Sony XM4 vs XM5 | Which headphones are better? | Mark Ellis Reviews

Summary

The video compares Sony's new XM5 headphones with the previous XM4 model. While the XM5s offer improved noise cancellation, lighter design, and better call quality, they lack foldability and have less comfortable padding. Both models share similar battery life and sound quality, but the XM4s remain competitive due to their lower price and foldable design. The XM5s offer a sleeker design and better noise-canceling performance, but the XM4s are still a strong choice, especially for those looking to save money without sacrificing too much in performance.

Takeaways

• 🎧 The Sony XM5 headphones have replaced the XM4s, but their value is hard to justify while the XM4s are still available at a lower price.
• 💸 The XM4s are significantly cheaper, retailing for around £260 compared to the XM5s which are priced at £379 to £399.
• 🎨 The XM5s have a more modern design and are lighter, but their size is comparable to the XM4s.
• 🔇 The XM5s are noiseless, meaning they don't creak or make sounds when moved, unlike the XM4s.
• 🙃 A controversial design choice is that the XM5s don’t fold, making their case larger and less compact than the foldable XM4s.
• 🛏️ The XM4s offer better comfort, thanks to thicker and softer padding compared to the thinner foam on the XM5s.
• 🔋 Both models have similar battery life, around 30 hours with noise cancellation, but the XM5s can reach 40 hours with it off.
• 🎶 In terms of sound quality, the XM4s are bassier and more exciting for certain tracks, while the XM5s have a more pronounced mid-range, making them sound more natural on vocals like Adele's.
• 📞 The XM5s offer noticeably improved call quality compared to the XM4s, making them a better choice for taking calls.
• 👂 The XM5s have superior noise-canceling abilities, dampening sounds more effectively across all frequencies than the XM4s.

Q & A

What is the main issue that makes the Sony XM5 headphones hard to justify over the XM4s?

The main issue is that the XM4 headphones are still available in the market and their price has dropped significantly, making the XM5s harder to justify due to the substantial price difference.

How much cheaper are the Sony XM4 headphones compared to the XM5s in the UK?

In the UK, the price for the XM4s has dropped to as little as 260 pounds, while the XM5s retail at 379 pounds, resulting in a saving of over a hundred pounds.

What are the three big design differences between the Sony XM4 and XM5 headphones?

The three big design differences are: the weight, with the XM5s being significantly lighter; the XM5's noiseless design which eliminates creaking or cracking noises; and the fact that the XM5s do not fold, unlike the XM4s.

Which headphones are more comfortable according to the script, the XM4s or the XM5s?

The XM4s are more comfortable due to softer and fuller padding on both the headband and ear cups compared to the XM5s.

What is the battery life difference between the Sony XM4 and XM5 headphones?

The battery life is almost identical for both headphones, with both offering around 30 hours of battery life with noise cancelling turned on.

Which headphones have better noise cancelling capabilities, the XM4s or the XM5s?

The XM5s have better noise cancelling capabilities, noticeably outperforming the XM4s by damping sound across the entire frequency range.

How do the Sony XM5 headphones perform in terms of sound quality compared to the XM4s?

The XM5s have a more pronounced mid-range, which some might find less pleasing, but they perform better with certain types of music like 'Easy on Me' by Adele, where the vocals are more natural.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the headphone cases for both the XM4 and XM5 models?

The reviewer prefers the XM4 case due to its smaller size and better portability, while noting that the XM5 case is larger and has a unique but less practical feature of built-in creases.

Which headphones offer better call quality, the XM4s or the XM5s?

The XM5s offer better call quality on both ends of the conversation compared to the XM4s.

What additional features do the Sony XM5 headphones have that are similar to the XM4s?

Both the XM4s and XM5s have features like auto pause and resume, smart assistant integration, the ability to connect to two Bluetooth devices at once, and compatibility with LDAC for high-resolution audio streaming.

What is the reviewer's final recommendation regarding the purchase of the Sony XM5 headphones over the XM4s?

The reviewer suggests that unless one wants the latest and greatest, it might be more cost-effective to purchase the XM4s while their price is low, as the improvements in the XM5s do not fully justify the extra cost at the moment.