Sony ULT Wear and WH-1000XM5 Reviewed & Compared by an AUDIO ENGINEER

Summary

The Sony alt wear headphones, positioned below the flagship WH-1000XM5, offer a more affordable option with a similar design but with cheaper materials. They feature ANC, transparency mode, and a unique 'alt' button for bass boost. The headphones have a 30-hour battery life with ANC on and 50 hours with it off, and a quick charge provides 5 hours of playback. Despite a less premium feel, they cater to those seeking powerful bass and are suitable for travel with their folding capability.

Takeaways

• 🎧 The Sony alt wear is a new line of headphones positioned one tier below the flagship Sony WH-1000XM5.
• 🔍 It offers a more affordable option with a focus on bass-heavy sound, sitting at a $200 price point compared to the $400 XM5.
• 👂 The design aesthetic is similar to the XM5, but with cheaper materials like plastic, affecting the overall premium feel.
• 📦 It features a foldable design, which is convenient for travel but might increase the risk of damage.
• 🔋 The battery life is impressive with 30 hours of playback with ANC on and 50 hours with ANC off.
• 🔌 It includes a quick charge feature, offering 5 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge.
• 🎵 The alt wear uses a 40mm driver and has an 'alt' button to toggle between normal, alt one, and alt two sound profiles, emphasizing bass.
• 🎵 The 'alt' button allows for a customizable listening experience, with alt two providing an extreme bass boost.
• 📞 The microphone quality is good, but the reviewer noted an echo effect on the color end during a test.
• 📉 While the alt wear may not be for everyone, especially those who prefer a balanced sound, it caters to bass lovers and offers good value for the price.
• 🔗 The reviewer suggests the alt wear could be a good fit for those who enjoy older Sony sounds or want a budget-friendly option with decent features.

Q & A

What is the Sony alt wear?

The Sony alt wear is a new line of Sony headphones that sits one tier below the flagship Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, offering a more affordable option with a range of features including ANC.

How does the Sony alt wear compare to the WH-1000XM5 in terms of design?

The alt wear continues a similar design aesthetic to the WH-1000XM5, featuring an earcuff design and a clean look. However, it uses more plastic and lacks the premium feel of the XM5, with a matte finish plastic and rigid plastic on the headband.

What are the differences in fit and finish between the alt wear and the WH-1000XM5?

The alt wear has a less premium feel due to its plastic construction and lacks the soft touch finish found in the XM5. The padding along the headband is also not wrapped in vegan leather but in more rigid plastic.

Does the alt wear have the ability to fold up like the WH-1000XM5?

Yes, the alt wear can fold up, which is beneficial for traveling, but this design choice also increases the risk of breaking. It comes with a rigid case to help protect against damage.

What are the battery life specifications for the alt wear?

The alt wear offers 30 hours of battery life with ANC on and 50 hours with ANC off. A 10-minute charge can provide 5 hours of playback.

How does the ANC performance of the alt wear compare to the WH-1000XM5?

The alt wear uses the V1 chip processor and has a wind noise reduction mic, similar to the XM4 lineup. It performs well in ANC but might not be as effective as the XM5, as indicated by the reviewer's objective tests.

What is the transparency mode like on the alt wear?

The transparency mode on the alt wear is solid but less transparent and natural than what is found on Apple or Bose's products. It has a mid-range boost that makes the sound more artificial.

What is the 'alt' button on the alt wear used for?

The 'alt' button allows users to toggle between three sound settings: off, alt one, and alt two. These settings adjust the sound profile, with alt one providing a bass-heavy sound reminiscent of older Sony headphones, and alt two offering an even more pronounced bass experience.

How does the alt wear perform in windy conditions?

The alt wear has an anti-wind sensor that significantly reduces wind noise. In tests, it performed better than the WH-1000XM5 in windy conditions.

What are the microphone test results for the alt wear?

The microphone tests showed that the alt wear provides clear audio in quiet environments. However, there was some self-voice echo noted when used on a color end, which might be a concern for some users.

Who would the reviewer recommend the alt wear for?

The reviewer suggests the alt wear for those who prefer a bass-heavy sound, enjoy the older Sony sound profile, or are looking for an affordable pair of headphones with decent ANC, transparency, and mic quality.