ear cartilage and become uncomfortable. The Sony 1000xm4 has deeper and more spacious earpads, while the Bose QC Ultra offers the most spacious earpads, making them suitable for larger ears. The headbands on the Sony 1000xm4 and Bose QC Ultra are more padded and cause less discomfort compared to the thin and minimally padded headband on the Sony 1000xm5.

What are the battery life differences among the Bose QC Ultra, Sony 1000xm5, and Sony 1000xm4 headphones?

The Bose QC Ultra offers 24 hours of battery life with ANC on and 18 hours with immersive audio on. The Sony 1000xm5 provides 30 hours of battery life with ANC on and up to 40 hours with ANC off. The Sony 1000xm4 also offers 30 hours with ANC on.

How do the fast charging capabilities of these headphones compare?

The Sony 1000xm4 provides 5 hours of playback with a 10-minute charge, the Sony 1000xm5 offers 3 hours with a 3-minute charge, and the Bose QC Ultra gives 3 hours with a 15-minute charge.

What audio codecs do the Bose QC Ultra and Sony 1000xm headphones support?

The Bose QC Ultra supports SBC and AAC codecs. The Sony 1000xm5 and 1000xm4 also support SBC and AAC, but additionally, they support LDAC, Sony's high-resolution audio codec, which is available only to Android users as iPhones are limited to AAC.

How do the active noise cancellation (ANC) performances of the Bose QC Ultra, Sony 1000xm5, and Sony 1000xm4 compare?

The Bose QC Ultra blocks out more noise than both Sony models, especially at low and high ends. However, it introduces more cabin pressure than the Sony 1000xm5, which was previously the industry leader in ANC. The Sony 1000xm4 also blocks out a significant amount of noise with less cabin pressure.

What features do the Sony 1000xm5 and 1000xm4 have that the Bose QC Ultra lacks for travel convenience?

The Sony 1000xm5 and 1000xm4 can be used with their ANC turned off to extend battery life, have a better ambient mode that is adjustable and actively protects hearing, and feature quick attention for easy communication. These are conveniences not found on the Bose QC Ultra.

How do the microphone performances of the Bose QC Ultra, Sony 1000xm5, and Sony 1000xm4 compare in noisy environments?

The Sony 1000xm5 has the best performing microphone, effectively reducing external noise and maintaining voice clarity. The Bose QC Ultra also reduces road noise and chatter but not as effectively as the Sony 1000xm5. The Sony 1000xm4 has the weakest microphone performance, letting in more noise.